The Lily-White Boys by Anthea Fraser

impulse she lifted the phone and dialled his number. It rang several times, and she wondered belatedly if he were in bed. At least his mother wouldn’t be disturbed; her bedside phone was switched off when she settled for the night.
    Monica was about to replace the receiver when a breathless voice said, ‘Yes? Latimer speaking.’
    â€˜George, it’s me. I hope I haven’t woken you?’
    â€˜Monica! Is everything all right?’
    â€˜Yes, of course. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have disturbed you. But I’ve just got in, Mother’s in bed, and I – I needed to talk to someone.’
    â€˜I wanted to speak to you, too. In fact, I did phone earlier but was told it was your girls’ night out.’
    â€˜You rang here? There was no message.’
    â€˜I told Mrs B. not to bother. I was only going to offer my sympathy over that beastly van. You mentioned it at the Teals’, I remember. What an appalling experience for you.’
    Perhaps, then, the other man had also phoned, but as before left no message? Her heart started pounding again.
    â€˜Monica? Something is wrong.’
    She said wearily, ‘I shouldn’t worry you with all this, particularly at this time of night.’
    â€˜It’s what I’m here for. You know that. What’s happened?’
    â€˜There was one thing I didn’t mention at the dinner-party, because I didn’t think it important. When the van broke down outside the house, I got out of bed to have a look. The driver was out on the pavement by that time. And he looked up and saw me watching him.’
    â€˜My God!’ George said softly.
    â€˜What’s more, there’ve been a couple of phone calls today which I’ve not been able to take.’
    â€˜Anonymous calls, you mean?’
    â€˜I suppose they were, in a way. At any rate, he wouldn’t leave his name. And according to Mrs Bedale, he “didn’t sound like a gentleman”.’
    â€˜You think it’s the murderer?’
    â€˜I don’t know who else it could be.’
    â€˜But –’
    â€˜George, it’s all right, really. I have police protection – they follow me wherever I go. No one can get at me.’ Please God.
    â€˜Does Justin know about this?’
    She closed her eyes briefly. ‘That the man saw me, yes. He’s away on business and Eloise told him over the phone. But not about the calls.’
    â€˜He should have insisted you moved to his house straight away. I wish to God I could have you here, but Mother would promptly die, just to be difficult.’
    In spite of the strain, she gave a little laugh. ‘I wish you were here,’ she said impulsively, surprising herself by meaning it.
    â€˜My darling girl.’
    â€˜But as you’re not,’ she continued with deliberate lightness, ‘I shall go to my narrow bed alone.’
    â€˜Shall I arrange one of our weekends? It’s a long time since we got away.’
    The eagerness in his voice touched her. ‘That would be lovely, but let’s get this business behind us first.’ She paused, then added with unusual humility, ‘Thank you for being so patient with me, George.’ And before he could call her his darling girl again, she hung up.
    When the last of her guests had gone, Hannah went up the flight of stairs to Webb’s flat. It was several days since she’d seen him, which, in their unconventional relationship, was not unusual. The demands they made on each other varied according to need, from casual friendship to passionate lovemaking. Totally relaxed with each other and content with the tacitly imposed ‘no strings’ embargo, they were aware how fortunate they were.
    He opened the door while her finger was still on the bell. ‘I thought you’d come up when they left.’
    â€˜I suppose you were holding a watching brief from your eyrie,’ she commented, going past him into the