Page 67 of Fe
“Oh God. So you went out?”
“Did I not need to go out? Were parsnips, bacon and sage playing hide and seek?”
Ripley smiled. “Do you need any help?”
“Nope. Sit down and I’ll bring it over.”
Ripley filled two glasses of water from the fridge dispenser and set them on the table—already laid by Fen. He’d even made a paper flower and put it in an egg cup. Ripley bit his lip. Cute and clever.
“Did you have a successful trial?” Fen brought over one of the plates of food.
Don’t offer to help.Though he wanted to.“I lost, but the guy was an arsehole and definitely guilty so… It was a win in a way.”
“Do you get paid the same whether you win or lose?”
“Yes, in criminal cases.”
Fen brought over the other plate and sat down.
One mouthful and Ripley’s tastebuds exploded. “This is delicious!”
“Really?”
“Really, Fen! It’s something I’ve never had before. I must admit I don’t cook very often. I snatch food where and when I can. This is really lovely. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Are you going to say yes tomorrow?What could he do to make Fen’s answer be the one he wanted? Notmake.Encourage? “I’ve had an idea. I have to work tomorrow morning, but I’ll be free after lunch. How about we go away for the weekend?”
Fen looked across at him.
“You can choose where we go. Up to four hours from London. We’d stay two nights and be back Sunday afternoon. You choose a place. Maybe better book us in for a meal on Saturday night.” He took his credit card from his wallet and put it on the table. “Use that to pay.”
“I have to decide where we go and where we stay?”
Ripley nodded. “Surprise me.” If it was somewhere he wouldn’t have chosen, so much the better. “And pack for me.”
“What did your last slave die of?”
“He didn’t pack my socks.”
“Am I allowed in your bedroom, then?”
That brought Ripley up short. “I was sort of hoping you’d want to go in there.”
“It’s the one room I haven’t been in. I was a bit worried there might be a hidden door and a torture chamber beyond.”
“Really?”
Fen raised his eyebrows. “No, but there better not be now I’ve said that. It’s your space. I didn’t want to intrude. Sure you trust me to pack your clothes? Or is it shelf after shelf of black T-shirts and dark chinos, so there’s no choice to make?”
“Find out for yourself.”
“Okay. Is there a limit on how much this weekend should cost?”
“No.” Then he worried. “Well…”Oh fuck it.“No. But four hours by car and not plane. Is there more of this?”
“Help yourself.”
