long sigh. “That settles it. I’m going. I don’t know who that pair are, or what they’re talking about, but I don’t like it. I’m getting a ticket straight out of Paris.”
“What about me? I got a taxi, got shot at, got dragged round Paris by someone whose greatest concern is her hair in case she’s on TV, and now I’m on France’s most-wanted list.”
“Look, I know you’ve got your problems, but I’ve got to think about me.”
“That’s all we’ve done since we met.”
“All we’ve done? When have you thought of me?”
“I don’t know, let me see.” Piers crossed his arms and rolled his gaze upward. “Maybe it was when I rescued you from the guys with handcuffs, or when I bought you coffee, or tickets at the Métro, or . . .”
“Oh, right, typical man. Just because you buy things you think that means you’re thinking about me.”
“Well, I bloody well have been!”
An old lady with a remarkable resemblance to an eagle stepped into the entrance to the alcove. “Do you mind? This is a library. If you wish to continue your shouting match, please do so outside, where I am sure you will draw a larger audience.”
She stood to one side. Sidney looked at Piers and gave an exasperated sigh. “Now look what you’ve done.”
“Madame? Monsieur?” said the old lady, with one eyebrow raised.
Sidney stormed out and Piers assumed his usual role of following a few steps behind.
Chapter 8
Piers took the steps outside the library two at a time, and caught Sidney by the arm. “We have to go to the police. You and me. It’s the only way were going to sort this out.”
She shook him off. “Don’t be stupid. Look over there.” She pointed at the two henchmen across the road. The small guy was sitting on a wall, his head almost at the height of the big guy and his legs dangling far from the ground. “If we go to the police, what do you think Little and Large are going to do?”
“And what do you think they’re going to do if you buy a ticket out of Paris?”
Sidney looked at Piers and her lips curled downward. “Oh.” She sagged down onto the steps and wrapped her arms around her chest.
Piers sat beside her. “Yeah, oh.”
“I only came here from … well, I came here to show my designs. I only wanted a job. Just wanted someone to see what I had done.”
“Me too.”
“Huh?”
“I came here for a job.”
“Well I’m not cut out for this. I can’t deal with criminals and people threatening me. And look at you, you’re not exactly James Bond.”
“Thanks.”
His phone rang, but it stopped before he’d fumbled it from his pocket. His mother’s number glowed on the display. “Damn.”
The small man across the road tapped his finger on his watch, and then drew his finger across his neck. For added effect he let his head flop sideways with his tongue hanging out.
Sidney stood up, said “Oh, oh, oh,” and sat back down. “I’ve got an idea, just play along.”
“What?”
“You want to get rid of those guys, right? So play along. Trust me.”
Sidney rocked back and forth, and burst into tears, sobbing hard. “Me? Why me?” She sniffed. “Why me? Tell me? What have I ever done?” She raised her eyebrows, urging him to reply.
“I, er, I don’t know.”
She raised her voice. “I’ve always been good. I’ve tried my best. I always wanted to get a good job. I work hard. I’m nice to everyone. And then all this happens.”
“Yes … it’s terrible.”
He noticed a group of women on the steps gesturing to Sidney, and turned his back to them as his phone rang. His mother’s number glowed on the display. His finger hovered over the reject button until he remembered the TV pictures. Had they gotten to England already? Was his picture on the news as a wanted man? She’d be going nuts if she’d seen them. He pressed the green talk button.
“Hi, mum.”
“Piers. I called a few moments ago. You didn’t answer.”
Sidney wrapped an arm around his neck and cried on his shoulder.
“I was busy, mum”
“Busy with what? And what’s that noise?”
“It’s nothing. Just things. You know. Stuff. Stuff to do.”
“Well, I hope you’re not getting into anything down there, dear.”
Sidney snorted as she wiped her nose on her arm. “Why me? What have I done?”
“Piers, who’s that?”
“No one, mum. It’s nothing.”
Tears streamed down Sidney’s face. “I’m not a criminal. I’ve never hurt anyone. I haven’t stolen anything.”
“Piers. What’s going