Faithless (45 page)

             
"No," said Karen, "he had to go away with work for the weekend."

             
"That's strange," said Ailsa. "But maybe something I'm not meant to know about."

They stood there for a second. "But I brought these for the twins. I came up to see them really." She held up the bag. She had asked the assistant in Hamleys to gift wrap them for her. "He talks about them all the time. I don't have children myself."

              Karen felt sorry for her. "That's really nice of you. Come in. Unexpected but nice."

             
Ailsa followed Karen into the small flat. The twins were suspended in their bouncers. On the TV a woman mutely went through an exercise routine. Despite the lack of music the twins remained enthralled, Morag clapping her hands with delight as the woman silently flexed and sweated. Eilidh looked a bit more disapproving but still raptly watched the TV. They looked up as Ailsa entered.

             
"Daddy's friend has brought you presents girls!" said Karen. "Do you want a coffee?"

             
Ailsa was on her knees cooing to Eilidh, tickling her under the chin, causing guffaws of delight. "Tea if you have it," shouted Ailsa through to the kitchen. "No sugar."

             
"Of course I remember you," said Karen. "I'm sorry about my drunken state."

             
Ailsa laughed. "Don't worry. I was pretty out of it myself. It was a good night. Can I hold your daughter?"

             
"Of course. Eilidh's the heavier one. She's also the grumpy one. My dad calls them the Judge and the Joker."

             
Karen came through with the coffee. She put the cups down and helped Ailsa untangle Eilidh from her bouncer. She handed her to Ailsa. Eilidh immediately began to cry. "She doesn't like me," said Ailsa.

             
Karen laughed. "No, she's just grumpy. Give her to me and you take Morag. She's the sunny natured one."

             
They sat down with a twin apiece.

             
"Do you want kids?" said Karen.

             
"I'd like them but my husband isn't interested."

             
"I'm sorry to hear that."

             
"So am I."

             
Karen looked thoughtful. Then she said, "John and I always wanted children."

             
"Have you been together long?"

             
Karen smiled. "Childhood sweethearts. I always meant to play hard to get but I couldn't resist his charm."

             
"And good looks."

             
"Aye that too. I'm not sure he knows how attractive he is."

             
"And of course he's got the lost boy air about him."

             
Karen considered Ailsa's remark. "Yes, I don't think he knows what he wants in life, if that's what you mean."

             
"I envy you your children," said Ailsa.

             
"Can't you persuade your husband?"

             
Ailsa shook her head. "We've discussed it. Now he just blocks the subject and walks off."

             
"Are you on the pill?" said Karen.

             
Ailsa nodded.

             
"You could always forget to take it? You wouldn't be the first."

             
Ailsa laughed. "That has crossed my mind. But I wouldn't want to bring children into a relationship without love."

             
"I'm so sorry Ailsa," said Karen. She reached out and put her hand on Ailsa's arm in a gesture of comforting.

             
Ailsa didn't pull her arm away. "You love John very much." She said it as a statement not a question.

             
"We have our moments. God knows I've given him enough worries, but yes. I've loved him from the first time I met him."

             
Ailsa felt a sadness rise up and almost choke her. "You're lucky."

             
"Hey," said Karen. "girls - we haven't opened up your presents." 

             
Morag was more interested in Ailsa's necklace - examining the fine gold chain and the single pearl.  Karen reached over and pulled away the wrapping paper on the gifts Ailsa had brought.

             
"They're cabbage patch kids," said Ailsa. "All the rage."

             
"Oh they're lovely. Look girls. Dollies."

             
"They're pretty ugly really," said Ailsa.

             
Karen laughed. "Hideous, but the girls seem to like them."  Eilidh was beaming - hugging her cabbage patch doll as if it was her best friend. Morag was looking at hers suspiciously, then began pulling its woolly hair and laughing.

             
Then the front door opened and John came in. He looked startled to see Ailsa sitting with Karen. "What are you doing here?" he asked, the rain dripping off his coat.

             
"Don't be rude John," said Karen. "Ailsa brought the girls some presents."

             
John just stood at the door. "Why?"

             
"Have some manners," said Karen. "He's such a churl sometimes."

             
"At least he's no a chiel," said Ailsa in a Scottish accent.

             
"She's a Scot," said John. "Just ye wadnae think it fae her normal accent."

             
"Oh ," said Karen. "Where are you from?"

             
"Beauly. Just outside Inverness."

             
"A true Highlander nevertheless," said Karen.

             
"Aye she's one o' they reel Scots. Dancing around with Hamish and Fergus on their annual trip up to the grouse shoot before they head back home to London."

             
"What has got into you John? You're being very rude."

             
"Don't worry," said Ailsa. "I know him well. He's just graceless at times."

