Squirrel & Swan Curious Things by M. D. Archer

Author:M. D. Archer [M. D. ARCHER]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: SWARM Publishing
Published: 2022-07-02T00:00:00+00:00

12

As Tim and Sophie set out bread, avocado, hummus, ham slices, cheese, tomatoes and a range of condiments, Paige showed Marigold around the bach, as well as a few of her favourite cat-fail videos. Paige wasn’t quite an animal lover, per se, but she didn’t mind cats and she certainly enjoyed watching them slipping on counters, intimidating much larger animals, and generally causing havoc.

“What do you do? For a living, I mean?” Marigold asked as they joined Tim and Sophie who were setting plates and cutlery on the large outdoor table.

“Tim’s an engineer, and Soph and I have literally just finished PhDs.”

“Oh, wow. What subject?”

“Psychology.”

“Right,” Marigold nodded, “I remember you saying so. On the first night.”

“What about you?” Tim asked.

“I’m about to start a graduate programme soon. In film. Directing.”

“That’s pretty cool.”

Marigold smiled, seeming pleased. “Yeah. I’ve always wanted to make movies.”

“Who’s your favourite director?”

“Greta Gerwig.”

Suddenly, from the street beyond, came a loud squeal of tires. After a couple of angry horn blasts, a man’s voice could be heard. “Get out of here. Go on, bugger off.”

They all hurried to the edge of the deck and looked toward the source of the noise. A sixty-something-year-old stood near the bushes at the edge of the property line waving his fist at a disappearing car. When he turned, he noticed the foursome.

“Hi,” Tim said, stepping forward. “What’s going on?”

“Boy racers,” the man growled. “They could have hurt someone.”

“Are you a local?” Paige asked moving closer. He looked like the kind of guy who knew how to survive in the wilderness for a week. Building fires and fishing with his bare hands. But maybe that was just his khaki cargo shorts.

He turned and pointed to a medium-sized bach one over from where Anita, Paul and Marigold were staying. Outside sat a white combi van. “Been here thirty years.”

“We’re staying at this place.” Tim thumbed behind him, even though this was quite obvious. “I’m Tim,” he added.

The man nodded. “Ambrose.”

“Ambrose?” Paige repeated.

He frowned. “Yes.”

“I’m Sophie,” Sophie interjected. “That’s Paige and Marigold.”

“Hey, have you seen anyone lurking around?” Paige said.

Ambrose scratched his head. “We got a couple of groups of teenagers here this weekend. Troublemakers.”

“Making trouble in what way?” Paige asked. “Looking through windows? Do they break into places?”

His eyes widened. “Like a peeping Tom?”

“No, no. I mean…” Paige thought about it. It’s possible they were looking for a peeping Tom.

“I’ll keep watch. Tonight.” He nodded firmly. “If there’s some joker being a pervert, I’ll catch him.”

“Okay.”

“I’ve got a couple of mates on the force. I can rustle up some action if necessary.”

Paige nodded a little unenthusiastically. Of course if there was actual criminal activity a police presence would be welcome, but otherwise, this guy was kind of stealing her thunder.

“Right then,” Ambrose said. “I’m off to set some possum traps. They’re everywhere.”

“See you.” Tim turned to the others. “Let’s eat.”

“This looks great,” Marigold said as they took seats on the deck. “Anita doesn’t allow bread in her presence and I’ve missed it so much.”

“So you’re working for Anita until you start school?” Sophie said.

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