Page 98 of Reinventing Cato
“Neither do I.” Cato sighed and began walking again. “Though to be honest, that’s my life. I’ve made a career out of not knowing what’s going on. Space is an eternal mystery.”
“Which makes it even more important that the other part of your life is under your control.”
You get it!“Did you hear Louise’s offer? A hundred thousand pounds to get her pregnant? I mean, I’m a tiny bit flattered and a lot freaked-out. How the hell would she think she could force me to cooperate? Are she and Max going to tie me up and milk me?” He sucked in a breath. “I wish I hadn’t thought of that.”
“I heard them arguing afterwards. I’m not sure Max approved.”
“He’s not exactly known for putting his hand in his pocket. He’d opt for thetie him down and milk himroute to getting what he wants.” Cato kicked at the pavement. “Not really. Sorry. I’m not quite such a miserable git as a rule. Sulky priest, freaked-out trapeze artist, even more freaked-out blackmail victim. You’ll have entirely the wrong idea.”
“Sulky but hot-as-hell priest. For a guy who doesn’t like heights, you were a star on the trapeze. You’re allowed to be freaked-out by blackmail. You’re also a brilliant violinist who made the hairs on my arms stand up and shout for more, a fabulous dancer who made another part of me stand up, and you have a magic mouth.”
Cato chuckled. “You like me a bit, then?”
“A bit.”
“I want to forget all this for tonight at least. Will you stay over? Take my mind off stuff? Make me think about other stuff?”
“Do you have a particular sort ofstuffin mind?”
“The flavours of quarks.”
“Up, down, charm, strange, top and bottom.”
Cato was so astonished, he almost tripped up. “You continue to amaze me. How do you know that?”
“A level physics special paper.”
“Did you pass?”
Vigge laughed. “Yes, did you?”
“Yep.”
“I’m guessing you probably got a prize for the highest mark in the whole country.”
“Did my mother tell you that?”
“Oh God, it was a guess. And yes, I will stay, but I have to leave early. I’ve got a meeting first thing.”
“I’ll take every minute I can get with you.” Cato squeezed Vigge’s fingers.
“Let’s walk faster then.”
“What time are you going to be home tomorrow? I should be at your place by late afternoon.”
“I’m not sure when I’ll be back. I’ve got an extra key on my keyring you can have. Will you bring your violin?”
“Need me to teach youRow, row, row the boateven though the concert’s over?”
“I’ve been practising. But I do get stuck on that second note.”
Cato laughed. “I’ll cook. I’ll go to the supermarket tomorrow. Anything that the average person likes to eat that you won’t touch with a bargepole?”
“Olives.”
Cato grimaced. “I don’t like them either. The stuffed ones look like frog’s eyes and they taste like shit. Right, I’ll make eel cake.”
“Eel cake?”