             
John took off his coat. He had a big green carrier bag with a shamrock on it.

             
"I would offer you a cup of coffee if you'd come in with more grace," said Karen. "What's in the bag?"

             
Reluctantly, John reached into the bag and pulled out two leprechaun dolls. He handed them to Eilidh and Morag who immediately dropped their cabbage patch dolls to examine the new offerings.

             
"I take it you've been to Ireland?" smiled Ailsa.

             
John nodded. "Did you get a coffee already?"

             
"Yes. Business or pleasure?"

             
"Business."

             
"He said it was a work trip," said Karen.

             
"I didn't know anything about this," said Ailsa.

             
John smiled thinly. "You don't know everything about me."

             
"Clearly not. A man of mystery."

             
Karen watched their exchange.

             
"By the way John," said Ailsa. "Did you hear the big news?"

             
He shook his head.

             
"Our friend has gone to live in Washington. I wanted you to know before you came into work."

             
John pretended to look baffled.

             
"But I see you're busy now. I'll tell you properly tomorrow," said Ailsa. "Enjoy your family night in." Ailsa got up. "I'd better go. I'm going to the cinema later with my friend Eliza. Nice to see you again Karen. Let me give those girls another cuddle before I leave."  She kneeled down and scooped up Eilidh, blowing on her neck, which sent her hooting with laughter. Then she went and hugged Morag who smiled shyly back at her.

             
"Thanks for the coffee Karen. See you tomorrow John."

After she'd left, Karen said, "Why were you so nasty to her?"

             
John shrugged. "I don't like work intruding into my family life."

             
"How come she didn't know you'd been away with work?"

             
"Need to know. She doesn't."

             
"She likes you though."

             
"What?"

             
"When she was talking about you before you arrived, her voice went all sort of soft."

             
"Get away with you."

             
"Women know these things."

             
"If you say so. Anyway who could resist me?" he joked. "Crumpled clothes. Greasy hair. Scuffed shoes."

             
"I still fancy you."

             
John laughed. "I don't know why."

             
"Well, you know what they say," said Karen, "love is blind."

Ailsa noticed the surveillance on her way back to the Tube Station. There was a woman on her platform who was pretending to read a newspaper. A man stood further down idly observing the jackdaws walking up and down on the station roof. They got in the s
ame carriage as Ailsa. She briefly regarded them. They didn't look Russian or American.  She decided they must be British but she didn't recognise any of them. She shrugged and went back to reading
Justine.

8th October 1985, Washington DC:
Within three days Ailsa and John were sent to Washington DC to help with the debrief of Vinogradov. They landed at Dulles International Airport and were met by a CIA driver who took them to Langley. It was impressive in its size and its location - surrounded by acres of peaceful woodland. Inside the woods was a perimeter road with security fences and lots of car parking. The driver told them that work had started on building a new HQ building as the Agency had outgrown the old one. He dropped them at the entrance of the old HQ and they were met by a tall, tanned man who introduced himself as Mark Morello. He was clearly taken by Ailsa's looks, gushing in his gallantry. John regarded him coolly as she flirted with the American. Morello gave John a crushing, manly handshake and welcomed them both to Langley. They were led to a comfortable airy room with a long wooden table. The air conditioning was on and John felt cold. He saw Aleksandr Vinogradov sitting at the end of the table talking to two men in dark suits. Morello introduced them to the chairman Albert Schrader - a man in his 50s. John had heard of him before as being senior in the CIA's SE Division. He also welcomed them Langley and again gave a meaty handshake. He asked them if they would like a coffee and then turned away to get someone to arrange it.

             
"Are you all right?" whispered Ailsa. "You look pale."

             
"Just the flight. I'll be ok."

Vinogradov came over to them and shook their hands like old friends.

              "Hello Volodya," said John. "Nice to see you. If a bit unexpected on this side of the Atlantic."

             
Vinogradov looked apologetic. "I am sorry John - and Ailsa. But I had to do what's best for me. The CIA was very generous."

             
"Have they got you a house?" asked John.

             
"I can't say. But I hope. I have a long debrief."

             
"What about your children?"

             
Vinogradov looked as if John had punched him. He turned his head away. "My son is at school in Moscow."

             
"Alyosha," said Ailsa.

             
"Yes.  And my wife. I believe from the CIA that she has been flown back. I had hoped she would come with me, but there was not enough time."

             
At that point Schrader coughed and brought the meeting to order. They sat down, John next to Ailsa. He felt his heart beating. She whispered, "You're sweating, don't let these turkeys make you nervous."

             
"Must have a bug," he said. Despite the cold air flushing from the air-con above, he dabbed at his forehead with his handkerchief.