Free High Water (1959) by Douglas Reeman

dishes of canapes of every size and description.
    ‘Quite a spread,’ murmured Vivian approvingly.
    ‘Come, we will drink a proper Danish toast together,’ she said, and, picking up a bottle, she filled two small glasses with a colourless liquid.
    ‘Schnapps?’ queried Vivian, and she nodded.
    ‘Do you enjoy our Danish speciality then?’
    ‘I had a little once, when I slipped across to Copenhagen from Germany,’ he answered, as he took the glass from her.
    She wrinkled her nose. ‘Everybody goes to Copenhagen, and then thinks he has seen Denmark. But it is just another rather nice town really, you know.’
    ‘I take it that where you come from is the real thing?’ Vivian grinned broadly.
    ‘Oh yes,’ she studied him seriously. ‘My home is in Vejle. A lovely part of the country on the Baltic, right at the end of a deep fjord.’ She smiled excitedly. ‘You would love it, there are plenty of little boats there, and clear, deep water, it is very beautiful.’ She stopped, and looked up at him, her eyes laughing. ‘But now we drink, to your
Seafox
. But don’t forget, you must drink it straight down, no cheating?’
    They clinked their glasses. ‘
Skal!
’ she said, smiling.
    The drink seemed to run straight through him, like liquid fire, and he spluttered, gasping for breath.
    ‘Phew, I’d forgotten how potent it was!’ he gasped.
    ‘But very nice, yes?’
    ‘Oh hallo, Vivian,’ drawled a voice at his elbow, and he turned, trying to erase the resentment from his face. Muir, immaculate in a light gabardine suit, was regarding him with interest.
    ‘All ready for that trip you’re making?’ His voice was casual.
    ‘Practically,’ answered Vivian shortly.
    ‘Where are you off to, this time?’
    ‘Don’t know yet.’ He hoped he, too, sounded casual.
    Muir appeared to have lost interest, and he turned to the girl.
    ‘Coming, Karen?’ he inquired. ‘Betty and Paul are just leaving, and I think they want to talk about that dance for next week.’
    She put down her glass, and Vivian felt he wanted to seize her, and take her away from everyone, then and there.
    ‘I hope I shall see you for another talk this evening, Philip.’ Her voice was soft. ‘Don’t slip away like you usually do, will you?’
    She left him, and he watched the group move into the next room, his heart filled with uncontrollable emotions.
    A slim hand slid through his arm, and he looked down into the face of Janice Mason, who gave him a mock salute with her free hand.
    ‘Care to fix me a drink, Captain?’ Her words were slightly slurred.
    He frowned, and shook his head. ‘You’ve had enough, my girl, but I’ll get you just a little one.’
    She downed the gin he handed her without effort, and smiled at him sadly. ‘I see that you were thwarted again?’ As he made no comment, she nodded towards the other room. ‘That man Muir, I mean.’
    Vivian shrugged. ‘I’m not giving up hope.’
    She beamed. ‘Good boy! After all, remember that envy always walks hand-in-hand with extreme joy.’
    He looked at her in amazement. ‘You must be more sober than I thought, to come out with a mouthful like that!’
    ‘H’m, just a bit depressed, that’s all.’ And she deftly refilled her glass.
    It was then he noticed that her husband and Lang had disappeared, and turning to find Jensen, he saw that his chair was also empty. So the conference had started apparently.
    He turned back to the girl. ‘Well, I’ll look after you till the others come back.’
    ‘To hell with the lot of them,’ she muttered. ‘I’d give my arms and legs to be like all these people here.’ She waved vaguely about the room. ‘Nice, ordinary, simple, honest little people,’ she said vehemently, her eyes flashing. ‘No bloody rackets, no big deals, no nothing!’
    Vivian glanced round nervously, but the other guests appeared to be happily occupied.
    ‘Here, keep control of yourself,’ he hissed. ‘No point in busting up the party.’
    She looked