‘I’ll get you your change’ she said.
‘Not necessary, Tina,’ said the man. ‘See you again.’ He held Tina’s gaze for longer than was comfortable before turning and walking out of the café with his companion.
‘Bloody hell,’ said Fay. ‘I wouldn’t like to meet them in a dark alley.’
‘Have they been in before?’ asked Tina watching the men wander off, somewhat aimlessly, up the road.
‘No. I don’t think so.’ Fay began loading the dishwasher. ‘We seem to be attracting a lot of unwanted attention lately.’
‘How do you mean?’
‘That bloke, who’s been standing across the road in the doorway. You know, the watcher.’ Fay emphasised the last two words. ‘Oh, Tina, the look on your face! I’m only joking. Well, half joking.’
‘It’s not funny,’ said Tina. She flicked Fay with the tea towel and forced out a laugh. It really wasn’t funny. Once again, the urge to go home and shut herself away washed over her. Then she remembered the intruder the other night. She wished John was here. Going home alone was not an appealing thought. One she couldn’t ignore as she had promised Mr Cooper she would bring him some milk.
The last of the customers left and Tina locked the door behind them. She looked up and down the street and then across at the doorway on the other side of the road. Nothing and no one looked out of place.
‘Right, are you okay mopping the floor?’ said Fay, untying her apron before Tina could answer. ‘Only, I’ve got to nip to the loo and make myself presentable. I have the lovely Harry picking me up from work tonight.’
Tina turned away from the doorway. ‘Oooh. Harry picking you up. Where are you off to?’
‘The cinema and then for a meal,’ called back Fay as she headed towards the back of the café.
A loud bang on the glass of the doors sent Tina’s nerves into orbit. She jumped and screamed at the same time, spinning around to look at the door. A big grinning face loomed through the glass.
This was getting ridiculous. She was jumping at the slightest thing. ‘We’re closed,’ she mimed at the man.
‘It’s okay,’ called Fay. ‘That’s Harry. Can you let him in for a minute?’
Tina returned to the door, unlocking it and letting Fay’s date in. ‘She won’t be long.’
Harry thanked her and loitered around the doorway. Tina picked up the mop bucket and went out to the back of the cafe.
‘He’s hot,’ she whispered to Fay, poking her head into the washroom. ‘And keen. He’s standing out there like a puppy dog.’
‘Ah, bless him,’ said Fay popping the lid on her lipstick. She took out her spray and applied a generous amount. ‘Right, I’ll be off. See you Monday. Have a good weekend.’
She gave Tina a hug before disappearing back into the café. Tina heard her laughing as she left. It was nice to see Fay happy, although it did make her wish John was around.
Leaving the mop and bucket in the storeroom, Tina took her coat and bag from the cupboard. She checked her phone for messages or missed calls. John hadn’t called. She sighed to herself and considered for a moment if she should call him. No, he was at work. He would be in touch as soon as he could.
The sound of the traffic from outside suddenly became noticeable, followed by the unmistakable sound of the door swinging shut.
‘What did you forget?’ called out Tina, checking in the cupboard to see what Fay had left behind. She couldn’t see anything and went out into the café.
She stopped dead in her tracks. Walking towards her was the shaven-headed man from earlier. His table-mate was leaning against the closed door, arms folded. His black, beady eyes monitoring her.
Her voice wobbled as she spoke. ‘We’re closed.’
A needless remark. All three of them knew that they weren’t here for coffee.
Chapter 17
John listened to what Baz Fisher had to say without passing comment. On the exterior he remained calm and impassive. On the interior it was a whole different ball game.
Afterwards, he thanked Baz and arranged for a taxi to take him to the docks, where a fishing boat was waiting, its course set for the Emerald Isle.
‘And?’ asked Martin as they watched the black cab drive off with Baz in the back.
‘Trouble,’ said John already heading for the BMW. ‘The Porboskis have been asking about Tina.’
‘Shit,’ said Martin.
‘Indeed.’ John turned the key in the ignition and not waiting to put his seat belt on first, accelerated away from the safe house. ‘They want the money from the Moorgate robbery and think Tina may be willing to help them locate it.’ He didn’t need to translate that into Russian terms. They both knew what it meant. ‘We need to get to her before anyone else does.’