Page 86 of River
When we stared blankly, Marvin got impatient. “Oi, come on, people. River just told yew dog means phone. Can’t yew hear it rhymes with bone?” He threw his hands up with laughter and looked to River. “Can yew Adam it?”
“Okay, so that’s another good one. Adam and Eve, what do you think that means?”
“Adam and Eve.” I rhymed words against eve and thought of what Marvin had just said. “Does it mean to believe?”
“Exactly.”
“But he didn’t say, Adam and Eve. He just said Adam,” I pointed out.
“I know, and that’s what makes it so hard for outsiders to understand because Londoners will omit the last word and only use the first. So, Adam becomes believe and dog becomes phone.”
“Wow.” I leaned back in my chair and looked to Fleur. “What do you think?”
She sat with a small smile on her lips. “I’m fascinated with the creativity of the people who came up with it, but it’s far too complicated for me to understand.”
“What are some more sayings?” Vicki asked.
“Let’s see, if you get into Barney, it means you’re in trouble because the saying is Barney and Rubble, which rhymes with trouble. If you haven’t heard a dicky bird, it means you haven’t heard a word. And the Vera Lynn that Marvin mentioned earlier is just gin; lynn rhymes with gin. Get it?”
“Yes, I think I’m starting to get it,” I said.
“The expression apples and pears is code for stairs. Rosy Lea is tea, so when Marvin asks you if you want a cup of Rosy, he’s referring to tea.”
Fleur touched River. “I might be able to translate between humans and animals, but it seems you’re the cockney communicator.” With humor sparkling in her eyes, Fleur turned to Marvin. “Aren’t you happy River came?”
“Maybe you could help us understand Nigel too. My sister and I struggle sometimes.”
Nigel was from Northern Ireland. “That’s no fair. I speak very slow and clear when I talk to ye two Americans.”
“Yes, and we appreciate that, but sometimes when you have a lot to say, you speak fast, and then we can’t always follow you.”
“I grew up in Ireland, so I think it sounds lovely with a lilt,” River complimented Nigel.
“Ye grew up here in Ireland?” Nigel said with surprise. “Then how come ye speak with such a strong British accent?”
“Well, first of all, I’ve lived in London since I was nineteen. My mother was English, and so was my teacher. Both of them felt that speaking standard English would be to my benefit, so they insisted on it.”
“I like your accent,” I said and nuzzled River’s neck.
“Thank you. I like yours too.”
“Aye, what’s with your accent, Parker?” Nigel asked. “Ye sound American, not Norwegian.”
“I went to the International School from the age of six. The teachers were American, and many of the students were too. It rubbed off on me.”
“Try saying something in Norwegian,” Vicky encouraged me with a smile. I told them that they were a lovely bunch of people and I enjoyed their company.
“Wow!” River’s eyes glowed. “It sounds like you’re singing when you speak.” She imitated the words, pronouncing everything wrong, but with such charm that I grinned and leaned in to kiss her.
“This has been a lovely night,” Fleur said and brought her cup to the sink in the open kitchen. “I’ll see you all tomorrow.” She came back and stopped close enough to touch River’s shoulder. “It was so nice to meet you. Will I see you tomorrow?”
“Yes, I don’t have to leave until noon.”
“Excellent.”
It made me happy to see the warm smile between the two women.
“Good night, everyone.” Fleur waved a hand over her shoulder as she walked upstairs.
