Read 1953 - The Things Men Do for Free Online Page A

and I've rung."
    The sound of that husky voice sent a tingle up my spine.
    "Thanks." I was whispering into the mouthpiece. "I'll be along just after eight."
    "I'm looking forward to seeing you. Everything all right?"
    Again we were conspirators.
    "Yes. Good bye for now."
    "Good-bye, Harry."
    Slowly I replaced the receiver. I stood by the desk for some moments. I didn't have to lie to Ann. I could go up and tell her that Gloria had phoned and had asked me to her flat to meet this man. I could tell her about the agency. But I knew I couldn't face her and Bill, knowing there was more to it than meeting this man.
    I went to the office door and looked down the length of the dark garage. I tried to screw up my courage to go upstairs and get it over.
    "Harry? What is it?"
    "Old Lewis. He's broken down again. I'll have to go, Ann."
    The words came out of my mouth without me thinking.
    "Oh, Harry! You can't go tonight."
    I went slowly up the stairs.
    "I'm sorry, darling, but that's the way it is," I said and moving forward, I put my arm around her, pulling her against me so I shouldn't have to meet her eyes. "I've got to go. I've too few clients to let one down."
    "What's up?" Bill asked, getting up from the table.
    "A breakdown out at Edgware. I've got to go. He's an old customer. Now look, you take Ann to the movie. I'll get back as fast as I can."
    "Must you go, Harry? Damn it! Can't he get fixed up somewhere else?" Bill asked. "Edgware's a hell of a way."
    "He could get fixed up somewhere else, but if he does, I shan't see him again. He's my best customer, Bill. I've got to go."
    "Harry, I don't want to go to the movies without you."
    I patted her arm.
    "Oh rot! Of course you must go. I haven't time to argue about it. I've got to get into my overalls and get the truck out. You go with Bill."
    "No. I'm sure Bill will understand. I'll come with you, Harry." I hadn't expected that. For a moment I was thrown off balance.
    "Don't be silly, Ann. You'd be in my way. You go with Bill."
    The moment I had spoken I knew I couldn't have said anything worse. I saw her stiffen, and her face flush.
    "I'm sorry, Harry. You're quite right, I am being silly."
    She turned to Bill. "Do you mind taking me, Bill? I would like to go."
    "Of course well go," Bill said.
    "Is there anything I can do, Harry, so you can get off quickly?" She didn't look at me as she spoke. If she had slapped my face I couldn't have felt more sick with myself.
    "It's okay. Finish your supper. I'll go and change."
    As I walked into the bedroom I caught Bill's eye. I could see he suspected something was up. He didn't miss much. As I took out a pair of clean white overalls from the wardrobe I saw my hands were shaking.
    I went downstairs, opened the garage doors, started up the truck and drove it into the street. Then I went upstairs again.
    They were sitting at the table. Ann wasn't eating, but Bill was making short work of the fruit salad as if nothing had happened.
    "Well, I'm off. Have a good time, you two."
    They looked up, but I was already backing out of the room. So I shouldn't have to meet their eyes, I lit a cigarette.
    "I hope you'll get on all right, Harry," Ann said quietly.
    "I'll fix it. Have a good time."
    "So long, Harry," Bill said.
    "So long."
    I went downstairs and got into the truck, feeling as if I had committed the meanest act of my life.
    I parked the trade in a car park of the Strand and went along to Charing Cross Station where I picked up the suitcase.
    I had a wash in the station convenience and changed there, packing my suit and overalls in the case. I returned the case to the Left Luggage office.
    It was a quarter to eight by the time I came out of the station. I had plenty of time so I walked to Bond Street. I reached Gloria's flat a few minutes after eight o'clock.
    The side entrance to the flat was down a mews. The front door was painted a vivid scarlet, and there were geraniums and lobelia in the window boxes, giving the flat a gay, continental