Face Me When You Walk Away [In Japanese Language] by Freemantle Brian

Author:Freemantle, Brian [Freemantle, Brian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9784102165119
Amazon: 4102165118
Goodreads: 96946102
Publisher: Shinchosha
Published: 1987-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

16

The Foyle’s luncheon was an overwhelming success, insisted Stanswell. Rarely could he remember an author having greater impact than Nikolai. The young Russian almost bubbled with effervescent confidence, which surprised Josef slightly. He hadn’t detected any more pills missing.

Nikolai and Endelman had shopped that morning. Be-grudgingly, which Josef realized was becoming a constant attitude of mind, he admitted that even though ready-made, the suits were better than those Nikolai had brought from Russia. Before changing for the lunch, Nikolai had showered. It was the second time that morning, Josef had noted.

At their first meeting the following morning, they had stared at him, barely concealing their apprehension that he would pick up the argument. They are not as confident as they pretend, thought Josef. He said nothing, which actually appeared to increase their discomfort. During the morning and then at the meal, Josef had been tense, alert for any overt campness between them. Neither made the slightest movement that could have aroused suspicion.

In the afternoon, there was a publicist’s picture session, which Nikolai enjoyed with his growing delight in being photographed, and in the evening a dinner in the private boardroom of the Sunday Times, which was carrying a profile of the author in their Sunday colour supplement. Lord Snowdon took the pictures, after the publicity session. Nikolai presented him with an autographed copy of Walk Softly on a Lonely Day, a gesture that had surprised Josef.

‘Thank you,’ he said later, to Endelman, knowing the idea would never have occured to Nikolai.

Endelman had shrugged. ‘I realized you have a lot of things on your mind and might not have thought of it.’

Slowly, realized Josef, his self-assurance was being worn away, like a piece of marble eroded by the tiny, continuous irritation of water. Just as the lunch had been successful, so it was impossible to fault Nikolai’s behaviour at the dinner. With prompting from Endelman, he even managed to make a speech of thanks in rusted English.

‘Another of your ideas?’ asked Josef, as they were going home.

Endelman nodded. ‘I thought it would be appreciated,’ said the photographer, deprecating as usual.

Nikolai and Endelman walked almost challengingly along the corridor leading to their suites, paused, and then both entered Nikolai’s rooms. Nearly inside, they paused as if on cue.

‘Good night,’ they said, in unison.

‘Good night,’ said Josef, very controlled. He heard them sniggering as the door closed.

Alone in his rooms, Josef poured a brandy and sat in front of the window, staring out at the Shell building. It was quiet from the adjoining suite. Embarrassingly, he realized he was straining to catch sounds, like a Peeping Tom.

He felt hollowed out and expended, like an old man at the departure of a busy life facing years of empty retirement. Apart from the negotiations over the film contract, he had nothing to do. The negotiator wondered if Nikolai or Endelman had thought deeply about the shortness of their relationship. In a fortnight’s time, maybe less, it would be over. And when that moment came, Nikolai

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