What a damn fool he had been to buy a suit exactly like the one he had left in the store. He had bought it because Ann would have missed it, but now he realized he would never dare wear it.
He ran his and over his sweating face.
Should he make a bolt for it?
Where would you go, you fool? he thought. And how far do you imagine you’d get? Your one and only chance is to sit tight and keep your nerve. It’s your only hope. You’ve got to sit tight for Ann’s sake as well as your own.
He got to his feet, finished his drink and set the glass down on the table. Then he unpacked the two parcels and carried the shoes and suit into his bedroom. He put them in his wardrobe.
He returned to his sitting-room and poured himself out another drink.
He thanked his stars Ann wasn’t here, and that he could face this business on his own, but in six more days she would be back. He didn’t kid himself this business would be over by then or, if it were, he would be in jail.
He set down his glass to light a cigarette. A movement outside made him look up towards the window.
A car had pulled up outside the bungalow. The car door opened and a massive figure of a man got out.
Ken stood transfixed, his breath coming through his clenched teeth in a little hiss.