Sleight of Hand Read Online Free PDF Page B

need to vomit, and have to swallow actual bile rising in my throat.
    Jenny nods. “I’m sorry,” she says, touching my arm very lightly, and then starting towards Tom.
    I remain immobile and nod slowly as I think, “
Wow, what now?”
    After two steps though, Jenny hesitates and looks back. “Did you come for this?” she asks me quietly.
    â€œI’m sorry?”
    â€œDid you come all the way for this? For the funeral. Or were you already here?”
    I shrug. “No, I … I really just came to see you.”
    She nods robotically. “I see,” she says.
    â€œAnyway, bye,” I say, nodding towards Tom. “You should go.”
    â€œCome to the house,” she says.
    â€œThe house?”
    â€œYes. Tom can’t stay long anyway. So come to the house afterwards. Have something to eat. Say hello to Sarah.
Then
go.”
    A chink in destiny. Sometimes that’s all you need. I blink back tears. “Are you sure?”
    She pulls a face. “Honestly? No. But come anyway.”
    As they vanish into the church, I head for a sunny bench on the far side of the grounds.
In memory of Fred Rawlins who was loved by one and all
.
    I’m feeling a bit shaky, and am grateful to Fred for his sunny bench. I check my phone, newly resuscitated by an O2 sim card. There’s a text from Ricardo in response to mine. “
OK NEW NUMBER TELL ME WHEN TO CALL,”
it says.
    I answer, “Now?” and it rings almost immediately.
    â€œChupa Chups!” he shouts, hurting my ear.
    â€œHello. God it’s good to hear your voice.”
    â€œAnd yours. Where are you?”
    â€œIn Camberley. Outside the church.”
    â€œThe church?”
    â€œJenny and Tom and the others are inside. They’re having the service for Jenny’s mum. Right now.”
    â€œI can call back later.”
    â€œNo, it’s fine. It was a bit difficult, with Jenny and Tom. So I stayed outside.”
    â€œDifficult?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œWhy?
What do you mean,
why?”
    â€œOK. Sorry. Stupid … Are you OK?”
    â€œYes. I miss you.”
    â€œBut you’re not sad you go to England?”
    â€œNo. I don’t know yet really. I only saw Jenny for a few seconds. We’ll see how it goes afterwards.”
    â€œAnd London? Did you have fun?”
    â€œI told you, I missed you so much, I couldn’t enjoy it much.”
    â€œBut you must. I miss you too, but you have to enjoy your trip.”
    â€œAre
you
OK?”
    â€œYes. I’m good.”
    â€œYou still in Bogotá?”
    â€œYes. Tomorrow I’ll go back.”
    â€œHow are you feeling?”
    â€œFine.”
    â€œBut you must be feeling sad?”
    â€œIt feels strange. That she’s gone.”
    â€œI’m sure.”
    â€œBut we knew, didn’t we? She was old. And ill. It’s kind of relief too.”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œMaybe I shouldn’t think this, or say it … How is Jenny?”
    â€œShe didn’t look brilliant. She’s lost loads of weight.”
    â€œWell, that’s maybe a good thing.”
    â€œShe’s looking a bit skinny actually. And tired. She’s smoking again.”
    â€œWell, you can look after her a bit now.”
    â€œI’m not sure she wants me to.”
    â€œNo, of course. Well, be extra nice to Sarah.”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œIt will help.”
    â€œHelp?”
    â€œIt’s psychology, Chupy. If you’re nice to her kid, it will make things easier. It’s the way women work.”
    â€œSure. Well, I
was
going to kick her and spit on her, but now you mention it, I think I’ll buy her an ice cream instead.”
    â€œIt’s probably better. Is it ice-cream weather over there?”
    â€œYes. It’s lovely actually. I’m sitting on a bench in the church garden in the sun.”
    â€œIt’s raining