The Main Chance by Colin Forbes

Author:Colin Forbes [Forbes, Colin]
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2010-08-10T14:00:00+00:00

`Do you mind if we go into the library?' Lavinia suggested, standing up. 'Don't like this room any more...'

The three of them settled in armchairs arranged so they faced each other. Lavinia sat opposite Tweed, studying him — her large blue pool-like eyes he found disconcerting.

`You always wanted to work here as an accountant?' he asked her.

`No, I didn't.' She laughed, a pleasant appealing sound. 'Once I'd passed my exams and knew I could stay here if I wanted to I decided I'd explore the real world. Now don't laugh,' she said with a ravishing smile, 'I became an actress, playing in small theatres on the northern circuit. The accommodation was frightful, pokey little rooms, and the food was awful.'

`What parts did you play?'

`Shakespeare. I was in King Lear and played all three of his daughters in succession. I really did,' she said with a chuckle.

`Which was your favourite? Goneril or Regan, one of the two evil daughters?'

`Absolutely not, although I coped with the parts. No, my favourite was Cordelia, the sister they so cruelly exploited. Then, I can't imagine why, the company toured Europe. In Denmark the audience hissed me when I played Goneril or Regan, but they applauded Cordelia.'

`Then you came here?' suggested Tweed.

`Not yet. I joined Medfords Security.' She looked at Paula. 'You went there, didn't you. I was taught how to open complex locks, how to shadow suspects without being seen, changing clothes at intervals, the way I walked.'

`I did that too,' Paula chimed in. 'I found that the most difficult part of the course.

`Me too,' Lavinia agreed. 'I don't think I was very good at it.'

`So play-acting didn't suit you?' Tweed asked Lavinia.

`The travel abroad was interesting. So many different countries. But I didn't like some of my fellow actors. Let's just say they were peculiar.' She leaned close to Tweed. 'And it was after my time at Medfords I came back here. It is so peaceful after the hell of London traffic and the pedestrians jabbering away on their mobiles and walking into you.' She put a hand on Tweed's knee. 'So now you have the biography of Lavinia.'

`Thank you,' he said with a smile. find it fascinating.'

`Fascinating? Me or the biography?' she asked with an endearing smile as she removed her hand from his knee.

`Both, of course,' he replied gallantly.

Lavinia checked her watch, stood up, her figure erect.

`If we go down now for lunch we should just beat Mrs Grandy using her hooter.'

`Hooter?' queried Paula as they left the library and reached the top of the great flight of the main stairs.

`That's what I call her way of bellowing when a meal is ready.'

As they entered the main library Mrs Grandy appeared with a grim expression. Marshal came bustling in after them, followed by Marler and Newman. Mrs Grandy stood in the doorway, arms crossed.

`Nice when some people are on time. Just. As for the male lot, they're late. And I don't appreciate being told late to prepare for two extras.

She aimed her stubby index finger at both Marler and Newman.

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