The Collectors Book Five (The Collectors Series 5) (40 page)

              “Whatever.”

              “Kiss the girls goodnight.”

              “Which school is Lucy attending?”

              “She’ll be a boarder at Woldingham.”

              Petros shrugged. He kissed Lucy on the cheek. “I don’t envy you, you’re sharing with Alysa.” He kissed Alysa. “No talking when the lights are out.”

              Alysa grabbed Lucy’s hand.

              Maria led them away passing Bear and Jocelyn descending the main stairs. She stopped. “Have a great time. See you when you get back. PK’s complaining because the tax man just stole twenty million.”

              Bear beamed. “Amazing. Where is he?”

              “In the dining room.”

              At the bottom of the stairs, Bear said to Jocelyn. “The laugh is, ten million belongs to me. Ah, here’s PK. Great party. Pity we have to miss it.”

              “I’m glad you’re married and on your way.”

              “I hear we lost twenty mill to the revenue.”

              “Still have thirty-two. Sixteen apiece.”

              “I bowed out remember.”

              “Not entirely. You did save my wife from being murdered and you’re a fifty percent partner in the company.”

              “True.” He glanced at his watch. “Our carriage awaits. See you when we get back.”

              Petros watched them disappear via a side door.

              Maria returned, stood next to him and said, “Time we had a dance.”

              “Your wish is my command.”

              As they danced, his eyes scanned the room. With full glasses the babbling groups of two, three and four, meandered around. “You did a great job.”

              She lifted her head. “Combined effort. You didn’t do so bad yourself but you need to have a word with your mama and papa before they leave.”

              “We can chat at breakfast.”

              “True.”

              The dance music increased in tempo. Couples danced and congregated around Petros and Maria.

              “Great party,” said one.

              “Splendid venue,” said another.

              Andreas danced with Phoebe and winked when they circled by.

              “He was rather the worse for wear the other night. Bear virtually carried him and put him to bed.”

              Maria went to say something as an almighty crash reverberated across the room. Two figures could be seen attempting to lift each other up.

              “Zack and Brian appear to be rat-arsed. Better go and sort them out.” Petros strolled across the floor, grabbed their collars and hauled them to their feet. “What happened?”

              Brian leant on Petros’ shoulder. “Time to go home, PK. Sorry about the mess.”

              James appeared. “There ends the free booze lesson. Brian, Zack, we’re out of here before you do more damage.”

              The three men nodded to the guests surrounding them and headed for the exit. Petros caught up with them. “Thanks for coming. Bear appreciated it.”

              “Send us the bill for the damage, PK,” slurred Zack.

              He watched them negotiate the steps as James flagged a taxi.

              The music started with a Status Quo number. The floor filled with dancers many with air guitars. 

                Midnight approached, the bar closed and the last dance of the evening played.

              Petros and Maria stood at the entrance until the last couple departed. Jack, Zena and his brothers along with their families had gone to their rooms earlier. Amadou and Durrah sat with ZZ and Scarlet, chatted and sipped their drinks in a far corner.

              Phoebe waved as she helped Andreas up the stairs.

              Petros gazed at the bar and dance floor. It appeared a shambles at the end of a wonderful day but he was aware the dining room was clean and ready for breakfast.

***

Showered, Maria and Petros entered the dining room together.

              “From what I can see we’re the last to arrive. Even Lucy and Alysa are eating,” said Maria.

              As they joined the two girls Alysa raised her head. “Lucy dressed me.”

              Petros kissed both girls and sat next to Lucy.

              “I’ll get fruit juice and toast for two,” said Maria.

              “More toast,” said Alysa.

              “Coming right up, madam.”

              Amadou wandered across and stopped by Petros. “Great night. Thanks for the bonus. Can we have a chat?”

              “No problem. I’ll meet you in the bar in, let’s say thirty minutes.”

              “He placed his hand on Petros’ shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze. “Thirty minutes.”

              Maria gave him a strange look.

              “He’s one of the good guys, brave and down-to-earth. Without his help Libya might have been rather difficult.”

              “He has a beautiful wife. American from her accent.”

              “Worships the ground she walks on.”

              Petros refilled his glass with fresh orange juice and wandered around the dining room saying good morning to his family and the others who stayed the night.

              Returning to his table he said, “I need to chat with Amadou and after we can go home.”

              “I’ll take the girls and get packed but you collect our cases.”

              He chuckled. “Take note, girls, mama’s the boss.” He wandered towards the bar that looked soulless without people.

              Amadou and ZZ waited in the sumptuous red leather armchairs. “Right on time,” said Amadou.

              “One of my plus points,” said Petros. “Okay, what do you want to discuss?”

              Amadou churched his fingers. “I’ve been approached by a Syrian refugee who informs me a fortune in gold coins and diamonds are hidden in a vault under his shop in Aleppo.”

              “No way. In Syria you’re up shit creek, with no paddles and your canoe’s sinking. It’s gun law, back to the wild west with no sheriff to shoot the bad guy. Out of interest, who is the bad guy? There are so many different factions fighting each other. The vault is more than likely under a ton of rubble. Being sarcastic, operating a JCB in those conditions might interest others. If either side catches you, you’ll be shot. The last news item I heard stated the government troops were demolishing the city with barrel bombs. My best guesstimate is wait until it calms down.”

