Sicken and So Die (25 page)

Charles Paris had intended to ring Frances during the tour, but somehow didn't get round to it.

Back in London it was nearly December and cold. Unequal to the upheaval of finding somewhere new, Charles had agreed with his landlord to continue at Hereford Road, paying the exorbitantly increased rent. The conversion from bedsitter to studio flat had managed to keep the essential features of the original space – in other words, its total lack of charm.

There wasn't any work around either. He'd spoken to Maurice Skellern, who'd once again said that things were ‘very quiet'. Charles watched what was left of the money he'd made from
Twelfth Night
slowly dwindle. He signed on again at the Lisson Grove DSS.

After a week of mooching round his bedsitter – no, studio flat – he finally rang Frances. And he found she had exciting news.

‘I'm doing an exchange programme with a school in the States.'

‘What does that mean?'

‘My deputy stands in as headmistress, an American teacher comes over to my school and I go and teach in California for a year.'

‘Oh. When does this happen?' Charles asked bleakly.

‘Starts in January.'

‘How was it arranged?'

‘Through an American friend.'

‘The one you met at the international teachers' conference?'

‘That's right.'

‘What, so he'll be over here while you're there, will he?'

‘No, it's another member of staff I'm swapping with. My friend will be in California,' Frances replied crushingly.

And once again it seemed inconceivable that things had ever gone well for Charles Paris.