Page 149 of Reinventing Cato
Which, for once, told Vigge nothing. So much for his capacity to judge from one word.
“I mean it. Once Pedro started talking, even his lawyer couldn’t get him to shut up,” Vigge said. “He’s admitted to everything, as if he’s insanely proud of what he did.”
“It’s such a waste. He’s a bright guy. Experimental particle physics is tough. We all have problems with our research, but when there’s an issue with funding as well…”
“He was obsessed with Marcie and he hates you. Apparently, last year, he spent almost every weekend in Brighton. Obsession makes people do crazy things.”
“I suppose. How long are you going to be off work?”
“I’ve been signed off for two weeks.”
“I told my supervisor what happened and I have the week off. He’s getting people to cover my teaching for me. I need to find somewhere else to live. I don’t want to go back to that house. I don’t think Sam does either. Well, I know he doesn’t.” Cato gave a short laugh. “He asked if I wanted to find somewhere with him. I had to politely tell him no. He was less bothered than I thought he’d be. I think he’s gone off me.”
“You want someone else to obsess over you?”
Cato glanced at him and Vigge was smiling. “Well, if I get to choose. There is this cute guy I know.”
“Yeah?”
“Dark hair. Tall. Dark eyes. A pretty good violin player. Unusual name. Like a piece of Swedish furniture. I suspect he speaks Danish. You don’t know him.”
Vigge chuckled. “Do we need to call at a supermarket? I’m not sure what’s left in my fridge.”
“I already did the shopping. Waitrose didn’t have any eels. I even thought about complaining to the manager. Is it off season or something? I was very disappointed.”
“I’m not.”
“I did find out one interesting fact about them. Apparently, eels in the Thames suffer from hyperactive episodes as a result of getting high on cocaine flushed down drains. I wonder if the fishing authorities will set up a detox clinic. I also wonder if eating them would make you high.”
“Stop talking about eels.” Vigge rested his head against the window and closed his eyes. He wanted to ask Cato about NASA, but somehow, he didn’t want to because of course he’d accepted the job. The threat had gone. It was the perfect job, even if Cato had expressed doubts in that motel bedroom, a lifetime ago. A job in California offered a way to leave all this behind. To reinvent himself.
He knew Cato wouldn’t choose him over the job, he didn’t expect him to, but he slid into a daydream where the two of them lived together, then wound it forward until marriage was mentioned, forward a few more years and they were maybe talking about a family, adopting kids, maybe getting a dog…
~~~
Vigge woke as Cato pulled up in front of his house.
“You okay?” Cato asked. “You were fast asleep. Was I that boring?”
“Did I miss the striptease?”
“And the pole dancing. Tricky in the car but I managed it. All the exciting stuff happens while you sleep. Do you want to go straight to bed?”
Vigge widened his eyes.
Cato mock-gaped. “I meant to sleep. You were stabbed and drugged. You nearly died. You need the four Rs. Rest, recuperation, relaxation and rimming.”
Vigge laughed. “I’m fine. I should get the fire going. The house won’t be warm.”
“I’ll do it. I am an expert fire starter providing there are matches. All you’re going to do is lie on the couch under a blanket and look gorgeous. Hmm. You might have to work harder than me at that last part.”
By the time Vigge had made it to the couch, he realised how weak he was. He’d imagined he’d be back at work before a week was up, let alone two, but maybe not. The housewascold, but Cato wrapped him up in a fleecy throw covered in reindeer, a Christmas present from Gitte, then lit the fire. His sister had wanted to come down when he’d told her what happened, but he’d persuaded her not to and promised he’d go up for Anders’ funeral in three weeks. He’d spoken to his parents and thought things were better between them. It gave him hope.
“I’ll just bring everything in out of the car, then I’ll heat up some soup. Want the TV on?”
“No thanks.”
“Listen to some music?”
