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Chapter 5.
I bought the ball and then we piled into one of the oldest red Porsches I've ever seen. It was ancient enough to look decrepit and probably broke down often but I guessed it was not old enough to be worth real money. It hugged the road affectionately like the red trouser suit hugged her body.
Jennifer drove with verve, weaving in and out of the London traffic with a fierce look of concentration on her face. Tommy contentedly glugged some orange juice he'd found in the back and I felt looked after.
Their apartment was hidden away on the first floor of a Victorian block in the badlands of Notting Hill. It seemed strangely impersonal with fewer belongings scattered about as I'd expected. As soon as we crossed the threshold, Tommy wanted to eat and then he wanted to watch some television. We talked about nothing in particular for a while but all the time I could see that Jennifer was surreptitiously checking her watch.
"You're doing it again," I said.
"What?"
"Checking your watch! Am I such bad company?"
"I'm sorry. It's just that I'm expecting somebody to arrive soon."
"Not a big bad jealous boyfriend, I hope."
I was fishing. She wasn't displaying a ring but there could easily be somebody that was important to her other than the balding accountant.
"Something like that," she said too casually. I didn't believe her.
"You'll have to go soon," she said.
With ears perfectly attuned to his self-interest as only a child's can be, Tommy squawked with anguish in the television room.
"You said we could play football! You promised!"
Jennifer's eyes rolled upwards. They said 'look at the trouble you've caused. Why don't you leave us alone'.
"I could take Tommy round to the park while you stay in. That way it's perfect for both of you!"
"Yes please, mummy." Tommy was bouncing the ball up and down in the kitchen where we were standing with excitement. It ricocheted off the cooker and nearly went through the window.
Jennifer sighed with exasperation. "If I find you really are some sort of pervert, I will personally finish the job my son started earlier."
I winced at the thought.
She dropped down on one knee and addressed herself directly to Tommy. "Show me your mobile phone."
Tommy reached into his pocket and pulled out the battered but miniature device.
"Now if the nice Mister Barry suggests anything other than football you are to telephone me and scream for attention and not stop screaming until it comes."
Tommy nodded happily.
"You really don't have anything to worry about," I said by way of reassurance as she saw us out of the front door. "If I thought I had the tendencies you are worried about, I'd hold the scissors for you myself."
Her face was still troubled as she closed the door. I had to rush on to catch up with Tommy but as we turned the corner, I looked back. Her visitor was just arriving and my suspicions were confirmed. It wasn't a jealous boyfriend - unless her boyfriend was a police officer.
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