Deadly Deceit (41 page)

She felt her stomach flutter, but she kept her eyes on the road. “I’m going to miss you too,” she replied, as she pressed down on the accelerator. “Now, let’s get you to the airport.”

“So I’m going, then?” he asked, quietly.

Jess felt his eyes on her. She didn’t reply.

“I see.” He sounded both surprised and hurt. “You’re not coming to Australia, are you?”

She shook her head.

“Not even for a visit?” he went on. “You could see all your old friends again, and relax. Have time to think about what you want to do next.”

“I know what I’m going to do next, Tom,” she said, simply. “I’m going back to London tomorrow morning, once I’ve briefed the Director tonight.”

“London?” Tom stared at her. “Tomorrow?”

She knew she owed him an explanation. She couldn’t put it off. As they drove alongside the main beach out of town, she steered the car into a layby and switched off the engine. Pulling her mobile out of her bag, she scrolled to Simon’s voicemail, and handed it to him. “I want you to listen to a voice message I got this morning… from Simon.”

At the mention of Simon’s name his face became impassive. He took the phone and said: “You sure you want me to hear it?”

“Yes.”

He shrugged, pressed play and put the mobile to his ear.

Jess watched his face as he listened to Simon’s message, but he didn’t move a muscle.

Finally, when the message had ended, he looked at her and nodded. They sat in silence for a while looking at the beauty of the beach and sea. There was nothing to say. Everything was clear. He understood.

Feeling a sadness beginning to well up inside her, Jess started up the car and continued on to the airport. They sat without speaking for the rest of the journey, comfortable as always in each other’s company.

At the airport, Jess parked the car and helped Tom check in, and go through security into the departure lounge as she would any other visitor. It was only when she walked with him to the departure gate that her stomach started turning. In just a few minutes he would be gone. She had to say something, tell him…

He turned and looked at her.

At that moment, she could see in his eyes what he must be seeing in hers.

“Thank you, Tom. I…”

He put his finger to her lips to stop her, and kissed her gently. Without another word, he walked through the gate and was gone.

She watched him cross the tarmac and get onto the plane. She stood with her eyes fixed on the door until all the passengers were on board. Just as the co-pilot was about to pull up the steps, Tom suddenly reappeared at the door. He smiled at her, and gave his usual salute.

She laughed and blew him a kiss.

He made a gesture of catching it in the air, before waving and ducking back inside the plane.

As she watched his plane take off into the brilliant blue sky, Jess didn’t feel quite so sad any more. They’d been here before. Somehow she knew they’d see each other again.

“Deadly Diplomacy gripped me from page one and made me want to carry on reading until all was revealed … the insider knowledge for the storyline means that a genuine insight into the world of international diplomacy suffuses the whole book … highly recommended.”

(www.crimesquad.com)

“Brilliant tour de force … gripping from start to finish.”

Alastair Goodlad, former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

“A cracking good read. Fast-paced with fascinating characters, and written with all the authority of a seasoned diplomat.”

Helen Liddell, former British High Commissioner to Australia.