Lovers and Liars (44 page)

‘Yes, it was.’

Lise made a face. ‘Horrible man. He’s had the whole weekend off, thank heaven. I like him the least. Always creeping around on those crpe-soled shoes of his. Still, John won’t hear a word against him. They go back a long way. He served with John in Vietnam, you know. He was sergeant in John’s platoon. Then he worked for John’s father for years and years.’

Her voice had risen slightly. Mary’s face became uneasy. ‘Now, Lise, come on. Forget about him. Forget about all of thern.’

‘You’re right.’ Lise smiled and held up the menu. ‘Gini, look at all these amazing cocktails they have. Which would you like? MaryT

Both Lise and Gini ordered mineral water; Mary, with a wry glance at Gini, ordered a double Scotch. The drinks arrived, the tapas were served. The noise was deafening: background music, conversation, laughter. Lise looked around her and gave a slow smile.

‘How nice/ she said. ‘I like this place. Excuse me . She stopped the waitress. ‘Would you just remove these? We won’t be needing them … ‘

She indicated a small vase of flowers, two containers for salt and pepper. The waitress stared at her, then removed them. The moment the table was clear, Lise seemed to relax. She chatted away for a while, then suddenly rose to her feet

‘I must pop into the ladies’ room for a moment,’ she said.

Gini watched her make her way through the press of people by

bar. The cloakrooms, she noted from the signs, were next to telephones. She remembered that tape she had listened to with

scal, and a similar ploy used by Lise on a former occasion. Could intend to telephone someone? And why remove the objects on table - unless she suspected they were bugged? She met Mary’s s. Mary sighed and took a hefty swallow of her drink.

‘Don’t say it, Gini, I know. You’re going to think I was imagining whole thing. She seems perfectly all right. Well, I just hope it , that’s all. If it doesn’t, there’ll be all hell to pay when John s out.’

‘I thought it was a good idea to humour her/ Gini said. ‘Darling, I hope to God you’re right… ‘ Mary broke off. ‘Ch Yve just remembered. You wanted to see me - you wanted to

. I’d completely forgotten. What was wrong, darling?’ ‘Nothing. I’m fine now. Really.’

!You certainly look fine. You’re looking better than I’ve seen you in months.’ Mary gave her a narrow look. ‘I wonder why? particular reason, darling? New job, new man, something thatT

‘Don’t fish, Mary. Gini smiled.

‘Would IT Mary gave her a wide-eyed look of innocence. She k another sip of whisky. ‘I meant to tell you,’ she continued an offhand way, which did not deceive Gini in the least, ‘I was easantly surprised by your photographer. Not that I spoke to him

very iong. But he seemed rather nice. How old is he, GiniT ‘Thirtyfive.’

‘Really? Yes, well, I thought he had very nice eyes. A man’s es are very important, and-‘

‘Who are ou talking aboutT

Lise had returned. She removed her coat, and slid into her t.

‘Gini’s friend. Pascal Lamartine,’ Mary replied.

Lise’s face instantly lit. ‘Oh yes, Gini, what a very nice man is. So intelligent. So French.’ She gave Gini a teasing, almost schiCVOUS look. ‘You know I was reading his palm - I hope

didn’t mind - my little party trick … Well, his was most teres,ting. A deep lifeline, a strong fate-line, one marriage, one , strong attachment, four children in all-‘

‘Four?’ Well, I gather he has one already. So there are three still to Le. Oh,’ she paused, ‘and some very significant event, mid-life

thirtyfive and forty, around then. It was quite clearly

marked - a strong break in his fate-line. I told him it could be bad or good but it was a major alteration, some radical change.’

‘Really?’ Gini said, realizing with some self-disgust that she was listening intently to this.

‘Oh, most definitely.’ Lise nodded. ‘I never make a mistake. I told John that this would be a very difficult year for him, even a dangerous one, and I was right.’

‘It’s January, Lise … ‘ Mary put in.

Lise dismissed this blithely. ‘I know - and it’s begun the ay it means to go on. Have one of these tapas, Mary. They’re h ious, de don’t you think?’

For twenty minutes, Lise continued to chat.

She ate nothing; taking one of the tapas now and then, and crumbling it on her plate. Apart from this she seemed calm and relaxed. Gini found herself wondering: was Lise a very good actress - and if so, had she been feigning hysteria earlier, or was she acting now? Which was her true self?

