Bill for the Use of a Body by Dennis Wheatley Page A

enjoy a long day together on the sea.
    Next morning they left Ferry Pier in a big motor launch with a crew of five: a skipper, an engineer, a deck hand, a cook and a steward. In the forepart of the launch there was a cabin that would seat ten in rough weather, anda small bar; above it the deck, covered with an awning, was furnished with a table and a number of cane armchairs. Below, in the stern, lay the engine room and the galley.
    In perfect weather they headed westward, with no more than a gentle breeze to chop the sea slightly and refresh them in the torrid heat. By midday they had come round to Ti Tam Bay and, anchoring, went overboard for a swim. Back on board they were served an excellent lunch, then during the afternoon they rounded Kau Pi Chau Point and headed north. By six o’clock they had entered the Lei U Mun Channel and were about seven miles from Victoria, but opposite Quarry Point the engine broke down.
    That did not particularly worry them, as they had planned to make the most of their day on the water and dine on board. However, the trouble proved more than a temporary fault and, after tinkering with the engine for three-quarters of an hour, the Chinese engineer told them apologetically that it might be two or three hours before he could get it going again.
    Still not unduly worried, they watched the sun decline in the west crowned by a great aura of orange, salmon and gold, while drinking cocktails then eating a very pleasant meal. By the time they finished it had grown chilly; so they went down into the cabin and, with the aid of a pile of cushions, snuggled up comfortably in a corner there. With the failure of the engine the lights had also failed, so by nine o’clock they were shrouded from the sight of the crew by complete darkness.
    Confident that it could not now be long before the repairs to the engine were completed, Merri was in one of her happiest moods. She let Julian kiss her to his heart’s content, responded passionately and now and then gave little sighs of pleasure.
    He had not meant to force the pace but after a while the temptation was too much for him and he said softly,‘Merri, I love you. I love you desperately. Will you marry me?’
    She gave a little gasp, drew away from him and asked, ‘Do you … do you really mean that?’
    â€˜Of course I do,’ he assured her. ‘You are the loveliest and sweetest thing that God ever put breath into. I’ve told you all about myself, so you know what you’d be taking on. I’ve had a rotten life so far; but you said yourself only the other day that I ought to settle down and make a new life for myself. I know I’m much older than you, but I’m still young enough to do that, and I’m sure I could make you happy. My sweet, I beg you to say yes.’
    She gave a sudden nervous little laugh. ‘I … I’ve had quite a number of proposals; but never before two in one week.’
    â€˜Does that mean that Bill proposed to you?’ he asked with a frown.
    â€˜Yes,’ she nodded. ‘On his last night here, before he left for Macao. He was terribly set on marrying me; but I couldn’t, even if I really loved him enough, and I’m not sure that I do. You see, the Japanese are responsible for a great deal of the dope running that goes on here, and Mother loathes them on that account. She would never consent to my marrying a Japanese.’
    â€˜I see. Then that puts Bill Urata out of the running. And, anyway, you’re not in love with him.’
    â€˜I find him terribly attractive. But that’s not the same as being head over heels in love, is it?’
    â€˜No. And what about me?’
    â€˜I find you terribly attractive too, but you fulfil an entirely different need in me. In some ways Bill is almost a barbarian; whereas you have all the intellect, love of beauty and kindly worldly wisdom that appeal so strongly both to the Chinese and European in