The More Deceived by David Roberts Page B

no idea where he is. Perhaps he’s had a breakdown or something. He was looking a bit peaky. I know I often feel like running away and not telling a soul where I’m going.’
    ‘You thought he looked ill?’
    ‘Or worried. He works too hard or maybe he has other problems. I wouldn’t know.’
    ‘He isn’t a friend? He doesn’t talk to you?’
    ‘No. Nor to anyone as far as I know. We get on all right but he’s very reserved. He goes straight home after work and he doesn’t . . . you know . . . fraternize. No reason why he should.’
    ‘McCloud – you like him?’
    ‘Angus? Yes, he’s all right. We have a pint together now and again.’
    ‘But you’re not friends?’
    ‘As I said, we get on but he’s one of those arty types. Not me at all.’
    ‘What’s your idea of a perfect day?’
    Younger’s eyes brightened. ‘Cricket in the summer but, just recently, I’ve been going down to Brooklands most Saturdays.’
    ‘You race cars?’
    ‘I drive a bit but it’s the aeroclub there I’m interested in. I’m learning to fly so that, when the war breaks out, I can join the RAF – no questions asked. I think it’s the nearest I get to being happy when I’m flying. The glorious thing about it is that one feels a perfectly free man and one’s own master as soon as one is up in the air.’
    ‘I know what you mean. I did a bit of flying in Africa.’
    ‘Did you really, sir?’ The boy looked at him with eager eyes.
    ‘Isn’t that expensive – learning to fly?’
    ‘Yes, but the RAF helps a bit. They seem to have woken up to the idea that they are going to need chaps like me when the balloon goes up.’
    The junior secretary, Miss Williams, was the antithesis of Miss Hawkins. She wore as much make-up as she dared and her little blue dress was not designed to hide her charms. She was twenty and it was borne in on Edward that there must be many girls like her for whom the war might prove a welcome adventure. He wondered how she had got the job in Lyall’s department.
    ‘You wanted to see me, my lord?’
    Edward groaned inwardly. It was obvious she intended to flirt with him so he must be as dull as possible.
    ‘Yes, thank you, Miss Williams. I’m just trying to discover if anyone in the department noticed anything which might explain Mr Westmacott’s absence.’
    Jane looked at her inquisitor regretfully. ‘I can’t think of anything, my lord.’
    ‘You share an office with Miss Hawkins, don’t you?’
    ‘Yes. Or rather – perhaps you recall, my lord, – my office is separated from Miss Hawkins’s by a screen.’
    ‘Yes, I remember. Forgive me, Miss Williams, if I sound impertinent but it strikes me that you must find life in the department quite dull. Why did you apply for this particular post?’
    ‘I’m good at my job,’ she said defensively.
    ‘I’m sure you are but don’t you find it a bit boring here? There are no other young people – except Mr Younger, of course.’
    ‘He’s a dear,’ the girl said, going pink, ‘but I’m not his girlfriend or anything if that’s what you’re suggesting. He says he doesn’t have time for girls – what with there being a war coming. Do you think there will be a war, my lord?’
    ‘I hope not,’ he prevaricated. ‘So you don’t find it dull here? What about Mr McCloud?’
    ‘What about him?’ she said, thrusting out her chin.
    ‘He doesn’t attract you? I promise anything you say to me won’t be repeated.’
    ‘No, he doesn’t. To be honest, I tell them – both the boys – that I’ve got a boyfriend already . . . in the RAF.’
    ‘But you don’t?’
    ‘No, but I might have one day.’ She sounded so arch Edward wanted to spank her but then he thought, who was he to feel superior? A little fantasy makes the days go by that much quicker and it gave her status, too. No one wants
not
to be wanted.
    ‘So you like the job?’ he persisted.
    ‘It’s a job and it’s quite well paid . . . and people are impressed when I say I