Only When I Larf by Len Deighton

Author:Len Deighton [Deighton, Len]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11 LIZ

At first Silas had been over-concerned about Bob, and so had I. I was still worried, but after all, Bob had been hurt trying to save his own skin, not performing any act of heroism, so I didn't feel it necessary to hold a sacred vigil at his bedside while he drank coca cola and groaned and felt sorry for himself.

The fiasco at the Embassy had upset Silas to a point where I was worried about him. Not that I encouraged him to feel sorry for himself, on the contrary, I did my best to help him pull himself together. After we had got Bob off to sleep, Silas came tip-toeing into my room.

'You'd better tell me what happened Silas,' I said. He explained how he and Bob had fought their way out of the Embassy, with Bob losing his nerve half way through, and trying to make a bolt for it.

'It will be all right though,' said Silas.

I put my arm around him to comfort him. 'Of course it will,' I said.

'I love you, caterpillar,' said Silas. 'I couldn't live without you.'

'Of course you could,' I said. He hung to me like a survivor on a piece of flotsam. We stood silently for a moment or so. Finally I said, 'How much money do we have left?' Silas said, 'Five thousand six hundred and sixty-four pounds eighteen shillings and fourpence.'

'What about the mews cottage lease and the cars and the scrap metal?' I said. 'You're forgetting about those, aren't

you?'

'I'm sorry,' said Silas. 'Yes I'm forgetting those.'

'Don't be scared Silas,' I said.

'Everyone is scared sometimes,' he said.

'Try not to show it,' I said. 'We need to be at our very best. Any time now someone might start asking questions.'

'Well, I just might refuse to answer questions,' said Silas angrily.

'That would be a sure sign,' I said.

'To hell with them,' said Silas. 'I've got to rest up in the hotel for a bit, take it easy, we have enough money left for me to take a rest surely?'

'Depends what you call a rest,' I said. 'We couldn't stop for three months the way you wanted to, when the money seemed ours for certain.'

'Keep a sense of proportion,' said Silas. 'I'll handle the bravery stuff; you keep a sense of proportion.'

'If you say so, caterpillar,' I said.

'Maybe I should leave you,' said Silas. 'Perhaps that would be best for both of us.' He searched my face awaiting my reply.

'Don't think of it, caterpillar,' I said unemotionally. 'We need you.' He gripped my arm spitefully, but I shook myself free.

'I need you,' said Silas. 'I need you more than you need me, how would I ever replace you?'

'There will always be plenty of girls running after you Silas; prettier ones than me, cleverer ones than me. You'd have no trouble replacing me. You are a Svengali with women, so don't pretend you don't know it.'

'There, there my love,' said Silas. He came close to me and held me gently. There was just the last dusty light of day coming into the room.

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