Warhol's Prophecy

and saw that it was 8.15 p.m. Who would be calling now?

She slipped the bolt at the top of the door, but left the security chain attached.

The hinges squealed as she opened it.

‘Twice in one day,’ said Adam Walker, smiling at her.

She smiled thinly, almost asked him sharply what he wanted.

‘I was driving back this way,’ he said, answering her unspoken question, ‘and I saw your husband’s car outside. You said that he might want to speak to me, so I thought I’d call in.’

Oh, not now. Please!

She hesitated for a second, her fingers on the chain.

‘If it’s not convenient . . .’ he said quickly. ‘I know it’s a bit late. I nearly didn’t call. I was worried about waking Becky. She is in bed, isn’t she?’

Hailey nodded and slid the chain free, opening the front door to allow him access.

‘Come in, please,’ she said. ‘I’m sorry. You took me by surprise, that’s all.’ She managed to smile again, ushering him towards the sitting-room door.

Rob was still slumped in the armchair when she walked in, urging Walker to join them.

He hesitated, but she put one hand tenderly on his shoulder: a gesture for him to follow.

‘Rob, I’d like you to meet Adam Walker,’ Hailey said.

She watched as her husband stared in bewilderment at the newcomer – then at her.

‘He’s the one who found Becky when she got lost in the shopping centre,’ Hailey continued.

Rob stood up and extended his right hand, which Walker shook warmly.

‘It’s good to meet you,’ Rob said.

‘You, too,’ Walker replied.

Rob felt the strength in his handshake.

He had always felt you could tell a lot about a man by his handshake. If he encountered a feeble grip, that usually tainted his opinion of the man. It was surely a sign of weakness. Not so with Walker: there was power in that grip.

‘We’ve got a lot to thank you for, Mr Walker,’ Rob said.

‘Adam,’ the other man insisted.

Rob nodded. ‘It’s a good job you were around that day,’ he said. ‘Christ knows what would have happened to Becky otherwise.’ He shot an almost accusatory glance at Hailey, who was not slow to notice the underlying vehemence of it.

‘Would you like a drink?’ Hailey asked, smiling at Walker.

‘No, I’m fine. I won’t disturb you any longer,’ he said. Then, looking at Rob: ‘Hailey asked me to call in, so I did. But I’m sure you’ve got other things to do.’

‘Hailey forgot to tell me you might call in,’ Rob said, his eyes narrowing slightly. ‘I much appreciate what you did for Becky. Thank you.’

‘Anyone else would have done the same,’ Walker insisted.

‘Not everyone,’ Rob interjected.

There was an awkward silence.

‘Are you sure you won’t have a drink?’ Hailey said, becoming aware of the wordless interlude.

‘No, honestly,’ Walker said. ‘I’ll get off now.’

Walker, too, was anxious to get away from this oppressive atmosphere. He looked briefly at Hailey, who forced a smile.

‘I’ll see you out,’ she said.

As Walker stepped out into the hall, Hailey glared over at Rob, then she followed the other man to the front door, opening it for him.

‘I’m sorry if I caused any trouble,’ Walker said quietly. ‘I should have realized this was too late for social calls.’

‘You didn’t cause any trouble, Adam,’ she answered softly. ‘How was your father?

He shrugged.

‘The same as ever,’ he told her. ‘Like I said, you get used to it after a while.’

She nodded.

‘You get used to anything after long enough, Hailey,’ he said cryptically. ‘Don’t you?’

He turned and headed down the path.

‘I’ll see you,’ he added gently. ‘Take care.’

‘Adam?’ she said, taking a step out into the porch.

He turned.

‘Call me again,’ she asked, touching his hand lightly before she backed away.

He nodded.

Hailey stepped back into the house.

30

BY THE TIME Hailey wandered into the living room again, Rob had changed into a pair of jeans and a denim shirt.

She carefully carried two mugs of tea, and set his down on the table beside him.

There was already a glass there, and she could smell the whiskey it contained.

‘I needed it – before you ask,’ he said.

She sat down at the opposite end of the sofa from him, legs tucked up beneath her.

Rob took a sip of the spirit, wincing slightly as it burned its way to his stomach.

‘Adam,’ he said, without inflection.

She looked at him.

‘Adam Walker.’ His eyes were still fixed on the TV screen.

‘I said I wanted him to meet you,’ Hailey told him. ‘I said you’d like to thank him.’

‘Oh, I did want to thank him. He seems like a nice enough bloke. Is he? You probably know more about him than I do.’

‘He rang me later to see how Becky was.’

No need to mention their lunch.

Rob nodded. ‘You invited a complete stranger to our house,’ he muttered, still without looking at her.

‘I invited the man who saved our daughter to meet you.’ Her voice was heavy with scorn. ‘After all, it was me who fucked up, wasn’t it? I let her get lost, didn’t I, Rob? I mean, you’re never going to let me forget that, are you?’

He sipped at his drink.

‘He’s a good-looking bloke, isn’t he?’

‘Are you asking me or telling me?’ Hailey wanted to know.

‘A nice bloke.’

‘What are you going on about, Rob?’

‘I’m just saying he’s a nice bloke. What’s so wrong with that?’

‘Yes, he’s a nice bloke. Yes, he’s good-looking. What do you want to hear? How about, “Yes, I’d suck his cock if he asked me”?’

‘There’s no need to get stupid about it, Hailey.’

‘Don’t patronize me, you bastard. I know you.’

They locked stares.

‘I’m going to bed,’ said Rob. ‘Perhaps you should, too. You’ll need to feel fresh for the morning, won’t you? I’m sure Jim Marsh wouldn’t want you fucking up on your first day back.’

Rob got to his feet.

He drained what was left in his glass and left it empty on the coffee table.