Such Visitors (27 page)

But, ah, what might have been? Should any old man ask himself that question? What might have been, with Mary Jay?

‘Morning, General.' Doors bang. She's inclined to bang doors, Mrs Cluff.

‘Morning, Mrs Cluff,' I shout back. We never come face to face until the dishes are on the table.

‘Chill wind this morning.' Another bang.

And now she's free, my Mary Jay, and here am I still
waiting. Still waiting, in the real sense? Has the hope never died? Is the love of my life still intact in my heart? What do you think, Jacob old boy? Would I be a fool to risk getting in touch again, now – or a fool not to? Is it too late? Are we too old?

The morning has flown in cogitation. Damn sight more interesting, as a matter of fact, all that sort of thing, than the military side. Daresay Petronella and Co would be fascinated. But they'll never know, because it's not for publication, of course. Nothing private for publication.

I've taken my time balancing up the pros and cons, though the summing up needs another hour or so's reflection. Wind on the Common'll clear my mind. Then I'll make the decision, ‘snappy', like my wise old CO said. By this evening, I promise myself. By 1800 hours, to be precise. Cheap dialling time. Quiet time to write a letter.

‘Jacob,' I say, giving him a slight kick to wake him, ‘Jacob, old man, it's an important day for you and me today. Come on, now. Stir yourself. It's almost time for lunch.'

This electronic edition published in 2011 by Bloomsbury Reader
Bloomsbury Reader is a division of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 50 Bedford Square, London
WC1B 3DP
First published in Great Britain 1989 by William Heinemann Limited
Copyright © Angela Huth 1989
The moral right of author has been asserted
‘The Fuchsia Auberge' originally appeared in
London Daily News
, ‘Ladies' ‘Race' in
Winter's
Tales
and ‘Sudden Dancer' in
Woman's Own
. ‘The Bull' and ‘Irish Coffee' originally appeared
in
Good Housekeeping
. ‘Balloons' originally appeared in
Male and Femail
, ‘A Matter of
Diplomacy', in
Cosmopolitan
and ‘The Weighing Up' in
Harpers & Queen
. ‘Donkey Business',
‘Mother of the Bride' and ‘The Weighing Up' have been read on the BBC's
Morning Story
.
The quotation on p. 141 comes from The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard. Reproduced by
permission of Faber & Faber Ltd.
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publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages
ISBN: 9781448200290
eISBN: 9781448201617
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