At the back of her mind though, she acknowledged the fact that she had a weakness of wanting to meet famous people.
Laura returned his gaze bravely, with a seriously forced smile forming at the corners of her mouth. She felt sure that her companion would soon see right through her, though.
***
At the apartment in London, which he was sharing with a young man on a similar mission as himself, Blake appeared to be deep in thought and Rene was wondering whether it was on account of Laura. It was a beautiful day and he had been out almost all day.
It was now nearly six o' clock in the evening and as Rene stood in the opposite building with a set of binoculars, he felt certain that Blake would go out yet again this evening. Rene felt sure that tonight he was going to find out what Blake's job really entailed.
This was the only reason why he had returned to London.
Rene appreciated the fact that the young man was sincere in his efforts to prove himself; a man worthy of his family's respect. However, could Blake be sure about the fact that he was not exposed to danger?
Rene got the feeling that Blake might actually not be so safe. Well then, he could not be allowed to walk into it with his eyes wide open, Rene thought to himself.
He had soon discovered that; the man on whom Blake was apparently spying, was an associate of Carminda's. She was the elitist clairvoyant, who operated from her home in Sandton, South Africa.
Rene often met her at parties thrown by a certain clique of famous entertainers and broadcasters. They all embraced healthy living lifestyles. Carminda was a really beautiful lady, but Rene could not imagine how anything she said could be credible. He seldom gave her chosen form of career a second thought.
He did not know Carminda's ex-boyfriend in London personally, though. The man was a drummer for a rock & roll group called "Wired Up".
It was Rene's opinion that Blake was associating himself with this drummer, who had an unsavory reputation. They could have met on Blake's first visit here and if Blake returned, it could be a sign that he was already hooked onto crazy living.
Why here? Rene wondered. Blake could have picked up bad habits back home in South Africa, if that was what he was after.
On the other hand, perhaps Blake was only on another one of his secret, private investigator missions.
If that was the case then Rene was beaten. He had really counted on Blake bailing out on such a dangerous choice of career. Rene was convinced that it had to be risky, one way or another.
Alyce Mills, the drummer, was unfathomable to most of the people in the entertainment scene around London.
His band was doing well and he himself was a good drummer. However, nobody knew for certain what his sexual persuasion was. His mode of dress and behavior left almost everyone puzzled.
He sometimes participated in fashion shows for drag queens. He commented that it was only for fun.
He wore his dark-brown hair in masses of professionally styled curls, which bounced around his shoulders.
He often wore a long, dangling earring in one earlobe.
Although Alyce had dated Carminda briefly, he was too seldom seen with female companions and this kept the public guessing.
What Rene did know about Alyce though, was that he did indeed love wild parties―as he was reputed to. It was this aspect of his behaviour that made Rene feel concerned about Laura's beloved husband.
Rene was not at ease with Blake's involvement with this man at all. He was also not sure about Alyce's friends. This aspect about Blake's involvement was still not clear to Rene, as he had not as yet seen Blake with any of Alyce's friends.
Rene eventually decided that he should calm down and attend to his own business affairs. Then perhaps, by doing so he could save himself and quite a few other people, endless hours of stress and frustration.
He would still keep an eye on Blake though, but with only a vague amount of interest.
Rene felt that it was time to check out his favourite restaurants and bakeries in London. He was here on his own this time.
***
Blake was back in London. He had spent hardly two weeks with Monique and his folks, when Carminda had informed him that there was an urgent matter for him to attend to again in England.
He had visited the house and the man Carminda had asked him to; her former boyfriend and band drummer, Alyce Mills.
The man had quite a reputation for high living. Blake could not understand how Carminda, with her cool and collected disposition, could ever have found common ground with him. How could she have had a relationship with such a fickle person as Mr. Mills appeared to be?
Blake was flabbergasted. They were complete opposites.
According to gossip; the man had almost never given his parents any memorable moments, or periods of peace.
They may have had plenty of opportunities to be proud of his talents in England though, because when he worked he really knew how to deliver a high standard of drumming. He strove to give of his utmost best.
No one knew where Alyce's surges of inspiration came from. His eyes were rather uncommunicative to say the least. Even on television interviews (which attempted to probe his private thoughts), his facial expression remained fixed and showed that he was unperturbed by any question posed.
Blake decided to attend the rock party thrown by Alyce Mills and the friends which Alyce had in common with Rene. Blake would go as a personal friend of Shanet Clarke, who was a former school friend of Carminda's.