Dinner at Mine by Chris Smyth

Author:Chris Smyth [Smyth, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Chick-Lit, cookie429, Kat, Extratorrents
ISBN: 9780857205056
Amazon: 0857205056
Goodreads: 13258142
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Published: 2012-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty

While they waited, Rosie considered what should be done with the tangled patch of grass in Justin’s front garden. It clearly hadn’t been mowed for ages, but even cut down it would be too patchy and full of weeds to make much of a lawn. Maybe a flower bed round the edge. But that would require someone to do some proper gardening.

That was the problem with these shared houses: no one took responsibility. Still, it was negligent of the landlord – or would it be the council? – to let things get into that state. Just look at the garden gate! Hanging uselessly off one hinge, barely covered in peeling paint.

Of course, she wasn’t judging in any way. Clearly, Justin and Barbara didn’t have much money and that wasn’t their fault. But all the same, a bit of effort would have made a big difference. Rosie was glad she didn’t live here. Gazing at the plastic bank of doorbells, she remembered how happy she was the day they moved out of the tatty, sub-divided Victorian terraced house in Finsbury Park into their own single-occupancy Edwardian villa not far from the centre of Crouch End.

‘Do you think you should press it again?’ Stephen asked.

‘Don’t be impatient.’

‘Maybe they didn’t hear it. They would be down by now if they had.’

‘I told you we were too early!’

‘What did you want us to do, wander round the housing estate for twenty minutes?’

‘Well, perhaps we should give them a bit longer. They did say seven thirty.’

‘It’s too late now. You’ve pressed the bell.’

‘Yes, but they haven’t answered.’

Rosie spotted a patch of mould on the wall of the porch as she considered the dilemma. They had been apprehensive about the two-bus journey out to the Tottenham–Stamford Hill borders. Stephen wanted to take a taxi, but they were going to get one home and it seemed indulgent to Rosie to get two in an evening, so she had felt vindicated when they arrived at the end of the road early. They had thought about going for a drink, but the pub on the corner had a tattered Sky Sports banner hanging outside so they decided not to.

‘Are you going to press the bell again, then?’ Stephen asked.

‘Let’s give it a bit longer.’

‘They can’t have heard it.’

‘Then maybe they’re busy.’

It was still light outside, but the warmth of spring had yet to arrive and there was a sharp chill in the pale air. Rosie pressed the bell.

It took another thirty seconds for Justin to answer.

Stephen remarked immediately on how flushed he was looking. ‘Slaving over a hot stove, are you?’

Justin smiled briefly, and led them upstairs. As they climbed, Rosie couldn’t help noticing the scuffs and scratches on the staircase.

The flat was permeated by a warm, vegetal fug.

‘That smells lovely,’ Rosie said.

‘Thank you.’

‘Oh we love vegetarian food, don’t we, Stephen? It makes such a nice change sometimes to have something that’s just light and fresh and healthy.’

Justin went to get some drinks as Rosie and Stephen sat down on the sofa.

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