Serpent's Secrets

The Hangover - Chapter 4

I shifted in my sleep, the bedcovers tangled, my head; a nightmare ridden hell. It also began to ache excrutiatingly. I woke, finding myself at home, alarm going and all! Alarm. Wake. Morning. Work. Wwwooorrrk. Work, work, Berto, Talio. Talio! The previous night's antics came back to me. Then the fact work started in five minuites followed. I jumped out of bed, the headache ringing as I did. I hurried for my clothes. The reciver buzzed. I pressed the button, "What? I need to go soon," I demanded, trying to find a clean top, "Hey?" said Talio, "I thought you might have a rough morning, after last night, I mean." I slipped on my 'Keep calm and eat ice-cream' T-shirt, rushing to the door. As it creaked open I stammered, "I am sooooooooo s-sorry, I got up l-late," "I see." he laughed nodding downwards, I followed his eyes. Drat. I was still wearing my pijama bottoms and tiger-feet slippers. "Oops," "Let me get you some breakfast while you dress yourself." He glided past me and into the kitchen section of my (mostly) open plan flat and made himself at home. "Come in, make yourself at home!" I said to the empty hall.

I shoved my hair into some sort of bun arrangment, walking into the kitchen section. I saw a full fruit selection, muesli and bran flakes on the bar. Most of a full english and tea for two was set out on the dining table. Talio was frying some eggs, his jacket strewn over a chair. "Oh, this is lovely Talio, but;I really won't have time." "The plasterers are going to be in all morning. Then tommorow the painters are in, then the next day we're having the lino fitted and the tables and chairs delivered. We don't have to go in untill twelve." "That was all set up rather fast," I smiled, "Thank you for this, really." "It's fine, but your thanks was most appreciated," he grinned. He served the eggs and sat down in front of me. I ate well that morning, all of the english, some fruit and cereal aswell. Patrick would never have put on this, especially after a drink Talio seemed to not be fine, no hangover symptoms, nothing. "Are you..?" "It takes me alot of drinks to get, effected, by alchahol." "Lucky, you!" I groaned, rubbing my forehead, he passed me some juice, "It'll help, have some." I shrugged, downing it and forcing a smile.

"Afternoon Berto!" we smiled, "Aah! Lillian, Talio!" he hugged us both, "The work has just begun! Help me choose the shades, I'm a little confused." he showed us a colour card, harsh reds to soft maroons. I left the boys to their toy and went through to the kitchen, I had to finish the peach and vanilla batch - beore I started the rasberry ripple tubs. I went through procedures. It was getting boring when Talio came in, "Need some help?" "Yeah, thanks." I sighed, "So what colours did you choose?" "Shelves covering the wall behind the till, and a warm red for the walls." he replied, rolling up his sleeves, then he picked up a peach, "After this, how do you make rasberry ripple?" "I'll tell you - if you let me buy you a meal after work, and come to your house before work tommorow." "We have a deal, my friend!" he grinned, as I split a vanilla pod. I flicked some cream at hip, he replied with a squease of peach. I flicked vanilla at him. "Are you trying to make one of your delicious ice-cream sundaes on my shirt?" I tossed a couple of ice-cubes and a cherry on top at him. He had a jug of cranberry juice, I ran through the kitchen, using a pot to stop the bright purple waves hitting my top. I backed around a bench, little did I know he was behind me. SPLASH! "You might want to change before that meal!" he laughed.