Part 33 (1/2)
Tyler stirred the sugar into the coffee and then picked up his phone from the table and messed around with it, trying to deter conversation. As soon as he'd finished his drink, he'd leave.
”London very cold,” the man said. ”Is always this cold?”
Maybe before he finished his drink. ”No.”
”I grateful you let me sit here. I can practice my English. I not good.” He laughed.
Tyler suspected the man was gay but wasn't sure. Different sort of pick up if he was. Not that he was interested. He thought of Haris and his gut clenched. I hate him. I love... No, I don't.
”What you do?”
Shut the f.u.c.k up.
”Sorry. I disturb.”
Stop being such an a.s.shole, Tyler. Your f.u.c.ked up life is not this guy's fault.
”I'm a student.” He took a sip of the coffee.
”I'm artistic director of Cairo Symphony Orchestra.”
Tyler's cup clattered back onto the saucer. ”Wow. What are you doing in London?”
”Looking for venue for concert next summer. We tour Europe. Paris, London, Rome.”
”Think you could fit in a concert at a music college in Greenwich?” Pity he'd have graduated by then because Flowers would be so impressed if he convinced the man to bring his orchestra to the music school.
”Your college?”
Tyler nodded. ”It's really beautiful. You might even be able to play outdoors next to the Thames. They've filmed lots of movies there. Les Miserables for a start.”
”I see it?”
”Well, it's closed now for the holidays.” He took another drink of coffee.
”I only here two more days. We could see outside now? I have hire car. Could drive.”
Tyler hesitated. He wasn't trying to pick him up, was he? But why invent something as outlandish as artistic director of the Cairo Symphony Orchestra? Tyler thought about his guitar leaning against the window. Had that given him a clue? Nah, not from a guitar.
”Which soloists have you had playing with the orchestra?” Tyler asked. Not that he had any idea, but it might prove his legitimacy.
”Long list.” The man laughed. ”Rudolf Buchbinder, Ramzy Ya.s.sa, Alexander Frey.”
That was all it took to convince him. Wow.
”Maybe we use best students as soloists. What you think?”
I wish I was going to be there. Maybe I could be. ”Sounds a great idea.”
Tyler's phone vibrated on the table. ”Excuse me.” He put it to his ear and turned away from the guy. ”Hi, Des. You get my message?”
”Yes, and yes you can stay, but you have to get over here before six thirty. Everyone else is out and I've got a date.”
”I owe you one, mate. Thanks a lot.” Tyler put the phone in his pocket. That was lucky. He finished off his coffee and put the mug down.
”You really want to go and see the college?” Tyler asked.
”Absolutely.”
”I can show you the exterior and maybe some of the interior if the place is open.” Then all he had to do was walk the few hundred yards to Des's place. ”My name's Tyler, by the way.” He offered his hand.
”Jamil.”
His grip was really firm. He must have big muscles under that coat. Tyler picked up his guitar and bag and followed him out.
”Car just over there.”
He pointed toward a black Peugeot.
Haris waited while his father called Malik.
”He's not answering.”
”Have you asked him about Ras.h.i.+d?”
”I've not spoken to him since Adil told me he hadn't caught the flight to America.”
Something cracked in Haris's chest. ”That's why you came. You were worried about Malik. It wasn't to tell me you were dying.”
His father gave a little smile. ”It's not. But Malik is...impetuous. I could see no good reason why he would want to be in contact with Ras.h.i.+d, why he would linger in London.”
Haris's brain was racing. What was Malik up to?
”But perhaps Adil is wrong,” his father said. ”Perhaps Malik is in America.”
”You clearly don't think so.”
”I wondered if he stayed here wanting to talk to you.”
”Why now?”
”Because I'm dying and he knows I would like the family to be strong, to be together.”
Haris shook his head. ”I have more important things to worry about than Malik. Where are you staying? I'll come and see you tomorrow. Give me your mobile number.”
”The Savoy.”
Haris tapped the number into his phone. ”Give me the numbers for Adil and Malik too.”
His father hesitated and then handed his phone to Haris.