Page 5 of What's the time, Mr. Wolfe
I held out my hand to take the book back. “A silly dream,” I said.
Mr. Wolfe stepped back, taking the book with him. He flicked through the pages. “This isreallygood. You have a talent for architectural drawing, Ruby.”
I didn’t recall giving him my name the night before, but I doubted it would be hard to find. I was on the rental agreement. Something stirred inside me, a flutter in my stomach, and I wasn’t sure I liked it. I wasn’t used to being praised other than by my technical drawing lecturer, who also believed I had a talent.
“Is that what you want to do?” He finally closed the book and handed it back to me.
“I’d like to be an architect, eventually. That’s providing I don’t lose my jobs, or my landlord puts my rent up and I can’t afford to go to uni.”
I made an effort to smile slightly. I didn’t want him to think I was a total cow. Smiling wasn’t something I did often. Grandma used to remind me.
He laughed, and the sound startled me. It was a gravelly laugh, and one that hit me at my very core.
“Let’s hope that horrid landlord of yours remembers that. Now, shall we eat? I’m hungry,” he said, flashing his teeth.
He set about to empty the bag, putting delicious smelling tin foil dishes on the table. I grabbed a couple of plates and forks. When he has done, he indicated to a chair.
“What?” I asked, already sitting and opening lids.
“May I?”
His level of politeness startled me. It was a complete contrast to his looks. He had that alpha-arsehole vibe going on. I waved to the chair as I took a mouthful of food.
“This is gorgeous,” I said, remembering to at least cover my mouth as I spoke with it full of food.
“Japanese. One of my favourites.”
For a moment, while we continued to help ourselves, we were silent, and I could study him. He was a very attractive man, older than me, obviously, and… I couldn’t put my finger on what it was about him. Power. Money. Good looks. Maybe not that, but something else. Something predatory that had me intrigued, although the fluttering wasn’t masking the red flags waving beside them.
“This is odd, don’t you think?” I said.
“What is?”
“Us. Sitting here eating when we don’t know each other at all. In fact, if you intend to kill me, at least I’m thankful, I’ll go with a belly full of nice food. Just don’t piss off and leave my grandma on her own, yeah?”
He chuckled, a deep throaty sound. “I promise to call the authorities and take care of Grandma.”
“But not promise not to kill me?” I laughed, but then stopped abruptly. I didn’t know the man sitting in my house and for a moment, nerves for the better of me.
“I promise not to kill you. Is that better?” He laid his fork down and smiled at me.
“You must have a great dentist,” I blurted out.
He frowned. “A…?”
“Sorry, that was a dumb comment. You have great teeth,” I said, shrugging nonchalantly but knowing my cheeks were flaming with embarrassment.
He stared at me. “All the better to eat…” He tailed off, not finishing his sentence, and I swallowed hard.
I coughed, clearing my throat. “Well, that was lovely, but I think I need to… you know? Catch up with college and… whatever.”
He nodded and smiled but it didn’t quite meet his eyes. “Thank you for your company and joining me for dinner.”
I wanted to stay in the kitchen, but I also didn’t want to be rude. I rose and followed him to the front door. “I appreciated the meal. Thank you.”
He nodded once more, and I pulled open the front door. It was cold and drizzling out. A low-lying mist had formed. He slipped on his overcoat and flipped up the collar, tucking his chin inside.
“You’re welcome.”
