Away Together
KEV WAS ON THE phone at 7 am; he did not expect Black to be in his office. He wanted to leave a message with the 24-hour switchboard. To his surprise, Black answered. Kev told the Embassy man about his concerns.
'As if I have not got enough to worry about.'
It had been an all-night session for Black. Ms Young had put him under a lot of pressure. Things were moving fast, keeping the Bangkok man working and fretting all night. The stress was evident in his voice.
Black went on, 'Sorry, Kevin. I don't mean to snap. What concerns you?'
'If it was the same Cockney that went into Mike's bar. Does it not strike you as a coincidence that Mike and Mike only gets an offer on his share? The offer was tempting enough to make the pair drop everything and run to Chiang Rai. And let his partners down?'
'Chiang Rai, you say? Now that is very interesting.'
Kev decided he needed a walk to clear his mind and pick up the Bangkok Post. He wandered back to the guesthouse. He was looking forward to a full breakfast with the football news.
'Kev, Black called; he wants to talk to you.'
'But I just spoke to him.'
'I know, but he said this is very urgent.'
Ten minutes later. 'Skylab, I promised you a good time; get yourself ready; we are going on a trip; Black has cleared it for us to visit Chiang Rai.'
'Oh great! Are we going with Pat and Mike?'
'No, that's the point; they have told us to monitor them without them knowing we are there.'
'What? You mean spying on our friends?'
'Yes, but it's for their good. Black suspects some trickery here, linked to the big case he's working on. He wants more information, any information which may help him. He hopes we can find out something interesting.'
'Okay, but I donʼt like it. Also, what are we going to tell my family? You and I go on holiday together?'
'Yes, I see what you mean. I wasn't thinking, but this will be your first time on a plane.'
Kev explained they would travel first class at the Embassy's expense.
'Wow, I'll think of something, leave it with me. But I have not got a passport.'
'You donʼt need one, just your ID card. We are not leaving Thailand. I will need mine because I am a foreigner, so no worries.'
'My family all said great. One, we have now been together long enough, and two, Iʼll be the first family member to travel on a plane. Great, is it not?'
Kev and Skylab had brought flowers for Pat to wish her good luck on the voyage. Kev was not being generous; he planned to find out what time they would arrive in Chiang Rai.
'We are going the long way; there is no real rush, so we are travelling by train as far as possible. Did you know there is no train between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai?'
'Actually, no, I have never needed to know,' answered Kev.
'We'll leave today at lunchtime. We will have to stay for one night in Bangkok. Then tomorrow, we will be on the sleeper train to Chiang Mai. Pat wants to stay there for a day or two, but I said we can stop in the old city after our business is complete. From Chiang Mai, we have to take a minibus to Chiang Rai. One hell of a long trip, but it will be fun.'
Kev called the Embassy. 'Hi, Mr Black, it's me again; we can catch the bus to Bangkok later today. I booked flight tickets for Don Mueang to Chiang Rai for tomorrow morning. All are arranged through Western Tours in the town. The Embassy's name is good so that you can pay later! We will be at Chiang Rai's airport before lunchtime. So, with plenty of time, we stay somewhere near the minibus depot and keep our eyes peeled. Anything else we should know?'
'No, thankfully, nothing new for me to worry about. You will have to be alone; I can't come up yet. Be careful and keep in touch about any developments. Good luck and a safe trip to you both.'
Mike was keen to get going. 'Well Pat, this is it. We have said goodbye to the Headrock. I have left the keys at Skylabʼs guesthouse, and instructions with Dam as Kev and Skylab were not there. Bags all packed?'
At that moment, in another part of town.
'You know Kev, it all feels different now.'
'What do you mean Skylab?'
'Before we were boyfriend and girlfriend, now it seems like a real couple, even if we are not married. All the family would be happy enough if we shared a room. You know what I mean.'
'I do, but I want us to get married - soon.'
Skylab had a quizzical look on her face.
The affection and love were evident on the blue bus. Love was also in the air as Mike and Pat continued the theme by holding each other on the train. Both couples were heading to Bangkok. Skylab and Kev had a room at the Ambassador Hotel, at the Embassies' expense, while Mad Mike and Pat shared a room at the newly opened Smart Suites at their buyer's expense.
