Another invitation, Charlie recognised.
‘It’s stopped raining,’ he said, nodding beyond the lychgate.
‘Can I give you a lift?’
‘I’ve got a taxi waiting,’ said Charlie.
‘I’ll let you know what Kuo Yuan-ching says,’ promised Jones, as he walked from the churchyard.
‘Who?’ said Charlie, avoiding the trap.
‘Kuo Yuan-ching,’ said the American again. ‘I gather he’s the man to see.’
Alone at last, Charlie stretched back against the seat as his car started its switchback descent towards the Central district. The tension made him physically ache. He blinked his eyes open, reflecting upon his encounter with Harvey Jones. Because he was tired, he was making mistakes. There was no reason why he shouldn’t have told the American of his visit to the Chinese official. All he had done was risk being found out in a lie and possibly arousing the man’s suspicions further. And he guessed Jones had plenty of doubts already.
‘You’re not thinking fast enough, Charlie,’ he told himself.
‘So he’s behaved exactly as you predicted?’ said the inner council chairman.
‘Yes,’ said Chiu. Modestly, he kept the satisfaction from his voice.
‘You will deal with him personally?’
‘I think it’s best.’
‘And ensure every preparation is made?’
‘Yes.’
‘I wonder how clever this Englishman is?’
‘It doesn’t really matter now, does it?’ said Chiu, the conceit audible.
‘I suppose not,’ agreed the chairman.
15
Charlie got off the train at Sheung Shui and looked towards the Shum Chun river that formed the border. Almost as far as the Lo Wu bridge there was a confused crush of people. He began to walk towards the crossing but immediately had to step aside for a herd of pigs which was being driven into the New Territories.
Impossible to control, remembered Charlie. That’s what Johnson had said about the border traffic. Difficult even to decide which way most of them were going.
There was no logical reason for any challenge, but Charlie still felt the involuntary stomach-tightening when he offered his passport at the British end of the control. The official glanced at him briefly, compared the picture, checked the visa and waved him on. Would he ever lose the apprehension? he wondered, walking on to the bridge towards China. Better if he didn’t. Frightened, he reacted quicker.
At the Chinese check, he offered not just his passport but the letter which Kuo Yuan-ching had given him earlier that day. Immediately there was a smile of expectation and at a gesture from the official another Chinese walked forward from a small room behind the passport booth.
‘My name is Chiu Ching-mao,’ the second man introduced himself. ‘I am to be your escort to Peking.’
He retrieved Charlie’s passport, waving to indicate that he should bypass the queue that stretched before him. Obediently the people parted and Chiu stretched out to take Charlie’s overnight shoulder grip and briefcase.
Feeling vaguely embarrassed at the special treatment, Charlie surrendered the bags and fell into step with the other man.
‘We expected you earlier,’ said Chiu. Like the men in the Hong Kong legation, he wore the regulation grey-black tunic. He was a thin, bespectacled man, with an intense way of examining people when he spoke, as if suspecting the responses they made.
‘I didn’t expect so many people,’ admitted Charlie. He nodded towards another herd of pigs. ‘Or livestock.’
‘Trade is extensive in this part of China,’ said Chiu watchfully.
The treaty guaranteeing British sovereignty was not accepted by Peking, remembered Charlie.
‘Of course,’ he said, wanting to avoid a political polemic.
The official seemed disappointed.
Once free of the immediate border, it was easier to move, despite the bicycles. They appeared to be everywhere, cluttering the kerb edges and thronging the oddly traffic-free roads.
Seeing Charlie’s look, Chiu said, ‘To cycle is to remain fit.’
‘Yes,’ said Charlie. If he let the man get it out of his system, perhaps he’d stop.
‘We have a long way to go,’ said Chiu, looking at his watch.
‘I know.’
‘But we can still make our connections,’ added the Chinese. ‘We will go by train to Canton and from there fly to Peking.’
‘I appreciate very much the trouble you have taken,’ said Charlie.
‘My ministry regards your visit as important,’ said Chiu.
‘Ministry?’
‘I am attached to the political section of the Foreign Ministry,’ elaborated the man.
Different from normal, recognised Charlie. They really were going to enormous trouble.
At the station they appeared to be expected, bypassing the normal barriers with an attentive escort of railway officials.
The train seemed almost as crowded as the border bridge, but Chiu went confidently ahead of the railwaymen until he found the empty carriage he was apparently seeking and stood back for Charlie to enter.
‘Reserved,’ he announced.
So much for equality for all, thought Charlie. He sat back as Chiu dismissed the officials in a tumble of Chinese, staring through the window at the last-minute rush before departure. For the first time in almost a fortnight, he thought, he did not have the impression of being watched. It was a tangible relief.
He turned to the man opposite.
‘I am still surprised that my visa approval was so prompt,’ he said, sweeping his hand out to encompass the carriage. ‘And at all this assistance.’
‘I have already said your visit is regarded as important,’ Chiu reminded him.
‘Less than a day is still fast,’ insisted Charlie
‘Not for China,’ said Chiu, seeing the opportunity.
The train lurched, shuddering forward clear of the station. Like most rail systems upon which he had travelled throughout the world, it appeared to go through every back garden. But there was a difference: here, each garden was immaculate and cared for, like entries in a horticultural exhibition. Which was the purpose, decided Charlie. But a public relations exhibition, not a horticultural one.
Once in the open country, they travelled along the spine of high embankments. On either side, in the regimented paddy fields, peasants crouched knee-deep in the irrigation water beneath the cover of their lampshade hats.
‘You will be staying in the Hsin Chiao hotel, in what was once the Legation district of Peking,’ announced Chiu.
The only hotel in the city with a bar, remembered Charlie. He wondered if he’d have anything to celebrate.
Anticipating another diatribe as Chiu moved to speak, Charlie said quickly, ‘It is surprising that you’ve allowed me access to this man in preference to the Hong Kong police.’
‘The police would demand his return,’ said Chiu, as if that were explanation enough.
‘But that would surely achieve the same effect as letting me obtain a statement… better, even. It would guarantee a court hearing.’
Chiu looked across at him tolerantly.
‘It would also establish a precedent,’ he said.
They were interrupted by the opening of the carriage door. Charlie turned to see a file of white-coated men.
‘I’ve arranged for lunch to be served here in the compartment,’ explained Chiu.
Neither spoke while the table was erected between them and the dishes laid out.
‘There are knives and forks, if you wish,’ said Chiu solicitously.
‘Chopsticks will be fine,’ said Charlie. There appeared no courtesy the Chinese authorities had overlooked.
As they started to eat, Charlie said, ‘So the man will go unpunished?’
Chiu paused, chopsticks before his face.
‘Oh no,’ he insisted quietly. ‘People who bring disgrace to China never go unpunished.’
The special treatment continued when they reached Canton. A car was at the station to take them directly to the airport. There they again skirted all the formalities, driving past the departure building to the waiting aircraft. Predictably, their seats were reserved.