Passport - Part Three by Jo Cameron-Symes

James made his way back to the table and Martuska fumbled with the paper bag. It slipped from her grasp and upended all of the contents by James's feet. 

   He let out a weary sigh.

  Full of pure rage she stood up and slapped him hard across the face.
  "I have no time for womanisers, Henry. No time at all," she said then turned to leave but he grabbed her arm.
  "They're for my niece," he said.
   Martuska stared at him hard as if to see whether he was lying. He didn't blink once.
   She sat down and James let his arm slide down hers till he held her hand which he brought to his mouth to kiss.
   "I'd never betray you like that. You must believe me," he said, letting go of her hand.
   Martuska looked pensive, and clutched her handbag firmly to her chest. She waited, unsure of what to believe. He continued to openly stare at her, willing her to trust him.
   "Alright, Henry. I believe you," she said though she still looked slightly wary.

   James looked across and noticed that Stan had crept back from the Gents and was now hiding behind a pillar in the foyer. He peered out briefly at James and smiled at him. James threw him a warning look and he stood back behind the pillar, concealed once more.
  James smiled warmly at Martuska.
   "I think we need to celebrate," he said and he clicked his fingers for the barman. "A bottle of your finest champagne Sir, at once," he said to Martuska's delight.
   "Champagne, Henry! You do spoil me!"
   "How long has it been do you think, since you last had premium quality champagne?"
   "I can hardly remember. It must have been abroad though, I've never drunk it in this country. It's hard to get hold of."
   "If you want the decent stuff, you need to have connections," James said.
   "And do you?! " she asked.
   "What?" He replied.
   "Have good connections?" she said, probing.
   "Being a success such as myself, one can't help but accumulate such things. Fine items help deals be brokered. Very important stuff quality champagne. I couldn’t live without it."
   The barman brought over the bottle and two glasses which he poured. Martuska closed her eyes and took a long sip.
   "It's like pure velvet, Henry! Absolutely divine!"
   The barman came over again.
   "Everything alright?" James asked.
   "Yes,” he replied turning to Martuska.      “Madame," he said, "I have an urgent message for you." He handed Martuska a folder piece of paper. She unfolded it to read:

'Meet me at the top of The Water Tower at 1pm. Entire mission is at stake. We have a mole. Make sure you're not followed and don't be late. - KT'

   She gasped.
   "Bad news?" James asked .
   "Yes. Unfortunately my mother's been taken ill. I can't stay much longer Henry, she lives halfway across the country. I must get going."
   "Nothing serious I hope?"
   "Yes, well, I won't know till I get there."
   "I'll give you a lift to the station. Just wait a second while I fetch the car keys."
   "No, that's quite alright. I need to get home to pack first."
   "Well then I'll take you home," he said. "I insist."
   "No," she said firmly. "To be honest I just need some time alone to think, but thank you for the offer."
    She adjusted her coat and with a wafting fragrant cloud of perfume she was gone. Stan hid back behind a pillar then he and James began to follow her.