Dubious Legacy by Mary Wesley

Author:Mary Wesley [Wesley, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4804-5062-2
Publisher: Open Road Media
Published: 2013-10-02T23:27:00+00:00

EIGHTEEN

MATTHEW AND JAMES MET in the kitchen. The door and windows were open to the yard; they heard Pilar’s voice and the clucking of hens.

James said, ‘D’you suppose we are to find our own breakfast?’ He sniffed doubtfully towards the stove. ‘Aha! Coffee,’ he said, relieved, ‘and hot milk.’ He lifted the coffee pot. ‘For you?’ he offered.

‘Black,’ said Matthew. ‘No sugar.’

‘Like that. I see,’ said James, ‘didn’t overdo it. I’m pretty perky. I wonder where our girls are? Still asleep, no doubt.’ He answered his own question. ‘The girls, I said, my Barbara and your Antonia.’

Matthew grunted and, picking up a cup, held it while James poured coffee.

Had it been imagination or had the girls behaved a bit oddly with Henry last night? There goes my fertile imagination, James told himself; I must not let it rip. Henry was host; they were obliged to play up to him. ‘Your hands are shaking,’ he said to Matthew.

Matthew said, ‘Belt up,’ and sat at the table holding his cup with both hands. ‘God, I needed that,’ he said. ‘Shouldn’t have had that night-cap.’

‘You should drink a glass of water and swallow two aspirin last thing after a party,’ advised James. ‘I do.’

Matthew made no reply.

‘Good morning. Lovely day.’ Pilar bustled in from the yard. ‘Fresh,’ she said, holding up a colander full of eggs. ‘Still warm from the hen. Who would like omelette or eggs and bacon, our own pig?’

Flinching, Matthew said, ‘No thanks.’

James said, ‘Super! Eggs and bacon, splendid.’ He sat at the table.

Matthew said, ‘Dry toast,’ adding, ‘please.’

Pilar pursed her lips and replenished Matthew’s cup, murmuring, ‘Aspirin,’ as she placed a tactful bottle to hand. ‘Take two now, two later,’ she said gently.

With his back to the light Matthew muttered, ‘Thanks.’

Pilar urged: ‘Go on, swallow.’

‘What I need is Fernet Branca,’ said Matthew, but catching Pilar’s eye popped the pills in his mouth.

Pilar said, ‘Well done,’ and set to work on James’s breakfast.

At the first hint of bacon fat Matthew took his cup and moved to the open door.

‘In a moment, dry toast,’ Pilar called after him.

Watching Pilar turn the bacon in the pan and break in eggs, James thought, Valerie taught me the aspirin trick. Full of handy tips, that girl. One would not want Barbara to be so experienced. One would wish to be the one to inform Barbara; a wife should learn from her husband. He cast his mind back, trying to remember how Valerie had got on with Henry.

Pilar said, ‘Lovely day for a swim or a ride.’ She flipped the bacon rashers over. ‘Or a long walk,’ she suggested, ‘if you cannot ride?’

‘Of course I can ride,’ said James huffily. This is like riding, Valerie had said, and the other way up, she had said, Ride me, ride me. Oh Lord, how would it be with Barbara? ‘Oh, thanks,’ he said as Pilar dished up the bacon and eggs. ‘Delicious.’

Matthew turned his back and accustomed his eyes to the sunlight.

‘Hullo, hullo, hullo.’ Antonia came rushing into the kitchen, followed by Barbara.

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