‘Look Roger,we both know you’re not going to change your habits of a lifetimebut that with some care and common sense you’ll probably not get introuble again. However, you’ll have to at least consider other waysof enjoying yourself. You don’t have to break the law, you know;and you know I’ll have to write regular reports on how you’re doingfor the next two years. So you will have to be straight with meright from the start.’
She decided to trusther instincts and push on.
‘I shouldn’tbe saying this but I’ve read up on your situation and personally Idon’t mind what you get up to or what you find when you’re out andabout in the countryside, but it would be wise not to grow anythingyou shouldn’t at your own place, that would be asking for trouble.You do realise that your suspended sentence can easily be revokedand you could actually end up in prison?’
Roger seemedto see what she was getting at. Either she had been too obvious orit was something he was already more than familiar with: probablythe latter, she fancied.
‘It’s a fairpoint, and you know, funny you should say that, because there arelots of natural things you can find that are just as good as dopeand not illegal either. You may be surprised to know that I’mpretty clued up on all sorts of different plants and even mushroomsand I know where the best places to find them are. And if they growin the wild, what could be more natural?’
She wasn’tsurprised; her instincts were usually never that farout.
‘Youshouldn’t really be telling me, Roger, but I’m glad we’re beinghonest. We need to be if we’re going to get your supervision right.And you know, I’d like to think that I’m not just your probationofficer.’
For a momentGemma wondered if she’d gone too far. Maybe she should play itreasonably straight for now, or strike a balance at least. Sheneedn’t have worried; Roger was warming to her plan withoutrealising it was one.
‘Come on Miss– actually, can I call you Gemma? I know that’s your name. As Isaid, these things aren’t illegal, they can be dangerous but I knowwhat’s what in that area. And you know, it’s really nice and eventherapeutic foraging in nice woodlands, I often go to the NewForest, it’s beautiful down there. And come to think of it, you’reright, there’s no need to risk growing things in my own back yard,that would be stupid.’
This was going to beeasier than she’d thought or expected.
‘Well, aswe’re going to be meeting up for a couple of years and as I do wantus to have an honest working relationship, you can call me Gemma ifyou like, but only when there’s just the two of us, ofcourse.’
She carriedon.
‘And yes I agree theNew Forest is amazing, even if I don’t know it as well as you, Ilove it too.’
Roger was clearly inhis element.
‘Look, I knowwe’ve got to be professional and everything but you’re not workingall the time, why don’t I take you down to some of my favouritespots sometime?’
Gemma was well awareit was straying well beyond the professional, but then she had nointention of being professional for that much longer anyway.Nonetheless, she knew that she had to be the one pulling thestrings. Feed them the ideas and then let them imagine they werethe ones in charge – that was how it was with Mark too.
‘Well, I’llsee Roger, but you know, it might be a nice change. The thing is,it might put me in a compromising position, though.’
Roger washooked and Gemma realised she’d have to make sure he wasn’texpecting too much, and also she’d have to deal with Mark’sjealousy, but it would be great if she could get hold of somepretty deadly mushrooms. And so what if Roger fancied her? Hewasn’t too bad looking in a weather-worn kind of way and to be faira bit of flirting wouldn’t be too unpleasant. Oddly enough, andsomewhat tangentially, she remembered reading something about a newreligious cult or sect, the Children of God she thought, whichencouraged female members to flirt with potential recruits as a wayof getting them involved – something like ‘flirty-fishing’ it hadbeen called.
Meanwhile Roger waswell away with planning it.
‘There’sloads of fly agaric around, they’re like the magic mushrooms, youknow, but better, and then there’s some to avoid, death cap inparticular. The thing with amanita mushrooms, which is what theyare, is the slight differences that you have to be aware of. Alsohow to prepare and cook them, they’re ten times more poisonous ifeaten raw, you know.’
‘Well, itwould be interesting, Roger, and fun too. I’ll see when I’m freeand maybe in the next week or so and we can coincide it with ournext session. I’ve got another meeting to go to now so let’sarrange that next session, maybe two weeks today?’
‘Sure Gemma,that sounds nice, but you know October’s a good month, the bestreally, before it gets too cold. Next week would be good, better infact. Maybe we could bring the next meeting forward alittle?’
Gemma didn’t want tolook too keen but that made sense and the sooner she got somethingthe sooner she could help Mark to push on with things.
‘Well yesmaybe, let me check a couple of dates and get back to you, I’ve gotyour phone number here. And, Roger, just a nice trip out into thecountryside: nothing else, Ok?’
‘Sure thing,Miss, or Gemma if I may. I understand and you can trust me, I’m nota grass or anything, this would never go any further.’
Although itwasn’t just that she had been alluding to, she believed him. Heactually did seem to be a genuinely nice man, if slightlyunconventional.
Thursday 8 October1981
Turning intothe university grounds, Mark tried to fight the somewhat surprisingfeelings of regret, almost sadness, that had been building up as hecircuited Hove and then Brighton on the A27. As he pulled off theLewes Road and up to the university campus the rich autumnalcolours hiding the not unpleasant 1960s buildings
