Free 1953 - The Things Men Do by James Hadley Chase Page B

about in the sitting-room. I listened for several minutes, then closed the door again, and returned to the desk. My heart began to bang against my ribs as I dialled Gloria's number. I sat listening to the burr-burr-burr on the line. Then I heard another sound: footsteps on the stairs, and in a panic, I dropped the receiver back on its cradle.
    The office door opened and Ann came in.
    "I'll take the ledger upstairs. I can start it while I'm waiting for the potatoes to boil."
    "It's over there."
    I felt her eyes on me although I didn't look up.
    "Is anything the matter, Harry?"
    "What do you mean?"
    "I'm sorry, there's no need to shout, darling. I thought you looked . . ."
    "I wasn't shouting." I got up. "May as well close for the night."
    Still without looking at her, I walked out of the office. I hadn't taken more than four steps when the telephone rang. I turned quickly, then stopped myself from making a mad rush to the desk.
    Ann picked up the receiver.
    "Harry Collins: can I help you?"
    I stood watching her, my mouth suddenly dry. I saw her frown.
    "Hello? Hello?" She looked up and met my eyes and shrugged. "Hello?" She waited a few seconds, then replaced the receiver. "Must have been cut off. There's no one there."
    Had Gloria tried to get through? Had she hung up when she had heard Ann's voice? Why couldn't Ann keep out of the office? Why the hell had she come in at this moment?
    I walked down the garage. She followed me. I didn't look round. As I began to pull the double doors shut, I saw she was looking at the work that had been done during the day.
    "They have got on well, haven't they?"
    "I suppose they have."
    I had shut the doors now, and we stood side by side in, the gloomy barn-like garage, looking at the white, new-timber and the work bench.
    "Harry, what's wrong?"
    "Nothing's wrong. What do you mean?"
    She looked at me, smiling uneasily.
    "But, darling, there must be something wrong. You've been so strange: not a bit your usual self. I know I annoyed you yesterday: I'm sorry about that. Don't let's go on like this anymore."
    "There's nothing wrong. For goodness' sake, don't fuss. Hadn't you better get cracking on that ledger? It's nearly twenty to seven."
    "All right." I knew she was looking at me, but I wouldn't meet her eyes. I was still wondering if it had been Gloria who had rung, and if she would ring again. "Harry, darling . . ."
    I realized she was close to me, holding her face up to be kissed.
    "Come on. Ann, it's getting late."
    She put her arms round my neck and pressed her face against mine.
    "Harry, please, don't let's go on like this."
    Then the telephone began to ring.
    I pushed her from me. Maybe in my excitement to get to the phone before she did, I used unnecessary violence for she went staggering back.
    "Oh, I'm sorry, Ann." I reached out to steady her, but she avoided me. "I'll get it."
    I ran to the office and lifted the receiver.
    "Hello?"
    "Hello, Harry."
    I felt a prickle run up my spine at the sound of that low, husky voice.
    "Hello, there."
    I looked over my shoulder. Ann was coming towards the office.
    "Are you alone?"
    "No."
    "Shall I ring off?"
    "No. Is there anything I can do?"
    Ann came into the office. I leaned forward to pick up a pencil so she couldn't see my face. She crossed the office to the rear door.
    "If you haven't anything better to do I was wondering if you'd like to drop in."
    My heart gave a lurch.
    "Why, yes: I could manage that. About what time?"
    Ann had gone up the stairs. I heard her shut the door at the head of the stairs.
    "It's all right now. She's gone."
    Gloria laughed.
    "I shouldn't have called you, but I was so damned bored with myself. I wondered if you were bored too and if you'd like to come on over. There's a good movie on at the Plaza or do you have to stay at home?"
    "Of course I don't. What time shall I come?"
    "Oh, about eight. Sure you don't mind leaving your wife?"
    "She's working on the books at the moment. It's all right."
    "Then about eight