Page 29 of Waiting for Ru
“They should, but there’s a box on this side too. Same code.”
“Right.”
“So how’s your first day been?”
“Long and tiring.”
Paolo laughed. “Get used to it.”
It took Ru over an hour to cycle ten miles to Tesco. Bela had flown in front of him, but high up, encouraging him on. By the time he was locking his bike in the rack at the store, it was nine fifteen. There was a limit to how much Ru could carry, but there was stuff he had to have. He bought sheets, duvet, duvet cover, toiletries, a towel, cutlery, plate, bowl and mug before he even walked around the food section.
He managed to find a few reduced items he could eat before he cycled back. Then added coffee, packs of instant porridge, pasta, peanut butter, and a few tins and packets of rice to the trolley. He needed to get enough to last him a few days. He added a loaf of sliced bread, margarine, cheese, a pack of apples, Mars bars and mints before he decided he’d struggle to carry more.
Everything but the duvet fit in his backpack, but it was packaged in a tight roll that he could easily strap on at the base. Before he set off, he ate a cold cheese and onion pasty and a reduced tuna sandwich, but still felt hungry as he began the return journey. The sun had set an hour ago so he had his lights on, though it wasn’t dark. Bela joined him and sat on the top of the backpack for a while which made him smile.
“Lazy bird,” he said.
She nipped his ear.
“Ouch. But so lovely.”
Bela cawed. It was easy to convince himself that she understood everything he said.
Ru didn’t enjoy the return journey. He didn’t mind cycling, but he felt vulnerable when it was gloomy. There were no street lights on these country roads and there were a couple of near misses when vehicles didn’t see him until the last minute and passed so close that his bike wobbled. But he made it back in one piece and once the gates opened, he cycled up the drive.
When he went into the chalet, he could hear the TV again and the sound of the others chattering. He went straight to his room, unpacked everything, then repacked the food he needed to keep in the kitchen along with the crockery and cutlery into his backpack. There was a comedy show on the TV as he walked through the room, at least some of them in there were laughing so he assumed it was a comedy. Poppy was in the kitchen, making a drink and she smiled at him.
“Hi.” Ru smiled back. “Do you know which cupboard has an empty shelf?”
“I think that one does.” She pointed to a narrow cupboard next to the wall near the cooker.
It was completely empty so Ru put his stuff in there.
“Have you been to the supermarket?” She stared at him.
“Yes.”
“How did you get there?”
“I cycled.”
“But Mike could have got your stuff too.”
“I didn’t know he was going. No one said.”
“Shit. Sorry.”
Ru shrugged. “Is there some designated space in one of the fridges that I can use?”
“The guys use that one. Share ours. There’s more room. Theirs is full of beer.”
“Thanks.” Ru put the margarine and cheese inside.
“Where were you working before?”
“A farm in Ireland, in County Wicklow.”
“I’ve been to the All Ireland Polo Club in Dublin. The Eagles have played there a few times. I like your Irish accent.”
