AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
Owen let himself into the house with the spare key Sally had given him, saying she wanted him to feel at home; to come and go as he wanted. It was quiet. No television booming from the sitting room.
‘Back so soon?’ Sally called from the kitchen.
Owen moved to the doorframe and leant against it.
‘It’s only me. I left George with his girlfriend at the Fig. Didn’t want to spoil their fun.’
‘Ain’t you a lovely young man?’ Sally folded away the tea towel she was holding and smiled at him. ‘So thoughtful of others. Do you want something to eat, lovie?’
He was about to say no when he realised he was hungry. ‘Um, yes, just something little.’
‘Ah, good…. an appetite at last. What would you like?’
‘I don’t know. Nothing big or fancy.’
‘How about a smoked salmon sandwich?’
‘I don’t know. I’ve never eaten smoked salmon.’
‘No?’ Sally tilted her head at him. ‘Then you haven’t lived, my lovely.’ She patted his face softly and headed for the giant American style fridge which dominated one side of the kitchen.
‘What about Mr Halcyon? Shall I check if he wants some?’
‘He’s out lovie.’ She pulled a packet of salmon slices and some butter from the fridge. Then leant across the table to the fruit bowl and selected a lemon. ‘Would you like a drink?’
‘Yes, please.’
Sally chuckled, an earthy, guttural sound. ‘That’s my boy. You do the honours then. The bottle is in the bottom cupboard.’ She waved a bread knife in the direction. ‘There’s some Lagavulin in there. I’ve been saving it for a special occasion.’
Wondering how tonight could be special, Owen peered into the cupboard and found a full bottle of sixteen-year-old single malt whisky.
‘This?’ He held it up doubtfully. This was the first time the bottle in question hadn’t been already opened, and this one looked expensive.
‘Yes. You’ll find the glasses in the cupboard above.’
Owen reached up for two cut crystal tumblers.
‘No, lovie. The Glencairns,’ Sally pointed to some plain curvaceously shaped tumblers.
‘Are these proper whisky glasses?’ Owen asked, holding one in each hand, regarding them with suspicion.
‘They are. They’re a new design this year, made specially for drinking whisky. Use the crystal tumbler if you want, but I prefer the Glencairn. You can swirl the whisky and sniff at it like it’s a fine wine. And you know, a good whisky deserves the same respect.’
The Glencairns glinted, reflecting the colours of the fairy lights as Owen placed them and the bottle of Lagavulin on the table.
‘Have you got any brothers or sisters, Owen?’ Sally asked, looking up from cutting thin slices of brown bread.
‘Do you want me to leave too?’
‘No!’ She turned full on to Owen. ‘Why did you think I did?’
‘Mr Halcyon asked yesterday if I had any other family. The way he asked, I thought I was getting in the way.’
‘No, sweetheart. Never. Chas just isn’t good at expressing himself.’
‘Sorry.’
