Breath of Corruption (19 page)

During the time that Anthea was at Lola’s and then with Lucy, Leo and Anthony had gone for a drink, and on to dinner. Leo was in a strange mood. Relief from anxiety had produced a sense of recklessness, but at the same time Maurice’s resignation and the defection of Roger and others had left him feeling disturbed and uneasy. He needed a means of escape from himself and his preoccupations. He downed a large Scotch, and he and Anthony shared a couple of bottles of Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru over dinner, and had a long, intense conversation on a rambling range of topics, from Welsh rugby to the comparative merits of Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana. By half nine Leo was feeling utterly relaxed, a little drunk and powerfully aware of a restored sense of intimacy between himself and Anthony.

‘We haven’t done this in a long time,’ said Leo. ‘I can’t remember the last occasion we had dinner together.’

‘Neither can I. But I can tell you something else we haven’t done for a while – and that’s have a game of squash. I’m seriously out of condition.’

‘Let’s book one for next week. Stephen and I played a couple of games the week before last,’ said Leo, ‘but I simply haven’t had the time since then. A number of pressing preoccupations.’

‘How are things with Rachel?’

‘As regards Oliver, you mean?’ Leo signalled to the waiter for the bill. ‘Fine. We had lunch, sorted a few things out. I’m supposed to have him this weekend, but she’s taking him to some friends in Hampshire tomorrow. I’ll have him on Sunday.’ He thought about that afternoon that Viktor Kroitor had turned up at Oliver’s school, and reflected that things might have been very different if she’d found out about that. He had to trust that Viktor Kroitor would stick to their deal. ‘The one thing which could have swung me towards joining Roger and the others was the idea that I might have more time to spend with Oliver. But I’m going to make a greater effort to do more work away from chambers in future.’

The bill arrived, and Leo picked it up.

‘Please,’ said Anthony, ‘can we split it?’

‘No, I’ll get this. I’d like to. Reminds me of the days when you were a penniless pupil, and it was my great delight to take you out and buy you decent dinners and the odd glass of wine.’

‘I was easily impressed.’

‘I should hope you still are.’

Leo paid the bill and they left the restaurant. As they walked to the street corner on the lookout for taxis, Leo was suddenly conscious that he didn’t want Anthony to go just yet. ‘It’s early,’ he said. ‘Come back for coffee. You still
haven’t seen the new place. Not so new any more.’

Anthony hesitated for a fraction of a second, then nodded. ‘OK.’

At the house Leo made coffee, and poured brandies for both of them. Anthony was studying one of the pieces of art on the wall when Leo handed him his glass.

‘Thanks.’ Anthony took a sip of brandy and pointed at the painting. ‘That reminds me of one you used to have in the house in Oxford. I remember being very struck by it the night I stayed there.’

‘It’s still there. This is a sister piece. How discerning of you to connect them, after all this time.’

‘I remember everything about that visit. Things of that kind make a very deep impression, when one’s young.’

‘One doesn’t have to be young.’ Standing this close to Anthony, Leo was suddenly aware of profound and overwhelming desire. The familiar lines of the young man’s body and face as he gazed at the painting made Leo want to reach out and touch him. Just half an hour ago in the restaurant he’d been reflecting on the necessity of maintaining a tidy private life for the satisfaction of Rachel, and ensuring the continuity of his contact with Oliver. Now such considerations vanished utterly. He lifted his hand and his fingers grazed Anthony’s neck. Anthony turned and met his gaze. ‘It never stops,’ said Leo quietly.

‘I know.’ Anthony dipped his head slightly to let Leo’s hand touch his face, keeping his eyes fixed on Leo’s.

The sense of physicality between them was intense. ‘This is something else we haven’t done in a long time,’ said Leo.

Anthony put up his hand to grasp Leo’s. ‘I’ll never forget
what you said after last time. Never. You said – your very words were, “It’s only sex.” That was all it was for you. But it has to be about more than that, Leo.’

‘It’s always been about more, where you’re concerned. I was just too afraid to admit it.’

Leo’s mobile phone was in his briefcase on the other side of the room. He could hear its insistent tone from where he stood, next to Anthony.

