Page 33 of The Hallmarked Man
‘I – even if it did, that’s not a good reason not to take it,’ she said, without thinking.
Interesting,thought Strike, but aloud he said,
‘Well, that’d be my view in your position, but some might say that’s why I’m still single. You haven’t asked me how my date with Bijou went,’ he added, looking down at her.
‘Oh God, I’m sorry about that,’ said Robin, blushing. ‘I never – I forgot to tell Ryan you’d stopped seeing her, I – you didn’t have to—’
‘Doesn’t bother me,’ said Strike. ‘She makes a far better imaginarygirlfriend than she did a real one. Not,’ he added, ‘that she was ever a girlfriend.’
‘What would you call her, then?’ said Robin, thoroughly taken aback by the turn the conversation had taken. Strike’s usual form was resolute tight-lipped-ness about his private life.
‘A misguided exercise in distraction and instant gratification that’s cured me of the practice. That was quick,’ Strike added, as Mr A’s ex-wife emerged from the jewellers opposite.
‘Nothing she fancied,’ said Robin, as they turned to walk after her. ‘I think she’s Christmas shopping.’
‘Christ, don’t remind me,’ groaned Strike. ‘I fucking hate it. I’d pay a grand for someone to do it for me.’
‘Where are you spending Christmas?’ Robin asked. For the first time in six years, both partners would be free over the holidays.
‘Lucy’s,’ said Strike. ‘I couldn’t get out of it, not right after Ted dying. I’ve got to go to the Christmas Eve party with all the neighbours, too. I’d rather eat my own fucking feet. What are you up to?’
‘Ryan and I are going to Mum and Dad’s. I’m dreading that too, to be honest,’ said Robin.
‘Really?’ said Strike. ‘Why?’
‘I don’t know,’ sighed Robin. ‘It’s just families, isn’t it? The house is going to be packed…’
But there was so much she couldn’t say. There would be two pregnant women in the house, her sister-in-law, Jenny, and her brother Martin’s girlfriend; none of the family knew about Robin’s recent hospitalisation, but she didn’t doubt there’d be a lot of baby and pregnancy talk, and she was afraid Murphy might use that as an excuse to start talking about egg freezing again.
‘… I’d like to stay in London and do my own thing, but it feels as though you’re not allowed to do that unless you’ve got kids.’
‘You’re not allowed even then,’ said Strike. ‘Joan would have been mortally offended if Lucy and Greg hadn’t turned up every year with her great-nephews.’
Ahead, their target threw back her mane of professionally blow-dried hair as she walked.
‘So,’ said Strike. ‘Do we take the case? It’s your call.’
‘Well… from all you’ve said, if we don’t do it, she’ll just hire someone else.’
‘I agree. And we won’t string her along.’
‘No,’ agreed Robin, ‘and I must admit, I’m getting interested in that body, too.’
‘But as I say, if it’ll cause you trouble—’
‘Call her back, and tell her we’ll do it,’ said Robin.
‘You sure?’
‘Definitely,’ said Robin.
‘I’ll ring her now,’ said Strike, drawing out his mobile.
Robin listened to Strike’s side of the call, feeling particularly warm towards him, appreciative of his consideration with regard to Murphy, and grateful that he’d passed off her lie about Bijou Watkins as a joke.
‘Right, I’ll get that contract to you,’ Strike was saying. ‘Right… yeah… no problem at all. Our pleasure.’
He hung up.
