“Joe’s?”
“It’s a club in Mortimer Street, not far from you. They’re not on the blower, otherwise I’d’ve rung ’em.”
“Mortimer Street—that’s near Paddington Station, isn’t it?”
Brant grunted. “I’ve taken the key of my flat by mistake, and I’ll be back late. It’s my sister. She doesn’t know, and she won’t be able to get in. Will you leave a message for her at Joe’s?”
“I didn’t know you had a sister.”
There was a moment’s silence, then Brant said, “Well, I have. We share a flat, see? I should’ve left the key under the mat. She’ll have to amuse herself as best she can until I get back. But I want her to know, otherwise she’ll kick the door down. Will you do it, George? Just tell the barman I’ve taken the key and won’t be back until after two. He’ll tell Cora.”
George thought for a moment. He felt a rising excitement. “Why, if you like… I’ll tell her myself. I mean I’ll wait for her and tell her.”
“You don’t have to do that. I don’t know when she’ll go to Joe’s. All I know is she’ll be there some time tonight.”
George had no idea why he should feel so excited and elated. Brant’s sister! Not five minutes ago he didn’t know that Brant had a sister, and now he was getting het-up about her, as if she were someone exciting, someone who’d be interested in him. It was extraordinary.
“Of course, I’ll do it,” he said. “You leave it to me, old boy. I’ll tell ’em. You don’t think I ought to wait and explain it to her myself? They might forget to tell her…”