Gangsters of Shanghai - An International Mystery Thriller by Gerry O'Sullivan

Author:Gerry O'Sullivan [O'Sullivan, Gerry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rosetta No. 3 A/C Pty Ltd
Published: 2013-07-31T04:00:00+00:00

* * *

The alcohol took effect and I became more relaxed. The cocktail hour passed in light-hearted conversation and, despite my strange rush of mixed-up feelings, the evening was more than bearable. I enjoyed it. I found myself dreaming that Fiona didn’t love Jamie, that, in fact, she really loved me. I studied her carefully to see if there was any sign.

As Jamie handed Fiona a drink, he lightly touch her arm. In response, her mouth turned up in that radiant smile, the one that could fill a room, and her eyes briefly held his. I felt my lips tighten, suppressing the bitterness I felt.

I asked about the painting.

‘It’s not the original, of course. I had this one commissioned. My grandfather bought the original in Hongzhou, and I found the grandson of the artist still living in his grandfather’s house. He works in the same style. I couldn’t resist having it done; I’d loved the original, as you know.’

Fiona wanted to know what I had done after 1920.

‘Well, there’s not much to tell,’ I explained. ‘I was looked after by the neighbours for a short time, then Father O’Brien sent me up to Dublin where I lived with my Uncle Jim. He owned a general grocer store and did well for himself.’

‘But you didn’t want to stay in Dublin?’ asked Fiona.

‘It wasn’t too bad. I managed to avoid entanglement in their civil war after the treaty. Dublin was all right once the civil war was over. I became a city boy, did a commercial course. Uncle Jim had a nice house in Rathmines. My first job was junior sales clerk – Brown Thomas on Grafton Street.’

‘But you came to Shanghai,’ she said.

‘I had a yearning for something.’ It took all my willpower not to stare at Fiona.

‘A playground for adventurers is what Shanghai is,’ said Jamie then. ‘Busting heads for the Emergency Unit beats the hell out of selling drapery, what?’

Jamie began enthusing about his film studio and, despite my shock at meeting Fiona, I was fascinated.

After an hour or two of cocktails and chat, Jamie announced that they had to attend a function at Le Circle Sportif.

I bid them goodnight and Fiona walked me to the door, her arm linked in mine. She stood close to me.

‘It has been so good to talk to you. I haven’t had a proper conversation in eons. Jamie is always working.’ I felt her breath for just a second, against my cheek.

‘Can I see you soon, Fiona?’

‘I’d like that very much. We usually go to meet the gang at the Venus Café. Do you know it? It’s on North Szechuan Road. They have dancing and cocktails; it’s great fun. You must join us one evening. I’ll send you a note.’

We both stood, she took my arm lightly and guided me towards the door, and gave me a feather-light kiss on the cheek. ‘Well, goodbye then, until later.’

I stepped into the hallway and a young Chinese servant girl opened the front door for me.

Ivan

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