Black grabbed the telephone and dialled a London number he and his secretary knew well.
'I thought a quick call would be in order; your daughter is still with Michael Gains. He is selling his bar,'
'Sorry, let me interrupt. I thought you said he was a tour agent and that Pat was working with him.'
'Yes, they are working together. But there were a few dramas in the tour business. Anyway, there was an offer on the bar that was the base for the tour venture. They, as we speak, are travelling north to complete the deal. Later, they expressed the intention of travelling in and around the Chiang Mai area.'
'I see; I'm not sure I like it, but thanks for the news. I think Iʼm overdue a visit to my daughter wherever she is.'
Romantic Kev whispered, 'Skylab, I am not just saying this because we are here together and will spend the next few days at least as a couple. Let's start serious wedding planning.'
She melted, 'Oh Kev, I do love you.'
Meanwhile, Mike said, 'Pat, you know I enjoy your company more and more.'
'And?'
'What do you mean? I'm just saying I enjoy being with you.'
'You are a romantic sod!'
The train journey would always be slow, but neither Pat nor Mike cared. They had a sleeper compartment, not built for a 6ft 3in Welshman, but it is the company that counts.
Skylab was nervous about boarding a plane for the first time. She climbed the steps with nerves tingling. As she entered the fuselage, the hostess showed her to her seat; she tried to look like she'd done it a thousand times. Miss cool.
Kev and Skylab landed after less than two hours of flying, clearing the airport in fewer than twenty minutes. They then started their hunt for a hotel where they could watch the minibus travellers' comings and goings.
But this was a poor idea; Chiang Rai was much bigger than they had imagined. Instead, they checked into the Wiang Inn at the Embassy's expense. It was a lovely little hotel near the bus depot, with a decent, lively restaurant. Plus, the hotel rented out bicycles and motorcycles, which they made use of, hiring two mountain bikes.
They knew what time Mike and Pat's train arrived at Chiang Mai station and approximately how long it took to get to Chiang Rai by minibus. So it should have been simple: They would peddle around the depot until they spotted them. That would be fine if they were fit enough to keep the wheels turning.
Skylab was tired after cycling around. She suggested she would be happier if they got a Honda Dream in exchange for the bicycles. They returned their bicycles as a swap for a nearly new motorbike. Luckily, they had returned to the hotel, and the lady at the front desk was waving to gain their attention.
'Khun Kev,' called the receptionist. 'You have a fax; it just came through. Bangkok telephone number. Do you want me to read it to you?'
'Better give it to me, thank you.'
'That's okay, I donʼt know what it all means, anyway.'
Having already tried and failed to read it, she folded the single sheet in thirds and slipped the paper into a hotel envelope.
She handed the saddle-sore couple a puzzle from Black.
'What is all that?'
'Skylab, I do not know. It's from Black, so I guess it is important. And I suppose it means something to somebody.'
Kev was happy to be rid of the uncomfortable bicycle saddle. But said, 'Oh, no, I was enjoying the exercise, what's up with you? I thought you were fit?'
Only then did they realise neither of them had ever ridden a motorbike. Kev had been on the back of Nick's bikes in England, and Skylab was too ladylike to risk the Bangkok traffic. They were each expecting the other to drive. The Dream was only 100cc. It is the most straightforward two-wheeled motorised machine anyone could ride. They both took turns to see who was safest and decided that Kev should drive.
Testing their motorbike riding skills earlier took longer than they planned, particularly when Skylab, taking the first turn, drove into a pile of old newspapers. She fell off, which thankfully only damaged her pride and the carefully arranged stacks of papers. Kev did not even smile.
'Oh, no! Donʼt say we missed them? Christ, Black will go mad.'
'A bus dropped a load of people, there it goes. But I can't see Pat or Mike.'
'All right, don't panic; there will be another minibus soon; let's sit here and have a coffee and wait.'
As they served the coffee in the roadside restaurant, another bus turned into the depot.
'Kev, donʼt look now, but someone is watching the bus passengers, a falang, donʼt let him see you. Have a crafty look.'
'Christ! Skylab, that is him, it's the Cockney bloke.'