‘Now, seriously. What do you offer? How much?’
‘Seriously - not a single penny.’ Taking the water pipe out of the surprised Italian’s hands, Mr Ambrose leaned towards him. ‘But, if you tell me everything you know about these bandits, I shall keep my mouth shut about a few things that I know. For instance…’
He leaned forward even further, whispering something into Bertolino’s ear which I couldn’t hear. The fat man’s face paled under his tan.
‘H-how do you know about that?’
Mr Ambrose shrugged. ‘I told you; I have sufficient contacts. Tell me everything you know, and the authorities will never need to hear of your little escapades. I know they turn a blind eye on your business here, but that…’ He shook his head. ‘That would be another matter altogether, wouldn’t it?’
The Italian’s venomous glare was answer enough. For a second, Bertolino’s eyes flickered to the entrance, where two burly men stood guard. They shifted, no doubt reaching for hidden weapons.
‘Don’t even think about it,’ Mr Ambrose’s voice cut into Bertolino’s contemplation. ‘I have men outside. If I am not out of here in a quarter of an hour, they are going to the authorities. Or they might decide to take this place apart. They’re loyal men, and very easily aggravated.’
The Italian’s fat cheek twitched.
‘All right, curse you! You’ll get what information I have about the bandits. It’s not much, but you’ll have it!’
‘Adequate.’
The fat man’s little eyes burned with malice. ‘But I warn you - you had better not set a foot into Alexandria again! For a clueless English honeymooner, you are treading in dangerous waters. I have eliminated far more dangerous men than you!’
Mr Ambrose’s dark eyes sparkled, and I had to work hard to hide my smirk.
‘Somehow,’ he told the Italian, ‘I very much doubt that. Lillian, my dear?’
‘Yes?’
Leaning towards me, he whispered: ‘Go outside, so the men will know that everything is going to be all right. We do not want them rushing in here.’
‘But I want to stay and-’
‘Do you really? Outside, the stench of chauvinism isn’t nearly as overpowering, I think.’
This time, I couldn’t keep a smirk from flitting across my face. ‘Actually, you might be right there. Very well. See you outside - in one piece!’
‘I shall do my best, my love.’
‘Oh, keep a sock in it!’
Rising, I marched past the dancing girls, past the staring men, towards the exit. At the door I turned my head to look back at Mr Ambrose one last time - and that was why I didn’t see the man coming towards me when I stepped outside into the street. I only realized he was there when I ran head first into his hard chest.
‘Oumpf!’
‘Ouch!’
‘Hey!’ I snapped. ‘Watch where you’re going, you bugger!’
‘I’m dreadfully sorry, Madam,’ said a strangely familiar voice out of the gloom. Strong hands gripped my arms to steady me. ‘I didn’t see you and…’ The voice trailed off. But no matter. I had heard enough to recognize the shadowy figure.
But… that was impossible!
Nevertheless, I knew it was true.
‘Captain Carter?’
‘Miss… Miss Linton?’
Grannyfaking for Beginners