Chapter 2-1
285 Words
Chapter 2
I puttered around in my tiny kitchen, slicing celery and onions and tossing them into the pot along with chunks of beef. I wasn’t the best cook, but I’d never poisoned myself, so I couldn’t complain.
I was home on leave for the next few weeks—I’d been with NS3 for five years now—and p’rhaps I’d call Sally, the young woman—a redhead, of course—I went out with on and off. P’rhaps she’d care to join me. She was pretty and fun, and I’d be thirty-one in a few months; it was time I started thinking of settling down.
I dried off my hands and was about to reach for the phone when it rang, causing me to start. No one knew I was home. I picked up the receiver. “Hello?” I said cautiously.
“Tanner, it’s Trevalyan.”
Ah. This was one of those periodic phone calls. “Yes, sir.” I relished his smooth tenor.
“I have your next assignment. I…er…thought we could discuss it over dinner.”
“I’d love to, sir.” The hell with the pot of stew on the hob. It would keep, and I’d have it for dinner tomorrow. “Where shall I meet you?”
“Paradise Lost.”
“I know of it.” The last thing I expected was for him to suggest meeting for dinner at one of the poshest restaurants in London. I’d never choose it on my own, even if I wanted to impress a date. Having researched it when I’d first learned the Trevalyan family frequently dined there, I knew it was exclusive, which translated to expensive. Not that it was important. I had a stash I kept hidden in my little flat for a rainy day, and I’d enjoy spending it on Mr Trevalyan. “When?”
“In about an hour?”
“Sounds perfect. I’ll see you then.” I hung up before I did something idiotic, like whoop over the phone, “I’ve got a date with James Trevalyan!”
Because in all actuality, it was nothing of the sort.
- Writer
