The Angel Downstairs, page 27
‘Any news of your father?’ he asked instead.
‘No, not yet. Before I left the officer said we’d need to go into the station to make formal statements. Tomorrow or the next day. So tell me, what did they say? Are you OK?’
‘Just bruises. They did a couple of X-rays. Nothing’s broken. It just feels like it.’
‘You look awful. Can I help you?’
‘No, I can manage, thanks.’ He dragged himself up the three flights of stairs to the living quarters and eased himself down on one of the sofas with a grunt. He felt weary to his bones and couldn’t yet face the effort of going for a bath.
‘Have you eaten?’ Hannah said. ‘Can I get you something?’
‘I had a very dry sandwich and a plastic beaker of coffee from the foyer kiosk. I’d like a cup of tea please.’
Hannah went off to the kitchen. He very much wanted to talk to her and this was his opportunity, while they were still alone. Who knew when he’d get another chance, and he had to do it before she gave her answer to Gabriel.
But the peace and quiet of the apartment enveloped him, the sofa was soft and comfortable, and his aches had subsided a little. His eyes felt incredibly heavy and he rested his head back, forgetting the tea. Yes, that was nice.
A moment later he was asleep.
*
‘I am being quiet, Hannah. Don’t fuss.’
The sound of Eric’s voice brought Nathan to.
‘Ah, you see, he was awake anyway,’ said Eric loudly. ‘How are you, Nathan? I’ve been hearing about your exploits from the police. And from Hannah. You do look a bit beaten up, young man.’
Nathan frowned, trying to get a bearing on his surroundings. In his head, he’d been on a boat with Hannah on the Broads in the east of England, feeling the breeze against his cheeks, listening to the slap of the water against the hull. They’d been on a trip together in the sunshine, planning a pub lunch together. The reality, when he looked round, was a disappointment.
Hannah came into his line of vision.
‘I made you tea,’ she said, ‘but it went cold. You’ve been out for a couple of hours at least. I’ll make some more.’
Nathan sat up a little straighter and grimaced. ‘A couple of hours? Really?’ He looked at Eric. ‘So you’re back. How did you get on at the police station?’
‘Fine, fine. I had a lot of explaining to do as you can imagine but I think we came to an understanding.’
‘Meaning?’
‘Meaning that they understood what I tried to do and what a difficult position I was in. It seems they knew about the little arrangement I had with Gustave. They knew about Natalie too so they understood that I was trying to keep her safe.’
‘How did they know all this?’
‘Gabriel. He’s a dark horse, isn’t he? Anyway he was just arriving home when I did. I told him to come over and we can all have a chat, catch up. That’ll be him now. I left the door unlocked.’
‘So they didn’t arrest you as such?’ Nathan peered at his watch; it slowly came into focus. ‘You were there a long time.’
‘No, no arrest. I answered a lot of questions and made a statement. Apparently the fact that the property didn’t leave the site till I needed the kidnap ransom helped and they knew I wasn’t the one who killed that poor man. They were listening at the cemetery. Imagine. They had a couple of guys there, dressed as gardeners, hiding out of sight. I think I saw one of them on my way in. Clever, eh? Anyway, I am not to go anywhere.’
Eric said this last phrase slowly and emphatically then smiled. ‘Not that I had any plans to, as I told them. I’ve got a commission half-painted. It’s for a birthday present so I’ve got a deadline. Ah, there you are, Gabriel. Come in, come in. Hannah, we’ll definitely need that coffee now. Or perhaps something stronger?’
‘Not yet, Papa. Let’s celebrate later.’
‘You’re right, you’re right. But we should definitely have a party soon, I think. We all deserve that.’
Typical Eric, Nathan thought. Under investigation by the police with possible charges to answer and he plans a party. He looked across at Gabriel who had sat down on the opposite sofa and was concentrating on following the English conversation. His hand was swathed in what looked like a compression bandage that reached up his forearm.
‘What did they say about your hand?’ Nathan asked grudgingly.
‘It is not broken but very swollen. A lot of bruises, they say. They tell me to bathe it and rest it and keep it up.’ He raised his arm to demonstrate with a glum expression. ‘No piano for a few days.’
