The Blue Lawn by William Taylor

Author:William Taylor [Taylor, William]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, General
ISBN: 9780613235709
Google: v0cOAAAACAAJ
Publisher: Turtleback Books
Published: 2014-12-05T13:00:00+00:00

7

‘What d’you see in him?’ asked his cousin, Julie. I don’t like him.’ She had come to help with the preparations for David’s birthday dinner. ‘Just something about him I wouldn’t trust. He’s up himself. It’s that look that says he thinks he’s smarter, better than the rest of us. All the girls reckon that. D’you know he’s not even asked any of us out?’

‘Ho ho ho,’ said David. ‘I don’t blame him. He’s used to real women, not little kids. He told me. You should hear what he’s done to some of them. What they’ve done to him, too. God . . .’ he breathed. ‘Yep. He told me all about it.’

‘Go on,’ said Julie, eagerly. ‘Go on. Tell me. Come on.’

‘No,’ said David. Can’t do that. He made me promise.’

‘Oh yeah? I don’t even think he’s good looking.’

‘I do,’ said David, simply.

‘You’re not supposed to,’ said Julie.

David knew he had reddened. ‘Yeah. Well. . . I mean. He’s okay, I guess.’

‘Only good thing about him is his car. I’d go with him just for that,’ said Julie, slicing banana into a bowl of fruit salad. ‘And his weird mother. God, she’s old. You seen her?’

‘It’s his granny and she’s coming for dinner, so watch it. I’d sure go with her just for her car,’ he said, and knew he’d unhooked himself. ‘They’re helluva rich. It’s hot-water bottles.’

‘Yes. I’d go with him, too, just for his money,’ said Julie. ‘Even though I don’t like him.’ She looked across at David. ‘What about you, Davy? You haven’t done much since Kathy left at the beginning of the year. The girls are only just all saying . . .’

‘You can all mind your own business,’ he laughed at her. ‘I lead a very active private life that I keep hidden right away from you and your mates and for good reasons, too.’

‘What? Round this dump?’ she laughed at him. ‘You! God, everyone knows about you and always has. You’re sort of so open it’s written all on your face. The girls all say you’re just like a nice little trusting puppy.’

That’s what you think, cousin. Yeah, yeah,’ he put on a sorrowful look.‘Story of my life, eh? Woof. Woof. I’m just a dog.’

Maureen Mason enjoyed showing her garden to Gretel Meyer. ‘It’s not often anyone who knows anything about anything wants to have a really good look,’ she said. ‘I can’t wait to see, Gretel, what it is you’re doing on the old Norman property. David’s told me so much.’

‘You come any time,’ said Gretel. ‘Even if I am not there. David may bring you. He knows the garden quite well and, I must say, is quite a help.’

‘He is. Of course, one day it will be his life.’ His mother smiled. ‘He does a lot here, too. The only boy in my living experience who really seems to enjoy mowing lawns. Do get him to help you.’

‘I do. I do. A very willing worker,’ said Gretel.

‘I’m glad. His father is determined he shouldn’t work at the shop this year.

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