He wondered if that was really the end of his old, old enemy, SPECTRE, or whether it would ever rise again, like some ungodly phoenix from the ashes of the death and destruction which he, James Bond, had caused.
20
CHEERS AND APPLAUSE
Sukie told her story once the cutter was inside the reef, and the sound of waves, wind and engines grew less, so that she did not have to shout.
‘At first I couldn’t believe my eyes – then, when Nannie made the telephone call, I knew,’ she said.
‘Just take it a step at a time.’ Bond was still shouting as the ringing in his ears had not yet gone.
When Sukie and Nannie had left Bond the previous evening, Nannie had ordered coffee from room service.
‘It arrived while I was in the bathroom touching up my face, so I told her to pour it,’ Sukie told him.
She had left the door open, and in the mirror she saw Nannie put something in her cup from a bottle. ‘I couldn’t believe she was really up to no good, in fact I nearly taxed her about it. Thank goodness I didn’t. I remember thinking she was trying to do me a good turn and keep me out of danger. I’ve always trusted her – she’s been my closest friend since schooldays. I never suspected there was anything like . . . well . . . She was a very faithful friend you know, James. Right up until this.’
‘Never trust a faithful friend,’ Bond said with a wry smile. ‘It always leads to tears before bedtime.’
Sukie had dumped the coffee and feigned sleep. ‘She stood over me for a long time, lifted my eyelids and all that sort of thing. She used the telephone in the room. I don’t know who she spoke to, but it was quite clear what she was up to. She said she was going to follow you. She thought you might try and make it to the island without us. “I’ve got him, though,” she said. “Tell the Colonel I’ve got him.”
‘I stayed put for a while, in case Nannie came back – which she did, and made another call. Very fast. She said you’d taken the hotel motor boat and that she was following. She told them to keep a watch for you, but that you were her prisoner and she didn’t want anyone else to take you. She kept saying she’d get you to the Colonel in one piece. He could divide you. Does that make sense?’
‘Oh, a great deal of sense.’
Bond thought of the guillotine blade smashing down and removing Nannie Norrich’s arms.
‘Terrible,’ he said, almost to himself. ‘Really terrible. You know, I quite lliked her – even grew fond of her.’
Sukie stared at him, but said nothing, as the cutter entered the small naval base harbour.
‘And who’s paying for all this luxury? That’s what I want to know.’ May was obviously well recovered.
‘The Government,’ said Bond, smiling at her. ‘And if they don’t, then I shall.’
‘Well, it’s a wicked waste of good money, keeping us all here in this verra expensive hotel. Ye ken how much it’s costing here, Mr James?’
‘I ken very well, May, and you’re not to worry your head about it. We’ll all be home soon enough, and this’ll seem like a dream. Just enjoy it, and enjoy the sunset. You’ve never seen a Key West sunset, and it’s truly one of God’s miracles.’
‘Och, I’ve seen sunsets in the Highlands, laddie. That’s good enough for me.’ Then she appeared to soften. ‘It’s guy kind of you though, Mr James, for getting me fit and well once more. I’ll say that. But, oh, I’m longing for ma kitchen again, and looking after you.’
It was two days after what the local newspaper called ‘The Incident on Shark Island’ and they had all been released as fit from the naval hospital that afternoon. Now May sat with Sukie and Bond on the deck in front of the Havana Docks bar at the Pier House Hotel. The sun was just starting its nightly show and the place was crowded. Again Sukie and Bond were eating the huge, succulent shrimps with little bowls of spicy sauce and drinking Calypso Daiquiris. May spurned both, making do with a glass of milk, about which she loudly expressed her hope that it was fresh.
‘Lord, this really is the place where time stood still.’ Sukie leaned over and kissed Bond lightly on the cheek. ‘I went into a shop on Front Street this afternoon and met a girl who came here for two weeks. That was nine years ago.’
‘I believe that is the effect it has on some people.’ Bond gazed out to sea, thinking it was the last place he would want to stay for nine years. Too many memories were crowded in here – Nannie, the nice girl who had turned out to be a wanton and ruthless killer; Tamil Rahani, whom he had really met for the last time; SPECTRE, that dishonourable society willing even to cheat others of promised prizes for Bond’s head.
‘Penny for them?’ Sukie asked.
‘Just thinking that I wouldn’t like to stay here for ever, but I wouldn’t mind a week or two – perhaps to get to know you better.’
She smiled. ‘I had the same thought. That’s why I arranged for your things to be brought up to my suite, dear James.’ The smile turned into a grin.
‘You did what?’ Bond’s jaw dropped.
‘You heard, darling. We’ve got a lot of time to make up.’
Bond gave her a long, warm look and watched the sky turn scarlet as the sun dropped behind the islands. Then he glanced towards the doors of the bar to see the ever-faithful Moneypenny striding in their direction and beckoning to him.
He excused himself and went over to her. ‘Signal from M,’ she said, shooting dagger-like glances in Sukie’s direction.
‘Ah.’ Bond waited.
‘ “Return soonest. Well done. M.” ’ Moneypenny intoned.
‘You want to return home soonest?’ he asked.
She nodded, a little sadly and said that she could understand why Bond might not wish to leave just yet.
‘You could perhaps take May back,’ he suggested.
‘I booked the flight as soon as the signal came in. We leave tomorrow.’ Efficient as ever.
‘All of us?’
‘No, James. I realised that I would never be able to thank you as I’d like to – for saving my life, I mean . . .’
‘Oh, Penny, you mustn’t . . .’
She put up a hand to silence him. ‘No, James. I’ve booked a flight for May and myself. I’ve also sent a signal.’
‘Yes?’
‘ “Returning immediately. 007 still requires remedial treatment that will take about three weeks.” ’
‘Three weeks should do just nicely.’
‘I thought so,’ she said and turned, walking slowly back into the hotel.
‘You actually had my stuff moved into your suite, you hussie?’ Bond asked, once he had returned to Sukie.
‘Everything you bought this afternoon – including the suitcase.’
Bond smiled. ‘How can we? I mean, you’re a Principessa – a Princess. It wouldn’t be right.’
‘Oh, we could call the book something like The Princess and the Pauper.’ She grinned again – wickedly, with a dash of sensuality.
‘I’m not a pauper, though,’ said Bond, feigning huffiness.
‘The prices here could fix that,’ Sukie said, laughing, and at that moment the whole air and sky around them became crimson as sun took its dive for the day.
From Mallory Square, where crowds always watched the sunset, you could hear the cheers and applause.
By the same author:
Licence Renewed
For Special Services
Icebreaker
Role of Honour
No Deals, Mr Bond
Scorpius
Win, Lose or Die
Brokenclaw
The Man from Barbarossa
Death Is Forever
Never Send Flowers
SeaFire
Cold
Licence to Kill
GoldenEye