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.He would allow Renata to have her way in arranging a ceremony which Jan suspected he would consider a bore, and not even notice that Jan had not been included.For all that she had a strange feeling of expectancy that she would one day meet him in the streets or on the tube, though she knew it was most unlikely that she should do so, for her environment was not his.He would go everywhere by taxi and the expensive hotels and restaurants would be his haunts.She tried to assure herself that the last thing she wanted to do was to run into him, and what she felt was dread at the possibility, but the sense of expectancy.it was not dread.persisted.She would be glad when it was all over and he and Renata left for Greece and there was no chance of a meeting, however unlikely that chance might be.Modern London is not without its hazards, and returning one night to Camden Town, where she changed from the tube to a bus, she was dismayed to discover some sort of riot seemed to be in progress.A clash between rival demonstrators had resulted in a milling mob, and she stood for a while at the entrance to the station wondering if it would be wiser to go back underground.But she had been working late and wanted to get home, and there was no reason why anyone should molest her.So she sought to push her way towards where her bus should be waiting, but there was no bus.Deciding she would walk, she turned about and found her way barred by an evil-looking lout'Got any dough on you, chick?'She backed away as he snatched at her handbag, clutching it to her breast.She had not much money on her, but it contained her keys and other useful articles.The man grabbed at her wrist.'C'mon, give it over.''Get out of my way! I'll call the police.''Police 'ave got other things to do.I don't want to get rough.No one ain't going to 'elp you in this scrum.'But there he was wrong.A brown fist caught him between the eyes, and as he fell, Jan's waist was encircled by a strong arm and she was whisked away into a waiting taxi.Some stones were thrown at them as it moved away, the driver pursuing an erratic course through the crowd which gave way reluctantly before them.He turned into a comparatively quiet side street and drove fast for a while until the mob was outdistanced.Jan had been badly shaken by the menacing crowd and the attempted robbery, but she was overwhelmed by Alex's swift and unexpected rescue.She clung to him as he held her on the back seat of the taxi, while the tears poured down her cheeks.He cradled her as if she were a hurt child, enquiring anxiously:'Did that brute harm you?' And as she murmured something inarticulate: 'Jan, Jan, little one, don't cry like that!''I.I can't.help it,' she sobbed.'Oh, Alex, Alex, I've wanted you so!'All her defences were down, her brave efforts to conceal her feelings blown away like chaff before the wind.Miraculously Alex had come to her, how and whence she had no idea, but he was here, she was in his arms, and far from being mocking or deriding her, he was being.kind.Vaguely in her confused state, she identified him with the fantasy image that she had created to assuage her loneliness.None of this could be really happening, it was a dream.Somewhere in the region of Regents Park, the driver slowed down and pushed back the dividing panel.'All clear now, sir.Where to next?''Where do you live, Jan?'Mechanically she gave her address.She must be having a delusion.Alex was taking her back to her room, he would sit in the armchair as she had so often pictured him and then he would.vanish.She clung to him, desperately fearful of losing him.'Don't leave me, don't ever leave me!''Certainly I shan't, not after this touching demonstration, so there's no need to strangle me.'This was the Alex she knew, so he must be real.With an effort she managed to regain her self-control and drawing away from him, fumbled in her handbag for a handkerchief.Anticipating her need, he produced his own much larger one and wiped her eyes himself.'Better now?''Yes, but—Oh, Alex, what must you think of me!''That I'll tell you in due course.''I.I was upset.''Never mind that now.It was lucky I was passing.I saw you come out of the station and lost you in the crowd, then I sighted you again with that scum.''But what on earth were you doing in Camden Town?''Looking for you.Renata told me where you were staying, but they said you had left The directions they gave me were a bit vague.You shouldn't be living on your own.'His tone was elder-brotherly, admonishing.Her uncle must have expressed belated concern about her and had asked him to locate her; guiltily she recalled that she had not communicated with her family for some time.The taxi halted in front of the building where she lodged.Alex sprang out and turned to hand her out.Reluctantly she left the shelter of the cab.For a brief spell it seemed as if a miracle had occurred and he had been seeking her, but she had arrived at a more prosaic explanation.Jeremy had sent him and nothing was changed.She rummaged in her bag for her latch key while Alex paid the taxi-driver.He was a burly, phlegmatic character, who had run a considerable risk while he waited for his fare to do his rescue act.That Alex appreciated that was expressed in the bundle of notes he passed to him.Jan had mounted the short flight of steps leading to the front door which was ajar when he joined her.His mission must include ascertaining in what sort of place she was living, but she was reluctant to introduce him to her room.It was bound to appear poor and mean to his critical eyes.Evening sunlight relieved the drabness of the street, but it was a far cry from the house by the Bosphorus.Alex was wearing one of his light grey business suits, perfectly cut, and as usual appeared immaculate, he looked like a being from another planet.'Well?' he demanded [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]