Nathan nodded and turned his attention back to Eric who had sat down next to Gabriel.
‘So you’re not being charged then?’
‘Not yet anyway,’ said Hannah, appearing with a tray bearing two teas and two coffees. ‘Apparently the public prosecutor will have to study the case. If he’s lucky it seems he might get away with a suspended sentence or a fine. For Gustave, it’ll be a very different story, I imagine. Salut Gabriel. I’m glad nothing’s broken.’
‘Me too.’ He thanked her for the coffee and Nathan saw him try to catch her eye.
‘I think it’s about time you told us about your part in all this,’ Nathan said to him. ‘The policeman said you phoned them to tell them about the rendezvous between Eric and Gustave. And then about our little rescue attempt too. How and why were you involved? And why, in God’s name, didn’t you tell us?’
Gabriel lifted his coffee cup to his mouth and drank a mouthful, taking his time.
‘I was not allowed to say.’ He put the cup down carefully on the saucer. ‘I shall try to explain. The police wanted me to give them information. They did not want me to – what do you say? – warn you.’ He paused, looking round at them. ‘I have been in prison. You know this. When I came out the police asked me to listen to what is going on. On the street. In bars. In houses. Like I did for the crooks last time, but this time for them.’
‘So you were a police informant?’ said Hannah.
‘Yes, exactly. It can be difficult when you come out of prison. If the police believe you are on their side, they can make it easier for you. You understand? So I hear things and then I tell them. They already knew about Gustave and his crimes but could get... aucune preuve.’
‘No proof,’ offered Hannah. ‘So you were enlisted to help them get it?’
‘Yes. They wanted to catch him...’ He cast about for the words.
‘In the act?’
‘Yes. They heard that he has come to this arrondissement and has started asking questions about Eric. So they decide to watch and wait and asked me to see what I could find out.’
‘Wait a minute,’ said Nathan. ‘If you were reporting back to the police, who was it that was giving Gustave information about this household, for example that Hannah was Eric’s daughter?’
‘Mark,’ said Gabriel. He turned and looked apologetically at Eric. ‘I am sorry, Eric. Mark has debts and needs money. He was seen meeting with Gustave and Robert. He is a fool.’
Eric swore violently in French, then apologised to Hannah.
‘He’s going to be an unemployed fool very soon,’ he said.
‘And probably prosecuted too,’ added Nathan.
‘Is Natalie all right?’ asked Gabriel.
‘The police took her home then dropped me off,’ said Hannah. ‘She was in remarkably good spirits. I guess she might have a reaction once she’s got over the relief of being rescued.’
‘Virginie will probably fuss over her so much she’ll make Natalie wish she was still back there,’ remarked Eric flippantly.
‘Not with those thugs,’ Nathan said with feeling.
‘Really, Papa.’ Hannah got up and started clearing the empty cups away. Eric watched her and a slow smile spread over his face.
‘So you completely ignored my instructions then?’ he said. ‘Don’t play the cavalry, I said, and what did you do?’
‘We did. I know.’ She grinned. ‘But we did it pretty well, don’t you think?’
‘You’ve never done as you’re told,’ he said with a touch of pride. The next minute he was on his feet and putting his arms around her in a fierce hug. She looked astonished.
‘Hey, watch the cups.’
‘We did do pretty well,’ muttered Nathan, more to himself than anyone else, ‘but it’s just as well the police arrived when they did.’
He looked across at Hannah but, released by her father, she had now turned and was leaning over, talking earnestly to Gabriel. It looked like she was arranging to see him. He’d left it too late, after all.
*
Gabriel made a weak effort to tidy up, putting a used coffee cup and plate in the sink in the kitchen, shaking the scatter cushion on each of the armchairs and tossing them back into what he hoped was an artistic position. In the glossy interiors magazines they made a big point of how you used cushions, didn’t they? A girlfriend he’d once had was always buying those things and kept saying how the two of them should cultivate some look or other. She’d driven him crazy with it. Would such a thing impress Hannah? She was artistic. She was cultured too. Still he rather doubted she’d care. After all, that was why they got on so well: they shared similar priorities and image wasn’t one of them.
