LITMIR.BIZ

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certainly know how to get the best of service.’

      ‘Rani is too busy studying, and I’m a terrible cook, so we either eat out a lot, or starve. This place is close to home, and I like to eat here. They look after their regular customers.’

      Over dinner, they made a great deal of small talk, getting to know one another, and realising that they had a great deal in common.

      Jade told him all about her job, and how she had discovered the vase that she had purchased.

      ‘You mean to tell me that you actually work for Haskins and Green? Didn’t Doug Green recognise you?’

      ‘I’ve never actually met him. He doesn’t come down to the warehouse, and I’d never been to the sale room before.’

      ‘What do you suppose will happen when he finds out?’

      Jade smiled. ‘I shudder to think. He’ll probably throw me out.’

      ‘It won’t worry you?’

      ‘I’ve learned a lot there, and I’d love to stay, but you can’t undo what’s already happened.’

      ‘So you’re not worried that you may soon be without a job?’

      ‘I was only with them to get experience. Now, I’ll be able to use that experience to get work elsewhere.’

      Their meals arrived, and both set about devouring the simple Italian dishes placed before them.

      During their talk, Robert had spoken freely about his early life, but remained silent about what his military duties entailed. He did impress her, however, when the waiter came to clear away their dishes, and Robert thanked the staff, in perfect Italian, for their excellent meal.

      It impressed the waiter as well. The two men immediately began a long conversation, involving much hand gesturing, and laughing. Finally, with a further cheery wave, the waiter made off with their dishes.

      ‘I’m surprised,’ said Jade. ‘You talk like you were born a Roman.’

      ‘I’ve spent a lot of time on the continent. Travelling around. You get to pick up a few words.’

      ‘That wasn’t a few words. That was talking like you lived there.’

      ‘Well I may have spent more than a little time there.’

      ‘Do you speak any other languages?’

      ‘A few.’

      ‘How many?’ persisted Jade.

      ‘Some.’

      ‘How many?’

      ‘That’s for me to know and for you to find out.’

      ‘Does this have anything to do with your work?’

      ‘No,’ he answered far too quickly.

      Jade regarded Robert across the table. There appeared to be some things that he was not prepared to share with her. She decided to let the matter rest, for the present.

      She decided to take a different tack. ‘What sort of music do you like?’

      ‘Almost anything. As long as it’s played well.’

      ‘Do you like jazz?’

      ‘I’ve heard some wonderful jazz, on the continent.’

      ‘Where, on the continent?’

      Robert laughed. He was not about to be caught unawares. ‘That’s for me to know–‘

      ‘And for me to find out,’ Jade completed. ‘Have you ever been to the Golden Stag?’

      ‘I’ve heard of it.’

      ‘Would you like to go?’

      ‘Well, I’m certainly willing to spend a little more time with you.’

      ‘Wonderful, I’ll pay the bill, while you go and find us a taxi.’

      The taxi dropped them in front of the Golden Stag, and the sound of the jazz combo wafted out to them as Robert paid the driver.

      He had insisted, and Jade had graciously allowed him to do so. After all, she didn’t want to hurt his pride.

      Several of the girls were lounging in their usual places, looking for clients, and trying to look alluring.

      ‘Good looking fella, Jade. Congratulations,’ called Colleen.

      Robert blushed red, and Jade laughed.

      ‘You certainly know a lot of ‘interesting’ people,’ said Robert.

      ‘The Golden Stag attracts all sorts of interesting people,’ agreed Jade.

      They were about to enter, when one of the girls detached herself from a group nearby. ‘Jade!’ she called. ‘Here’s the money. I haven’t got it all, but here’s half.’

      ‘Are you sure you don’t want to wait until you have it all?’

      ‘No. Best you take what I have; otherwise I’ll never be able to pay it all back.’

      ‘Are you sure it won’t leave you short? I’m not in a hurry to get it back.’

      ‘No. Take it,’ said the girl, thrusting the crumpled notes at Jade.

      Jade took the money. ‘Alright, but if you need to, come back for it.’

      ‘Thanks, Jade.’

      Jade and Robert made their way inside.

      The room was packed even at this early hour. Word was getting around, and the dockside workers, and pimps, now brushed shoulders with more and more of the jazz lovers. A couple of the prostitutes waved to Jade, who made room for them both at their table.

      ‘We only came in to warm up. We have to get back to work, so you can have our table.’

      ‘Thanks, Trudy,’ said Jade.

      Robert went to the bar, returning with two beers.

      ‘They don’t seem to have much in the way of drinks here.’

      Jade explained, ‘The girls drink gin, and the pimps drink beer and whiskey, but, if you don’t want to lose your eyesight, you’d best stick to the beer. I don’t know where they get their drinks from, but they’re lethal unless you were brought up on them.’

      Robert sipped his beer, and nodded. ‘Not too bad.’

      Jade decided to try again. ‘As good as in ... Germany?’

      Robert smiled. ‘That’s for me to know.’

      Jade surrendered. ‘Alright. I give up.’

      Trudy leaned over to Jade. ‘Can I see you later?’

      ‘How much?’ asked Jade.

      ‘Just a couple of quid.’

      ‘Here,’ said Jade, as she handed over some of the crumpled notes that the girl outside had given her.

      ‘Ta. I’ll pay you back straight away.’

      Robert was enthralled. ‘Just who am I sitting with?’

      ‘Whatever do you mean?’ smiled Jade.

      ‘You seem to have some strange dealings.’

      ‘At least my dealings aren’t secret,’ Jade responded, with a laugh. ‘Rani and I have been coming here for a long time. The patrons have found out that Rani is a doctor, and now they come to her with all their ailments. They even bring their family down here for Rani to check on. I’m thinking of helping her to set up in a shop near here. She should have a proper surgery. They’ll be queuing out the door to see her.

      ‘I, on the other hand, seem to have become the girls’ combined confessor,

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