The Retrieval Chamber by Shaun Musson

Author:Shaun Musson [Musson, Shaun]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shaun Musson
Published: 2022-07-18T16:00:00+00:00

They parked at the far end of the station car park and Salsinger pulled the Pepsi cans from her bag, perching them on top of the dashboard. ‘Leave the keys too,’ she said. ‘With any luck someone’ll be tempted. Oh, better put the book in this.’ She handed him a plastic shopping bag; Hutcheons quickly sorted out his stuff and they walked into Southampton railway station.

The booking hall was quiet and Salsinger ordered two monthly returns to Gatwick Airport — Hutcheons noticed how intently the clerk eyed her as he slid their tickets under the glass screen; people could seldom take their eyes off Salsinger, but now it unnerved him. At the gate, the ticket collector checked their tickets. ‘Platform Two, just up and over the bridge. Should be quarter past twelve if it’s on time. That’s the direct service.’

‘Thank you very much,’ smiled Salsinger, checking her watch. ‘Should be just right.’

Exhaust fumes greeted them as they strolled onto the platform. Gone was the piercing hiss of steam and the liveries he remembered — now they were blue, yellow-fronted, and the air throbbed to the sound of heavy diesels; passengers boarded on a nearby platform, and he recognised the double-arrow logo from the sign outside the station. But now he was conscious of everyone they passed. Eyes flicked, faces turned, people looked up from papers. Lust and envy, he told himself. Not everyone could be on the payroll.

The covered footbridge was also quiet, only a few people in front and none behind. As they crossed, Salsinger glanced around, pulled the sunglasses from her head and thrust them into her bag. She ignored the steps to the island platforms and they continued to the end, descended to Platform One and headed straight for the other exit, catching the ticket collector’s eye as they approached.

‘Look, I’m terribly sorry,’ she said. ‘We forgot Mum’s present, don’t ask me how. We’ll have to go back, but I can’t see it taking more than an hour. You couldn’t tell me when the next train’s due, could you?’

He grinned and looked at the tickets in her hand. ‘They run every hour, my love. Just show me your tickets when you come back in.’

‘Excellent,’ beamed Salsinger. ‘We’ll still be OK for the flight. You’re a darling. Thank you.’

They strode from the building and into a second car park. Here, they found a waiting taxi and the driver lowered his window.

‘You couldn’t save our legs and drop us in town could you?’ asked Salsinger.

‘Anything for you, my darling,’ he replied and they climbed into the back. The engine was already running. ‘Anywhere in particular?’

‘We forgot to get a present for Mum,’ explained Salsinger.

‘Oh dear,’ said the man. ‘That won’t go down well.’

‘I know. Trouble is we’ve only got an hour. Is that little jewellers still there in Stallard Way?’

‘The First of May’s?’

‘That’s it.’

‘Yes. Do you want me to drop you there?’

‘Oh, that’d be perfect.’

‘First of May’s it is.’ The driver set the meter and pulled out.

They climbed the hill to the clock tower and turned right, crossing the railway lines and heading for the shops.

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