書蟲1級《雪莉·霍姆斯和立陶宛青年案》6. 不速之客

6. A surprise visitor

The next three weeks are busy. I have a new case to work on, and I'm out of the office nearly every day. I don't like the client very much, but the case is an interesting one.

On Saturday morning I'm in the office again. I have a lot of emails to write, so I'm not pleased when my doorbell rings.

The computer screen shows me a man at the door. Well, well, well, what a surprise! I hit the 'open door' button, and the man comes in.

Mr Williams, good morning. How are you?' I say. What does he want?

Morning, Ms Homes.' He's not friendly, he's not unfriendly. He looks around my little room.

Nice office,' he says. 'Can you see the river from your window?' He walks to the window, looks out. What does he want? Does he just want to talk about my office? Maybe the weather's next...

It's colder today,' he says. 'Autumn's coming.'

I wait.

He comes away from the window. 'Can I sit down? Just for a minute.'

Of course. Please,' I say.

Now he looks at me. 'I just wanted to say... Well, you were right about Tomas Varnas. He's a fine young man. I like him a lot.'

I hit the 'open door' button, and the man comes in.

Well, that's great, Mr Williams. I'm very pleased. So, tell me. What happened?'

He smiles, and gets comfortable in my best chair. He wants to tell me all about it.

We asked him to Sunday lunch. Like you said. And he and Carrie came to lunch, and stayed all day. Lots to talk about.' He laughs. 'Me and Carrie have an argument, of course, but we always do. Tom – I call him Tom now, you see – is very good for Carrie. He doesn't get excited, and angry, like Carrie does. And Carrie listens to him.' He laughs again. 'She never listens to me!'

I smile, and say something about the father–daughter thing.

So Carrie's back home with us now. Tom comes round every evening, of course. And weekends. He's out with Darren now, playing football. Darren thinks he's wonderful!'

Tomas is a big brother for Darren,' I say.

That's right,' says Mr Williams. 'Oh, and Carrie's back at school too. She wants to do business studies, then she can help Tom with his linen business. She's got a good head for business, you know.' He laughs. 'My little Carrie – a businesswoman!'

He stands up. 'Well, you're busy, I can see that. I just wanted to tell you about Tom.'

I like good news, Mr Williams,' I say. 'And it was good of you to come.' I walk with him to the door.

We asked Tomas to Sunday lunch.'

At the door, he says, 'You helped my family a lot. Maybe one day you need help. Just call me.' He gives me his business card. 'Anything. Who knows?'

Who knows? I'm going to remember those words...