The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis

Author:Fiona Davis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2018-08-06T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

November 1974

Overnight, the scare Virginia had at the defunct school of art faded slightly. The sound was probably rats scurrying around. Not a person. As a matter of fact, she’d seen several large rats scrounging for food around the terminal’s garbage cans. In her head, she replayed the scene. Had those been footsteps? No, just scurrying. What about the bang on the door? Just an old paint can that had gotten knocked over by a rodent.

Virginia stumbled out of bed and into Finn’s brightly lit kitchen, where Ruby sat eating a bowl of cornflakes. Finn poured her coffee without saying a word, knowing that it took her ten minutes before she was fully cognizant. Xavier tossed the newspaper on the table, and they each took a section. “Are we ready for Turkey Day?”

That’s right. It was Thanksgiving. When Finn had suggested last weekend that they all go to a restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner, Virginia insisted on cooking instead. She wanted to give Ruby a traditional holiday, as a way to prove that they were still a family, even if they were missing her father. At the same time, drumming up a feast was a perfect way to thank Finn and Xavier for letting them crash at the Carlyle.

Xavier continued. “I bought everything we need, but I’m not lifting a finger to cook. You do not want me in the kitchen.”

“True.” Finn patted him on the arm. “Last time he tried to cook a steak, it ended up so raw I swear it moved.”

“That’s truly disgusting.” Ruby turned to Virginia. “I want marshmallows on the sweet potatoes.”

“That is the plan.” Virginia almost chastised her for not saying “please” but held her tongue, not wanting to embarrass her.

“Is there anything we can do to help?” asked Finn.

“Not a thing. I’ve got this.”

After showering and fluffing her hair per Xavier’s detailed instructions, Virginia threw on an apron and got down to work: prepping the turkey and getting it in the oven, figuring out where the pots and pans were, and deciding which serving dishes were most festive. She could hear Finn, Xavier, and Ruby in the living room watching the Thanksgiving Day parade on the television, cheering when their favorite balloons drifted by.

After Xavier announced the Bloody Marys were ready, she joined them in the living room, setting a tray with some Ritz crackers and cheddar cheese on the coffee table.

Finn patted the cushion beside him. “Sit, Vee, and tell us about your new job.”

She tucked her bare feet underneath her and sipped the Bloody Mary. Strong but good. “It’s interesting, more so than I expected. But it’s pretty straightforward. I help out, make sure the supplies are filled, get coffee.”

“Where do you work in Grand Central?”

“I’m in the information booth.”

Xavier leaned forward. “The one with the clock on top of it? Right in the middle of that big space?”

“The concourse. Well, yes.”

“How on earth did you end up in there?” asked Finn.

She stifled the familiar drumbeat of defensiveness. “Long story. The people who work there are a quirky bunch, to say the least, but I don’t mind it.

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