Page 62 of Fe
“No. But it’s not going to happen. Are you okay with mozzarella?”
“I’m fine with a small amount.”
“Are you allergic to anything?”
“Not that I know of. I have to be careful with dairy products. Do you have any allergies?”
“No.”
“Can I cook for you one night? Is there anything ordinary you won’t eat?”
Ripley shot him a look. “Define ordinary.”
“White truffles, Beluga caviar, Kopi Luwak coffee, Densuke watermelon?”
Ripley raised his eyebrows. “I haven’t heard of Densuke watermelon.”
“Black rind, bright red interior, only grown on the island of Hokkaido and they’re very sweet. I don’t think you can buy them here.”
“What do they cost?”
“One once sold for six thousand dollars but usually a few hundred pounds at least.”
“Good grief.”
“I’m full of Japanese trivia. Have you ever eaten Wagyu beef?”
“Yes.” Ripley put the bread under the grill.
Fen grimaced. “It looks so fatty. There’s 300% more monounsaturated fat in Wagyu than in normal beef. I don’t like fat, unless it’s part of smoky bacon, and then not too excessive and crisped to extinction. I like bacon you can break in half.”
“I prefer mine well done too. I’ve only had Wagyu once. It was delicious. Melted in the mouth. It didn’t taste fatty.”
“Do you know what the word means?”
“No idea.”
“Wa means Japanese. Gyu means cow.”
“Japanese cow. I won’t forget that.”
“You could have said that without smirking.”
“Probably.” Ripley pulled out the bread and topped it with the chopped tomato. “Don’t forget to tell the council you no longer live in Peckham. And whatever utility companies you’re registered with.”
Fen nodded. “Thank you for letting me stay here.”
“I do have an ulterior motive. But no pressure.”
“Do you have a swimming pool?”
“No.”
Fen gave a heavy sigh. He was only joking but then worried Ripley might not realise.
“A hot tub?” Fen asked.
“I’ll get one.”
