Chapter 11

 

The room was an exact replica of Jane’s. Just a different colour scheme. Amy put the envelope with Lucy written on the front back in her bag and sat back propped up on the bed. From the letter her grandmother had written she knew all about Dave Somerton and Frank Anderson and their activities with the London villains. She had no photos so to see pictures of her grandfather and grandmother had been very emotional. 

She knew her grandmother had moved to London after her grandfather was killed on Omaha beach and when she discovered she was expecting. It had been hard bringing up her mother in tough times when things were difficult to get just after the war. She had married but the man turned out to be a lazy drunk. She resented supporting him with the remaining cash from the sale of the diamonds she had got from Amy’s grandfather so she kicked him out after only a few years. By the early seventies her mother had married a man with prospects as she liked to describe him. Amy was brought up in a prosperous and happy family. Then in their mid-seventies her parents had passed away within a year or so of each other. She did not remember her grandmother. As with many people from the war years she died early from problems associated with a very hard life.

Amy had the note to her grandmother from Dave Anderson so knew about the diamonds and she had the stories from her mother. She knew that Jane’s grandmother's pregnancy was the reason that prompted her marriage. The last couple of years she had spent tracking down Jane Somerton. She did not really know why. Maybe a need to discover more about her own family. Or perhaps she had thoughts of the diamonds.

Somerton is not a common surname in fact it is quite rare. It was therefore not difficult for Amy to trace Suzie Somerton in Sidmouth. Then to track Jane’s father’s move to London where he married. Similarly through the General Register Office the name of Jane Somerton was easily obtained. Amy then traced her to the address in Holland Park. Over the course of a few weeks she noticed that Jane always used the same private taxi. From there it was easy. Amy started using the same cab. The driver was not too discrete and dangling a cash incentive was all that was needed to discover Jane’s trip to Devon. Pete was able to tell her he was booked to drop her at Waterloo to catch the Exeter train. That was all he knew prior to picking up Jane on Saturday morning. All Amy had to do was book a ticket to Exeter, and somewhere to stay just in case then watch for Jane to enter the station and follow her. Standing in front of her looking at the departure board then moving after her when she left for the train. Amy getting on the train before it filled up then just waiting in the door compartment until Jane was settled and securing the seat next to her before there was a danger of someone else taking it. 

Just before nine there was a knock on the door. “See you’re ready?” Jane said as Amy swung her door wide then walked out letting it slam behind her.

It was light and sunny in the breakfast room. Amy was seated facing the view with her back to the room. It was packed. Nine in the morning in all the hotels the world over was the optimum time. Jane was looking towards the door admiring the chaos of hotel breakfast. People all over. Piling stuff high from the buffet. The egg man rattling about in his dinky little three egg omelette pan. Return trips, lots of them and a new plate each time. The tables packed with used plates. She thought it was weird how many plates some people needed. Then saw Neil come in through the service door and walk towards them.

“Here comes your charmer from last night,” Jane said, “The nice physique and coming onto you smile. You treat him nicely. He’s probably OK.”

“You’re just too well mannered. The guys not nice, he's a creep. All those flashing teeth and nodding winks. He thinks he’s a gigolo. Sure he looks the part but really…. ”

And there it was that flashing smile, “good morning ladies….tea or coffee?”

Before Jane could reply Amy said, “Hi Neil. So tell me who’s your hero then? Your role model. I bet it’s Julian Kay. It’s him, isn't it?”

“What. No. Who’s this Julian Kay?  I’ve never heard of him,” said Neil, a bit taken aback.

“I’m sure you have, You watch movies, don’t you?”

“Sure I do. Who doesn’t. But I….”

“You must’ve watched American Gigolo?”

“Sure I have. A while back though. Richard Gere, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. Richard Gere who plays that slimy creep Julian Kay. Every woman’s dream. Or so he thought.”

“OK but what’s that….”

“....got to do with me. That’s what you were going to ask isn’t it? Well, are you a Julian Kay? You sure act like one.”

“I don’t mean to be.”

“Then what's with all the flashing come onto me smiles all about then?”

“Just being a friendly waiter. That’s all.”

