Page 48 of Reinventing Cato
“I’ve not been up there at New Year for eighteen years. But my sister asked me to go because she was away at her in-laws. My parents have mellowed as time’s passed. We tolerate each other. I just can’t spend too long in their company. Fortunately, my sister lives near them.”
“Do you get on with her?”
“Yes. Gitte is lovely. She was twelve when it happened and was out that night. A sleepover. She knew our parents were angry with me and that they held me responsible for what happened, but Gitte never did. She’s married now and she and her husband want children, but no luck so far. I wish she could get pregnant.”
Vigge gave a shaky sigh. “There you have it. Everything you didn’t want or need to know.”
“Thank you for telling me. I thought I must have done something wrong.”
“No. Apart from making me want you.”
Cato gave a little smile. “Will you come in and have a coffee before you go?” He squeezed Vigge’s fingers. “There’s something I want to ask your professional advice about.”
Vigge kicked the snow from his shoes and followed Cato into the house. The guy Vigge had seen before stepped out of a room on the right and glanced from him to Cato.
“Hi, Sam,” Cato said. “This is Vigge.”
“Hi.” The look Sam shot him was distinctly unfriendly, but it went unseen by Cato.
Vigge followed Cato into a surprisingly large kitchen.
“And this is Pedro,” Cato said. “Pedro meet Vigge.”
“Hi,” Vigge said.
Pedro looked up and smiled. “Hello.”
“Coffee? Or something else?” Cato asked. “Take your coat off.”
“Black coffee would be good, thanks.” Vigge unfastened his coat.
“How did your rehearsal go?” Sam asked from the door.
“I was brilliant. The orchestra was abysmal.”
Sam laughed. “You’ll get us tickets for the concert, right?”
“Yep.” Cato took a bag of coffee from the freezer and spooned it into the filter. He filled the machine and turned it on.
“Oh, you’re getting the posh stuff,” Pedro said. “Any for me?”
“You want some too, Sam?” Cato asked.
“No thanks.” He turned to Vigge. “How do you know Cato?”
“We met at a BDSM session,” Cato said.
Pedro snorted, Sam looked horror-stricken and Vigge was speechless.
“Break dancing, salsa and merengue.” Cato smiled at Vigge. “I’m excellent. A natural. Vigge not so much. Big feet.”
Vigge laughed.
Cato’s phone rang. He looked almost relieved when he glanced at the screen. He shoved it in his pocket.
“What are you two studying?” Vigge asked.
“I’m doing a doctorate in experimental particle physics,” Pedro said.