‘Hadn’t you better answer it?’ asked Anthony, relinquishing Leo’s hand. ‘It might be important.’

Leo crossed the room and took out the phone. He saw Anthea’s name on the screen, and for a moment was tempted not to answer it. But he knew she’d only ring till she got him. Better now than later.

‘Anthea?’

‘Hi.’ Her voice sounded apprehensive. ‘How are you?’

‘I’m fine.’

‘You sound a bit edgy.’

‘Just a little tired. It’s been a difficult week.’

‘Darling, I’m sorry. I know that’s partly been my fault. I spoke to Lucy tonight. I know what happened, and I’m so, so sorry. She’s a little witch. I should never have believed her.’

‘That’s all right. It doesn’t matter.’

‘No, but I said all those dreadful things. Can you forgive me?’

‘I suppose you thought you had good reason. Of course I forgive you. I’m sorry, too – the whole mess was partly my fault.’

‘No, it wasn’t. I blame Lucy entirely – though not for having a crush on you. That’s utterly understandable. But now that it’s all sorted out, I wondered—’ He could hear her smiling on the other end of the phone, her voice teasing and seductive. –‘I wondered if you’d like to come round, and we can make up properly. In bed.’

Leo glanced across the room at Anthony. ‘The thing is, Anthea, I’m really exhausted. We’ve had some problems in chambers, a few late meetings, that kind of thing—’

‘So that’s why I couldn’t get hold of you. In which case, you definitely need me to soothe it all away. You must be dying to see me – I know I’m absolutely aching for you.’ And she went
on to describe exactly how she felt, what she was wearing, what she wanted to do – till in the end Leo had to stop her.

‘Seriously, I’d love to. But I think the best thing I can do is get a good night’s sleep.’

‘Oh.’ She sounded a little piqued. ‘Oh well, if that’s what you think. Still’ – her voice softened – ‘if you change your mind, I’m here all night.’

‘OK. Look, I’ll call you soon.’ He paused. ‘Night.’ Leo switched his phone off. He didn’t want any more calls.

Anthony was watching him from the other side of the room. ‘Your girlfriend?’

‘Yes.’

Anthony crossed the room, and Leo took his face between his hands and kissed him for a long, long moment.

Anthea chucked the phone onto the bed with a little sigh of disappointment. Leo really had sounded tired – a bit out of it, in fact. Probably just as well he wasn’t coming over. It might all have been a bit of an anticlimax. Better to wait till he’d recharged his batteries. She flopped onto the bed, propped herself up on some pillows, and clicked on the TV with the remote. She was pretty tired herself. She lay idly watching Jonathan Ross, reflecting on the brief conversation with Leo. She shouldn’t have sounded so keen. She was breaking all the rules she’d set for herself a few weeks ago. More of the hard-to-get-stuff, that was what was needed. The trouble was, it was difficult to play by those rules when you were in love.

‘What now?’ asked Leo.

‘What now?’ Anthony drained his coffee cup and reached for his tie. ‘I think we both know the answer to that.’ His tone was pragmatic, but not unkind. ‘We carry on as we always have done. I don’t think there’s any need to make more of it than that, do you?’

Leo leant against the kitchen worktop in his dressing gown, studying Anthony’s face. He could detect nothing in Anthony’s manner of the insecurity and neediness which he had exhibited last time they had been together as lovers. ‘I’m not sure about that any more,’ he replied.

‘Well, I am. Everything we already have is enough. We see one another just about every day. I can talk to you whenever I want. If we try to turn this into some grand passion, I know where it’ll end. I’ve seen what happens with your relationships, and what you do to people, whether you mean to or not. I don’t intend to let it happen with you and me. Anyway, weren’t you the one who said he never intended to
get emotionally entangled with anyone ever again?’

There was a silence, then Leo said, ‘I’d give up a good deal for you, you know.’

‘Well, don’t. That would be fatal. Having one person in your life is never enough for you, Leo. I don’t ever want to be in a position where I feel possessive, or jealous.’

‘You want your freedom.’

