Decimation by Burke Richard T

Author:Burke, Richard T.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-03-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 42

Saturday 8th January 2033

A burst of raucous laughter erupted from the corner of the restaurant. Three suited men and their expensively dressed partners were sharing a table and by the sound of it, several bottles of wine. La Cordonnerie was one of the most expensive places to eat in Cambridge, but in spite of this, always had a long waiting list. However, when Rosalind Baxter’s personal assistant had called about a reservation, a table for two miraculously became available.

Jason sat across from his mother, studying her as her eyes ran down the menu. The journey had passed mostly in silence. Throughout the drive, she had remained engrossed in the screen of her mobile phone, but he could tell by her uneven breathing and the slight tremble in her fingers that she was still seething with anger. As they neared their destination, she had finally emerged from her fugue-like state and had asked him about his day. He had been deliberately vague, implying that he had not left the house.

The aroma of French cooking made his stomach rumble, overlaid though it was with the scent of his mother’s perfume. Rosalind dropped the folded menu on the tablecloth, and within seconds the waiter was standing beside them, pen and pad at the ready. Neither of them ordered a starter, Jason choosing the pan-fried duck and his mother a tuna salad.

Rosalind ran a finger down the wine list. “Ah, a Chateau Margaux, twenty twenty-five. Not a bad vintage. I’ll have a bottle of that, please. Do you want a drink?”

Jason shrugged. “Water’s fine, thanks.”

“I thought we should go out to celebrate,” she said. “I know I haven’t been home much recently, but we’ve made an exciting breakthrough. We might finally be on the path to a cure.”

“Good,” Jason replied. “Is that what happens in the basement?”

Rosalind frowned. “The work that goes on down there is top secret. I know that nurse meant well, but she should know better than to bring unauthorised people down there, even if you are my son.”

“Anyway,” she said, brightening, “Back to school on Monday. Any more thoughts about what you might want to do for a career?”

“Well, obviously something related to science with the subjects I’m studying, but I’m not really sure yet.”

The arrival of the waiter holding a bottle of wine interrupted the conversation. He presented the label to Rosalind. She nodded her approval, and he withdrew a corkscrew from a pocket in his jacket before removing the cork. He poured a small amount into Rosalind’s glass and waited while she took a sip.

“That’s fine,” she said, putting it down.

The man half-filled the glass with ruby-coloured liquid. He turned to Jason. “Would Monsieur care for some wine?” he asked.

“You’re sixteen now,” his mother replied on his behalf. “I think you’re old enough for a glass.”

Jason was not unaccustomed to the taste of alcohol, but on the few occasions he had tried it, he couldn’t really see what all the fuss was about. At his age, it was more a case of conforming with his peers, but he wasn’t about to go into that with his mother.

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