He doesn’t recognise the slightly shrill voice, but he decides to buy a little time and pretend that it is a bad connection. He asks the woman to repeat herself.
‘It’s Lesley. Can you hear me now?’
‘Yes, I can hear you. I’m sorry. I think I need a new phone.’
‘I left you a message. Just a few minutes ago. You didn’t pick up.’
‘I was in the shower so I didn’t hear the phone, and I haven’t checked the messages. What’s going on?’
He tries to sound as casual as possible, but he wants to know how she has managed to get hold of his mobile number. Perhaps Clive Wilson, or one of the researchers, passed it on.
‘I need to talk to you, Keith.’
‘Okay, but I don’t have a land line to call you back on. Is this clear enough?’
‘No, I need to talk to you face to face. In person. Now.’
He can hear the urgency in her voice, and he realises that she is panicking.
‘Do you want to come round here?’ The line goes silent, as though the call has been dropped. ‘Are you still there?’
‘I don’t think that would be a good idea. Do you know the Starbucks by the Bingo Hall? Across the road from the bus depot.’ She doesn’t wait for an answer. ‘I’ll see you there in half an hour, but it’s probably best if nobody knows we’re meeting.’
‘It’s okay, I haven’t got you on speakerphone. Do you want me to wear a disguise?’
‘Trust me, this really isn’t the time for jokes, Keith. I’m trying to help you, okay?’
‘Trying to help me?’
‘I’ll see you in half an hour, okay? Bye.’
He closes the phone and then immediately finds the charger and plugs it in. If he leaves in ten minutes, and walks quickly, he can get there in time. He rushes into the bathroom, where he stares at himself in the mirror. It is not good. His eyes are still heavy with sleep, and he needs to shave, but it could be worse. At least the girl left. He turns on the shower, and while the water heats up he speed-brushes his teeth. He looks again in the mirror. There is going to be no time to shave. Everything else he can manage.
He sees her through the huge pane of glass. She is sitting at a window table with two cups in front of her and idly fidgeting with the string of pearls that she often wears. Then she sees him and her face momentarily brightens as though she is relieved that he has turned up. He’s late, he knows this, but only by five minutes or so. As he slides into the chair opposite her, she places a large paper cup in front of him.
‘I didn’t put any milk or sugar in. I don’t really know how you take it.’
‘Thanks. It’s fine as it is.’
She looks worried, but good. Younger, actually, and he wonders if it’s her clothes, or if she has cut her hair. He has never been very good at figuring out whatever it is that older women do to themselves when they change their appearance, but from experience he knows that it is generally best to say nothing.
‘Look,’ she begins, ‘I can’t stay long, but I do want to have a quick word with you. Something’s been bothering me.’
‘Is it about us? I’ve never told anyone, apart from Annabelle, so you don’t have to worry on that score. I’m just sorry that things didn’t work out.’
‘“Things didn’t work out”? Are you taking the piss, Keith? You didn’t want to know, or did I miss something?’
‘It wasn’t that straightforward.’
‘No, I’m sure in your head it wasn’t straightforward. Somewhat convenient, wouldn’t you say?’
‘I wouldn’t really describe it as convenient. It did break up my marriage.’
She shakes her head in exasperation, and he realises that he had better offer an olive branch of some sort.
‘Look, I’m sorry if I caused you any distress. What else can I say?’
‘Let’s just drop it, okay. I haven’t come here to talk about us, or about the past. It’s not my place to offer you advice, but I think you should seriously consider resigning. That way you’ll at least keep your pension.’
He picks up his coffee, but the paper cup offers no insulation and it is too hot to hold, let alone drink. He places the cup back on the tabletop.
‘Well, obviously you know something that I don’t know, so maybe you should tell me what’s going on.’ He pauses. ‘If you want to, that is.’
‘Listen, I’m pretty sure that they’re going to press formal charges. Apparently you’ve created a hostile work environment for Yvette.’
‘You’re winding me up, right?’
‘Clive is not going to protect you. In fact, I don’t know what’s gone on between the two of you, but he’s not your friend, Keith.’
‘Well that much I’d already figured out for myself. He’s a totally two-faced arsehole, but then again he always has been.’
‘Well, at least we’re in agreement on this.’
He stands and carefully picks up his coffee.
‘I won’t be a second, I’m just going to put some milk in it.’
Fat-free, two per cent, full fat, he doesn’t give a damn, milk is milk, and so he presses the nozzle nearest him. He hadn’t expected Lesley to be so genuinely concerned. He looks across at her as she stares out of the window at the traffic, her free hand playing idly with some loose strands of her hair. Maybe he should have been more honest with her. After their liaison at the New Forest retreat, he did deliberately avoid her and he made no real attempt to stay in touch. As a result she probably has some reason to be annoyed with him, but she knew full well that the situation wasn’t easy. He was a married man, and they worked together, so it was unrealistic of her to actually expect anything to come of it. However, given his present circumstances, an excuse about their working together is the last thing that he can offer her.
He returns to his seat and she turns her attention from the window and looks back in his direction.
‘Thanks,’ he says. ‘I know you’re trying to help.’
‘Well, I’m not after your job, if that’s what you’re thinking. I’m just the stopgap till Clive figures out what to do. Anyhow, the amalgamation of the Race Equality, Disability and Women’s Affairs units is a stupid idea, and I pity the poor sod who has to keep everything in order.’
‘Well, from what you’re saying, I suppose that won’t be me now.’
‘I’m sorry that I’m the one who has to tell you this, but I don’t think anybody else has got your back.’
‘So that’s it then? He’s going to get rid of me?’
‘I’m afraid that’s what it looks like.’ She pauses. ‘You can probably get another job in the field if you voluntarily step aside.’
He laughs. ‘Come on, Lesley, you’re not being realistic. We both know that people always think that there’s no smoke without fire and all that bullshit. But I can’t say I’d be too sad to move on and do something else.’
‘You’ve still got time ahead of you.’
‘Jesus, Lesley. Lighten up a bit. You sound like you’re writing my obituary.’ He shakes his head. ‘Maybe you are.’