Anthony picked up his jacket and slipped it on, hesitating before he spoke. ‘Yes. Yes, if you like – that’s what I want.’

Leo walked with Anthony to the front door. He smiled sadly. ‘You’ve grown up a lot.’

‘I had to.’

‘I had the idea we could have spent the day together, maybe—’

‘No, that’s not a good idea. Anyway, I have a few things to do. I’m sure you do, too. I’ll see you on Monday.’

Leo, as he shaved and showered later, reflected on the things he needed to do that day. Book a flight for Irina, give her her passport, take her to the airport, and impress upon her that if she wanted to do anything about Viktor Kroitor, she should do it in Ukraine. He would have to thank Lola, too. And he would have to see Anthea, or talk to her, at any rate.

‘No, really – I’ve got four, and I don’t need them all. Take it!’ Against Irina’s protests, Lola had packed all the clothes she’d given Irina into an extremely expensive Louis Vuitton Pegase 60 suitcase. She zipped it up and trundled it into the living room. ‘There. Now, Leo’s going to be here in a few minutes. He’s got your ticket and your passport, and he’ll take you to the airport. OK?’

Irina nodded. ‘Thank you. So many things you give me. It is very kind.’

‘Well, look, there’s one more thing I want to give you. Before I do, promise me you won’t say no, or try to give it back. Please?’

Irina shrugged. ‘OK.’

Lola went to her desk, unlocked a drawer and took out an envelope. She gave it to Irina, who opened it. Her eyes widened as she looked at the bundle of hundred-pound notes. ‘This money is for books,’ said Lola. ‘It’s for books and whatever else you need to finish your studies. All right?’

Irina took the envelope reluctantly. ‘You give me too much.’

‘Sweetie, it’s small change, compared to what I spend on the useless things in my useless life. Truly. I’m happy to be able to help someone do something worthwhile. Now let’s stuff it right into the middle of your suitcase. The zip goes the other way. That’s it. Wrap it up in that skirt where no one’ll find it.’

The intercom buzzed, and Lola went to let Leo in.

‘She’s all ready to go,’ Lola told Leo.

‘Fine. Listen, thank you for looking after her.’

‘I’ve enjoyed having her here. Now that I know what she’s been through, I just wish I could have done more. I mean, I think of all the other girls who get tricked and duped and finish up doing what she did. It’s horrible.’

‘There are organisations who are always on the lookout for volunteers. There’s something called the Poppy Project, I believe, that helps people like Irina. You could give it a try.’

‘Really? I just might,’ said Lola thoughtfully. ‘God knows, I’ve got enough time on my hands.’

‘I’ll look into it for you, if you like.’ Leo gave her a couple of quick kisses. ‘Thanks again.’ He turned to Irina. ‘Come on, let’s get going – the traffic can be hell on Saturdays.’

Leo drove Irina to the airport, and took her to the
check-in
desk. He noticed her glancing around nervously as she stood in the queue, and said, ‘Don’t worry – Viktor isn’t here looking for you. That’s over, I promise.’ She smiled and gave a little sigh, and he added, ‘Do you intend to do anything about Viktor when you get back? Go to the police?’

Irina looked horrified. ‘No! He have bad friends. I do not say anything. I cannot.’

Between them, thought Leo, he and Irina were letting a very nasty piece of work off the hook. There was no moral justification, he supposed, except self-interest – the ultimate justification.

Driving back from the airport, Leo thought about Anthea. She’d talked to Lucy, that little drama was over, and now everything, for her, was as it had been. Could it be, for him? He reflected on what Anthony had said of him earlier – that one person would never be enough. No doubt he’d thought it a perspicacious observation. The ironic thing was, for Leo, Anthony could be that one person. But as things were … Leo drummed his fingers absently on the wheel as the traffic began to slow ominously. As things were …

The traffic came to a complete standstill. Leo tuned in to the traffic news. An accident was blocking two lanes of the M4, with two miles of tailbacks already building up. Leo sat thinking for a few minutes, then picked up his mobile phone and tapped in Anthea’s number. She answered on the second ring.