Mary, who seemed exhausted, took little part in this conversation. Lise told Gini about her work on the residence in London, the redecorations at her country house, the work John had organized in the gardens there - her husband was passionate about gardens, she said. She discussed her two sons, with no sign of distress; she spoke warmly of their uncle, Prescott, and how good it would be for the boys to spend some time back in the States. She described the party to be held shortly for her husband’s forty-eighth birthday, and pressed Gini to attend, as her husband had done. Her conversation was lively, even amusing at times, and the only unusual feature of it that Gini noted was the frequency of her references to her husband. She quoted his views constantly. His name punctuated every sentence. John thinks, John says, John feels, John hopes …

Gini glanced covertly at her watch. She intended to leave soon, and before she did, it was time to give this conversation a little push.

‘Tell me,’ she said, ‘when this posting to Britain is over, does your husband intend to return to political lifeT

‘Oh yes.’ Lise glanced at Mary. ‘Poor John. He only took this position for my sake. He thought it would give me a role, you see

- and also that we would be able to see more of each other. He knew I hated living in Washington. Such a one-horse town, politics morning, noon and night.‘She paused, and glanced at Mary again.

Lhope he’s beginning to understand that he should never have e that. It was a sacrifice I never wanted him to make. I

ded with him not to resign from the Senate. But John can be oftiar

immovable. I knew he would regret it, and he has. When you’re jorn for high office, as John was, there’s no escaping your fate.’

1.,Whv did he resign?’ Gini said. ‘I’ve never understood that.’ pf’Oh Gini, no-one did.’ Lise sighed. ‘You’d have to know John W-riblv well to understand. I think, basically, he felt terribly guilty.’ e gave Gini a quick glance. ‘Our little boy Adam had been so

he nearly died, you know - it was the most terrible time. n felt he should have been with us more, that he’d failed his responsibilities to us. So he just made the decision. He

Wn’t even consult me. And that was that … ‘ She hesitated, Jd her lovely face clouded. ‘Since then he’s changed. I know Vs not happy. Not fulfilled. Ambassador!’ She gave a dismissive

ture. ‘Anvorte can be an ambassador. John was always destined rgreater t6igs than that.’

There was a silence. Mary raised her eyebrows but said nothing.

14ni leaned forward.

lp’So, you think he’ll return to full-time politics in due courseT ‘Oh, more than that.’ Lise’s face took on an earnest look. She osembled a child repeating a well-learned lesson. ‘John win run for

presidencV eventually, just the way his father always planned, WaV he al ways planned. And he’ll be elected, of course.’ She aicl this with an air of absolute certainty, as if she could ok into the future. There was no trace of boasting.

;- ‘I sec.’ Gini was shaken by her manner. ‘And how would you loel about thaff she said carefully. ‘What about your objections D Washington?’

‘Washington?’ Lise’s face became blank.

‘Wel I, that’s where the White House was, the last time I visited.’ ‘Oh, I see.’ Amusement lit her face. ‘Well, I never really objected D Washington, not as such. John thought I did, but it was all in his Itind … ‘

0,.Gini frowned. ‘But I thought you just said … when you lived

6ere before, vou found it limiting, a one-horse town .

r ‘Did I sav tlat?‘Lise looked genuinely surprised, despite the fact hat it was less than five minutes since she had made the remark. The gave a small shrug, glanced down at her watch, then across A MarN,. She sighed. ‘Perhaps I’ve had some reservations in the Past. I used to be so shy. It took me years to get used to such a oublic life. But now … well, I mustn’t stand in John’s way. That

would be wrong of me, I think. Besides . . - ‘ Her voice faltered. ‘I could be an asset to John - he used to say that. It would be such a boost, for all my charities, and then I could redecorate the White House, restore it, the way Jackie Kennedy did. I’m quite good with houses, even John says that … ‘

She gave a sweet, childlike and slightly anxious smile. Then, lifting her hand, she made little waving gestures as if trying to attract their waitress’s attention.

‘Oh, what a nuisance/ she said. ‘I can’t catch that wrelc5hed girl’s eye. And I can see Mary’s absolutely exhausted. No, Trary, you are, and it’s entirely my fault. I’m talking on and ory, and you’re just longing to go home and have a rest. Dammit, she simply will not look this way.’

She halfrose to her feet, but Mary stopped her.

‘No, don’t be silly, Lise. You’re squashed in there in the corner. I’ll get her. Where is she?’

