As he listened, Markcould sense the beginnings of an opportunity opening up,particularly when Howard mentioned that they needed a bigger placeto cope with the demand. Even though President Tito had died acouple of years previously and there was a good deal of financialinstability in the country, his lengthy period in power had helpedcreate a more modern Yugoslavia and a degree of freedom from theSoviet domination of Eastern Europe. That had opened the country,and especially Dubrovnik itself, up to western tourists, asevidenced by the flurry of hotel building on the hill up from theold town, along with its developing role as a cruisestopover.
‘Look Howard,this could be just what I’m looking for you know – it’s what theycall serendipity, perhaps. Like I said, I haven’t got much to goback for and I’ve got some money, quite a bit, and plenty of energyas well. Look why don’t we talk some more, maybetomorrow?’
Mark sensed thatHoward looked less than enthusiastic but put it down to not havinghad time to think things through. He pushed on.
‘I know it’sa bit sudden and no pressure, Howard. Thing is I’m going over toLokrum tomorrow morning and was due to fly back in the evening butover the last few days I’ve decided to stay over in Europe for awhile at least. Why don’t I come round later tomorrow? Even ifnothing comes of things it will still be good to catch up, and youcan give me some advice, no doubt. I’ve got to dash now, said I’dmeet someone for the taxi-ferry back.’
Howard agreed;when he thought about it, what harm could it do? And anyway itwould be interesting to catch up. After all, Mark’s crimes had beena major talking point on the odd occasions that he had met up withany of his old university mates. Also, although quite happy withhis new life, Howard still missed England and English people andeven though he hadn’t known Mark particularly well before there wasno reason they couldn’t get on now.
‘Yes, whynot? And like I said, you must tell me about what reallyhappened.’
‘Great, that’ssettled then. I’ve got to dash now, as I said I’ve got to meetsomeone for the taxi-ferry back to the ship.’
Mark thoughtit best not to mention Gemma by name and anyway Howard had beenmore interested in his past than his current status. He thanked thestill slightly perplexed Howard for the drink and food and headedback to the harbour. He felt good: maybe that was the break heneeded and it might change everything. After all, there’d be noneed to get rid of Gemma, he would just tell her that she’d won andthat he’d leave her alone to get on with her life; and the moneyhe’d taken was fair enough given all he’d helped her with. In fact,after the initial shock when she first got to realise what he’ddone, she’d cope with things. There would be no need to tell herbefore she flew back. Of course she might not be too happy he’dtaken it behind her back, but she’d get over it; she still had morethan enough, plenty of shares in Cunard’s, and she could sell theirhouse and keep that for herself. In fact, she was bloody lucky; hisstake in the Petworth house would have given him close to theamount he had taken anyway. Really, if it was looked at rationallyhe’d be doing everyone a favour.
Mark passedthe elegant sixteenth-century Sponza Palace and went through thegates to what was already becoming known as the ‘old’ port. Yes,why would he want to stay with Gemma even if by some chance she hadchanged her mind again? He’d be fine and find someone who wouldn’tlet him down this time. And why risk another murder, howeverwell-planned and hidden it might be? As far as he was concerned shecould sod off, and there was no need to tell her just yet about hismeeting with Howard and his ideas for the future. He would merelysay goodbye and head off to meet Howard when she went to theairport tomorrow night.
***
There was awinding down of the day’s activities on the harbour side as Markheaded to the jetty for the taxi-boat back to the Uganda. He couldsee Gemma already standing by the rails of the gangway. Sure enoughshe was a bloody good looking girl but he’d had enough ofself-centred prima donnas who thought they could outsmart him. Hesmiled as he reached her.
‘Hi, how’sthings? What do you reckon of Dubrovnik, then?’
Gemma had decided toleave telling Mark what she had been up to or what she had managedto discover, for the time being anyway. She felt she’d be betteroff just playing it straight for now, until she sensed that thetime was right to confront him.
‘Well it’sbeautiful, the architecture and the views too; it’ll be interestingto visit Lokrum tomorrow, everyone I’ve spoken to says it’s worthexploring and it’s quiet at this time of year too.’
Even though hisintentions had changed and it wasn’t necessary now, Mark didn’t seeany reason not to go there as planned, even if they would both begoing their separate ways afterwards.
***
Gemma’s dayhadn’t turned out as she’d expected. She had wanted to check out ifthere were any clothes that might give her something a littledifferent from the high street fashions back in England and maybeto pick up a few souvenirs or even early Christmas presents. Shewas also a little concerned that she hadn’t managed to speak to hersolicitors about the purchase of the flat in London, which shouldbe close to going through by now – if it was going to be completedsoon after she got back, she figured that it should at least be atthe contract signing stage by now. She had tried to call a coupleof times but with no luck: the connections from the ship weren’tvery reliable. It wasn’t that she was particularly bothered, itjust would be nice to know all was well before she returned home.The post office in Dubrovnik seemed the obvious place to start, andif nothing else she could check the bank balance which would giveher an idea of whether everything was in place.
The gift shopson
