Rivals by Sam Michaels

Author:Sam Michaels [Michaels, Sam]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781789542189
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Published: 2019-10-03T04:00:00+00:00

17

Varvara had taken coffee into the office and as she handed the cups around, she scowled first at PC Cunningham and then at Lash. She hated them both, especially Lash, and couldn’t see what Miss Garrett saw in him. Granted, he was an attractive man, if you liked that sort of thing, but she believed Miss Garrett could do far better. A gentleman, perhaps, possibly a banker or a doctor. But this man, he was nothing but a gypsy, hardly a step up from a vagrant.

‘And another thing, Miss Garrett,’ PC Cunningham said. He slurped on his coffee then continued, ‘Could you try and refrain from firing random shots in pubs, please.’

‘There was nothing random about my firing,’ Georgina answered haughtily. ‘Why, has the landlord complained?’

‘No, far from it. Even though I could see the damage your gun had caused, he denied anything had happened. But we did receive two complaints from customers. Fear not, I have had the paperwork swept under the mat, but you can’t go round shooting at things like that.’

‘Why can’t I?’

‘Because it’s against the law!’

‘You’re paid well enough to turn a blind eye.’

‘And I do, Miss Garrett, but in future, try not to draw so much attention to yourself.’

‘I think we’re done here now. Mr Harel will see to you. Good day, officer.’

Varvara tried not to smirk as PC Cunningham placed his unfinished coffee on Georgina’s desk and huffily scraped his seat back.

‘And by the way, there’s a large group of people heading to London from up North. A hunger march by all accounts. A lot of us have been assigned extra duties to manage it. You’ll find the streets barren of police over the next day or two. Could be a good opportunity to do whatever you need to do.’

Georgina acknowledged Cunningham’s information with a small nod of her head but nothing more. Then she turned to Varvara and asked, ‘Can I help you?’

‘I’d like a word, in private,’ she answered and threw Lash a filthy look.

He was standing behind Miss Garrett, as if watching over her. Huh, thought Varvara. Miss Garrett didn’t need him for protection! She wished the woman could see her fiancé for what he was – scum. All gypsies were scum.

‘Not now, Varvara. I’ll be back later, we can speak then. And get rid of these weeds on my desk.’

Varvara had spent time scouring the backyard for wildflowers and had picked daisies, dandelions and buttercups. She’d carefully arranged the flowers in a small glass and hoped Miss Garrett would like them. She doubted that Lash ever brought the woman flowers. Now, the glass in her hand, she left the office disappointed though she’d enjoyed hearing Miss Garrett put that dirty policeman in his place. She loitered in the hallway for a while, hoping to get another glimpse of Miss Garrett as she left for wherever she was going.

The office door flew open and Victor came out followed by Miss Garrett. As always, the sight of her left Varvara in awe and she gazed at her longingly.

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