              “I understand,” said Amadou, “But I know the risks.”

              Petros laughed. “Don’t tell me you’re going ahead with this?”

              “It’s a challenge,” said Amadou. It’s dangerous and there’re no easy options.”

              “You need someone who knows the city.”

              Amadou raised his bushy eyebrows. “The truth is I, we, don’t know enough to start planning a collection. You’re right, PK, but I might go in and have a scout around when I have business in the area. To be fair if we can’t get out in one piece, I’ll give it a miss.”

              “Let me know how you get on?” said Petros.

              Maria entered the bar with Durrah and Scarlet. “Told you, and they say women talk. If we stay much longer we’ll be charged another day for our room.”

              The men laughed, stood and gave Petros a hug

              “I’ll get the cases,” said Petros.

              “They’re at the entrance,” said Maria. “A member of staff brought collected them.”

              “I’ll get the car, five minutes.” He returned, loaded the cases in the boot and made sure Alysa and Lucy were correctly strapped in.

              As soon as Maria fastened her seat belt, the rain started.

              “Papa, play songs,” said Alysa.

              He pressed the play button. Maria and Alysa started to sing. Lucy remained hesitant until the second time of playing.

              “Damn, I’ve taken the wrong turn,” muttered Petros.

              “Slow down, if you take the next left it takes you home.”

              “How do you know that?”

              “When we first moved, I took the wrong turn off a few times,” said Maria above the noise of the rain and two girls singing.

              The road appeared empty. In these conditions, no one was out driving.

              “The rain’s heavier than when we left London,” said Petros as Maria wiped the windscreen with a chamois.

              “You should have used my car.”

              He glanced at her, concentrated on the road, and drove on. At the base of a hill, fast flowing water streamed across the road. Petros drove through; muddy water plastered the windscreen and ran down the windows. Then he saw an animal in the centre of the road. “Shit,” he shouted as his foot hit the brake pedal.

              The car slid as if on ice. Petros pumped the brake pedal as he attempted to correct its erratic course. The huge bull eyed the car, raised its head and bellowed. Out of control, the vehicle bounced off its haunches, slithered sideways across the road, and destroyed a hedge. Screams filled the car as it rolled onto its roof. For what seemed an age the vehicle slid like a toboggan, descending the steep field, stopping when it struck the trunk of a pine tree.

              On its roof, steam spiralled from the engine compartment. The drumming of rain on the underside drowned any other sound.

              Petros opened his eyes and instinct warned him time was his enemy. His voice shook as he stared up the slope. He turned his head. Maria, held by her seat belt, had her eyes closed. “Speak to me, girls.”

              “Papa hit a cow,” said Alysa.

              “I’m upside down,” said Lucy.

              “My head hurts,” said Maria.

              Petros pressed against his door, it remained solid. He released his seat belt and twisted his body until he could place his feet on the crazed windscreen. Drawing his knees up to his chest, he kicked out. The screen shattered into a thousand pieces. “Maria, you crawl out and I’ll help the girls. Ready?” He released her belt and lowered her to the roof.

              She crawled through the gap and stood, wary of broken bones. Her legs ached but supported her. Back on her knees, she peered into the car. “Ready when you are.”

              He supported Alysa and released her belt. “Crawl towards the window and mama will help you.” He waited until she was clear.

              Lucy followed.

              He grabbed Maria’s handbag and crawled out.

              As they stood on the sloping ground, the wind and driving rain stung their faces.

              With care, Petros checked the girls for broken bones and cuts. “The seat belts saved us but there’ll be a few nasty bruises tomorrow. He glanced at Maria and then up the slope. “We walk up there and into the village. I’ll come back for our cases later.”

              “Thank God we survived,” said Maria.

              Petros lifted Alysa and grabbed Lucy’s hand. “How about singing a song, girls?”

              They looked at him, dazed and bewildered.

              In a line, they climbed, slipped, and slid across the muddy slope until they reached the road.

              He pulled his mobile from his trouser pocket. The crack along its centre told him it was useless.

              The rain continued as they shivered and walked towards the village. On rounding a curve in the road, Maria spotted a large house, which might offer shelter and warmth. Almost running they headed up the drive and knocked on the door.

                          It opened on a security chain and a man peered through the gap.

                            Maria spoke softly. “Sorry to bother you but our car’s been in an accident. Can we use your telephone?”

Before the man could answer, the door slammed shut and opened wide. A short, overweight, dark-haired woman wearing a floral print dress, roared, “Come in. Girls upstairs and get those clothes off, or you’ll die of pneumonia. Albert, sort this young man out. Your new dressing gown will fit him.” She gazed at the girls. “My grand-daughters’ clothes might fit you young ladies.”

Albert smiled at Petros and motioned for him to follow. “Don’t worry about Gertrude, she used to be a headmistress at a girls school in Zimbabwe.” They entered a large warm country kitchen filled with every modern accessory.

“If I can use your phone for a taxi, we’ll be on our way.”

                           Albert smiled. “You’re in my house and my wife’s the boss. She wants you warm and dry.” He filled the kettle and turned the power on. “A nice hot drink will work wonders.” From behind a door, he removed a maroon bathrobe. He pointed. “Cloakroom’s over there. Have a shower to warm up and your coffee will be ready when you come out.”