Page 48 of The Mission

“What about a tip-off that he’s carrying drugs into the UK?”

“Is he carrying drugs?”

Arlo looked at Conrad.

“He might be,” Conrad said.

“Good enough. I’ll see what I can do.”

When the call ended, Conrad looked uneasy. “Are you sure it’s all right if I stay here?”

“Yes. You’re very welcome,” said Arlo’s mum.

“Can I buy some wine or champagne? I feel like I’m imposing.”

“You’re not and no need to buy anything. We’re well stocked! We have more than enough food. Go and get your things with Arlo.”

Conrad was very quiet as Arlo drove him there. He hoped they didn’t bump into the person whose name they couldn’t mention again. Just because he was leaving today didn’t mean he’d already gone. But the only person they saw was the chalet manager who apologised to Conrad as if what had happened had been his fault. Apparently, Mark had already left.

“I hope he’s not done anything to my stuff,” Conrad muttered as they went up on the lift.

Arlo hadn’t even thought of that possibility.

Conrad opened the door and took a deep breath before he went inside.

“At least he’s not wrecked the room,” Conrad said. He grabbed his case from the corner and opened it on the bed.

“Just check there’s nothing in the side pockets.”

“Why? Oh.” Conrad gulped and checked them. “Nothing. That was a good point. I’d better look in my trouser pockets too.”

“Does he take drugs a lot?”

“Despite me asking him not to when I was with him, he continued to snort coke. He’d taken something last night. Coke and maybe Viagra. That’s a new one though, well, as far as I know. I don’t know why he’d need that. He never had any issues getting hard.”

“Maybe because he was drunk and high?”

Conrad shrugged.

Arlo was relieved when everything was packed and nothing had been found. He drove them back and his mum had lunch waiting: crusty bread, sliced meats, a variety of cheeses and a small salad. She sat and ate with them.

“Are you going tobogganing this afternoon?” she asked.

“I’d like to,” Conrad said.

“Really?” Arlo raised his eyebrows.

“I could do with some fresh air.”

Arlo looked aghast. “You don’t need to recklessly hurl yourself down the side of a mountain to get some fresh air. Just stick your head out of the window.”

“Who said anything about recklessly hurling?”

Arlo’s mother laughed.

“Ah, the Lehner way, is it?” Conrad smiled.

“For some of us,” Arlo said.

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