Page 12 of The Winter We Met
Nik asked the others where they’d grown up. Pan was from Hertfordshire, Glenda from West London – Gran and Alf the East of the capital. Dinner arrived and Lynn asked if Nik and I were hungry but I explained about the bread and butter pudding we’d had. He asked her to bring over a few glasses. She didn’t seem surprised by his request. The food was easy to manage in the evenings, when residents became tired. Each plate had a small stack of sandwiches without the crusts, a mini pork pie, neat cubes of cheese and several plum tomatoes.
Nik glanced at the laminated menu, standing in the middle of the table. ‘Lasagne and garlic bread tomorrow lunchtime, followed by panna cotta.’ He looked up. ‘How disappointing! I was expecting Yorkshire pudding and steak and kidney pie, jam roly poly and spotted dick – all the classic English meals I’ve heard about over the years.’
‘A pub meal it is tonight, then, to remedy that, if we can manage any more food,’ I said. ‘My treat. We’ll head to The Silver Swan after here.
The pleasure on his face gave me an injection of happiness.
‘Nice to see a young meat-eater. Everyone’s bloody vegan these days,’ said Alf. ‘Fashionable nonsense. It’ll die out, you’ll see.’
‘Not if our planet dies first,’ said Glenda sharply.
‘I enjoy a good barbecue, I must say,’ said Nik. ‘Steak, sausages…’ He grinned. ‘Perhaps crocodile for those feeling adventurous.’
Alf looked quietly impressed.
‘But I mix it up with vegetable skewers and plant-based burgers. After all, we’d be living off nuts and berries as well, if we lived in the wild. You look like a man who’s brave enough to try anything, Alf. You should try a veggie burger next time you’re out.’
‘Rabbit food for a strapping lad like you?’ Alf cocked his head and looked suspiciously at Nik.
Lynn arrived with the glasses. Nik winked at everyone and delved into his rucksack. He pulled out a curved brown bottle with a shiny yellow label.
‘What’s Apera?’ I asked.
‘My favourite drink in the world. It used to be called Sherry. Producers back in Australia changed its name – it comes from the word Aperitif. I bought it as a present for you, Jess, but maybe it’s better to share it here?’
‘Absolutely!’ I said.
‘I’d have thought beers on the beach was more your style,’ said Alf.
I sent Nik an apologetic glance but he burst out laughing.
‘Sorry to disappoint, Alf, but I just love Apero’s buttery, caramel taste. Although believe me, I’ve been teased about it enough in Sydney, when all my mates are drinking beers. I always give my heritage as an excuse. Smoked reindeer and sherry soup is big in Finland and—’
Gran raised her eyebrows. ‘That animal is sacrosanct. No one should eat the symbol of Christmas.’
‘Alice, darling, don’t upset yourself, it’s no different to venison,’ said Pan. ‘I do so love a sherry. My parents used to let me have one with Sunday dinner, when I turned sixteen. I felt so grown-up and would drink out of the pretty crystal glasses pretending I was Grace Kelly inHigh Society.’
‘Fantastic actress, wasn’t she?’ said Nik. ‘I loved her inRear Window.’
‘Me too!’ Pan’s eyes sparkled. ‘I always knew I could never be as good an actress as someone like her.’
‘I’m not a drinker,’ said Glenda and cleared her throat, ‘but I have been suffering with indigestion lately and sherry is supposed to be good for that.’
‘Try sleeping on an extra pillow, as well,’ Nik said with a wink.
Glenda actually blushed.
‘I had a discreet word with Lynn,’ said Nik as he poured out the golden, velvety liquid. ‘A couple of glasses won’t meddle with anyone’s meds – although you can only have a small one, Alf.’
‘Better than nothing,’ he said. ‘I can’t remember the last time I drank alcohol.’
Nik raised his sherry. ‘Cheers! Great to meet you all.’
‘What brings you over to Blighty?’ said Alf, after a well-savoured sip. Tight wrinkles around his eyes had softened. In fact, all four pensioners looked somehow brightened by Nik’s presence. More relaxed. Engaged. Or was it the alcohol?
‘Work,’ he replied. ‘And a break from work – it’s complicated…’
I could have changed the conversation, but was curious too.
