Free Found Guilty at Five by Ann Purser Page B

say.”
    Akiko bowed slightly. “Don’t worry, Father,” she said. “The van was adequate. But how are you now? Should you be out of bed?”
    He didn’t answer her, but motioned to Parsons, who had followed her into the bedroom, carrying her case. “Thank you, Ezekiel,” he said. “Well done. That will be all now.”
    When he had gone, Akiko walked to an armchair opposite her father and sat down. “Papa,” she said gently, “I was so worried. Parsons was not my ideal companion, but I realise there was little time to arrange things. How are you, really?”
    “I have been quite ill, but you must not worry,” he replied. “I have an excellent doctor and he has given me the green light. If I am sensible, I can go forward into a contented old age.”
    “But, Papa, you are already in your old age. It is time to retire completely. Why don’t you hand over to your deputy and take a long-deserved rest? I know you are happier back in Japan. You could stay over there now and catch up with old friends. And what’s more,” she added with some feeling, “we could get rid of Parsons. He is not a good person. With me he is disrespectful, rough and unpleasant!”
    She was answered by a blank stare from her father. “Not at the moment,” he said eventually. “I cannot discuss Ezekiel. Please do not mention it again.”
    Unwilling to upset him, she dropped the subject, and her father reached for a glass of water.
    “And if I did what you suggest, what about you, my child?” he continued. “When would I see my only beloved daughter if I give up spending time in this country? We have the office in London where you can more easily visit me, and keep me in touch with everything you are doing, until you decide to return to Japan. Then we can go together. This recent illness has made me even more concerned for your future than I always have been.”
    Akiko shook her head. “There is no need, Papa,” she said gently.
    “But when I am gone, you will be quite alone,” he continued. “There will, as you are aware, be no problem with finance, but money does not replace old friends and relations in your own country. It is my hope that you will find a nice Japanese boy and make your own family. Come, give me a kiss and say you understand and agree.”
    Akiko stood up, frowning. “Papa!” she said, forgetting about upsetting him. “Is that the real reason you have brought me up here and frightened me out of my wits? To make sure I return to Japan? Have you really been near to death, as Parsons told me?”
    “I have explained, my dear. There is life in the old dog yet, as the English say. Parsons is not a blessing, I agree, but we do not discuss him further.”
    “If not now, when?” Akiko said, quietly now.
    “In good time. One day, I will tell you, but not now.”
    “Then I suppose I must wait,” she said. “But now that I see you are not in immediate danger, I have to explain why I must return to London as soon as possible.”
    This explanation took some time to convince Nakamasa that his daughter was serious. He had been so used to organising her life, and still could not really accept that she had cut herself free from him. Now, however, when she assured him she must find a way to return to her colleague and her career as quickly as she could, he suggested she should leave him to think for a while, and get some food from the housekeeper.
    “Come back when you have finished, my dear, and we will talk some more.” Nakamasa put his hand to his heart. “And remember,” he said, “my excellent doctor did emphasize that I should take care of myself to enjoy my remaining years with my beloved daughter.”
    “I
am
hungry, Papa,” Akiko said, ignoring this blatant emotional blackmail. “I will be back shortly.”
    *   *   *
    F EELING STRONGER WITH GOOD FOOD INSIDE HER, A KIKO returned to her father, determined to make it clear to him that she did not intend to return to Japan on a permanent basis. Her life was