Page 12 of Fiendish Delights
I pulled back my shoulders and jumped between them. ‘Hi, Duchess!’ I said, waving at her. ‘You look like you’re having fun.’
Hugo growled, ‘Daisy, you need to get out of the damned way.’
I ignored his warning and focussed on Duchess, whose huge brow had creased. Her head swung towards me and she scratched her chin. Aware that her eyesight was very poor, I re-introduced myself. ‘It’s Daisy.’ I kept my voice bright. ‘Daisy Carter.’
‘I know who you are,’ Duchess snapped. ‘You’re the delivery girl. I’ve been waiting three weeks for a parcel. Have you finally brought it?’
‘I don’t work for SDS any more.’
Her scowl deepened. ‘Then why are you here?’
‘To see you!’ I stretched my arms wide. ‘To see how you’re getting on in your new place!’
Duchess rolled her shoulders in a shrug. ‘It’s alright, I suppose.’ She pointed a long finger towards Hugo. ‘It has its amusements.’
‘For fuck’s sake,’ Hugo hissed.
I didn’t look at him; instead, I nodded vigorously. ‘Yes. He’s a fun guy and it’s great that you can come inside and have tea with him. You must feel very relaxed to be able to leave the bridge. Aren’t you worried that the waterwights who used to live there will return?’
Duchess stiffened. ‘No.’
‘Or that another troll will scoot by to take up residence?’
She glared at me. ‘They wouldn’t dare.’
‘Hugo wouldn’t let them,’ I agreed.
Duchess threw back her head and roared, making the delicate chandelier to her right shiver. ‘Iwouldn’t let them! It’smyhome now!’
I kept my expression blank. ‘Okay.’
‘What have you heard?’ she demanded. ‘Who’s coming here to take my home away from me?’
‘No-one,’ I said quickly. ‘I’ve not heard anything.’
‘Just as well.’ Her eyes drifted towards the door; I’d planted the seed in her head and now she was nervous.
Hugo walked up next to me until his shoulder brushed against mine. Clearly he’d understood my plan and was prepared to play along. ‘Would you like some tea, Duchess?’ He bent over to pick up a teapot from the floor where it had fallen during her table-dancing antics. ‘I can get the kitchen to make a fresh pot. It won’t take long.’ He pursed his mouth. ‘Ten minutes or so. Take the weight off your feet and we can have a chat while it’s being brewed.’
Duchess had already begun to sidle towards the door. ‘Where are you going?’ I asked, evincing surprise. ‘Stay for a bit. I want to hear how things are going.’
‘Things are fine.’ She moved closer to the exit.
‘You look in good health. Your hair is shiny and your skin looks beautiful. Your new accommodation definitely agrees with you.’
‘Uh-huh.’ She doubled over, preparing to duck through the doorway. ‘I’m going home,’ she announced. ‘I don’t want any tea.’
I grinned. ‘That’s a shame but I understand if you need to go. Tell you what, once you’re gone I can call SDS and see if I can hurry along your delivery.’
Duchess paused. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘Do that.’ She sniffed and started to squeeze through the door.
‘But,’ I called out, ‘I’d like something in return.’
‘Fucking high elves,’ Duchess muttered. ‘They never do anything out of the goodness of their hearts.’
‘I’m not a high elf, Duchess.’
‘Yeah, yeah.’ She pushed through the door frame then turned and stuck her head back through to stare at me with heavy suspicion.
