Page 30 - double revenge 3.

TOM’S CAFE
CHISWICK HIGH ROAD

TH
TUESDAY APRIL 14 1998

Tom’s cafe was run by an affable West Indian and his wife who somehow managed to cook
breakfasts for a dozen customers and still get their two young sons ready for school at the same
time. Situated right across the street from the Chiswick Business Accommodation Bureau it offered
a perfect view from the window table, which I had occupied from the moment Tom opened its

doors.

A steady stream of customers had now dwindled to a trickle and Tom was busy preparing the tables
for his next rush of customers.

‘Listen man. This is not the bus station refreshment room. If you are waiting for someone then wait
outside, it is not raining, but if you insist on sitting at my best table then order something other
than another coffee. Two hours you been sat there and very soon my mid morning customers will
be arriving and they can sit at my window table because they buy things from me like food. You
understand?’

‘Yes, sorry Tom. I have been waiting for the Bureau across the street to open. Do you know what
time they open?’

Tom looked at his watch. ‘They should open at half past nine, in five minutes time. She never late.’

OK. Let me have a coffee and I’ll be gone in five minutes.’

Tom duly brought me another coffee and looked at his watch. ‘Five minutes then OK?’

I nodded, ‘OK’

As soon as the bureau opened, I needed to check if the passport in the name of Peter Collins had
been collected. I doubted Arnold would want to leave the country using his own passport, as it
would flag up at passport control that he was on a wanted bulletin.

At nine thirty on the dot, a woman arrived and opened the bureau. I drained my cup, left some
money on the table and was preparing to leave when a black cab drew up and out stepped Senorita
Morales. There was nothing of the model about her today. She wore jeans and a light blue roll neck
sweater with a light blue baker’s hat to match. She could have passed for a young lad from a
distance but close up the nondescript clothing could never hide her beauty.

I watched as she crossed the road to the Bureau. She started to speak with the woman behind the
counter and they both began to get agitated. I crossed over and went in. Gabriela recognised me.