Chapter Five
Marseilles, when they arrived, was mayhem. For a few minutes, Jack seriously contemplated remaining on board, but chastised himself. The ship would be docked all day, departing in the early evening, and luxurious though his accommodation was, he was becoming ever more impatient of counting away the hours and minutes until London. He had reviewed the case files in such detail that he could almost recite them by heart, but there was nothing more he could do until he had his feet on the ground in London. At the very least, he might find a bookshop – even if he could only find something in the French language, he would get the opportunity to improve his fluency. And perhaps find a thoughtful gift for Phryne. Something that could help her put France in a good light in her memory.
So, selecting his most lightweight suit and his second best brogues, he strolled via the Purser's office to obtain a few francs and descended into the maelstrom of humanity that was the Marseilles maritime crossroad.
Mid-afternoon saw him returning to the ship, satisfied with his day. A slim volume of Cocteau poetry sat in his pocket, and his hunger had been dealt with robustly, thanks to the shop-owner's recommendation of a restaurant at which to enjoy the city's famous Bouillabaise. Tonight, the ship would depart for its final destination; his heart lifted at the thought. Only six more days.
As he made his way up the gangplank, he was greeted with broad smiles by one of the officers.
"Mr Benedick! We're very glad you have returned early" he exclaimed. Jack looked at the man quizzically." We were most concerned that you would still be at the station, looking for your wife."
At the last word, Jack paled, swallowed hard and gazed fixedly at the smiling young man.
He opened his mouth to say "My WIFE?" but nothing came out. Fortunately, the officer noticed nothing wrong, continuing enthusiastically, "Yes, the Train Bleu was very early into Marseilles, she said. I believe she went straight to your stateroom, sir, so you'll find her there."
Jack nodded absently in thanks and, on legs that no longer seemed precisely under his control, walked along the companionway. His lunch was suddenly less settled in his stomach, and he failed altogether to acknowledge the nod and smile of one of the other First Class passengers he passed on the stairs. As he reached his own deck, his feet unaccountably began to move more quickly, until he was running at full pelt towards the cabin. Stopping abruptly outside the door, he gazed, perplexed at the handle. His hand, fortunately, recognised the required engram, and grasped and turned it, opening the door and propelling him forward into the stateroom.
A slim figure was standing on the other side of the room, in front of the most enormous steamer trunk he had ever seen. As he entered, the figure turned, and a smile as bright as midday sun and just as warm bathed him in its incandescent glory. His heart, he thought, simply stopped. No matter. He had, he acknowledged, ceased to own it long since.
"Hello, Jack".