Jazz and Die (24 page)

I tried to change the subject. I didn’t want any reminders either of the scary part, though I had to admit there had been one or two compensations.

‘Where are you going to be stationed now, James?’ I had to ask although I didn’t want to know. It would be Aberdeen or Arbroath or somewhere completely off the beaten track.

‘I don’t know,’ said James, offering me the last chip. It was cold but I ate it out of politeness. ‘I’m taking a few days’ leave first. I’m owed a lot of time and if I don’t take some of it soon, I’ll lose it.’

A girl came to take our plates. James didn’t even look at the dessert menu. ‘Have you got any strawberries?’

‘Yes, sir. Freshly picked this morning. Local fruit farm.’

‘How does that sound to you, Jordan?’ he asked me.

‘Perfect.’

‘Two strawberries and cream, then,’ he told the girl. He turned his attention back to me as if he had never stopped. ‘So I’m taking holiday leave. Would you like to come with me, Jordan?’

I had been waiting for years to hear James say those words. I would like them inscribed in gold ink on parchment, framed and hung on my wall. The joy rushed through me, then fell instantly to the grass beneath my feet. My toes curled in my sandals.

‘I can’t.’ I could have wept.

‘Why not?’ His face did not change. I couldn’t tell if he was disappointed or relieved. ‘It’s only a few days. I’m not planning to go off on a year’s sabbatical.’

‘I’ve got a new case. A very sweet woman who’s terribly worried about her missing sister. I’ve already started the investigation. I can’t let her down. And I’m having some professional cleaners in to give my flat a thorough spring clean and redecorate. Cover up the cracks. Fresh paint.’

‘Then you’ll have to move out for a few days anyway.’

‘I was going to sleep overnight at my shop.’

‘No way, Jordan. That air mattress is damned hard work to blow up. How about I decide to take my holiday in Latching? I’ve never really seen this beautiful coast or the South Downs, not the real Latching. Always too busy on a case. I’ve never walked the path to Chantonbury Hill or explored the Iron Age entrenchment on Cissbury Ring. And it’s not far to drive to Chichester, which has an excellent theatre for shows. We could check what’s on at the Pier Pavilion. We could eat out every evening: Chinese, Italian, Indian, fish and chips.’

‘Do you like Thai food?’

‘I’m willing to try anything. Do you fancy sharing that kind of holiday with me? You could still fit in investigations for your new case while I catch up on my sleep or sit on your balcony, admiring the view.’

The girl arrived with two bowls of luscious strawberries
topped with cream.

‘Enjoy,’ she said, in that artless way.

James took the biggest, ripest strawberry from his bowl and offered to feed it to me. His grey eyes were twinkling, flecked with sunlight. The granite hardness had gone. ‘By the way, I believe your air mattress has developed a hole in it. We shall have to think of something else.’

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