The Russian Interpreter

19

The next time Proctor-Gould sought Manning’s help with Raya it was nothing to do with either an infraction of the rules or theft. They were in the Chaika, being driven back from a meeting.

‘Paul,’ said Proctor-Gould suddenly, after a long silence, ‘May I ask your advice on a rather ticklish point?’

‘Ask away.’

‘It’s about Raya.’

For some time Proctor-Gould did not take the matter any further. He sat pulling at his ear, and looking out of the window.

‘What is it, then?’ asked Manning.

‘It’s rather awkward. I don’t know quite how to put it.’

He sighed. Manning suddenly had the idea that he was going to ask him to take Raya off his hands.

‘You were quite a chum of hers at one time, weren’t you?’ said Proctor-Gould.

Manning looked out of the window as well.

‘I suppose you might put it like that,’ he said.

‘I mean, I realize you think I’m rather a bastard, having to some extent horned in on you.’

‘No, no….’

‘Of course you do. It’s only natural. I should feel exactly the same in your place.’

‘Honestly, Gordon, there’s no need to feel …’

‘I mean, I know all’s fair in love and war …’

‘Gordon, there’s really no need to feel, you know …’

‘You mean, you don’t feel, well …?’

‘Of course not, Gordon. I mean, there’s no need to feel you know…’

‘Really? Well, I appreciate that, Paul. It shows a generous spirit, and I appreciate it.’

‘I mean …’

‘No, no. I appreciate it.’

They became silent again. They had both been looking at the back of the chauffeur’s head as they spoke, and they both now looked out of the windows again.

‘What I was going to say, as a matter of fact, Paul,’ resumed Proctor-Gould finally, ‘was – well – you were rather a pal of Raya’s, weren’t you?’

‘A great pal.’

‘Yes. Well. The point is, can you remember if she is – what shall I say? – suitably equipped?’

‘How do you mean, suitably equipped?’

Proctor-Gould essayed a man-to-man laugh.

‘You know,’ he said.

‘No?’

Proctor-Gould stopped laughing.

‘I mean,’ he said heavily, ‘does she take proper precautions in these cases against the possible consequences?’

At last Manning saw. He was so surprised that he uttered a little squeaking gasp of laughter.

‘God knows,’ said Proctor-Gould. ‘It’s an awkward thing to have to ask you. I appreciate that. But I’m in a rather tricky position. I didn’t bring any with me. Stupid of me, I see now, but it simply didn’t occur to me. And not speaking the language, I don’t quite see how to go about getting any.’

‘I suppose not.’

‘And of course I can’t ask her, either.’

‘No.’

‘It’s not the sort of thing you can really manage in sign-language.’

‘I see your point.’

‘And it has always been an inflexible rule of mine not to try any monkey business without some reliable form of contraceptive.’

‘Very sensible.’

‘I mean, when the occasion has arisen. I wouldn’t put myself down as a great Don Juan. But when the occasion has arisen …’

‘Quite.’

There was a silence. Proctor-Gould worked on his ear again, looking out of the window.

‘So,’ he said finally, ‘did she?’

‘What?’

‘Raya. Did she …?’

‘Oh. I don’t know.’

‘You didn’t …?’

‘I’m afraid not.’

‘I’m sorry. I thought you were great pals.’

‘Not as great as all that.’

‘No. I see. I’m sorry.’

They were silent again until the car was quite near the hotel.

‘Well, then,’ said Proctor-Gould, ‘I’ll ask the driver to stop at the next chemist’s we pass. Perhaps you’d pop in and get me a packet.’

‘No.’

‘No?’

‘I don’t even know the Russian.’

Proctor-Gould sighed, and fell silent again. As the car pulled up in front of the hotel he made one last attempt.

‘Well,’ he said, ‘perhaps you’ll just slip upstairs and ask her.’

‘Now, Gordon….’

‘Even if you don’t know the exact word you could paraphrase it.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous, Gordon.’

‘If you think my presence might embarrass you I’ll wait downstairs.’

‘No.’

The commissionaire was holding the door open.

‘This makes things most awkward for me,’ said Proctor-Gould.

‘You’ll just have to restrain yourself.’

‘It’s not really a question of me restraining myself,’ said Proctor-Gould, looking gloomier than ever. ‘It’s what she’s going to do.’

He left Manning on the pavement, and disappeared into the hotel. It seemed to Manning, as he watched him go, that his shoulders were visibly bowed.