He looked round the tiny apartment, wondering what else he could do. She might arrive any moment now and he was nervous. Eric had offered that Gabriel could stay for dinner that evening. Apparently, Hannah and Nathan had talked him into ordering a Chinese take-away since neither of them felt up to going out or cooking. Eric was a bit precious about food. If it wasn’t French, he turned his nose up at it, but he had reluctantly agreed.
‘Join us, why don’t you?’ he’d said. ‘Better to have some company after a day like this. And you can’t work.’
The latter was certainly true. But Gabriel couldn’t imagine staying in that apartment all evening while Eric made light of the trauma they’d all been through and produced forced jocular conversation. Eric was a decent man and he meant well, but, God, he could be frustrating. All things considered their day’s exploits had been a success, but the rest of them were walking on eggshells and Eric was oblivious to it: the silences, the looks and so many things left unsaid. What Gabriel wanted now more than ever was to get away. It was time to move on but he wanted some kind of sign from Hannah. He needed to know her decision; he needed to know that she would be with him.
Had Nathan told Hannah how he felt? It didn’t look like it. She had said to Gabriel on the quiet that she’d like to come and see him, maybe before dinner?
‘Unless you want to rest and get an early night?’ she’d added solicitously.
‘No. No. Come, please.’ He’d smiled foolishly and realised that Nathan was watching him. ‘I was thinking of asking you. We could have a drink. Talk. Whenever you’re free, I’ll be there.’
So now here he was, waiting on her visit. He checked in the fridge: there was still half a bottle of Chardonnay there. He got two glasses out and went back into the sitting room and sat down at the piano. His left hand felt solid and heavy and the bandage was tight and made him itch but he played a favourite tune with his right hand and even that helped. Music was always his balm when he felt stressed.
He was about to try another when he heard footsteps outside and a brief light tap on the door. He was quickly up and flinging it open.
‘’annah, come in.’
She smiled and his heart felt a little lighter. She had that effect on him.
He moved towards the kitchen. ‘I’ve got some Chardonnay. Have a glass with me.’
‘Thank you.’
He glanced back and saw her looking round. She was smiling again. She walked to the piano and began leafing through his music and he felt a wash of relief. It felt like a sign. If he could just get her to promise tonight that she was ready to move to France to be with him, he knew everything would be all right.
Chapter 21
Eric was in the kitchen making himself yet another coffee when he heard footsteps on the stairs and froze. It was Sunday morning and both Hannah and Nathan had not long gone out. Separately. Nathan had been the last to go and Eric had told him to leave the door unlocked.
‘It’s time we got back to normal,’ he’d said.
But he didn’t feel normal yet and hearing the steps now triggered a moment’s panic until he saw Natalie appear at the top of the staircase.
‘Chérie,’ he said, going to embrace her and kissing her on both cheeks. ‘I’m so relieved to see you. You look well. A bit tired perhaps. Are you all right? Did they hurt you? Coffee? I’m just making some.’
‘Please.’ She followed him back into the kitchen. ‘I’m OK but they were rough with me. The young guy wasn’t so bad but the other two were bastards. That Robert hurts people just for the fun of it. He’s sick. Everyone arrived just in time.’
‘I suppose the police told you what it was all about?’
‘Yes. You were involved in a burglary with that horrible man.’ She paused, eyeing him up warily. ‘And someone died.’
‘But I didn’t do it.’
‘No. They said. So what’s happening with you? Maman said that you’d probably end up in prison.’
‘She wishes.’
‘But you’re not are you? All because of something that happened nearly fifty years ago?’
‘She was exaggerating.’
‘So you’re not being prosecuted?’
Eric shrugged it off. ‘There may be some charges to answer but, like you said, it was all a very long time ago and we were fighting a war.’
‘But you weren’t fighting, were you?’