‘She’s over there, I think. Just beyond that crush at the bar. The one with the red frizzy hair, I think … ‘

Mary rose, and began to push her way through the throng of people. Gini looked around the room. The waitress who had served them, she noted, did not have red hair, and she was not over by the bar, she was standing at the opposite end of the long room. She turned back to look at Lise. The alteration in Lise’s demeanour had been immediate. The expression of somewhat sugary rapture was wiped from her face. Her features were now tense and set; she had paled. She glanced quickly over her shoulder, leaned across the table, and grasped Gini’s wrist.

‘Oh my God, I’m sorry. I had to talk to you. Can you help me? Are you helping meT she asked.

Gini began to reply, but Lise interrupted her, speaking fast in a very low voice.

‘I had to do this. I had to speak to you somehow. I would have tried at Mary’s the other night but he was watching me all the time. I didn’t dare. I tried to help, did your friend tell you? John didn’t realize what I did, but even so, he was so angry, so angry. I can’t tell you what he’s like when he’s angry. He punishes me

- that’s why he sent my sons home the next day, to punish me. Please, please, you have to help me. You’re my last hope.’

She had begun to tremble. Her grip tightened on Gini’s wrist. ‘Have you found James yet? Have you? You must have looked for him? Where is he? Do you knowT

‘No,’ Gini said.

h God, oh God.’ Her face had turned chalk white. ‘You must him. Frank was on leave this weekend. I have to know James e. I’m so afraid he’s dead … ‘ Her grip on Gini’s wrist had me painful. Suddenly, she released that grip, and began to le with the sleeve of her sweater.

k/ she said. ‘Look.’

bared arm was painfully thin, and the bruise very large. could see the imprint of fingers clearly, violet-black against skin. Above the bruise were three round marks; Gini stared,

realized that they were burn marks, made with the tip of a tte.

o n did that yesterday. There are other marks. On my neck. my back. That’s why I broke down. I can’t take it any more. doesn’t know. No-one knows. Listen, please find James.

ore next Sunday - you understand? Next Sunday . Her died in her throat.

I understand. Next Sunday is the third of the month.’

Find James and go to that house. I gave your friend the adss. I think he’ll use it, it’s his usual place - on Sunday, you derstand? He’s always watching me. Well, now it’s his turn to atched … ‘

e gave a shiver and again glanced over her shoulder. Again gripped Gini’s wrist. ‘He’s so clever, Gini - you have to erstand that. He makes me see all these doctors, doctor after or. Then they give me these pills, and he makes me take , injections too. He wants people to think I’m having a

a down, losing my mind. That’s why he got Mary there today, he’d be a witness. Do you seeT

e trembled violently. ‘And, of course, it works. I can see at people think. They think I’m a fool, a nervous wreck, a mother.’ Tears filled her eyes. ‘Sometimes I almost believe

all myself, all the lies he tells about me. I’m so desperate, i. Y)u have to believe me. You have to help me. For my e and my sons’ sake. They need me so much. You see, he sn’t care what it takes … ‘

She made a choking sound, and the tears spilled over down her ite cheeks.

‘He hasn’t loved me, Gini, not for years - if he ever did. He’s ch a cold man. He’s just like his father. He wants me out of the y, so he can carry on with that glorious future of his. I knew, he ever discovered I’d talked to James, if he found out James d gone to the Press, that would be the end. And he does know,

298

I’m sure of it. That’s why James left, and now … Oh God, oh God. Mary’s coming back … ‘

She broke off, then pulled down her sleeve. She began to twist her wedding ring. ‘Listen, quickly. You mustn’t talk on your telephone. Be careful in your apartment. I’m watched. You’re watched. Never let that man Frank near you. The others are all right, they’re legitimate security men, but not Frank. Remember what I said … If you have to talk use a park, an open space, better still a crowded restaurant like this one, that’s 4he safest of all. Dear God .

She fixed Gini with her eyes. Her pupils were huge. di ated, black. She was shaking uncontrollably now, and was whiteto the lips.

‘Mary’s nearly here. I’ll try to see you again. It may not be possible. Wednesday. I’ll try then. Walk in the park, just behind my house. I used to meet James there then, on Wednesdays, about ten. You’ll come, you promise me?’

‘I’ll be there,’ Gini said.

‘Thank you.’ She grasped Gini’s hand feverishly, and pressed it between her thin dry palms. ‘In God’s name thank you. I shall never forget this . . - ‘