Horse Under Water

32 For this game

‘It’s only me.’ The words came muffled by the crown of the hat and the sentence ended in a chesty cough. All Tinkle Bell’s sentences ended in a cough. A hand removed the hat from his face and an atomic cloud of smoke rose to the ceiling.

I straightened up, feeling a little foolish.

‘What did you do to the doorman?’ I asked.

‘I showed him an old warrant card I hung on to from the war years.’ Tinkle Bell stood up and produced a half-bottle of Teachers from his coat pocket. He poured a drink, using the two plastic glasses from the sink.

‘Mud in your eye,’ said Tinkle.

‘Thanks,’ I said.

By ingenious articulation of the finger joints he was able to smoke and drink virtually simultaneously. He coughed, smoked and drank for a few minutes.

‘Surprised I found you?’ he coughed. ‘Astute, eh?’ Some more coughing. ‘Not really, y’know. Albufeira phoned this morning with a message. It wasn’t difficult to sort through the plane passenger lists. You’ve used Craske once before, about a year ago.’ He coughed again. ‘Perhaps you’re getting a bit old for this game.’

‘We all are, Tinkle,’ I said, ‘we all are.’ Tinkle nodded and continued to cough and drink.

‘The old man would like to see you tomorrow morning, “10 a.m. if possible”, he said.’

‘Yes, he’s always polite, you must give him that,’ I said.

‘He’s all right, Dawlish,’ said Tinkle, and poured us both another. ‘Oh yes, and I’m to tell you that Jean is awaiting instructions. Perhaps you would phone her as soon as you can.’

He picked up his hat and downed his drink in one smooth motion.

‘Anything I can do for you?’ he said. ‘I’m going back to the office.’

‘Yes,’ I said, ‘mail interception.’ I gave him Ivor Butcher’s name and address.

‘And phone?’ asked Tinkle.

‘Yes,’ I said, and smiled at the thought, ‘let’s tap his phone.’

‘Right, see you later,’ he said, and I heard him coughing his way down the creaky stairs and out into the street as I began packing my bag again. Before I saw Dawlish at 10 a.m. I hoped to have something up my sleeve.