The White Wolf's Son by Michael Moorcock Read Free Book Online Page A

was growing impatient, wanting Mum and Dad, Alf and Gertie, to come
     home in the expectation that our visitor would confide more in them. I might not be allowed to stay in the sitting room, but
     Tower House’s accoustics were so good that I’d be bound to hear the important bits of whatever was said, even if I kept out
     of sight on the landing which led to my room.
    But Monsieur Zodiac said little more to my parents when they came in. They seemed to know who he was and were very welcoming.
     Dad, who was almost as thin and wiry as our guest, picked me up and hugged me as if I’d been rescued from actual danger, and
     Mum told me I could stay up for supper at the Hill Inn. I felt slightly guilty for having invited everyone. At that point
     Mum didn’t actually know I’d done it. I knew she had planned on cooking haddock. She seemed genuinely grateful, however, for
     Monsieur Zodiac’s presence and was pleased to know that his friends would be coming with us for the meal. I was rather proud
     of her. She was dignified and gracious, like a queen.
    Messrs. Lobkowitz and Fromental came up from the Bridge after a while and waited with us for St. Odhran and Colonel Bastable.
     They hadn’t seen the two strangers there. Mum and Dad put out snacks and got drinks for all who wanted them. I helped Mum
     in the kitchen while my brother, Alfy, and my sister, Gertie, tried to persuade Monsieur Zodiac to open his case and show
     them his guitar. With good humor, he refused, saying he had no amplifier and refusing the offer of Alfy’s. “I fear my instrument
     would be a little too powerful, Mr. Bek.”
    “Alfred,” said Mum, looking up from our big Raeburn stove, “come in and help me with the nuts. Gertie and Dad can look after
     our guests.” Alfy came in reluctantly, his big blond head bowed in disappointment, his red cheeks ruddier than usual. I think
     Mum had made him feel a bit of an idiot. When I tried to be friendly he snatched away and started pouring out nuts, but I
     knew he wouldn’t stay in a bad mood for long. We heard the TV go on again. Both Mr. Zodiac and Dad seemed to be taking a keen
     interest in the news.
    “He reminds me of the Winter brothers,” said Mum. “Do you know who they are?”
    “Some old pop stars of yours and Dad’s?” I asked.
    “I used to love them when I was in college.” She pushed back her mop of brown, curly hair.
    “Bloody awful R and B.” Alf was being mean.
    “Don’t say ‘bloody,’ Alfy,” she remonstrated mildly. “Have you finished doing those nuts.”
    “I love blues,” I said. “Were they like Howling Wolf?”
    “A bit.” She grinned at me and winked. We both knew Alfy would regret his snit, as he did within five minutes, when Gert came
     in. She was as tall as Mum and skinny. I thought she was the most beautiful girl I’d ever known, much better looking than
     any of the pop stars or actresses I’d seen. She had Mum’s curly hair, but it was red, and she had big hazel eyes, full lips,
     and a fair skin, like Alf’s. She said there had been a series of earthquakes in the Middle East and another one on the American
     West Coast. “The worse for some time. I think that’s what Mr. Z wanted to hear about. He thought we might even feel a few
     shock waves here. Remember the last time?”
    I took some fizzy water in for Monsieur Zodiac. The others were having wine and whisky.
    Monsieur Zodiac and my dad were talking about the news. “Would that be why you and your friends have come here?” Dad was asking.
    “Well, sir, it has something to do with our expedition, I’ll grant you.”
    “And what of those others at the Bridge? Assuming they are still at the Bridge.”
    “A wicked pair, sir. They mean your family no good. But with luck we’ll see them off in a few days. We await only the arrival
     of the count and countess. We spoke tothem on the telephone, and they are taking the early train home in the morning. They hoped you could pick them up at