Thicker Than Water

The someone in question won’t make too many waves because this will be at his own place, where he’s got to worry about keeping up appearances.’

‘I’m here,’ Juliet said, walking down the stairs at that exact moment. I was relieved, because any further questions were neatly forestalled.

Susan stood aside to let Juliet walk on by. A glance passed between them.

‘I’ll just be an “’llalkhour,’ Juliet said. ‘Perhaps an hour and a half. If you’re still awake when I get back, I’ll massage your back.’

A series of mostly pornographic images flashed on my inner eye, but I strove manfully to censor them for decency and good taste.

Susan nodded and the two women kissed. It went on for long enough that I had to take an interest in the wallpaper so as not to feel like a voyeur.

‘Let’s go,’ Juliet said, when she had sole possession of her own lips again.

Susan squeezed her hand, gave her a slightly brittle smile. ‘See you later,’ she said.

On the A1081, as we breached the M25 ring and headed north towards St Albans, Juliet broke the silence that had fallen between us.

‘You’re making no progress,’ she said.

‘At the Salisbury? No, you’re right. I’m getting nowhere fast.’

‘And you blame me.’

I thought about that one. ‘I wish you’d picked another time to get strong and silent on me,’ I admitted. ‘This has turned into a fucking nightmare.’

‘But still you invited me to come with you tonight.’

‘Well, you asked. And to be honest, I might need the back-up. He’s a whimsical little sod, and he’s got it into his head that we’re playing on different teams.

‘Is he wrong?’

‘Usually, no. But this time, I think I might be able to bring him round to my way of thinking.’

Juliet digested that statement for a moment or two, various emotions passing over her expressive face. The last time Juliet and Gwillam had crossed swords, he’d managed to get the drop on her with a Bible reading - the Good Book being to him what a tin whistle is to me. It had rankled with her for a long time afterwards, because it meant that she’d been in his power, however briefly.

‘I’m looking forward to seeing him again,’ she said at last. ‘It will be . . . interesting.’

‘But I don’t want any trouble unless he starts it,’ I clarified. ‘This is a public-information campaign, not a vendetta.’

Juliet looked at me with detached curiosity.