LITMIR.BIZ

      CHAPTER FIVE

      THE NEAREST AIRPORT was close to the French town of Nice, about ten miles away. From there they could get a flight to Cairo. When the tickets were booked she called Jackson back.

      ‘The first available seats are tomorrow afternoon. We’ll land at—’

      When she’d given him all the details he said, ‘You’ll be met there, and a car will take you to Giza.’

      ‘Does Amos know we’re coming?’

      ‘Yes, but he thinks it’s just a family visit because you’re missing him.’

      Freya went to help with the packing, concentrating everything on keeping her spirits up. She remembered asking Janine how she endured Amos, and her mother’s answer: ‘He needs me.’

      That was love. Ignoring a man’s displeasing ways to see only the vulnerability beneath was the very heart of love. And it was a feeling she’d never known with Dan, who’d never seemed vulnerable.

      On the journey to Nice airport the next day Freya held Janine’s hand, feeling that she was the mother now. The three hours of the flight seemed to stretch out interminably, filled with thoughts that she would rather avoid. As a distraction she buried herself in a book she’d bought about their destination.

      She meant her physical destination. The other destination, the one gradually evolving inside herself, was a mystery as fathomless as ancient Egypt.

      There were the pyramids, she thought, slowly turning the pages to see pictures of the great four-sided tombs that rose from huge bases to a high point.

      The ancient pharaohs had ensured that the world would always remember them by creating extravagant burial temples, starting on the day they took the throne. The best known was Tutankhamun, the boy king who’d lived three and a half thousand years ago and died after a mere three-year reign aged only eighteen. His tomb was one of the smallest, but in the last century it had been excavated by explorers, and so made ‘King Tut’ the most famous pharaoh of them all.

      Then there was the Sphinx, the huge statue of a lion with a human head, sometimes known as The Terrifying One.

      Freya felt excitement growing in her at the thought of seeing this fascinating country.

      At Cairo they went through the procedures of disembarking, collecting their luggage, going through Customs, searching the crowd.

      ‘Who did he say he was sending to collect us?’ Janine asked. ‘Because I can’t— Amos!’

      She bounced up and down, waving frantically to someone. Now Freya recognised Amos, hurrying forward, gathering speed as he neared his wife until they flung themselves into each other’s arms.

      Freya searched the crowd for Jackson, but she could see no sign of him.

      He wasn’t there, she thought with a stab of disappointment. He hadn’t bothered to come and meet them.

      But then she saw him, standing a few feet away, looking so changed that she barely recognised him. The hot sun had tanned him, and he looked thinner, like a man who worked long hours and neglected himself. Despite the distance she could sense his tension, and she guessed he was really worried about his father and had taken a lot of trouble for him—even to the extent of seeking the help of a woman with whom he was at odds.

      He looked up and she caught the exact moment when he saw her. New life came into his face and he raised a hand in greeting.

      ‘Thank you,’ he said as they met. ‘It’s wonderful that you’re here. You can see how happy it makes Amos.’

      The older couple were still hugging each other joyfully.

      ‘I’m glad for both their sakes,’ she said. ‘And how are you? I nearly didn’t recognise you.’

      ‘It’s been a little tiring, but I still love doing it.’ He turned to his stepmother. ‘Janine, lovely to see you.’

      He enveloped her in a hug, then took their bags.

      Freya had thought she too might have received a warm embrace from him, especially after the hug they’d shared when they parted. She thought perhaps she’d demanded that hug as a way of hinting that hostilities could now be over. She wasn’t sure.

      But things were different now. He’d promised to keep his distance and clearly he intended to do so. It was foolish to feel disappointed, and she wouldn’t allow herself that much weakness.

      Outside, a large, luxurious vehicle was awaiting them, with a chauffeur who took charge of their bags and assisted the ladies inside. With two rows of seats it was more like a bus than a car. Jackson guided the two women to sit together while he sat opposite, with his father.

      ‘It should only take about half an hour,’ he said. ‘We’re going to the Harbury Hotel in Pyramids Road.’

      ‘Pyramids Road?’ Janine echoed. ‘Does that mean you can see pyramids from there?’

      ‘I’ll say it does,’ Jackson agreed. ‘You can hardly look in any direction without seeing pyramids. It’s marvellous.’

      They saw what he meant as soon as they reached the city. Tall buildings rose to the sky, but behind them, dominating the world, were the pointed shapes of the pyramids.

      Soon they drew up outside the hotel—an immense, luxurious building. Porters took charge of their bags while Jackson escorted them to the desk to sign in.

      ‘The whole television crew is staying here,’ he said. ‘They’re out doing background shots at the moment, but they’ll be here soon.’

      Once upstairs, Amos showed Janine to his own room, which she would now share.

      ‘Yours is just down here,’ Jackson told Freya, leading the way. ‘Next door to mine, so I’m on hand if you need help.’

      The room was stunning, with a floor-to-ceiling window that opened out onto a balcony from which a huge pyramid could be seen. Holding her breath, Freya went out to stand there, trying to believe that so much beauty and magnificence was so close.

      Turning back, she saw Jackson waiting patiently.

      ‘Amos looks well,’ she said. ‘I hadn’t expected to see him so vigorous.’

      ‘He changes from moment to moment. Mostly he seems well, but then he’ll go dizzy, or breathless. I make him rest when I can, but you know what it’s like trying to get him to take advice.’

      ‘You should know that better than anyone,’ she pointed out. ‘He’s your father.’

      ‘Yes, but I’ve never had to try to make him see sense before—not like this. You’re the expert. If you knew what a relief it is to me to have you here.’

      ‘You know I’ll do my best to look after him.’

      ‘That’s very sweet and generous of you after everything that happened.’

      ‘I’m not being sweet and generous,’ she said at once. ‘I’m being professional. Amos is my patient, even if he doesn’t know it.’ With a slight edge to her voice she said, ‘Feelings have nothing to do with it.’

      ‘Of course. I only meant— I don’t want you to think— Well, anyway, I’m grateful.’

      He stopped abruptly. The air seemed to ring with his confusion and suddenly she too was confused. It wasn’t like Jackson to be lost for words.

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