Laline Paull - The Ice - A gripping thriller for our times from the Bailey’s shortlisted author of The Bees

The sky was an empty blue and it was so hot for February that although the trees were bare the joggers were dressed for summer. Sean walked across the park, repressing a feeling of irritation at how his mentor, affectionately though he felt towards him, still seemed to think of him as the callow and grateful undergraduate, willing to dance attendance on his whims. That was a lifetime ago, but if Kingsmith still treated him like a kid, then that was the price of access to his capital. One hundred and fifty million dollars in this case, which, along with Tom’s participation, had got him Midgard Lodge. Once Sean had referred to him as ‘the old man’ and people had thought Kingsmith was his actual father. He had not corrected them; he felt much more Kingsmith’s son than his own unknown father’s. And though wild horses wouldn’t have dragged it out of him, in Sean’s heart he was sure the old man had some paternal affection for him too. So fine, he would kill some time in the Watch Room at Selfridges, and wait for his call.

This was a place long soothing to Sean’s spirit, and he had visited it many times before he could afford the things he wanted. It was always the same, the dawdling wealthy shoppers, sparkling vitrines and his own enhanced reflection in the tall apricot-lit mirrors.

He should commemorate his journey from staring at the painting of the icebergs on the care-home staff landing, to standing here, the legal owner of a piece of the Arctic, with a watch. A new time in his life, something that fitted his new role of merchant prince and environmental champion. Nothing vulgar. Sean had no idea what that would be. It amused him that as he went from case to case, the glittering dials, exotic straps and satin-draped plinths jostling for his attention, he gathered sales assistants like iron filings to a magnet. There was a new display since he had last come in, ‘The Hall of Fame’ case. And in it, a platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, with its ice-blue dial the colour of a glacier. He tried it on and looked at his reflection. He didn’t want to take it off so he bought it and slipped his Patek Philippe into his pocket. Collecting beautiful watches went with his self-image; even if the price made him slightly nauseous.

Perhaps he should buy a watch for Martine too. No more philandering. Marriage to Gail had not worked, but he still wanted a mate – not to be like Kingsmith, who for all his wealth and rosters of willing beauties around the world, seemed to lack the centre of gravity that a relationship gave. He had no children, no regular partner, but a different gorgeous woman was always available, wherever he was. Once Sean had thought this highly desirable, but now it seemed increasingly sad, though that was one emotion he’d never seen Kingsmith display.

Sean browsed the women’s watches. He wanted to buy something for Rosie, but the idea of calling her and asking what she liked, and the possibility of her being vile to him on this day of triumph – he shrank from the pain of that. What about Radiance Young then? This was also her triumph. She had brought China to the table and he wanted to show his appreciation – but she was so eccentric. Who knew what sort of inappropriate behaviour a gift from him might trigger? She kept her Facebook page frequently updated and either referred to herself as ‘Bi-Polar Babe’ due to her extraordinary feats of endurance at both Poles, or, ‘Simple Girl Looking For Love’. Sean had yet to meet another thirty-four-year-old single Chinese woman with hundreds of millions of dollars at her disposal. Or a chain of specifically Chinese-friendly hotels in hitherto untapped markets (most of Europe), a portfolio of interests in several African countries, and her own shipping line, a wharf in the port of Dalian included. Radiance was bumptious, exuberant in her appetites, driven, tactless and generous: but simple she was not.

‘That’s so pretty, would you like to see?’

A smiling sales consultant was already unlocking the case before him, and lifting out a black ceramic watch with a diamond bevel. Sean took it from her.

‘Is it waterproof?’ He imagined it dripping on Martine’s wrist when she wore a black bikini. He knew she wanted to be invited onto Kingsmith’s beloved yacht Brisingamen , the nearest place he had to a home. He would ask him about it over lunch. As if by telepathy, his phone trembled in his pocket and he grabbed it at once – Joe never let it ring more than three times before hanging up.

The name Rupert Parch flashed on the screen. Sean knew him vaguely, he was not quite sure how, but apparently he had given him his number.

‘Rupert.’

‘Is that the famous polar explorer?’ said an enthusiastic voice. ‘I said I’d get you. I’m testing this amazeballs app from the MoD, locates your contacts. Asymmetric intel, heard it here first. Probably not though, you’re well clued up. DQM, though.’ Which in Parch-speak meant: don’t quote me. ‘That’s a nice watch, by the way, you should get it.’

Sean spun round. Parch’s voice was in his ear, and also coming up behind him in person, a big smile on his beaming face, his hand out-thrust. Sean took it and Parch pumped enthusiastically.

‘You – are – the coming man! Massive congrats!’ He looked around conspiratorially. ‘Ah, but maybe you’re still keeping the schtum-powder on it? Shouldn’t bother, everyone’s talking about you. Sean Cawson has never been so sexy. True dat.’

Somewhere in his early forties, Parch still looked like a naughty schoolboy, with bright colourless eyes that sparkled, pale brown hair he wore to one side, a slim frame and a rapid, confident delivery. Sean was never quite sure what Parch actually did; he seemed to move around a lot, like some kind of cleaning fish, his exuberance commensurate with the status of his current host. Large, by his manner.

‘Have you just traced me, illegally?’

‘Illegally? As if! I just happened to be in the area. Although sadly not dropping sixty grand on man-candy like the plutocrat I’ll never be, hashtag sighs. No, definitely not illegally. But you have correctly sussed that Parch has gone up in the world. And my master is terribly impressed with your latest news.’

‘What news?’

‘Don’t freeze me out.’ Parch looked even more innocent. ‘Anyway, he desires me fetch you to him for a spot of luncheon, were you available at such short notice.’

‘And your master is?’

‘Philip Stowe. I’m his new private secretary. Proud to say I’ve already outlasted my predecessor. Very talented man.’

Sean had heard many other things too. Stowe had seized the post of Defence Secretary after a vicious and decimating Westminster rumble of his own creation. Sean waited for his payment to be processed. Stowe had sent for him? He felt Parch’s eyes on his back and smelled his soapy cologne.

‘Might you be free? Offers like this don’t tend to repeat. Unlike my master, but I shall never mention that. By the way, there’s a car waiting outside, on a double yellow. Only if you had no other plans. I’ll run along if you do.’

Sean’s phone buzzed again, this time Kingsmith. He had never before dropped his call. But the money was banked, the deal done, and Midgard Lodge was his. The buzzing stopped, and Parch turned from the display case over which he’d busied himself.

‘Nothing vital?’

‘I’m free.’

‘Good man! Hope Indian’s OK? One of those pop-ups, all the rage. And if you don’t mind my saying, you look like you could kill a Cobra.’

Inouarfigssouak, Grand Massacre Bay

Grand Massacre? Kratoutsiak explained it in a few words. The story, though old, is worth telling. It remains in all memories.

Two boys were fighting on the shore of an island – the island where we were. A little brutally perhaps, like most children. One of them fell over. He shouted. The other, to keep him quiet, pummelled him with feet and fist. By chance, the grandfather of the fallen boy saw him. He ran up and joined them as he ought. There was a battle. Full of anger he hit so hard that one of the boys fell dead upon the rock. The other grandfather was furious and intervened. So did fathers, shrieking mothers, mothers-in-law, uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces. The whole camp was fighting. Injuries, invectives, horrors. All were in a state of unspeakable fury. They threw stones and bones at one another’s heads. Someone pursued a woman with a bloodstained harpoon. They destroyed themselves. Of the whole village only one person was left.