And Then Came Paulette by Barbara Constantine, Justin Phipps Read Free Book Online Page A

He was pleased. He’d managed to say everything and seemed to have been convincing. It hadn’t been so difficult after all. Well, he’d see what she decided the next day.
    She remained motionless a long while, with her raincoat still over her shoulders, the cat in her arms and the dog at her feet. It was as though her brain had short-circuited.
    “But . . . well all right, good night then.”

16
Tea for Breakfast
    “Two teaspoons? OK. And once I’ve poured out the boiling water, how long do I leave it for? What do you mean, it depends? Five minutes for a reasonably strong brew? All right, all right. Thanks for the advice. And Gaby, has she got over her flu? . . . Oh shit . . . But . . . I didn’t know. Mireille didn’t say anything. Would you like me to have a word with her about it? All right. You poor thing. Tell me, if you need anything, be sure to give me a call, OK? Do you hear, Guy? Call me. Even if it’s in the middle of the night. That’s what friends are for. Give her a big kiss from me. I’ll drop in and see you soon. You’d prefer tomorrow? OK, Guy. See you tomorrow, friend.”
    Ferdinand looked at the clock. It was seven and not yet light. He rummaged through the dresser and eventually found what he was looking for: a large teapot and a cup with matching saucer. Henriette had won them in a lottery. Or perhaps in a shooting competition. She tried them all. She must have been after the big prize again: the pressure cooker. But she’d won the tea set instead. It had never been used: she didn’t like tea. She had her coffee with chicory. He rinsed the cupunder the tap, wiped it, put it on the table by the gold metal tea caddy. It was all right, didn’t look too bad at all.
    The kettle started to whistle.
    He poured the water gradually into the coffee filter. He thought back to the conversation and Gaby’s news. So sudden. Christ almighty, it made you feel sick. And Guy would be left on his own. Would he be able to bear it? They had been inseparable. And now, wham . . . Try as he might Ferdinand couldn’t think of any other couples that much in love. He was moved by the thought. Not that he was jealous. He wouldn’t have been able to stand being tied down like that. He was just touched that it could happen.
    His train of thought was disturbed by a stampede on the stairs. Berthe came in and rubbed herself against his legs, tail wagging and tongue hanging out, followed closely by little Chamalo. Ferdinand picked him up in one hand and held him close, and with the other patted the dog’s head. They seemed to be getting along. So far so good.
    He put the teapot down in front of Marceline, and helped himself to a cup of coffee. They drank together in silence. Finally he asked how her night had been. Very good, thank you. And the old tomcat was better? He’d been sleeping since yesterday, but hadn’t eaten a thing. Recuperating, as you’d expect. As long as that was it. Had she begun to think about . . . ? A bit. He paused for a while. She was in no rush to let him know. He told himself he must let her choose her moment, so he asked another question. She knew Gabrielle, didn’t she? Who? Guy’s wife. A couple of old farmers like himself. Gaby, yes, of course, they were friends, they always went to the library together, but it had been a fortnight since . . . Well, she wouldn’t be able to go there anymore. Why was that? She’s on her way out. She wasn’t sure what he meant. She’s got a one-way ticket. Did that mean . . . ? Yes, she hasn’t got long. Oh.
    “I’m going to see her tomorrow. Would you . . . ?”
    “Yes, please.”
    “She’d like that.”

17
Marceline Doesn’t Understand
    After breakfast, Marceline put on her boots and raincoat and set off with the dog. They were both in a hurry to get home. They could hear Cornelius braying in the distance. As they arrived at the small track leading to the farmyard, he trotted up to them. As usual he had managed