Before 24 Billion and Counting

Chapter 6 Part 1 Alicia tells the story, and London life

It was now approaching six o'clock. The size of the manuscript dictated at least a six hour concentrated read, and I needed to be alone for that. I hadn't made the appointment with Cranberry, whatever that was about, and I needed to hear as much as Alicia knew about the provenance of the three objects she had brought to light. 

I said, "At the risk of inflicting my company on you further today, one plan now, would be for you to come to dinner and tell me about how the manuscript came to you and anything else you know, and then I'd like to disappear for twenty four hours during which I'll read it, and go to a meeting some people want with me. Then perhaps we could meet the day after." 

"That would work - but can I choose where we eat." 

"But of course." 

"I want to change, and feed Lucy." 

"If you show me the makings I can feed her, and a brew of coffee would be a good idea too." 

I tipped the cat onto the floor and with ballerina grace she landed feet down with a chirrup, and we both followed Alicia into the kitchen. "Cat food, half a tin," she touched one of several in a cabinet " - there might be an opened one in the fridge," and then touching the items in turn, "coffee beans, grinder, saucepan, stove; pot and mugs still in the lounge. Lucy has a saucer of milk. Milk in the fridge. Can you manage?" 

"I suspect Lucy will put me right if I go wrong - you go do what a lady has to do." 

I found a half can of cat food amongst the clutter of half portions that, like in mine, inhabited the fridge of those who live on their own. I called out, "Does Lucy have her own dish?" but I suspected there were two closed doors separating us, for Alicia made no reply. Besides which Lucy had sprung up onto the counter and was rubbing her muzzle against a slightly chipped but once expensive gilt rimmed porcelain soup bowl on the drain stand, so there was no need to enquire further. 

The cat was settled with her meal and drink, I had followed her body language to find where she normally ate, and I then washed pots and brewed some fresh coffee. 

I took the tray into the lounge, poured out a mug for myself, and sat in an armchair looking at the model or whatever it was. I let my mind wander over the day's events. The sun was striking obliquely through the windows and the light was soft. Lucy lightly jumped beside me and gave me a fishy breathed nuzzle, and then went to sit expectantly at the door which I knew led to the study and, beyond, to rest of the flat. 

She was in time rewarded by the entrance of her companion in a dress similar to the earlier daydress in cut but in a more silky material, this time in a very dark blue with trimming in black. However, the cat made a yowl and ran for the kitchen with her ears flat down. Alicia called, "Sorry Lucy", and removed and switched off the bat scanner glasses. Lucy trotted back, and Alicia said to me, "That's a big snag with these, animals hate them. Lucy blew her top the first time. She went out for four hours and I worried She wasn't going to come back. But she knows now I turn them off while she's in the same room." 

I passed Alicia a coffee, saying, "I feel somewhat dowdy by comparison with you, I hope we're not going to some celebrity spot, otherwise I'll have to go back to my hotel and become one of the smarter set." 

"No - I never go to those. I go to where it's quiet and the food is good and where I know if the worst happens and I tip a plate over they will help me sort it out with no fuss. And that means an empathetic owner manager and not a chain, or a big media place." 

The sun disappeared behind a cloud, and I said, "Well we seem to be cooking up for a shower or longer period of rain, so you need something for that and we'd better either take a taxi or it'd better be a short walk."