Strange Tricks by Syd Moore

Author:Syd Moore [CSI]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781786075499
Publisher: Oneworld Publications
Published: 2021-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

‘Snow!’ I said.

The tops of the Surrey hills were white and there was a thin smattering on the ground outside the dining room. ‘Since when do you get fog followed by snow?’

Michael followed my gaze out the window. ‘The climate is spinning out of control. I told you.’

Great. More joy. Thanks, Michael.

I sat down at the breakfast table knocking over the salt and pepper as I plopped my bag down. ‘Where’s Sam?’

‘Sleeping,’ said his dad. ‘Do you mind taking your bag off the table?’

I shrugged. Weirdo. But put it on the floor next to my boots.

Fortunately my sleep had been good and nourishing. I hadn’t expected to slumber so easily but I was out like a light as soon as my head touched the pillow. The sadness that had sunk into my heart last night had contracted to a more manageable size. And I knew what to do with it. I always did. I packaged it up in a plastic container and pushed it to the back of my head to be taken out and gone through when I was in a position to contemplate and reflect. That is how I did things and it had worked for me thus far. Of course there were loads of boxes in that dark place that I’d forgotten about, gathering dust and possibly bursting at the seams, or their Tupperware seals, ready to leap upon me when I least expected it. But that wasn’t my problem today. Today I was going to be focussed on Sam. And Michael. And support them. They were the ones who needed it.

I ordered coffee from the waitress. And a full English – no black pudding, but extra mushrooms please. Girl’s got to keep her strength up and compassion can be quite exhausting.

Michael watched me break the egg yolk and licked his lips. ‘It’s been a while since I had a breakfast like that,’ he said.

‘Well, you can have one now.’ I told him. ‘It’s included in the price.’

‘Oh no,’ he said and patted his stomach. ‘Cholesterol.’

Good job a litre of whiskey is no problem in that regard, I thought but didn’t say.

Amazingly Michael didn’t look like he was particularly hanging. Which was, as his compatriots were fond of saying, totally awesome considering the state he was in last night.

In fact, he was sitting there grinning. ‘Feel better for cutting out meat. You should think about it yourself, Rosie. You know, of course, that animal agriculture and eating meat are the biggest cause of global warming, yes?’

I chomped down on my Cumberland. ‘Er …’

‘Yep,’ he continued. ‘I know it’s not welcome news but it’s true. And the production of meat is responsible for a great deal of deforestation.’

‘Mmm,’ I said and wiped fat from my chin with a napkin. I am a lady, right?

‘Switch to a partial plant-based diet if you want to save the planet.’

I didn’t like this conversation though I knew it was true. It was making me feel guilty and hot and a bit depressed again.

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