Free Debut for a Spy by Harry Currie

into Kensington High Street again – the silence of new acquaintance had descended once more. But this time Marijke broke it.
    “What time we are back at Kneller Hall, David?”
    “ The concert's not till eight, but I should be there by seven so I can change.” I paused before continuing. “It's only four o'clock now. Would you like a drive and some afternoon tea?”
    “ Oh, yes, that is very nice. I very much like this English custom of afternoon tea. Where do we go?”
    “ Leave it to me.”
    I glanced at her and smiled. It was returned, and her hand touched my arm again. We drove in a contented silence.
    I headed out of London as quickly and expeditiously as I could, picking up the Great West Road from Chiswick and then down the A30 past Staines. From then on we were in countryside, and I chose small lanes to meander through as I gradually approached Virginia Water.
    Reaching this delightful, protected lake, I pulled in to a parking area and stopped the car. The overhanging trees framed our view of the water, and the silence was only broken by the birds and the gentle lapping of waves at the water's edge.
    “Oh, David, it is very beautiful here,” murmured Marijke. “Is it permissible we can get out?”
    “ Sure, but you're not exactly dressed for a walk in the woods or along the shore. It's pretty soft ground. I have a blanket in the boot – would you like to sit for a while?”
    “ Oh, yes, please.”
    We walked along the path for a hundred yards or so, and settled the blanket under a shady oak with a clear view of the water. We sat quietly, really not knowing what to say. Marijke was close to my shoulder, and her hand found my arm again, but this time it lingered, and in a few minutes it slid down to hold mine, ever so tentatively. When I felt her head on my shoulder I looked down, and I couldn't resist the urge to kiss the top of her head. We stayed that way for some time, and I felt more content than I could ever remember. Thinking that it was mutual I glanced at Marijke, and I was startled to see a dark, somber look on her face.
    “What's wrong?” I exclaimed. “Have I upset you?”
    “ No, David, it's not like this,” she murmured, shaking her head with a deep sigh. “Sometimes I know there is happiness possible which I don't ever have. Maybe I see it for one minute – like now – and I feel great joy and great sadness both together. When I am with embassy people I don't let myself be like this, but with you I feel safe and show my feelings. I like you very much, David, and I am sorry if I embarrass you.”
    “ I'm not embarrassed, Marijke. I'm honored that you would trust me with your feelings. But I don't understand. Why do you think that you may never be happy? Surely even in the Soviet system you have some privacy with the right to choose your friends and live out your life as you wish. I know it may not be as free as you would like it to be, but can it be that bad?”
    The consternation showed. I put my arm around her, and she rested her head on my chest. She didn't look up as she spoke.
    “There are many things which are not how they look, David. This is very true in the Soviet Union. We are sure about no one, and always we live with fear that something goes wrong and we are destroyed.” She hesitated again. “I'm sorry, but I don't speak more about these things. I must ask you don't say anything of this to anyone – not anyone at all. Please?”
    “ Not a word, Marijke, I promise you. And if you ever wish to talk about it, I want you to know that you can trust me completely, no matter what you tell me.”
    I hesitated, for I was not sure how she would take what I wanted to say next.
    “Please don't misunderstand what I am going to say to you, but… if things are not right for you in the Soviet Union, why don't you leave? You are out of the country right now, so stay here. I'm sure I could find out who you should talk with, and I would do it without anyone knowing why I was making