The Defector Read Online Free PDF

cut off. I think it might work. He’d trust me more if the visit was a success. Let me try it. He won’t go off; he’s nowhere to go to. You can have a man down there if you want him watched.” There was a pause.
    “How will you explain him to your family?”
    “Leave that to me,” she said.
    “Can I go ahead?”
    “Yes.” He sounded more reasonable.
    “Yes, if you think it’s the right thing. Give my regards to your father.”
    “Thank you, sir, I will.” She hurried down to breakfast. Sasanov was sitting at the table drinking coffee and smoking.
    “Good morning,” he said. She saw the puffy skin under his eyes and the look of fatigue.
    “Did you sleep well?”
    “No.”
    “I saw you out in the garden very early this morning.”
    “I needed fresh air.”
    “You need more than that,” she said.
    “You need to get away from here.
    I’m going to arrange it after breakfast. “
    “Harry, Davina’s coming down this evening. She’s bringing some man with her.” Harold Graham looked like a retired naval officer; he had the bright blue eyes and weathered skin of men who have spent years at sea. The sea had left its imprint upon him, as clearly as the sky subtly changes the men who fly. Harry Graham was a naval’type’ and old gardening clothes didn’t alter the aura of the quarterdeck he carried with him. He was a handsome man, not very tall, but very upright. He had a keen, humorous face, and a marvelous simplicity which ignored changing values in a changing world. He had been married for thirty-seven years, and had enjoyed a satisfying, happy marriage, which had never been threatened by the occasional love affair when he was away during the war. He lived an active life in retirement, devoted to charitable work and the running of the village where they lived. He was on the Parish Council, read the lesson in the Anglican church, was president of the local British Legion, and spent two days a week in London working for the Ex-Services Mental Health Association, Naval Section. He had some private money apart from his pension, and was proud of the fact that they were able to keep their house and garden properly. His wife was standing on the terrace outside the drawing-room, shading her eyes from the bright sunlight with one hand. She was taller than he was, and very thin; she showed traces of great prettiness, with fine grey eyes and clear features. Her face was webbed with tiny lines, and her fair hair was nearly white. She was still so surprised by her daughter’s telephone call that she repeated the message.
    “Davina’s coming down… with a man.”
    “Is she really?” Captain Graham said.
    “It’s rather last-minute, isn’t it?”
    “No, darling no more than Charley. She rang last night.”
    “Yes, all right, so she did.” He came to her and put his arm round her for a moment.
    “I’m really looking forward to seeing her, aren’t you? She’s such fun. I wonder what she’s been up to, naughty girl. “
    “Goodness only knows,” his wife said.
    “Who do you suppose this man is, that Davina’s bringing down? She said he was a Pole.”
    “A Pole what on earth is she doing with a Pole? And why does she have to bring him here? What time did Charley say she was arriving?”
    “In time for drinks,” Betty Graham said. They walked into the house together.
    “It was very hot out there,” he said.
    “We’re going to have a good summer. Everything’s coming out ahead of itself. We’ll have to watch out there isn’t a sharp frost. We’d lose a lot of bedding plants if we got a frost now. I feel like a gin and tonic. We’ve got time before lunch, haven’t..we?” His wife smiled at him.
    “Since I’m doing the cooking, of course we have. I’ll get some ice.” Later, while they were finishing their drinks, Betty Graham said gently! “Harry darling, promise me you’ll be nice to Davina.” His eyebrows rose, and he registered a pained surprise.
    “I’m always nice to her. Why