Shadows of Deceit Read Online Free

south to the Free State; that was another consideration. Or should he simply go back to Andrew to find out what job he was offering?
    By the time his food had arrived he had already tossed a coin in his mind and whilst it was spinning in the air he already knew which way he wanted it to land!
Chapter 2
    “Do you dress to the right usually sir?”
    “As is.”
    Harry said becoming more irritated with the tailor who was double checking his measurements.
    “Inside leg thirty…two inches…yes. Remember we can’t offer turn ups now, you know shortages and…”
    “Yes, I understand, how much longer will you be?”
    “Finished now Mr Davies. Now let’s quickly recheck the original …” He called across to his assistant.
    “George, bring the pad over. Let’s do a resume.”
    The tailor continued,
    “Yes… here we are…height just below six foot, forty four chest, thirty six waist and thirty two inside leg. Now sleeve and button detail…yes I have those already, that’s it then sir, we’re all finished.”
    Harry put his own jacket back on, retrieved his mac and threw it over one shoulder whilst reaching for his wallet.
    “It’s OK, Mr Davies, the deposit has been paid by Mr Kirkland; he’s a regular customer here. I don’t suppose you’ve any clothing coupons though?”
    The tailor looked up at Harry’s face that remained stony and unsmiling.
    “Thought not, well we’ll just do the usual arrangement.
    “What are the usual arrangements?”
    Harry asked still feeling ill-humoured.
    “Well Andrew…Mr Kirkland…will pay cash and we just keep things quiet between us. I won’t put any labels in the suit so it can’t be traced back here. We just keep things on a friendly basis and barter a bit if we can. Mr Kirkland said I could explain this to you.”
    “Oh did he?”
    “Now what about a hat, a nice trilby…over here look, they’re still very much in fashion?” The tailor smiled eagerly.
    “No thanks, I don’t wear hats.”
    The tailor’s optimism weakened; he contemplated offering Harry a different style but quickly thought better of it.
    “Yes well, thank you for your custom, we’ll have everything ready for you in about two weeks. I’ll telephone Mr Kirkland.”
    Harry put his mac on, said his farewells and left the building, grateful to breathe fresh air again and to get away from the intense scrutiny of the tailor and his assistant.
    ‘Haircut next.’
    Harry thought to himself.
    His hair was longer than was usual at the time; he decided to have it cut shorter so as to blend in with the ubiquitous military styles. He walked away from the narrow back streets and made his way towards the centre of the city. On route he came across a small barber’s shop and within twenty minutes his full dark curly hair was shorn away. He emerged with a fixed brilliantined lustre that he immediately tussled up to resemble something of his previous style.
    ‘Now back to base.’ He thought.
    He decided to walk back to Andrew’s flat. The sky was clear blue and bright, the low wintry sun illuminating the buildings in a burnished gold light. For the first time in several weeks of uncertainty he felt relaxed and at ease. He had a job on offer, cash in his wallet and new clothes on order.
    “Things are on the up.” He thought.
    However, his mood shifted abruptly as he passed by some recently bombed out shops and houses. The adjacent cinema had also received a direct hit. He stopped under its canopy and recalled the pre-war excitement of a trip to the pictures with a girlfriend; the carpet of light shining over the wet pavements outside; the smell and the warmth of the foyer; people mingling around looking forward to the prospect of a night out, sitting in luxurious surroundings.
    “Magical palaces.” He thought as he walked on, trying to recall in his mind some of his favourite films he had seen before the war.
    Harry used the key that Andrew had loaned him and entered his flat. As he climbed the stairs he