‘Fighting comes in many forms, Natalie, especially when your country is occupied. But you’re right: what I did that night was not a good thing and it wasn’t for my country. I’ve regretted it ever since.’ He produced a smile. Natalie was looking uncomfortable. She wasn’t used to hearing him talking like this. ‘Here’s your coffee. Let’s go and sit and you can tell me what’s been happening.’
Natalie put her cup down on the coffee table and flung herself down on one of the sofas with a heavy sigh.
‘I’m exhausted. I haven’t had a minute to myself since I was rescued. What with a visit to the hospital and questions from the police. Then Maman.’ Natalie rolled her eyes. ‘She kept asking questions and telling me off for keeping her in the dark. As if I knew anything to tell her anyway. It’s not as though I wanted to be kidnapped.’ Natalie fixed him with a meaningful look. ‘She’s very cross with you, Papa.’
‘Of course she is darling. But you know this would never have happened if you’d gone away like I told you to.’
Natalie grunted, and dropped her head down, looking up at him through her lashes.
‘I’m sorry. But you can’t blame me. You should have explained properly why. It’s not much fun going away by yourself.’
‘No. I suppose not.’ He relented. ‘And it’s not your fault. I shouldn’t have done lots of things. Anyway, I’m relieved it all worked out in the end. I’m sure you don’t want to talk about it. I know I don’t.’
‘Where are the others?’
‘They’ve gone out. I’ve decided to have a party tonight. I know it’s last minute but Nathan tells me they’ve got to get back to work next week. He’d half-planned to book a flight today but I told him he wasn’t in a fit state to travel.’
Natalie sat up straighter, suddenly more alert. Eric wasn’t surprised: Natalie loved a party as much as he did.
‘So they’re both staying over?’ she demanded.
‘Just a day or two. I’m not sure exactly. Hannah’s not been very forthcoming this morning but when I said I wanted to have a party she offered to go and get some food in. I’ll need some help.’
He fell silent. There would be no Jeanne there to help tonight. If he asked her she’d come, he knew, but only from kindness and he didn’t want that. She was moving on and he’d resolved to let her go. He liked her very much but they weren’t a match and he was beginning to suspect he didn’t have one. Maybe he was getting too old for that now.
‘I’d like to see Hannah and Nathan,’ Natalie was saying. ‘I ought to thank them for coming to my rescue. To be honest, I was a bit of a cow with Hannah when she first arrived.’
Eric was pulled out of his reverie and looked across with raised eyebrows. He almost laughed until he saw her face.
‘Why?’
Natalie sniffed and looked down. ‘I kind of thought she was trying to take over our family. Well, you really. Take over you. I was sort of jealous.’
Eric shook his head. ‘You had no need to be jealous. You’re both precious to me. So is Elizabeth but she doesn’t seem to need me.’
Eric frowned. He thought of Hannah’s recriminations about him not being in touch, about not telling her anything, and it occurred to him now that his two younger daughters genuinely did seem to need him and he felt a pang of guilt and tenderness towards them both.
‘It’s not a contest between you, you know,’ he said gently. ‘You’re both quite different but that’s just who you are. I love you both the same. I’d like to think you could get on with each other, so maybe it would be a good thing if you met up later.’
They both fell silent. Eric picked up his coffee and savoured a long draught.
’It looked like Nathan got hurt,’ said Natalie suddenly. ‘I hope he’s all right.’
‘He’s fine. Just bruised and sore.’
‘What’s he like? I mean, as a person?’
‘Nathan? Well, he’s English of course.’ Eric shrugged and realised that he didn’t know Nathan very well. There had been so many other things going on. ‘He’s been very helpful. Seems smart. Can be quite witty.’ He sighed. ‘He’s got it bad for Hannah though, I know that. It seems they were an item for a while but they fell out a few weeks ago. His fault, he says.’
‘Oh? Then he should tell her.’
Eric shook his head. ‘It’s not that easy. You see, now she’s met Gabriel.’
‘Yes, of course, Gabriel.’ Natalie’s expression darkened. ‘He is rather gorgeous. And he thinks the sun shines out of her. I saw.’ She hesitated, examining her father’s face. ‘I think maybe she fancies him too. What do you think?’
