“Yeah, sure,” Fin replied, much to my frustration.
I heard Fin open a cupboard door, followed by the chink of crockery as he obviously reached for a cup. I heard paper packaging being opened, the swooshing of granules being poured, and to my annoyance, stiletto heels clip-clopping on the stone floor as Roberta stepped further into the room. My back began to ache and careful not to make any noise, I brought my knees higher up to my chest, hoping that might stretch my spine out a little. Feeling increasingly uncomfortable, I willed Fin to tell her to take her sugar and bugger off home.
“A teabag and some hot water to go with a spoonful of that would be nice,” Roberta said.
Surprised to hear the tap running, I turned my head their way.Please tell me you’re not filling the kettle.Forced to ask what Fin thought he was doing, I was ready for bursting out of my hiding place.
“Just so you know,” Roberta said.
Here we go,I thought, to the sound of her stilettos edging closer still.She’s going in for the kill.
“My offer still stands.”
I knew it.
“Offer?” Fin replied.
“To show you around some of the sights. Now Holly’s away I thought we could…”
She let her sentence trail off, but the inference was there and interested to know how Fin might respond, I resisted the urge to burst out of the cupboard and tell her where to go. Instead, I waited for him to speak, at the same time thinking about my new mattress, praying to God I wouldn’t have to buy yet another one.
“Well there’s no point sitting around here on your own. Not when you could be having fun with me.”
I pictured Roberta’s accompanying smile, wanting nothing more than to wipe it clean off.
“I’ll bear that in mind,” Fin said, demonstrating absolutely no interest whatsoever.
Sitting there in my cubbyhole, I felt like cheering.
“So what brings you to the Dales?” she asked, clearly refusing to get the message. “A new work project by any chance?”
“Oh, you know,” Fin replied, to the sound of cups chinking.
I shook my head, unable to believe he was really going to sit down for a cup of tea and a chat, all the while knowing I was stuck in a cupboard.
“I get it,” Roberta said. “You can’t talk about it. It’s all hush hush.”
“Not as far as I’m concerned,” Fin replied, his confidence on the matter apparent.
“Really?” Roberta said, coming over all excited.
Really?I thought. Just like my neighbour, I was keen to hear more.
“In that case, please do tell.”
Yes, please do.
I listened to the sound of hot water pouring, shortly followed by what I assumed was a spoon tinkling against the inside of the teapot as Fin stirred. The fridge door opened. “Milk?” Fin asked. The man was obviously playing with one or both of us.
“Just a splash,” she said. She seemed to pause before speaking again. “You were saying…”
Fin got back to the subject at hand. “Well the thing is…”
“Yes?”
“I’m mean, I’m not sure I shouldreallybe telling you anything. AlthoughIdon’t mind sharing, of course...”
“Of course.” Like me, the woman clearly hung on Fin’s every word.
