can work together. In fact, there’s a job I want you to do in the morning. Go and get some sleep; you might be busy tomorrow.”
“Yes, papa.” She gripped his hands tightly. “Why did you mention Mellor?”
“I think there are two Mellors. We don’t mean the same one,” said Rollison. “We’ll see.”
“I think you’re lying but I don’t really mind,” said Clarissa. “You’ve done me a world of good. Thank you, Richard.”
She kissed him, full on the lips—a lingering kiss with more than a hint of passion—and the soft warmth of her body was close against him.
“Why don’t you stay?”
“I’d rather find you new sensations,” Rollison said dryly. “Good night, Clarissa.”
She laughed and turned away—and the telephone bell rang, startling them both.
* * *
“It’s Jolly,” said Clarissa.
Rollison took the telephone. Jolly would not have called here unless with tidings of trouble.
Judith?
“Yes, Jolly?”
“I’ve just had a message from Dr Willerby, sir,” said Jolly. “Will you please go there at once?”
* * *
Earlier that night Snub drove a tradesman’s van past the clinic, waved to Doc Willerby who was talking to a woman on the steps of his Nissen hut, and stopped at a garage not far away. He drove the van in, poked his head inside the back, rubbed his hands joyously and locked the door. It was dark; the gas street lamps gave only a dim glow. When he reached the clinic again, the woman had gone and the door was closed.
He did not go in at once.
He had no idea where Rollison was but wished vaguely that his own job was different. Being nursemaid to Mellor wasn’t likely to offer much excitement. But Rollison’s training and his own instinct made him careful. He made a complete circuit of the outside of the clinic but saw no lurking figures, nothing to suggest that anything was wrong.
He wished he had a gun; or any weapon.
A light glowed at one end of the Nissen hut.
He rang the bell and Mrs Willerby, a much younger woman than her husband, opened the door.
“Not another emergency, just an extra mouth to feed,” said Snub. “Hope I’m not too late.”
“No, we seldom get to bed before midnight.” She stepped inside and the light from a room beyond fell on her fluffy hair and round, ruddy, friendly face. “The doctor is expecting you.”
“And wishing he wasn’t,” called Willerby from the lighted room.
But when Snub entered he put down a book and offered cigarettes. It was a small, comfortable, homely room and a radio stood in the corner, soft chamber music coming from it. Snub dropped into an easy-chair and clapped his hands boisterously.
“I’ve found just what the doctor ordered, Doc! A tradesman’s van, nicely sprung, used for long distances and fragile merchandise, as they say. Borrowed a divan and fastened it inside the van. Mellor will hardly know he’s on the road. How is he?”
“All right.”
“Did the Boss say why he wanted me to come along here?”
“No. He probably realises by now that Mellor isn’t the most popular man in the East End. I’ve pushed the second bed in the ward near the window and there’s a good lock on the door.”
“That sounds ominous.”
“I’m not exactly expecting trouble,” said the doctor, “but I’ll be glad when you’ve taken
Mellor away.”
“You were a fool to let him stay here,” said Mrs Willerby, coming in with a tray on which were three steaming cups of cocoa. “Can you drink some of this, Mr Higginbottom?”
“My dream of a night-cap,” said Snub. “Thanks, ma’am. Don’t blame the Doc, blame the Toff—he’s at the root of all the trouble.”
“Do you think I need telling that?” asked Mrs Willerby.
It was half-past twelve when Snub went into the ward. There was a tiny electric light on in one corner. Mellor was lying on his back and appeared to be in a natural sleep. The window was open at the top and Snub made a face.
“Must have fresh air,” whispered Willerby.
“Oh, yes. I’ll rig up a booby trap and if anyone comes in they’ll make a hell of a clatter.” Snub looked round the room, brought two chairs to the window and placed a glass tumbler on top of the erection he built up. No one reaching through the open window could fail to knock the glass off. “All will be well if it doesn’t fall of its own volition,” Snub said. “ “Night—” night.”
He kicked off his shoes, took off his collar and tie and lay down; ten minutes later, he was asleep.
