High Water (1959) Read Free Page B

was still walking in the right direction. Then he saw it, an impressive, double-windowed frontage, tastefully decorated with two of the magnificent travel posters, and a selection of carefully draped fishing-nets, imitation seaweed, and the more usual type of holiday literature.
    Through the window he could see several girls busily engaged answering queries from behind a long counter, and he could count at least three glass-fronted doors opening off the main office. It was, as he had always imagined, a most prosperous concern, and it seemed almost laughable that a business of this nature should be hamstrung by foreign currency problems. Anyway, he decided, I can always pay the money back out of the boat’s earnings next year. It was perhaps typical of him that he should make such a decision so lightly, which might concern his future. At that moment, the present seemed rather more important.
    He thrust his way through the doors, his mind made up, and stood impatiently at the counter.
    ‘Well, sir, what can I do for you?’ A smartly dressed assistant was watching him with interest.
    Vivian thought, old Felix certainly has picked a smart bunch of girls, he’s learnt how to dress his window all right.
    ‘Er, I have an appointment with Mr. Lang.’
    ‘Oh yes, sir. Mr. Vivian isn’t it? We’re expecting you.’
    Oh we are, are we, mused Vivian, as with a flash of nyloned legs she hurried through one of the office doors. He realized then, that up to that point he had been wondering if half Lang had told him had been bluff, but now, as the girl reappeared, and ushered him into the spacious, well-carpeted office, with all the deference of a well-trained slave, he knew that this part of the story at least was genuine.
    Lang stood up jauntily, and waved him to a red leather chair, then having settled himself with a cigarette from an ornate, carved box on his wide desk, he sat back, and folded his small hands across his stomach, his head on one side, as he stared quizzically through the smoke, like a well-fed sparrow, thought Vivian.
    ‘Well, old boy, have you come to report for work?’
    ‘When do you want me to start?’ His voice sounded flat, so he forced a smile, and added: ‘I should thank you, I know. I really am more grateful than you realize.’
    Lang waved expansively. ‘Nuts! My job here is to make sure the whole set-up works, that’s all, and frankly, I think you’ll want to do business with us again. After all, I don’t suppose you want a whole mob of awkward landlubbers trampling all over your beautiful boat, doing enough damage to take the edge off whatever profit you might have made, eh?’ He grinned knowingly, as Vivian grimaced. ‘Ah, I thought not, you always were a pusser-built bastard; well, we deal with very small parties, and more often than not we send our skippers a single customer. You know, the rich type who “just wants to get away from it all”.’
    He laughed heartily, as if the whole thing was a huge joke.
    ‘’Course, you might have to turn a blind eye if he wants you to take his secretary along too, if you follow me.’
    He slid open a small drawer in the desk, and tossed a fat envelope across into Vivian’s lap.
    ‘There you are, seven hundred, in fivers. Okay?’
    Vivian fumbled with the packet, feeling awkward and confused.
    ‘Hell, man, it’s like a miracle!’ he exploded. He weighed it in his hand. ‘Feels like one too!’
    Lang grinned. ‘It’s all there anyway, I counted it myself. I’m sorry it has to be in cash, but it does ease the complications a bit.’
    Vivian raised his eyebrows. ‘How come?’
    ‘Well, you know how it is, old boy, we make out our accounts quarterly, and as I don’t want anyone to know you’re working for me yet, I think it’s better this way.’
    ‘What you really mean is, that if I’m stupid enough to get nicked by the Customs going over, you don’t want it known that I’m tied in with you, right?’
    Lang laughed. ‘You catch on