He could seeAnne was enjoying herself; but perhaps too soon to suggestsomething a little stronger than G & Ts and cigarettes, maybethat might come along in due course. She did look in herelement.
‘Well Isuppose you’re right, Mark. It has been a good few years sinceJeffrey died and I think I’m over it now, you know.’
Mark smiled. Maybe thefact that she was a two-faced so-and-so would help him move thingsalong.
‘Come tothink of it, we could even go up to town and catch some live music.Gemma told me you liked a bit of jazz when you were younger andthey still have some good nights at the Marquee. It’s a greatplace, just off Oxford Street, I used to go there regularly in theearly ’70s; and it’s not just kids there, they cater for a nicelydiverse audience. You’d fit in fine.’
Gemma’s comment aboutthe potential difficulties, financially anyway, if Anne re-marriedhad been playing on his mind since his pretty perfunctory valuationof the house and its contents. He needed to do a little digging andsee what her future plans were and whether she had anyone inmind.
‘You couldalways take someone along and we could go as a foursome. I’m sureyou’ve got a good few admirers.’
Anne lit acigarette as they finished their tour of the garden and returned tothe patio and up to the French windows that opened out onto theback of the house.
‘Well I mustsay I’ve been out a couple of times with Jenny, an old friend frombefore I met Jeffrey actually, just for a bite to eat at a nicelittle restaurant that’s just opened up in Guildford and I did geta bit of attention. You know I didn’t tell Jenny in case it gavethe impression of showing off, but I was even given a phone numberby a chap who was chatting to us on one occasion and I haveactually met up with him for lunch a couple of times since. He’ssingle, either widowed or divorced – I didn’t want to ask – butseems to be a bit of a minor celebrity in Guildford. They all knewhim at both restaurants and he’s certainly got a nice motor, notsure what but certainly expensive looking. But you know, Mark, andthis seems a little big-headed, I felt he was too old for me. Ididn’t ask him his age of course, but I reckon I could do betterand after all in my position I’m not after someone just because oftheir money.’
Mark playedalong, and the flannel came out with long-practised and notforgotten ease.
‘I’m notsurprised Anne, you look bloody good for your age, youknow.’
‘You’re tookind Mark, even if it is just flattery. You know, Gemma’s lucky tohave you. The thing is, Mark, even though I’m a lot older than youtwo I still have my needs.’
That was morethan enough information for the moment, he needed to think thingsthrough. It felt odd: inevitable but also disturbing. It was as ifhe was watching himself from outside; and this was what he wasactually good at – setting the bait, preparing topounce.
‘Well, it’sbeen really nice spending a little time with you today. Let’s goback inside and see if Gemma’s done. And you know, Anne, as well asgoing to town for a night out, you could always come down and staywith us in Petworth, you must get a little lonely here by yourself.We’d be pleased to see more of you.’
Gemma had finishedsorting through the garage and her dad’s study and was leaving thesecond of two large bags by the outside bin. As Mark and Anneappeared from the back garden, she could see Mark had already takenhis new task seriously. He really was pretty adept at manipulatingolder women; her mum had the self-satisfied demeanour of someonewho had been seriously flattered. Gemma almost felt sorry forher.
‘Hi you two,I’ve chucked out all the accounting books and ledgers, they’d be nouse to anyone anyway. Why not let Mark try and sell the desk andDavenport, at least? It’ll make a bit of space and you don’t usethem anyway.’
Anneseemed happy with that and Gemma suggested Mark take a picture ofthem to show to his antique contacts as they were too big to fit inthe MG for the trip back. It was time for her and Mark to getserious: she needed to see how much prompting he would need. Sheguessed very little, as long as he assumed he was in control. Today hadstarted things moving but it was probably best not to overdo it toosoon.
‘Anyhow, we’dbest get going, it’s been nice to help out and I’ll make sure wesee more of each other from now on.’
They saidtheir goodbyes and Mark promised to arrange a night out with Anneand also to help her plan and organise an evening do at the housebefore the end of summer.
***
It was closeon five when they left and Gemma suggested she and Mark stop off ata pub on the way back and see if they could get something toeat.
‘We could trythe Devil’s Punchbowl in Hindhead, that’s usually pretty good andI’ll pay. And I’ve got to hand it to you, Mark, you really are asmooth operator: from what I could see you were getting on wellwith my mother and I reckon you’ve got something up your sleevealready.’
Gemma doubted thatMark had any clear strategy as yet but there was no harm in egginghim along and keeping him sweet too. She parked on the London Road,finding a spot right outside the front of the Punchbowl and theyordered from the bar meal menu – it was odd how basket meals hadbecome all the rage over the last year or so. The pub had thatearly evening air of anticipation, as if it was gearing itself upfor a busy Saturday evening. They took their drinks to the windowseat and waited for the scampi and chips that both of them had gonefor. Gemma wanted to see what Mark had been up to.
‘Well look,now you’ve spent some time with her, do you think I’m right to be alittle bit concerned about my mother’s
