Scorpion Sunset by Catrin Collier Page A

down the stairs and out on to the street. He spotted Maud walking in the direction of the British compound. Hailing a carriage he ordered the driver to follow her. He told the driver to stop when they drew alongside her.
    â€˜May I offer you a lift?’
    Maud turned around. ‘A lift to where?’
    â€˜Georgie said the Butlers would find you a bed at the mission.’
    â€˜The Butlers have been very kind but I’ve overstayed my welcome there.’
    â€˜Angela Smythe …’
    â€˜Peter and Angela have only just moved out of the mission and into their own bungalow. They may have been married for over a year but they’ve spent hardly any time together. I’d feel like a gooseberry.’
    â€˜So where are you going?’
    â€˜Back to my father’s bungalow to pack my things and Robin’s.’
    â€˜Get in. You’ll be safer in a carriage than you would be on the street.’ He stepped out and helped her inside. Sitting beside her he closed the door and asked the driver to take them to the British military compound. ‘I need the number of your father’s bungalow.’
    Maud looked at him quizzically.
    â€˜For the sentry at the gate.’
    She gave it to him.
    â€˜Where will you go after you pack?’
    â€˜I don’t know.’ The enormity of her situation overwhelmed her. Her lower lip trembled and the tears she’d managed to keep in check since she’d run out of the bungalow finally fell. ‘I’ve nothing. No reputation, no money …’
    Michael reached for her hand. ‘Don’t you get a wife’s allowance?’
    As the tears fell so did her last remnants of pride. Words tumbled out between the sobs. She didn’t stop until Michael knew exactly how destitute she and Robin were.
    Aware of the attention they were attracting, wishing he’d selected a closed rather than open carriage, Michael handed her his handkerchief.
    â€˜I would invite you stay with me, but aside from the fact that it would attract gossip I live in Abdul’s and it’s well known that he runs a brothel behind the coffee shop.’
    â€˜You’re very kind.’ Mortified at spilling all her troubles out on Michael – a stranger until that evening – Maud dried her eyes and straightened her shoulders.
    â€˜I have to take you somewhere.’
    â€˜I told you, back to my father’s bungalow.’
    â€˜After he hit you and threw you out?’
    â€˜He can hardly object to me returning to pack my things.’
    â€˜Where will you go from there?’
    â€˜He’ll have passed out from the brandy he drank in the mess by now. I’ll stay at the bungalow tonight and find somewhere tomorrow morning.’
    Michael felt in his pockets and pulled out a leather purse. He pressed it into Maud’s hands.
    â€˜What’s this?’
    â€˜Money.’
    â€˜I can’t take your money.’
    â€˜Call it a loan if you must. Pay me back when you can afford it.’
    â€˜That might be never.’
    He shrugged. ‘I won’t miss it.’
    She opened the purse. ‘There has to be …’
    â€˜Two hundred sovereigns,’ he whispered, conscious of their driver sitting in front of them.
    â€˜What are you doing with that in your pocket?’
    â€˜A war correspondent occasionally has to pay for information.’
    Maud remembered Harry and how free he’d been with money. ‘You’re not working for the Political Office, are you?’
    â€˜What makes you say that?’
    â€˜Harry always had money in his pocket to bribe …’
    â€˜I’m a civilian. A war correspondent, and I bribe no one.’ Michael said quickly and too emphatically.
    The driver turned into the British compound. Michael spoke to the sentries guarding the gate. They lifted the barrier and Michael gave the driver directions to Perry’s bungalow.
    â€˜I won’t leave until I see you safely