The man behind the smoke

Lies and tell tales

"Atkin "
"Atkin " came the shrill voice of the house keeper .

Groaning loudly I heaved a sigh and threw the covers off myself , grabbed my bathrobe And strolled towards my bedroom door.
Walking  across the mahogany layered landing I quickly descended the stairs and walked  towards the kitchen where Miss Heather-way stood.

'Miss Heather-way, pry tell what would be all the shouting about this early in the morning ' . Huffing a sigh Miss Heather-way moved towards the kitchen island and picked up the morning paper , holding her hand out I squinted to read the morning headlines

DOES THE YOUNG ESMUND HAVE A WIFE

Pinching the bridge of my nose I threw the paper down onto the countertop and speed walked towards the telephone , grabbing the receiver I dialled Edmunds  number  and waited to hear the drunken fools familiar drawl . 

After three rings I posed the question " Miss Heather-way what is the precise time " .

Hearing  the bang of the grand father clock doors being shut I waited " it would be a quarter to 8 " quickly thanking her I quietly groaned and debated whether to go back to bed
or go and see what the hell my idiot of a brother had gotten himself into now.

                    ▪️🔹▫️🔸▪️🔹

Hauling a carriage I rode towards Es house relaxing against the freshly cleaned backrest , I focused solely on the clicks of the horses hove's as they weaved in and out of incoming traffic.

Arriving at the two storey house Es inherited from our father , I paid the carriage driver  two shillings for his troubles and ascended the steps leading up to Es front door .

Giving the door three hard knocks I stepped back and waited .
listening to the shuffling of feet inside the town house , I watched as the door opened a crack and Esmond stuck his head out . 
Grimacing at his dishevelled appearance I swung the door open wider ignoring his sounds of protest and stepped inside , shutting the door behind me .

Um hi , ...Atkin " . Es said uncertainly , his eyes shifting from left to right nervously, ignoring him I briskly walked towards the living room , willing the cold draft present in the house away and hoped I had breakfast waiting when I got home .

Sitting down in our fathers old chair I glanced a look out the window and scowled at the dark clouds banding together , a tale tell sign the heavens would open today.
Reaching  into my coat pocket i  withdrew a Cuban cigar , lighting the cancerous stick I took a generous inhale and turned towards my brother , " so Esmond would you care to share why your name is in the morning news again , in-fact you were the leading headline " .

Instead of answering me , he took it upon himself to walk over and pluck the cigar right from my hand and stub it out in the ashtray , scoffing with dismay i folded my legs and settled back waiting for the wild proportion of excuses Esmond would come up with this time .

Licking his lips Es paced the floor in front of the Ivory coffee table , nervousness seeping from his pores , having grown bored of  pacing he took up residence against the old fire place "Atkin I can explain " he started and with a tip of my hat he continued . " You see .... Um .. What the papers say is somewhat true" .

Leaning forward I grabbed the cigar Esmond withdrew from me , placing the tip against my lips i re-lit the end and took a very deep , very long inhalation " which part did those vulturous reporters get acute Esmond " .