Uncommon Enemy Read Free Page A

Carol. A bien tot.” With a slightly mocking bow he headed down the path towards the university’s clock tower.
    Carol settled herself on Stuart’s blazer, tucked her slim stockinged legs demurely under the edge of her skirt and deftly removed her high-heeled shoes.
    “How did you find me here?” he asked as he settled himself down beside her.
    She smiled. “I didn’t actually find you, Stuart-----.”
    “No, of course not. What I meant was-----.”
    “Well, actually, I sort of found you. I came walking along Princes Street and saw all the university students by the park so I decided to walk through. And then I saw you, and your French friend.”
    “Brendan. He’s not French. His father’s German and he speaks that language very well. His main subject is Languages so he’s reasonably fluent in French. Likes to think it improves his chances with the ladies.”
    “Does it?”
    Stuart shrugged. “You’re a lady. What do you think?”
    “He seems very charming.”
    “He obviously thought you were pretty stunning, just like that fellow on the ferry, um…”
    “Hamish. Probably.”
    “Known him long, I suppose.”
    “Yes, quite a while in fact. We met in Wellington. Our families knew each other for years and he and I grew up together. We started going out while I was in the fifth form. His father wanted to relocate the head office of his construction business chain to Auckland and offered Hamish the position of chief accountant. It was an excellent opportunity for advancement so he took it. Came up here about six months ago.”
    “So, when did you come to Auckland?”
    “Last month.”
    “To be with him?”
    “Not quite. He kept writing to me, telling me how great Auckland was and practically begging me to join him.”
    Carol removed her gloves and took a sandwich from her brown lunch bag. Stuart immediately noted the absence of a ring on the third finger of her left hand. Emboldened by his discovery he continued.
    “Does he want to marry you?”
    She smiled. “You are a persistent man, aren’t you? But, well, yes, as a matter of fact he does.”
    “And you came to Auckland to be with him. To get married?”
    “Mixed motives, actually. It was a chance to, well, get away from home, to another city. My older brother Ian had just joined the army. We’d always been very close so with only me at home it wasn’t the same. Mum and Dad don’t get on very well and I wanted a break. They’ve always wanted me to marry Hamish so going to Auckland was a good excuse to leave.”
    “And the marriage?”
    “Hamish is keen. Mum thinks he’s a good catch. Plenty of money, successful, job with good prospects,” she shrugged, “fairly good looking.”
    Stuart stole a glance at his watch. 12.30. Carol probably had to be back at work by 1.00 o’clock and he had an essay due by Friday. Time wasn’t exactly abundant.
    “Didn’t mean to be nosey. Just wondering why you didn’t just marry him in Wellington rather than follow him to Auckland and live apart in the same city.”
    Momentarily her eyes held his. The fleeting glance was chilling before she looked down at the grass.
    “Sorry,” he said, “I’m being far too inquisitive – treating you like a university research item.” Instinctively he took her hand and she made no attempt to withdraw it. “Let’s talk about something else. Where’s your office?”
    “The Northern Club. At the end of the street.”
    “The Northern Club. That private gentlemen’s establishment. Oh, my.” He tilted his nose upward with mock exaggeration.
    “My dear, are you sure you’d be permitted to speak to one such as I?”
    Her laughter was spontaneous. Reaching forward she pushed him playfully causing him to fall backwards on the grass. As he was still holding her hand she was pulled forward and fell with her face on his chest. She made no attempt to rise. They lay together for a long moment and then her voice was soft.
    “I’m only the office secretary at the Club.