Page 49 of Be Less Panda

Instead, she heard a key turn in the lock. She froze.Don’t panic! It might be Olivia returning early. But why would she knock?

Madame Morceau walked into the room, quickly followed by Hans.

The concierge looked horrified and turned away. ‘Excusez moi,’ she said as she disappeared back onto the landing. It was the fastest Nancy had ever seen her move.

Hans was frozen to the spot, looking at Nancy wide-eyed. Nancy didn’t know what to say.

‘New boots?’ Hans said.

‘Yes,’ Nancy replied nervously. Should she explain or try to bluff it off as trying out some new fashions? You’re a lousy liar, Nancy Smith, and Hans isn’t stupid. He’s probably worked it out already.‘Would you like a cup of tea?’ she asked.

Nancy changed into her normal clothes in her room, while Hans boiled the kettle. By the time she walked back into the living room, he was sitting at the dining table, slowly stirring his drink.

‘You’ll wear the pattern off,’ Nancy said as she sat down opposite him.

Hans looked puzzled. ‘The pattern is on the outside of the teacup.’

‘It’s one of those mad English sayings. I don’t really know where it comes from.’

Hans nodded and carried on stirring, focussing on the cup in front of him. Nancy didn’t know where to start. ‘Why did you get Madame Morceau to unlock the door?’ she asked.

‘I heard a crash, and then you swore loudly. I thought someone was attacking you.’

‘Oh,’ she said. ‘I suppose I should say thank you.’

He nodded and looked up at her. ‘I assume you’re helping Madame Dubois with her bespoke binding business.’

‘She’s asked me to become her apprentice.’

He looked concerned. ‘I don’t want you to go to prison.’

‘I won’t. Provided I don’t have sex with the clients, and I have no intention of doing that, it’s all above board.’

‘And you’re quite sure about that.’

‘Yes. Madame Dubois even has a policeman and several barristers on her books, apparently.’

Hans looked thoughtful.

‘I sense you disapprove,’ Nancy said.

‘It’s none of my business, but I worry about you, that’s all. I don’t want any harm to come to you.’

‘I’m only going to do it for a few weeks until I have enough money to pay Patty. I’ll have plenty of weapons at my disposal. And there’s a panic button if anything goes wrong. It rings in the shop, and there’s always someone in there.’

‘But it would take a minute or two for Philip to run up the stairs to help. And I doubt Carol would even notice.’

‘That’s why we don’t have special clients on Saturdays. And Philip’s quite nippy when he puts his mind to it.’

‘Nippy?’

‘Fast. He’s a quick runner.’

‘Hmmm.’ Hans didn’t look convinced. ‘What if one day he’s not nippy? Have you ever studied self-defence?’

‘No. I’d love to, but I haven’t had the opportunity yet.’

‘I think you should.’ He went back to stirring his coffee.

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