Scorpion Sunset by Catrin Collier Page B

inside and you assure me your father is sleeping,’ he warned Maud. ‘Go in. If he’s asleep come out and wave to me. I’ll wait until I see you. I’ll be back at five o’clock in the morning with a cart and carriage to take you wherever you want to go.’
    â€˜There’s no need.’
    â€˜Yes, there is,’ he contradicted. ‘As Tom said, until John divorces you, you’re his sister-in-law. That makes you the responsibility of John’s family and friends.’
    â€˜I don’t want anyone to take responsibility for me.’
    â€˜Then tell me, where you intend to go tomorrow?’
    â€˜I’ll think of somewhere. I’m responsible for the mess I’ve made of my life and I’m the one who has to pick up the pieces.’
    â€˜Most of the ship’s captains come into Abdul’s. I could ask around, find out if any of them are carrying passengers down to the Gulf where the ocean liners that carry civilians berth. They may know if one is heading back to Europe soon.’
    â€˜You think I should leave Basra?’ she asked.
    â€˜I think you have no reason to stay,’ he replied diplomatically.
    â€˜If I’d married Theo, I would have gone to America.’
    â€˜If you want to go there you can, although you may have to travel via Alexandria or one of the Mediterranean ports. Legally you’re still married to John. You could ask if there’s a free berth on one of the military vessels that are repatriating the sick.’
    â€˜I’d rather not ask for anything from the army.’
    â€˜I understand your reluctance.’
    â€˜I have no idea what I’ll do if there’s no ship carrying civilian passengers leaving Basra soon.’
    â€˜Would you like me to look for rooms for you?’ Michael offered.
    â€˜I doubt anyone respectable would take me in.’
    â€˜Perhaps not in British military quarters,’ he conceded, ‘but I have friends in the French consulate. One them asked me today if I was interested in renting his house as he’s been recalled to France. I’ll call in to see him on my way back to Abdul’s tonight.’
    â€˜Please don’t go to any trouble on my account.’
    â€˜No trouble.’
    â€˜Thank you. We’re here.’ She leaned forward and spoke to the driver. ‘Stop, please.’
    â€˜Five o’clock tomorrow morning. Will you have much luggage?’
    â€˜Not much.’
    â€˜A trunk?’
    â€˜And baby things.’
    â€˜I’ll bring a couple of men to move everything. You’ll be packed.’
    She nodded.
    â€˜Think of where you’d like to go?’
    â€˜I will. Thank you, Mr Downe.’
    â€˜If you called my brother Harry, you must call me Michael. I’ll wait until you wave.’
    She ran up the path and entered the house through the veranda door. She reappeared a few moments later waved and returned inside, closing the door behind her.
    Michael continued to wait. When he saw the drapes close in a room at the end of the building he spoke to the driver.
    â€˜Back to the Basra Club, please.’
    â€˜Yes, sir.’
    Michael reached into the inside pocket of his coat for his cigar case. He lit one and drew on it. He had no doubt that Maud had treated John abysmally, but she was being punished for her actions and a small part of him couldn’t help feeling sorry for her. In fact, when he considered the situation he felt more sympathy for Maud than he did for his own estranged wife. Perhaps picking the wrong woman to marry ran in the family. He only hoped his cousin Tom would fare better with Clary.

Chapter Seven
    Basra Club
    June 1916
    â€˜And a pilaff for Mr Downe.’ Tom Mason closed the menu and returned it to the waiter. ‘Everyone ordered?’
    â€˜More food than the Kut garrison consumed in four months,’ Peter Smythe answered.
    â€˜More wine, sir?’ the waiter asked Tom.
    Tom looked