after that concert had been very odd. It would have taken only a few minutes to let Jamie know what she was doing, and where she could be reached. Maybe Gran’s instincts were right, and she was not to be trusted.
On the other hand, as everyone continually reminded her, Jamie was a grown man, and perfectly capable of managing his own affairs. Parents should step back and let their adult offspring get on with it, shouldn’t they?
S IXTEEN
N AKAMASA’S OFFICES WERE IN A SPLENDID V ICTORIAN Gothic building in the city and had once been a convent. Planning regulations were imposed on the conversion, but with limitless financial resources, he had made a very good job of it. Akiko, who had been there many times to meet her father, had always sensed in the narrow corridors and cell-like rooms an atmosphere of almost tangible loneliness, and found it depressing. The nuns had belonged to a silent order, and she could not imagine how anyone could voluntarily want to remove themselves from music, and love and laughter, and the rewards of friendly conversation.
As she looked around the small cell which her father had arranged to be decorated and frilled especially for her, she once again thought she could hear the shuffling footfall of unhappy women, enclosed in their own thoughts. And prayers for deliverance, maybe?
The journey down from Scotland had been uneventful, staying halfway in a comfortable hotel in the market town of Appleby. She and her father had had a good dinner in the restaurant, while Parsons went out to find a pub. It had been an opportunity for Akiko to attempt once more to get her father to tell her more about the man she so disliked, but he had clammed up, as he had done so many times before.
She had tried to ring Jamie from the hotel phone, but there had been only the message voice. She was about to tell him to ring her on the hotel number, but had been interrupted after saying only “Jamie, it’s me.” Not much of a message, but at least he would know she was somewhere. She would wait until they got to London, when she could be sure of being private.
Now arrived in London, they had settled into the convent, and Nakamasa insisted on going to his office at once to check for messages. Akiko had remonstrated with him, reminding him of what his doctor had said. Or was alleged to have said? She had watched him carefully, in case he should need help, and though he walked more slowly than usual, and looked pale and tired, he was cheerful.
He had installed a live-in housekeeper when he had taken over the convent, and now he looked at his watch. Time for dinner. He sniffed. Good smells were wafting over from the kitchen. He would walk along to the dining room and see if Akiko was there. She had been so quiet on the journey, except for sharp remarks addressed to Parsons. He supposed sooner or later he would have to tell her about Parsons and his ruthless hold over him. Years and years he had suffered from what could only be called blackmail. It had become a way of life, and so far Parsons had kept his side of the bargain. A relationship of mutual respect had developed between the two men. One day he would explain the bargain to Akiko, and hope she would understand. His relationship with his daughter was by far the most important thing in his life.
A thought struck him, as he entered the dining room and saw Akiko waiting for him, sitting quietly reading a magazine. If he could persuade her to return to Japan with him, he would organise some quiet removal of Parsons, which he could justify by saying he did not need him once they were back home. He knew that she would be immensely pleased. And once he was rid of the man, permanently rid of him, Akiko need never know his dark secret.
Retirement had begun to seem a desirable option. He tired more easily now, and although for his own purpose he had exaggerated the severity of his recent illness, he did genuinely feel the need of a more restful life. A peaceful
On the other hand, as everyone continually reminded her, Jamie was a grown man, and perfectly capable of managing his own affairs. Parents should step back and let their adult offspring get on with it, shouldn’t they?
S IXTEEN
N AKAMASA’S OFFICES WERE IN A SPLENDID V ICTORIAN Gothic building in the city and had once been a convent. Planning regulations were imposed on the conversion, but with limitless financial resources, he had made a very good job of it. Akiko, who had been there many times to meet her father, had always sensed in the narrow corridors and cell-like rooms an atmosphere of almost tangible loneliness, and found it depressing. The nuns had belonged to a silent order, and she could not imagine how anyone could voluntarily want to remove themselves from music, and love and laughter, and the rewards of friendly conversation.
As she looked around the small cell which her father had arranged to be decorated and frilled especially for her, she once again thought she could hear the shuffling footfall of unhappy women, enclosed in their own thoughts. And prayers for deliverance, maybe?
The journey down from Scotland had been uneventful, staying halfway in a comfortable hotel in the market town of Appleby. She and her father had had a good dinner in the restaurant, while Parsons went out to find a pub. It had been an opportunity for Akiko to attempt once more to get her father to tell her more about the man she so disliked, but he had clammed up, as he had done so many times before.
She had tried to ring Jamie from the hotel phone, but there had been only the message voice. She was about to tell him to ring her on the hotel number, but had been interrupted after saying only “Jamie, it’s me.” Not much of a message, but at least he would know she was somewhere. She would wait until they got to London, when she could be sure of being private.
Now arrived in London, they had settled into the convent, and Nakamasa insisted on going to his office at once to check for messages. Akiko had remonstrated with him, reminding him of what his doctor had said. Or was alleged to have said? She had watched him carefully, in case he should need help, and though he walked more slowly than usual, and looked pale and tired, he was cheerful.
He had installed a live-in housekeeper when he had taken over the convent, and now he looked at his watch. Time for dinner. He sniffed. Good smells were wafting over from the kitchen. He would walk along to the dining room and see if Akiko was there. She had been so quiet on the journey, except for sharp remarks addressed to Parsons. He supposed sooner or later he would have to tell her about Parsons and his ruthless hold over him. Years and years he had suffered from what could only be called blackmail. It had become a way of life, and so far Parsons had kept his side of the bargain. A relationship of mutual respect had developed between the two men. One day he would explain the bargain to Akiko, and hope she would understand. His relationship with his daughter was by far the most important thing in his life.
A thought struck him, as he entered the dining room and saw Akiko waiting for him, sitting quietly reading a magazine. If he could persuade her to return to Japan with him, he would organise some quiet removal of Parsons, which he could justify by saying he did not need him once they were back home. He knew that she would be immensely pleased. And once he was rid of the man, permanently rid of him, Akiko need never know his dark secret.
Retirement had begun to seem a desirable option. He tired more easily now, and although for his own purpose he had exaggerated the severity of his recent illness, he did genuinely feel the need of a more restful life. A peaceful
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