The Retreat by Anne Morgellyn

Author:Anne Morgellyn [Morgellyn, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Endeavour Media
Published: 2019-03-06T22:00:00+00:00

7

She found the newcomer in the library the following morning. He was reading the news on his tablet computer.

‘Enschuldingen,’ she said.

He looked up in amazement: ‘You speak German?’

‘I know how to excuse myself.’

He closed the tablet. ‘There’s no driver today?’

‘No. There’s a conference on. Are you thinking of leaving already?’

‘Not at all. I want to explore the town.’

‘I could take you, if you like. I have my car here.’

‘That’s great. You’re going now?’

‘If you like. I can show you the sights. But perhaps you’d like to do your own thing.’

‘You have no work here, like the others?’

‘No. I’m not a member of the community. I’m officially a guest here.’

‘So we’re both at leisure. Great. Let’s go.’

They walked in silence down the drive. He was very tall, even taller than Roman, and she didn’t want to look up at him to make conversation. When they got to the car, they saw that their plan had been thwarted. Two of the wheels had been removed. The tyres on the remaining wheels were slashed. The driver’s window was broken, the sides and bonnet dented by some heavy object – possibly a sledgehammer. Someone had it in for her.

‘I’ll have to get this sorted,’ she said. ‘It’s not far to walk or you could use one of the bikes.’

‘It’s a British car. That’s OK. They’ll have universal tyres. You’ll have to get it recovered.’

‘Well I can’t drive it to the garage, can I?’

‘Hm. I think not. I’ll get along.’

‘If you want a beer, there’s a bar down on the quay with a red light. They sell Heineken.’

‘That’s not a German beer. So long.’ He raised his right arm, the palm showing. Had it been any higher, it would have been a salute.

She found L’Oiseau amongst the lettuces and tried to explain that her car was Kaput. He shrugged, though she had the feeling that he understood her. Joanna was on her hands and knees further up the garden. She didn’t turn round when Mackie went up to her.

‘You were told not to bring a car.’

‘No, I wasn’t. I was only told when I got here.’

‘L’Oiseau’s brother has the garage. Didn’t Roman tell you? He services the minibus and van.’ She straightened up and looked at Mackie. ‘Don’t you feel like calling it a day,’ she said. ‘I would.’

‘I need to speak to Roman. D’you think there’s be a rumpus if

I go over to the conference centre? I know we’re not supposed to but this is kind of emergency.’

‘Why don’t you try? You’re well in with him, aren’t you?’ Joanna had a runny nose.’

‘Have you got a cold?’

‘It’s hayfever.’

‘Do you take tablets for it?’

‘Yes. I buy them at the pharmacy. Look, I’ve got to get on.’

‘I don’t think I’ll bother Roman. The police won’t do anything.’

She went back to her room and called Forrest, who looked after her car in London. He had a repair shop in a mews in Belsize Park and had been recommended to her by Sergeant Harris because he was cheap and did a good job.

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