1

Thursday 30 July 1987

30 July; half past two. Colley was thinking of Chaite.

He had just seen a cherished number for sale - KYT15.

Suitably arranged, this would have looked good on Chaite's car -

KYT1'5 - a bolt, perhaps, performing the office of apostrophe. It would have helped those who had a problem pronouncing her name as well.

His telephone rang.

'2307'

'I ... I just thought I'd give you a ring'

A shot of adrenaline; Colley's heart leapt.

It was Chaite's voice. But it couldn't be - exactly a year ago, he'd been at Chaite's funeral.

He had to say something:

'Mercia! - Where are you?'

'Here, of course ... [it was Mercia] ... but I'm planning to be there'

This was not altogether true. Acting on an impulse one year on, Mercia was telephoning the man her elder sister had loved; now on an impulse she decided that she wanted to see him again.

'When?'

Colley was interested. Very interested. That voice awakened so many memories; so much pleasing pain.

'I've got to come over on business ... [please don't ask me what business] ... some time in the next few days. Perhaps we could meet for a drink. I've got some photos you might like to ...'

'Perhaps we could meet for lunch. I'm free on Friday ... and Tuesday and Wednesday next week ...'

'Friday would be fine ... [the sooner the better] ... where do you suggest?'

'Can you make The Unicorn at about midday? It's in Thundermold Street'

'Thundermold Street? I don't believe it; in fact, I never have, but I know exactly where it is, and I'm looking forward to seeing you. Twelve o'clock on Friday'

Colley sensed that she was in a hurry to go.

'Fine. How are you, by the way?'

'Fine. I'll tell you on Friday'

'I'll look forward to it. Bye'

Colley put down the handset and stared at the telephone. 'With twenty-six soldiers of lead I will conquer the world' he said to himself. 'With combinations of ten spring-loaded digits I can speak to anyone, anywhere within reason. But not to Chaite'

Mercia, wherever she was, had pressed a sequence of digits and spoken clearly to Colley in direct voice on the electrical telephone.

'What will I be doing in forty-eight hours?' Colley asked himself.