Chapters (46)
‘We could go and look for him,’ said Lee. ‘We could go out. We could go to his flat. In London. In case he is there, in case …’ He tailed off, because the prospect of what they might actually find at James’s place was less attractive a thought to dwell on. But the quest itself was attractive. He imagined himself, a fast (but safe) driver, guiding them sure-footedly past Big Ben and, what else, London Zoo, those beefeater fellows in the hats (he was vague on the layout of the capital; it had been twenty-eight years). He could see Jean hugging James, all a bit of a misunderstanding, everything blown over now.
Jean was frowning, but she hadn’t yet said the idea was stupid. ‘We can’t just drive to London,’ she said, sounding – Lee hoped he wasn’t imagining it – sounding as if she wanted to be persuaded otherwise.
‘Why not? I only had the one beer last night. We’d need to put some petrol in the old tank. But …’
‘No, I mean.’ Jean’s eyes had a spark in them. ‘I mean – just to go to London? Where would we … I mean, I’d have to pack a bag. We’d need to get ready properly.’
‘We can get ready properly.’ Lee was already on his feet. ‘I’ll go and warm the engine up, is the only thing, because you know what she’s like, the old girl, but I’m sure …’
‘It would take … I’d need a bit of time to get ready,’ said Jean again.
‘That’s all right, love.’
‘But what about if he calls here, though?’ Jean frowned. ‘What about if, you know …’
‘He can call my mobile. We can take the mobile. You can have it on your lap.’
‘I don’t know if he’s got your number, Lee.’
‘He has.’ Lee felt himself growing into the role of a man who could lead them out of this, who had all the answers. ‘He will, because all those calls and texts from us – his phone will have saved the number. He can contact us if he wants to, love.’
Lee was already opening the front door to go out to the car. His hands went to his pockets for the car keys, but these weren’t the right trousers; also, he wasn’t wearing his shoes. He shut the door again. Jean rose slowly, feeling her muscles unwind and her brain stirring at last.