The Mask of Destiny by Richard Newsome Read Free Book Online

disagreement over the menu?’
    Mrs Rutherford struggled out of Walter’s embrace and straightened her tunic. ‘Mr Walter,’ she said, her jaw clenched, ‘Why don’t you try what’s on offer and tell us what you think.’ She held out a tray of green-topped canapés, each piece an artful creation but, from where Gerald was standing, none of them resembled anything he’d want to eat.
    Walter cocked an eyebrow and looked over the selection. ‘I’m sure it’s all…mighty fine,’ he said.
    Miss Rousseau snatched the tray from Mrs Rutherford. ‘I’ll take that,’ she sniffed. ‘Please, try one of the yeux de mouton —they’re magnifiques .’
    Walter recoiled slightly then picked up a pasty case filled with a glistening white ball. He sniffed it. ‘Interesting, um, aroma,’ he said.
    â€˜You have a good nose, sir,’ Miss Rousseau said. Walter popped the morsel in his mouth. ‘So many people use tinned ingredients these days.’
    â€˜Oh really,’ Walter said, chewing away.
    â€˜I prefer fresh. Especially the sheep’s eyes.’
    â€˜Sheep’s eyes!’ Walter gagged and spat into his hand.
    Gerald couldn’t help noticing the look of pleasure on Mrs Rutherford’s face.
    Walter rushed to the sink and poured himself a glass of water. ‘Very interesting, uh, texture, Miss Rousseau,’ he said between gulps. ‘Very modern, I’m sure.’
    â€˜So it’s settled,’ Mrs Rutherford said. ‘I will be directing affairs in the kitchen tonight.’ She pulled an apron from a cupboard and tied it behind her back.
    â€˜Oh,’ said Gerald’s mother, her face shining red inside her costume.
    â€˜Impossible!’ Miss Rousseau declared.
    â€˜Now wait, wait,’ Walter said, trying to restore calm.
    â€˜Let’s just—’ Then he saw Gerald.
    â€˜Gerry!’ Walter called out, crossing the kitchen, clearly relieved to be diverted from the tension behind him.
    â€˜ Gerry ?’ Ruby whispered.
    â€˜And these must be your buddies I’ve heard so much about,’ Walter said, switching on the southern charm. ‘The valiant Sam and the redoubtable Ruby, eh? Pleased to be making your acquaintance, I’m sure.’ Walter thrust a hand towards Sam. Sam offered up his own and it was swallowed in a double-fisted pump action that threatened to dislocate his shoulder.
    â€˜Uh, yeah,’ Sam said, wringing some blood back into his fingers. ‘Nice to meet you, too.’
    â€˜I hear you are brave and resourceful, Sam. A friend to be favoured and a foe to be feared. Am I right?’
    Sam’s cheeks reddened. ‘Oh, I don’t know about—’
    â€˜Nonsense! Don’t sell yourself short. False modesty is the white ant of the soul. I see in you a tremendous builder of palaces in the sky, Sam. Brave at heart—that’s what Sam means. Did you know that?’
    â€˜No, well I—’
    â€˜And you, Ruby. The celebrity magazines weren’t telling lies. You truly are a beauty for the ages. The new “it girl”, they’re saying. And one with a killer crush on our Gerry as well.’
    Ruby gagged as if someone had shoved a fresh sheep’s eye down her throat. ‘I really don’t think that’s—’
    â€˜And I know you offer so much more than just fashionable good looks. A house with a fancy coat of paint on the outside is nothing if it’s got termites in its timbers.’
    â€˜I’m sorry, but are you calling me—’
    â€˜My friends!’ Walter cut her off, ushering them into a group. He clamped a hand on Sam’s shoulder on one side and Gerald’s on the other. His voice dropped low. ‘My friends, you must all be brave. Brave of heart and brave of purpose. You will need to be for the challenge that lies ahead.’
    â€˜Challenge?’ Gerald said.