1974 - So What Happens to Me Read Online Free PDF

would eat, then Henri, darting away, snapped his fingers at a waiter to follow him.
    Claude Kendrick looked around, like a king surveying his court. He waggled his fingers at people he appeared to know, then he looked our way. His little eyes dwelt on my face for a brief moment, then they shifted to Pam. His eyebrows crawled upwards and his mouth pursed into a smile. Then he did the damnedest thing. He bowed to her and using the orange wig as you might use a hat, he lifted it high of his egg baldhead, bowed again and replaced it then he shifted a little in his chair and began to talk to his companion.
    Pam giggled.
    “He’s marvellous, isn’t he?” she said. “He does that to all his women friends.”
    “You a friend of his?”
    “I used to model some of his special jewelry. I’ve known him for some years.” She finished her steak. “Excuse me . . . I have an idea,” and getting up, she went over to Kendrick’s table.
    Her back screened him from me and she talked to him for about three minutes, then returned to our table.
    “What was all that about?” I asked.
    “He has the most marvellous motor cruiser. I thought it would be fun if we had a trip. He’s delighted. You know this city is a bit dull for people who always live here. Everyone likes to meet someone new. You’ll come, won’t you?”
    As I hesitated, she went on, “He’s really fun and very important.” The waiter came and cleared our plates. “You’ll like him.”
    The motor cruiser had an appeal.
    “Well, okay: what have I to lose?”
    I looked across at Kendrick. He smiled and nodded to me as the waiter served him smoked salmon. I nodded back to him.
    We finished the meal with coffee. Kendrick and de Mamey only had the salmon and also coffee. By the time we were ready to go, they were also ready to go.
    Pam pushed back her chair and led me to their table.
    “Claude. . . this is Jack Crane. He’s working on the runway Jack. . . this is Mr. Kendrick.”
    “Call me Claude, cheri.” A hand that felt like a lump of warm dough engulfed mine. “So glad. Welcome to this lovely city. I do hope you will be marvellously happy here.” He heaved himself to his feet. “Let’s go out into the moonlight. Louis, my pet, do take care of darling Pam. I want to get to know Jack.” He encircled my arm and led me down the aisle. Twice he paused to raise his awful wig and bow to women who smiled at him. I was sweating with embarrassment by the time Henri bowed us into the hot night air.
    Here we all paused.
    Kendrick said. “Do take Pam for a little ride in the boat Louis. You know how she loves it. Jack, will you put up with me for a few minutes? There is something I want to talk about.”
    Before I could protest, Pam and Louis were walking away.
    “What’s there to talk about?” I hated this fat freak and hated the idea of being stranded with him.
    “It’s about Bernie; he is one of my bestest friends.” Kendrick mopped his face with a silk handkerchief. “Let us get in my car. It’s air-conditioned. I find this heat a little oppressive, don’t you?”
    I hesitated, but without Pam to drive me back to the airport, I was marooned so I followed him down the pier to where a gaudy yellow and black Cadillac stood waiting. A Jap chauffeur slid out and had the doors open as we approached.
    “Just drive around, Yuko,” Kendrick said and lowered his bulk into the car. I went around the other side and got in. There was a glass partition between the chauffeur and the rear seats.
    It was wonderfully cool when the car doors were shut. The car slid away and Kendrick offered me a cigar which I refused.
    We drove along the sea front for some minutes, then the chauffeur turned off the main boulevard and took us out into the country.
    Kendrick who had got his cigar smoking evenly, said, “I understand that you are a very close friend of Bernie.”
    “That is correct.”
    “I am worried about Bernie.” Kendrick heaved a sigh. “The poor darling. . . that