‘Hi, it’s me,’ said Leo. ‘Sorry if I was a little abrupt last night. I really had had a bad week.’

‘Don’t worry. We both got a good night’s sleep. At least, I hope you did.’

‘Kind of. What are you doing tonight?’

‘Seeing you, I hope.’

‘You hope correctly.’ There was a pause. ‘I’m glad Lucy spoke to you. I’ve rather missed you.’

‘Well, that’s sweet, given that it’s only been a few days. Anyway, I had to speak to
her
, and drag the truth out of her.’

‘We’ll talk about it later. I’ll pick you up around eight, shall I?’

‘Eight is fine. But I made Lucy a promise we wouldn’t talk about it. Or rather, about her. And I always keep my promises.’

‘Very commendable. In that case, I want you to promise that when I see you later—’

Anthea listened as Leo elaborated. ‘That is so depraved! Where do you get these ideas?’

‘I don’t know,’ said Leo, smiling. ‘They just come to me.’

On Monday morning, Leo strolled into chambers in a buoyant mood. He and Oliver had had a terrific day on Sunday, savouring the delights of the London Eye and lunch at TGI Friday’s, and Rachel had been on her best, civil behaviour when he’d dropped him off. On top of that, Saturday evening with Anthea had been as unwholesome and pleasurable as he’d anticipated. Anthony was right. Serious relationships were definitely a bar to true enjoyment of life.

‘Morning, Mr Davies!’ called out Felicity in passing.
She was wearing a new cashmere sweater with a plunging V-neck, evidently designed to keep Henry on his toes.

‘Morning, Felicity. Nice sweater. How was your weekend?’

‘Lovely. I’m right off celibacy. I’ll pop up and tell you about it later. How was yours?’

Leo hesitated, then said, ‘Interesting. Interesting and varied.’

Leo spent most of that morning in meetings convened to deal with the aftermath of Maurice’s departure, and to discuss the future of 5 Caper Court. The exodus of Roger and the handful of other junior tenants would leave something of a hole, and despite a promising batch of pupils currently in the pipeline, Leo decided a recruitment drive might be in order. It was just before one, when he was going out to lunch, that he met Michael on the stairs, an early edition of the
Evening Standard
in his hand.

‘I was just on my way to see you,’ said Michael, handing him the paper. ‘Have you seen this?’

Leo read the headline ‘
Magnate found gassed in car
’ then scanned the opening paragraph: ‘
The construction tycoon Sir Dudley Humble was found dead in his car at a remote spot in Surrey early this morning. He appeared to have died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Sir Dudley was the head of Humble Construction Ltd, a firm which he established in the early 80s and brought to great success in the 1990s, but which had lately suffered setbacks through a number of cancelled contracts and failed bids. In addition to his heavy financial losses, Sir Dudley had recently been questioned by police investigating the ongoing cash-for-peerages scandal
.’

‘Christ,’ murmured Leo.

‘I know – bit of a shock. Did he seem like the suicidal type?’

‘Difficult to say,’ replied Leo, thinking of Viktor Kroitor’s last words to him two days ago. He rather doubted that Sir Dudley had died by his own hand. ‘Mind if I hold on to this?’ he asked Michael.

‘Be my guest. I’ll catch you later.’

Leo carried on downstairs, and went into the clerks’ room, looking thoughtful.

‘Anything up, Mr D?’ asked Henry.

‘Have a look at this.’ He showed the paper to Henry, who gave a low whistle. A sudden thought occurred to Leo. ‘Have we been paid yet on the Humble Construction Case?’ Henry tapped at his keyboard and glanced at the computer screen. ‘We’ve issued a fee note.’

Leo nodded. ‘Chase it up, would you?’

As he left chambers, musing on Sir Dudley’s untimely death, Leo felt a momentary touch of guilt. Maybe if he’d played his hand differently, gone to the police early on, the man might be alive now. Embroiled in an unseemly scandal, but alive.

But in the game which Sir Dudley had chosen to play, there were no rules, no moral outcomes. There was only
self-preservation
, decided Leo, as he strolled through the Temple, past the buildings and gardens lying serene and timeless in the autumn sunshine.