the country, or the world: an identity he was probably setting up since before you were even born. The only reason he is making his presence felt here in Glasgow again is because I’ve been sticking my big nose in where it’s not wanted.’
‘So what do we do?’
‘Accept that your father is alive, but not in a position to contact you. Keep taking the money and keeping your heads down. That’s my advice and it’s advice I intend to follow myself. By the way, I think it could be a matter of your safety as well.’
The twins looked outraged.
‘Our Daddy …’
‘… would never do anything to hurt us!’
‘Perhaps not, but I think there’s a chance he could have got involved with a very dangerous group of people. More organized, better resourced and more dangerous than any criminal gang. And they look out for each other, as I found out to my cost.’
‘What kind of people?’ asked Robert.
‘Military types. No, not even military types … more the “stay behind” guerrilla groups that were set up before and during the war. They were supposed to sabotage Nazi invaders, that kind of thing, but a lot of them were set up to deal with the Commies if the war should take that kind of turn.’
‘That doesn’t sound like our Daddy …’ said Isa.
‘Not like our Daddy at all …’ added Violet.
‘He wasn’t political.’
‘But you said that he was some kind of war hero in the First War?’
‘He was …’
‘He got medals for it …’
‘He went behind enemy lines and everything.’
‘But he was also nearly shot for being a deserter, isn’t that also true?’
‘That’s all lies …’
‘Lies …’ echoed Violet.
‘Listen, ladies,’ I said as gently as I could, ‘it’s easy, very easy, to build up someone into a hero figure when they’re not around. A lot that I have heard about your father, and everything I have experienced, leads me to believe he was or is a totally ruthless character. I don’t think he ever did anything that wasn’t in his own interest. I’m sorry, Isa and Violet, but I’m going to have to let this one go. And if I were you, I would do the same. This is one gift horse you shouldn’t be looking in the mouth.’
‘Could we talk to the witness you traced?’
‘That would be difficult to arrange,’ I said, without adding that we would need to hire a medium to arrange it. ‘I’m afraid he’s moved away. Permanently.’
Now for my big finale.
‘There is something else …’ I reached into my jacket pocket and took out the photograph. ‘I know it’s not a good photograph, and he will, of course, have aged since you last saw him, but can you identify this man for me?’
I felt a small electric thrill as I placed the photograph on the table in front of the twins. I watched their faces closely to catch the moment when they realized that they were looking at the father they had last seen when they were eight years old.
‘Oh my gosh …’ said Isa.
‘… of course we recognize him …’
‘… even after all of these years …’
I exchanged a meaningful look with Archie. I probably looked smug. I felt smug and I felt I had every right to feel it.
‘Yes … that’s Mr Williamson, all right.’
My smugness came to an abrupt end.
‘Sorry… what did you say?’
‘You asked us if we recognized him …’ said Isa.
‘And we do …’ said Violet.
‘That’s Henry Williamson, our father’s friend.’
I picked up the photograph and looked at it. Henry Williamson. Gentleman Joe’s non-crook friend and supposed First War buddy.
‘You’re sure?’
‘Positive.’
I pocketed the photograph again.
The twins spent a couple of minutes trying to talk me into contacting their father for them, but I wouldn’t budge and they gave in with amazingly good grace. I told them I’d keep half the cash they had paid me and handed them an envelope with the rest. They refused, saying that they felt they had put me at great risk and at the very least through a terrible experience and they insisted I keep the lot. We debated some more but they were steadfast and I was less so. When I walked out the door, I still had their cash.
Robert McKnight followed us out to my car.
‘By the way, Mr Lennox,’ he said. ‘I think you’re right. I keep telling the girls not to go digging into all of this shite. Like you said, if Joe wanted to get in touch he would have put a note in with the money. I know they’re not happy, but I wanted to thank you for what you’ve done, Mr Lennox. When they think about it, they’ll be happy to know their Da is still alive.’
His eyes lit up with something when he saw my car. ‘Is this yours? The Atlantic?’
‘Yep.’
‘Listen, Mr Lennox, no sales shite. I’d like to do something to thank you for everything you’ve done and all of the trouble you’ve been to. I can do you a really good trade-in … maybes even a straight trade … and get you something nicer.’
‘That’s good of you, Robert, but I’m happy with the Atlantic.’
‘Maybes you are, but with those funny lights and everything … I’m telling you I would do you a favour. Not the usual shite, a
‘Like I said, I’m happy with the Atlantic.’
He placed a hand on my arm to halt me. I looked down at the hand but he didn’t move it. ‘Listen, this is a genuine offer. No bull. The Wolseley is going for eight-four-four. Actually eight hundred and forty-four pounds, five shillings and tenpence. I’ll exchange the Atlantic and let you have it for two hundred and fifty quid.’
‘Now why would you do that?’ The deal made no sense, unless there was something wrong with the Wolseley or car salesmen had suddenly developed a passion for making losses. Or consciences.
‘Like I said, to show appreciation. The girls … we all … were shocked when we heard about what happened: that bloke trying to kill you. Call it a bonus. I’ve already cleared the deal with my boss. No catches.’ He handed me a business card with the garage address and number. ‘Why don’t you come down and see it for yourself. I’ll put a reserved sticker on it till you come.’
I looked at the card, then back at McKnight’s face. It was empty of guile, of expression, yet somehow he still managed to look insincere. I wondered which boss it was — the showroom manager or Willie Sneddon — he had cleared the deal with, without anyone seeing the condition of my Atlantic.
‘What would you give me for a Nineteen forty-seven Morris Eight?’ asked Archie. McKnight switched his salesman smile back on.
‘Why don’t you bring it to the showroom and I’ll cut you a deal.’
Archie shrugged. The three of us knew that Archie wouldn’t be offered the kind of deal I’d just been offered. Nobody would. I just couldn’t work out why I had been singled out for such gratitude. In fact, the generosity of others was beginning to trouble me; and the more it troubled me, the more I tried giving myself the same advice I’d given the twins: don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. But the truth was I could buy the Wolseley ten times over,
