Thieving Fear by Ramsey Campbell Page A

just had dinner with Glen. I mentioned him, my senior editor.'
    'You don't mean old.'
    'Four years older.'
    'That's not too bad, is it? He's the one who's giving you ideas. What did you think of my new one?'
    Charlotte glanced around, but nobody was eavesdropping. 'I was wondering what kind of magical experience.'
    'The kind you don't know was one till it's got inside you and changed you. That's part of the point, the people it happened to didn't notice.' Ellen paused and said 'I hoped you might help me work it out.'
    'Glen thinks we need to concentrate on your novel first, so you'll have some kind of track record.'
    'I wouldn't want to cause any friction.' Before Charlotte could absolve her of the possibility Ellen said 'Will you have time to help me if I need you?'
    'You know I'm here whenever you do,' Charlotte promised, only to wonder 'Now, do you mean?'
    'Of course not now. I don't like to think I'm interrupting your date.'
    ' I did that. So what would you like me to do?' Charlotte thought it best to add 'About your book.'
    'Can I send you bits when I think they're done?'
    'Absolutely.'
    'And if you still don't think it's right . . .' Rather than continue Ellen said 'I'll try not to let it take up too much of your time. I'll be giving it all of mine.'
    'You mean you've given up looking for another job.'
    'Wherever I tried they'd be able to check what was said about me. It won't do me any harm to stay out of sight for a while.'
    Passers-by were crowding close to Charlotte, but nobody was peering around the streetlamp beside her. 'Why, who's been saying what?' she protested.
    'Do you mind if I don't talk about it? Let's just say I wouldn't look suitable for the kind of job I used to do. Maybe I've been denying I'm what people say I am.'
    'If it's anything bad I very much doubt it. Honestly, Ellen, you should tell me so we can deal with it together.'
    'Just tell me if you think I'm a writer.'
    'If you're willing to do all the work I'd say you must be.'
    'Then I definitely must, because you're a lot more of one.'
    Charlotte would have met this with a modest smile if they had been face to face. Before she could think of a verbal equivalent, Ellen said 'I was going to ask if you still don't think I've got it right, would you have time to rewrite it for me?'
    'Let's hope that won't be necessary. Let's see how well you can do.'
    'Have there ever been cousins who collaborated on a book? By Charlotte Nolan and Ellen Lomax.' A silence suggested she was dreaming of the prospect until she said 'Would you get half the money?'
    'Of course not, Ellen. I'm being paid to edit.'
    'Do you think I'll be seeing some soon?'
    Charlotte heard how casual Ellen was trying to sound. 'As long as you're happy to work on the changes I'll look into what can be done.'
    'We'll stay in touch, shall we? Not just us.' Ellen might have paused for thought, but all she said was 'Anyway, I've kept you away from your date long enough. I hope you'll be pleased with me.'
    With that she was gone. Charlotte folded up her phone and dodged through the crowd to the Vivaldi. How had she overlooked the lowness of the ceiling? The room hardly seemed to have space for so much clamorous dimness, let alone for her. She might have indicated that she would wait for Glen outside if he hadn't been sitting with his back to the door. As she struggled alongside the table he reached for the grappa. 'Anything to celebrate?'
    'Maybe, but do you think we're finished here? I'm feeling a bit closed in.'
    'Let's chase that, then. I've got the check.' When Charlotte made to take out her purse he said 'No, I mean I got it.'
    'Well, thank you for a very pleasant evening.'
    As they emerged into the crowded thickening darkness he said 'Can you use a coffee?'
    'If I'm buying, Glen.'
    'Everything's bought,' he said and steered her by the elbow towards Kentish Town.
    As they left the crowd beyond a side street where three-storey houses propped up the black sky, he let go of her arm. He turned