Unofficial and Deniable

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Harker was annoyed that Josephine had told him. ‘She discusses parts of it with me sometimes, but she only allows me to read small bits now and again. But what I’ve read is very good.’ He added, ‘I’m not acting as her editor.’

‘Nor, I believe, do you intend to publish it?’ Valentine added, ‘I must say I agree, never mix business with pleasure.’

‘It’s more a matter of finance, Denys. Harvest is a small house. We published twelve books last year – two of them lost money, the other ten made a respectable profit, but not enough to enable us to put the effort into Josie’s book that it will deserve – advertising, publicity tours, et cetera.’ He looked at the older man.

‘And what do you think of her agent, Priscilla Fischer.’

‘She’s a tough cookie, Priscilla. She’ll make sure Josie gets the best deal in town.’

Denys Valentine took a sip of whisky, then said: ‘Reverting to the matter of you two living together. Have you any plans about marriage?’

Harker smiled uncomfortably. ‘It’s a bit early to say – we’ve only known each other a few months. But we have talked about it. I think Josie feels she’d like to retain her freedom for a while yet, to experience more of the world. That’s not unusual in writers.’ He looked at the older man, and waited.

‘And how do you feel about that?’

‘If and when we get married I want her to feel she’s seen life and has plenty to write about.’

‘“If and when”? I’m pleased to hear that you’re so realistic about this.’ He took a self-conscious sip of whisky. ‘Because I also don’t think Josie’s ready for marriage yet. She’s an exceedingly intelligent and talented person and she shouldn’t be burdened with the responsibilities of marriage for a long time yet – children and so forth.’

Harker understood loud and clear that he was being warned off. ‘Well, Josephine will know her own mind in the fullness of time.’

‘But will she?’ Valentine said. ‘Artistic people often don’t know their own minds about anything although they think they do. Heads in the clouds most of the time.’

Harker resented the innuendo. ‘She’s always seemed pretty sensible to me, Denys.’

‘Oh, extremely intelligent – all her life she’s been an A-grade student capable of figuring things out for herself. But, for all that, she is a dreamer who is really motivated by … unrealistic, unwise impulses.’

Unwise impulses like me? ‘Well, Denys, you seem to be in a most unsatisfactory situation. You don’t want Josephine to live in sin with me, and yet you don’t want her to marry me.’ He restrained himself from saying, ‘So what the hell are you going to do about it?’

Valentine cleared his throat, fiddled with his glass, then said, ‘I’d like to ask you for your cooperation – yours and Josephine’s.’ He paused. ‘Don’t see each other for six months.’

Harker was taken aback. ‘And after six months?’

‘If after six months you still want to be together, so be it. I’ll accept it, but you’ll only have my blessing if you marry.’

Jesus. Harker wanted to smile. It was the sort of thing a father might say to the suitor of his teenage daughter. Before he could muster a response, Valentine continued.

‘I’m prepared to make it as easy as possible for the pair of you to cooperate – I’ll pay for Josie to go abroad for those six months. Anywhere she likes.’

Jesus. You are prepared … The arrogance of it. ‘And if we do not cooperate with you?’

‘I regret having to say this, but if you do not, I will not give either of you the time of day ever again.’

Harker looked at the man. Jesus. And Jesus again! He could not conceal his smile. ‘Have you discussed this with Josephine?’

‘Not yet. But she has an inkling of my disquiet.’

Your disquiet? Harker took a breath. ‘Well,’ he said, ‘I cannot speak for Josephine, of course, but I can assure you right now that you will not