September (1990) Read Online Free PDF Page B

it. Do you enjoy it?"
    Noel thought about this. "If I didn't enjoy it, I wouldn't be good at it."
    "That's absolutely true. I can't think of anything worse than having to do a job one hates."
    "Do you like cooking?"
    "Yes, I love it. Just as well, because it's just about the only thing I can do. I was dreadfully thick at school. I only got three O levels. My father made noises about me going to do a secretarial training, or a design course, but in the end he agreed it would be a total waste of time and money, and let me be a cook."
    "Did you do a training?"
    "Oh, yes. I can produce all sorts of exotic dishes."
    "Have you always worked on your own?"
    "No, I started with an agency. Then, we worked in pairs. But it's more fun on my own. I've built up quite a good little business. Not just directors' lunches, but private dinner parties, and wedding receptions, or just filling people's deep-freezes. I've got a little minivan. I cart everything about in that."
    "You do the cooking here?"
    "Most of it. Private dinner parties are a bit more complicated, because you have to work in other people's kitchens. And other people's kitchens are always a total enigma. I always take my own sharp knives."
    "Sounds bloodthirsty."
    She laughed. "For chopping vegetables, not for murdering the hostess. Your glass is empty. Would you like another drink?"
    Noel realized that it was, and said that he would, but before he could shift himself, Alexa was on her feet, spilling the little dog gently onto the floor. She took his glass from his hand and disappeared behind him. Comforting clinking sounds reached his ears. A splash of soda. It was all very peaceful. The evening breeze, stirring through the open window, moved the filmy net curtains. Outside, a car started up and drove away, but the children who played on their bicycles had apparently been called indoors and told to go to bed. The abortive dinner party had ceased to be of any importance, and Noel felt a little like a man who, trudging across a barren desert, had inadvertently stumbled upon a lush, palm-fringed oasis.
    The cold glass was slipped back into his hand. He said, "I always thought that this was one of the nicest streets in London."
    Alexa returned to her chair, curling up with her feet tucked beneath her.
    "Where do you live?"
    "Pembroke Gardens."
    "Oh, but that's lovely, too. Do you live alone?"
    He found himself taken off guard, but as well amused by her directness. She was probably remembering the Hathaways' party, and his dogged pursuit of the sensational Vanessa. He smiled. "Most of the time."
    His oblique reply went over the top of her head. "Have you got a flat there?"
    "Yes. A basement, so it doesn't get much sun. However, I don't spend much time there, so it doesn't really matter. And I usually manage to avoid London weekends."
    "Do you go home?"
    "No. But I have convenient friends."
    "What about brothers and sisters?"
    "Two sisters. One lives in London and one in Gloucestershire."
    "I expect you go and stay with her."
    "Not if I can help it" Enough. He had answered enough questions. It was time to turn the tables. "And you? Do you go home for weekends?"
    "No. I'm very often working. People tend to throw dinner parties on Saturday evenings, or Sunday lunches. Besides, it's hardly worth going to Scotland just for a weekend."
    Scotland.
    "You mean . . . you live in Scotland?"
    "No. I live here. But my family home is in Relkirkshire."
    I live here.
    "But I thought your father-" He stopped, because what he had thought had been pure conjecture. Was it possible that he had been barking up entirely the wrong tree? . . I'm sorry, but I got the impression . . ."
    "He works in Edinburgh. With Sanford Cubben. He's the head of their Scottish Office."
    Sanford Cubben, the vast International Trust Company. Noel made a few mental adjustments. "I see. How stupid of me. I imagined him in London."
    "Oh, you mean the New York bit. That's nothing. He flies all over the world. Tokyo, Hong Kong.