“Or a Julian Kay. You know he got thrown in jail for a murder he didn’t commit. Is that going to be you?”

“No….I don’t think I want to have this conversation.”

“If you don’t want conversations like this then stop coming onto the lady guests. Some kick back.”

“OK then I won’t.”

“And you’ll what?”

Neil looked at Jane with a I’m lost sort of shrug and Jane looked at Neil and whispered, “Sorry Amy. For goodness sake just say sorry Amy and get me some peace.”

“Sorry Amy.” Neil said.

“Sorry and what else.” Amy said.

Neil looked at Jane who shrugged, “Sorry I won’t come onto ladies anymore. Say it.”

“Sorry Amy. I won’t come onto ladies anymore.”

“Thank you Neil. Now we’ve got our relationship sorted out I'll have some nice hot strong black coffee and I’m sure my friend will have the same.”

When Neil had gone Jane said, “You’re so bad. Why not just be a bit nice? Save all the agro.”

“That’s not me though, is it? The creep asked for it. And I am nice except to creeps who piss me off. Do you think I’m nice?”

“Sure you are but you seem to have a bit of a chip about men.”

“I do and with reason.”

“So you said. With a husband. Was he so awful?”

“Worse. I was young and taken in by his charm and all that worldly sophistication. He came across as so nice and thoughtful and loving and said all the right stuff to get you into bed. Then we got married and I found out he was loving alright. The problem was he was only in love with himself. And every other woman on the planet of course. When I caught him in bed with someone else that was it. I threw him out. Then he wouldn’t leave me alone. Said all the right stuff again so we got back together. It was OK for maybe a week then it started all over again. Anyway, the result was divorce.”

“No more relationships?”

“Not really. A couple of short lived ones. Tried a few one night stands. You know the sort of thing. For the sex. But….now I just get cross when they come onto me.”

“I see that alright. Maybe the right fella will come along.”

“Maybe but don’t hold your breath. So what’s it to be today then?”

“Relaxing. A stroll along the front then lunch then relaxing. There’s a good looking pool out the back. I think the weather’s warm enough. It’s sheltered.”

After breakfast Jane said, “what’s it now 10.30. Shall we meet down in the lobby at eleven. That’ll give enough time to get sorted. Maybe we can find somewhere nice for lunch.”

Just before eleven and Amy walked down the stairs into the lobby area heading for the front desk. She wanted a town map. She noticed the two well built men talking to John, the receptionist who checked them in yesterday. Standing next to the blonde one she could hear quite clearly their conversation. The blond one did all the talking. The other one did not speak  or even move except to peer over the desk and watch as John punched the room number into the phone.

She heard the man mention Jane’s name and say he was her brother. Then say not to mention anything to Jane about him calling. Something about a surprise. As the two men moved away the blonde one looked at her with a glance that froze a moment in time and fixed on her eyes. That caught her attention and she smiled at him. No reason other than she just felt the need. She asked John for a street map then turned and watched them move through the revolving door and quickly head off towards the town. At the same time Jane appeared from the stairs and said, “Right are we ready?”

Amy replied, “I’ve got this map. Funny thing though. There were two men here asking for you. John phoned your room but I think you must’ve already left as there was no reply. One of them said he was your brother. Do you have a brother?” but Amy already knew the answer to that.

“No I don’t,” said Jane, “what did they look like?”

“The one who did the talking was blonde. They were both well built with short hair. Jackets and chinos. The blonde one’s jacket was black the other one’s blue. Both maybe medium height.”

“What colour hair did the other one have?”

“Oh he was dark. Short hair. He was very casual. Had that sort of relaxed confident stance. Reminded me of a soldier in a film.”

“A military sort of look then?”

“Yes. Maybe.”

“The dark one makes me think of a man at the station who had a long lens camera. He had a blue jacket. He was taking snaps across the concourse. Then I saw him again at the barrier as the train left. There were two of them there then. The other one was blond with a black jacket.”

“Do you think they’ve followed you here? If they did what would they want?”

“Maybe the package. The mystery in my safe. Perhaps it belongs to them.”