They_Came_to_Baghdad-Agatha_Christie

CHAPTER NINE
From Baghdad Airport to the Tio Hotel, Victorias ears had been attacked non-stop by noise -
horribly loud car horns, people shouting, whistles blowing - and the never-ending sound of Mrs Hamilton
Clipp talking.
As well as that, there was a thick, brown dust storm in progress. Palm trees, houses, humans were
all covered. Victoria was not impressed.
She arrived at the Tio Hotel feeling terrible.
An alley led from Rashid Street towards the Tigris River. At the entrance of the hotel, they were
greeted by a fat young man with a very big smile. This was Marcus Tio, the owner of the Tio Hotel.
His words of welcome were interrupted as he shouted orders to servants about their baggage. 'Here
you are once more, Mrs Clipp - but what has happened to your poor arm? - You fools, do not carry that
case like that! Idiots! - But, my dear, what a day to arrive! And you have brought a young lady with you. -
It is nice always to see a new young lady in Baghdad - but, my dear, you must have a drink at once.'
Sometime later, her head spinning from a large whisky which Marcus had insisted she drank,
Victoria found herself in a white room containing a large bed, a dressing-table, a wardrobe and two
comfortable chairs.
The dust had changed Victoria's hair from black to red-brown and her face was sore. She pulled
aside the curtain and looked out onto a wide balcony above the river. But there was nothing to be seen of
the Tigris, only thick dust.
***
After a bath, lunch and a long sleep, Victoria stepped out on to the balcony and looked with
approval across the Tigris. The dust storm had passed and she could see palm trees and houses in the pale
light.
Voices came up from the garden below. Mrs Hamilton Clipp was talking with one of those suntanned
Englishwomen who can always be found in any foreign city.
'... and I really don't know what I'd have done without her,' Mrs Clipp was saying. 'She's the
sweetest girl you can imagine. And very well connected. A niece of the Bishop of Llangow.'
'Bishop of Llangow? Nonsense, there's no such person,' said the other woman.
Victoria frowned. She recognized the type of Englishwoman who is unlikely to be tricked by false
bishops.
'Perhaps I got the name wrong,' Mrs Clipp said doubtfully. 'But she certainly is a very charming and
capable girl.'
'Ha!' the voice said.
Victoria decided to avoid this lady and started to consider her situation. She was sure the Tio Hotel
was expensive - and Mrs Clipp would not be paying for her. Travelling expenses to Baghdad were what
Mrs Clipp had offered. The contract was completed. Mrs Hamilton Clipp would leave on the evening
train to Kirkuk - and that was the end of that.
What then must Victoria do? The answer came immediately. Find Edward, of course, and Edward
must find her a job.