Voyage of Innocence by Edmondson Elizabeth

Author:Edmondson, Elizabeth [Edmondson, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: Belsyre Books
Published: 2011-11-20T16:00:00+00:00

SIX

Vee lunched with Hugh the day she went back to Oxford for the start of her third year. He was staying in Giles’s flat, which was off Baker Street, and he suggested a restaurant in Marylebone Lane.

‘Sorry to be late,’ he said. ‘I’ve been doing the rounds of the embassies, arranging visas and permits and all that kind of stuff.’

Hugh was about to set off on his travels, being disinclined to settle down to a job, as Grandfather wanted him to.

‘I can last for a year abroad on what I’ve saved,’ he said. ‘You can live on next to nothing in a lot of places in Europe.’

He was eager to talk about where he was planning to go; he’d brought maps with him, and talked knowledgeably about cities and mountains and sights until Vee’s head was stuffed with undigested information.

‘Stop! Enough! Send me postcards, that’ll give me time to get the map in my head.’

‘There are a couple of mags that are going to look at any travel pieces I send them. That’ll bring in some extra cash, keep me going a bit longer.’

‘If they take them.’

‘They will. I’m a good writer, Vee.’

‘Poetry isn’t the same as travel writing.’

‘Being talented, I can do both.’

‘You sound like Marcus.’

‘Ah, Marcus is talented indeed; only he dissipates all his talents on playing the fool. Wait until he leaves Oxford, he’ll sober up then and surprise us all.’

‘What does Giles think of your going off?’ Vee asked.

Hugh filled her glass with the white wine they were drinking with the pudding.

‘He’d rather I didn’t, but he’s got plenty to keep him busy.’

Giles had just started at the Foreign Office.

‘He’s got all those rungs to climb, it’s a long haul to his knighthood and the ambassadorship, he’s got to concentrate on work. Sir Hector, his chief, has a reputation as a slave driver. That’s unusual at the FO; most of the chaps I know there do damn all for most of the time. It’s a good section to get for a newcomer, and Giles, who’s the keen type, is pleased about that, although...’

‘Although what?’

‘Sir Hector’s not necessarily the easiest man for someone like Giles to work for. Never mind, Vee. Drop it. Forget I spoke. You’ll be head down this year, I expect. All you girls like to swot for finals.’

Hugh said he’d come to see her off to Oxford. He hailed a taxi, stowed Vee’s overnight case by the driver, told him to go to Paddington, and got in beside his sister.

It was the week before full term, but the platform for the Oxford train was swarming with university people, returning after the long summer vacation, some bronzed and fit, some looking tired, and as though they had spent too much of their time away from the university reading and cramming for forthcoming exams.

Hugh and Vee walked down the platform, where the train was already in.

‘Hello,’ said Hugh. ‘Company for you, Vee. A pair of Angels.’

Marcus and Petrus were standing beside the open door of a first-class compartment, waving at Hugh and Vee.

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