The Stockholm Protocol: Carlton Chronicles 4 by Robert Webber

Author:Robert Webber
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
Published: 2022-03-30T00:00:00+00:00

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19 Scotch woodcock is a savoury dish consisting of lightly scrambled eggs served on toast that has been spread with anchovy paste or topped with chopped herbs and anchovy fillets.

XIII

With Alex’s departure for Sweden set for the first Friday in August, time flew by as if it were being recorded in fast motion. Alex and Teddy’s happiness was only slightly marred when they unexpectedly received a visit on Wednesday evening from Alex’s oldest friend, Simon Potts. Their initial delight at the prospect of meeting with Simon soon waned, and Alex was astounded at the change that had occurred in his friend. Simon looked tired. His hair had become grey, and the lines on his face were etched much deeper than Alex remembered. The mackintosh he wore hung on his frame like a shroud, and it was clear that he had lost weight.

‘Come on in, dear friend,’ said Alex, and with a surreptitious glance up and down the street, Simon entered the house. ‘How are you keeping?’ Alex continued maintaining the deception. ‘You are certainly looking well.’

‘Oh, God,’ Simon silenced his friend, ‘don’t lie. I look bloody awful and feel twice as bad!’

‘Come on through.’ Alex guided Simon into the drawing-room. ‘How’s the old firm, and Cordelia? Come, sit you down. Teddy will be down in a moment. I know she will be excited to see you again. Let me get you a drink… Whisky? Cognac?’

‘Either will do, thank you,’ Simon responded. ‘Listen, old chap, I don’t wish to appear rude, but can we slip away and have a chat without involving Teddy?’

‘Look,’ Alex was concerned for the health of his friend, ‘we haven’t eaten yet, and we were planning to go to a little place not far from here where they still know how to cook something halfway decent. What say you join us, and then we can talk afterwards?’

‘If you are sure.’ Simon, who had always been a positive force, now appeared uncertain. ‘I think I would enjoy that.’

Teddy entered the drawing-room and threw her arms around Simon, holding him close. ‘Good heavens, Simon, it is so very good to see you again. How’s Cordelia?’

Alex was surprised that at the mention of his wife’s name, Simon almost winced. ‘She’s fine. She seems to be eternally busy with whatever it is that she finds to occupy her time, and I know she would want me to send you her best wishes.’

Alex sensed the mood and quickly steered the conversation away from Simon’s wife. ‘How are Captain Jeffers and all those at the department?’

‘Well enough,’ Simon answered hesitantly. ‘That’s actually why I have dropped round.’

‘Really?’ Alex enquired. ‘We shall have to have a good old chinwag later. First, what say we go and eat, and then I am sure that if you insist on talking shop, it will be far more palatable on a full stomach.’

The dinner was far from a resounding success, and Simon seemed overly cautious about answering anything he was asked. In the end, Teddy

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