“Oui, Monsieur.”
Simon handed him a ten-euro note. “Vite.”
The driver nodded officiously and put the car into gear.
Simon settled in and enjoyed the sights. On the way, he called the workshop. He informed his floor boss, Harry Mason, that he would be gone for a few days and that he should order the dynamometer for the engine shop. “You sure? That’s an expensive piece of kit.”
“Do it,” said Simon. “And pass me to Lucy.”
“She’s been working like a dervish on that Dino you started last night.”
“Is that so?”
“Odd, if you ask me.”
“Better keep a sharp eye, Harry. Maybe she’s after your job.”
“That’ll be the day.”
Simon waited as Harry Mason went to find Lucy. Traffic was only marginally awful. He gripped the armrest as the driver accelerated through the streets, then slowed dramatically to cross the Pont Neuf. He hated being driven by others, taxi drivers most of all.
“Where are you off to, then?” asked Lucy Brown by way of a hello.
“Paris. Business.”
“Never been.”
“One day I’ll take you. School trip.”
“For that guy who was in here this morning?”
Simon gritted his teeth as a work van zeroed in on them, only to veer away at the last moment. “Did you deposit the check?”
“Straightaway at lunch.”
“You know what I do when I make a little money? I buy myself a gift. Nothing too big. Just something to congratulate myself.”
“So what did you get, then?”
“A dynamometer for the shop. Just gave Harry the green light to order it.”
“Sexy.”
“Isn’t it, though?”
“Funny you mention that, because I already got something.”
“You did? What is it?”
“A watch.”
“I thought no one was wearing watches these days.”
“Oh, I’m not going to wear it. At least, not all the time.”
“You’re not?”
“Nope.”
