Harry was fighting to control himself. ‘Is she there? Did you find her?’
Tony leaned back in his chair, letting Harry stew for a moment. He waved to a waiter, who brought another glass, then picked up the bottle and poured himself a glass of wine, clearly enjoying keeping the two men on tenterhooks.
‘OK, this is where you understand I have to pay out the money. I have a friend on the desk... Linda Pirelli, she go to the desk, she ask for villa rental information.’ Tony sipped his wine and put down the glass slowly. It took all Rawlins’ willpower not to take him by the scruff of the neck and shake the information out of him.
Eventually, Tony explained that Dolly Rawlins, Linda Pirelli, Shirley Miller and Bella O’Reilly had rented a villa on the outskirts of town for at least two months, paying in advance — in cash.
‘You know where it is?’ Harry asked.
‘Sure,’ Tony replied.
‘And you can take us there?’
‘That will be another fifty dollars, you understand?’
‘OK, OK, a hundred dollars,’ Harry agreed before Jimmy could start arguing. ‘Can you take me there now?’
Tony nodded. All three got up, but Harry put a firm hand on Jimmy’s arm. ‘Not this time, Jimmy. I’ll go by myself. This is my business, OK?’
Jimmy sat back down heavily. He looked hurt. ‘You really don’t want me along?’
Harry patted his arm. ‘No thanks, Jimmy. You’re pissed.’
Jimmy slumped back into his seat and watched them go. Harry could be a right bastard sometimes. He wasn’t pissed, it was the heat. And if he did drink in this heat, he just sweated it out anyway.
Jimmy’s hand was shaking as he reached for the bottle. He spilled a little of the wine over the rim of the glass. Perhaps Harry was right. He thought about Maria and what she would say to him when he got back to the flat. He pushed the glass away and looked round for the waiter.
A cup of good, strong coffee and I’ll be fine, he told himself.
Linda was now clapping her hands and singing along with the cabaret, as the girls strutted round the stage for their final extravaganza, belting out, ‘Oh-oh, vol-a-re, da-da-da-da...’ She adored the fact that the girls sauntered up to the tables closest to the cabaret floor, flaunting their crotches and encouraging people to tuck money into their G-strings.
Bella watched her singing, laughing, clapping, and having an all-round good time, fueled by the champagne that had been steadily flowing since the cabaret began.
She leaned over and said, ‘Not so loud, Linda.’
But Linda was too far gone to care. She kept asking loudly ‘where they put it’ and if they’d ‘had it cut off.’ A couple in a nearby booth turned and stared at them, just as Linda stood up a little unsteadily and started cheering: ‘More! More!’ as the girls finally made their way from the floor.
The orchestra struck up a dance, and Linda pulled José to his feet. ‘Come on, let’s dance!’ she shouted, dragging him on to the floor. She glanced back at Bella, who just shrugged.
Bella watched the pair as Linda waltzed round the floor, pulling José with her. He was obviously embarrassed, but was trying not to show it, listening patiently as Linda started talking to him, whispering in his ear.
When they finally returned to the booth, Linda was flushed, beads of sweat standing out on her forehead. She grabbed the bottle of champagne and poured herself another glass before the waiter standing in attendance could pour it for her.
José turned to Bella. ‘Linda’s been telling me you used to be a dancer.’
Linda raised her glass, spilling the champagne. ‘And a singer! Boy, can she sing! Tell him about the night we took over that club when we first came here...’ And Linda was off on a rambling story about their first night in Rio. Then she started tapping the table with her hands. ‘What was that song we sang? Go on, Bella, what was it?’ She clapped her hands. ‘I’ve got it!’ And then she started at the top of her voice: ‘Money, money, money, money, money, money...’ over and over and over again, banging on the table with her hands.
Bella had had enough. She gripped Linda hard by the elbow and said, ‘I think you’d better go to the ladies’ room. Come on — out!’
Laughing, Linda grabbed José’s arm. ‘See? She’s dragging me out! Won’t let me have a good time!’
‘You’re drunk, Linda,’ Bella insisted.
Linda nudged him. ‘She thinks I’m drunk! I’m not drunk, I’m just having a good time, just like we used to have in the old days. Remember, Bella?’
José was unsure exactly what to do. Linda was obviously drunk, and Bella was getting very, very upset. ‘Perhaps if I order coffee...’
‘I don’t want any coffee!’ Linda snapped. ‘I’m not drunk, all right!’
With that, Bella hauled her to her feet and marched her off toward the ladies’ room, while José motioned the head waiter over and ordered a cup of coffee and the dinner menu.
Bella pushed Linda into the ladies’ room. ‘You’re going back to the villa, and you’re going back now!’
Linda was now a bit more subdued. ‘Oh, come on, Bella, I didn’t do anything!’
‘Not yet, but you’re building up to it. I just don’t understand what gets into you, Linda. For Christ’s sake, why’re you saying those things? Huh? Why’re you going on, nudge, nudge, wink, wink? You tryin’ to break it up between us?’
Linda sat down, and suddenly the tears started.
Bella stood with her arms crossed. ‘That’s not gonna work, Linda. Every time you put your great big foot in it you start howling. Well, it’s not gonna work, you’re not gonna wreck this for me. You’re going back to the villa and you’re going now. I’ll get the chauffeur to bring the Roller round.’
Linda caught her arm. ‘No, Bella, don’t, don’t. I’ll be all right — I’ll have some coffee. I promise you I’ll behave myself...’
Bella jerked her arm away. ‘No, Linda, I’m through with you. I’m through with your moaning. That’s all you’ve done since you’ve been here, moan, moan, moan. You’ve got everything going for you, and you haven’t even changed your goddam money. Well, you’re not gonna wreck this, Linda, you hear me? You’re not!’ But as soon as she’d said it, she felt bad. She put her arm round Linda and spoke in a gentler voice. ‘What is it, Linda? For God’s sake, what’s the matter with you?’
Linda shrugged. ‘I dunno, Bella, I just dunno.’
Bella sighed. ‘Maybe it would be best you go back, Linda. Go back to the villa.’
Linda grabbed her hand and held on tight. ‘Come with me. Come back with me.’
Bella pulled her hand free. ‘No, Linda, I’m never going back there. I’m with him, you understand me? I’m with him for good. He means something to me. He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.’
Linda smirked. ‘Oh, yeah? I’m sure he’ll be the best thing when he finds out what you were!’
Bella’s hand flew out, slapping Linda hard across the face, just as two women tottered in on six-inch heels, and then Linda was sobbing and Bella wished she hadn’t done it. The women stopped in their tracks and started giggling with their hands over their mouths. Linda screamed at them to mind their own fuckin’ business and they quickly scuttled into the toilet cubicles.
Bella handed Linda her little evening bag. ‘Come on, Linda, let’s get you in the car.’
But Linda shook her head. ‘I’m stayin’ here. I’m not going back to the villa. I don’t wanna be there by myself!’