Chapter 37
EDINBURGH
Inside, there was a young couple sitting drinking a coffee, and it was obvious that the place was winding down for the day.
‘Hello again,’ Isobel said from behind the counter. Despite the long hours, she was still smiling. A stray hair hung down the side of her head, as if she had attempted to sweep it back up with little success.
‘Hello,’ he said to her.
‘What can I get you?’
‘I’d like a coffee, please. Flat white.’
‘Coming right up.’
Isobel busied herself with making the coffee when Moira came through from the back. ‘Hi!’ she said, genuinely pleased to see him. ‘Busy day?’
‘Always,’ he said, smiling at her. He’d put his red sunglasses on again. ‘What about you? Mum keeping you on your toes?’
‘Absolutely, I’m finished for the day, though.’
‘Join me for a coffee, if you like.’
She smiled. ‘You’re okay if I knock off now, Mum?’
Isobel smiled. ‘Of course. Flat white?’
‘Sounds great.’
‘Go and sit down and I’ll bring them over.’
They sat at a table looking out onto the Water of Leith.
‘Isn’t this the most beautiful place on earth?’ he asked with a smile, looking into her eyes.
‘It is. I’m a Leither through and through. My dad’s grandparents were alive when Leith was separate from Edinburgh, and there was an outcry when it was absorbed by Edinburgh. They wanted to remain independent but that didn’t happen.’
‘I was brought up here too,’ he lied. It was only a small lie; he was brought up along the road in Newhaven, in a large house with loving parents who had money. But he did like Leith. Nancy came from Leith.
They chatted for a little while, Moira telling him about her impending divorce.
He feigned interest until it was almost closing time for the café.
‘Why don’t you come and have a bite with me?’
‘Oh, I don’t know, Peter.’
‘It can be in a little restaurant.’ He smiled sheepishly at her. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so forward. I just thought that if you wanted, I could cook us dinner, but I realise you don’t even know me. Sorry. Forget I asked.’
She laughed. ‘Your wife wouldn’t mind you bringing a strange woman home?’
There was a slight tightening of the jaw as he maintained his smile. ‘I’m not married. You’re quite safe. In fact, you could invite your mum along if that eases your mind.’
The Reader smiled inwardly; telling her she could invite her mother along instilled a bit of trust in him. What man would be some kind of nut if he were actually inviting her mother along on a date? Or, if not quite a date, then certainly a cosy get-together?
‘I’d like that. And let’s not involve my mum. She and my dad will be sitting in front of the TV, snoring their heads off in a little while.’
‘Fine then. It’s the first block of flats, the new ones. Number twelve. I’ll go and get things started. A pasta dish okay?’
‘Sounds good.’
They talked books over coffee as The Reader mentioned the bookcase in the café and how it was a good idea.
‘I love reading,’ Moira said.
‘What do you read?’ he asked, expecting her to tell him it was romantic stuff.
‘Crime books. I love them. I try and figure out who the killer is before the halfway point.’
‘And are you successful?’
‘Most of the time. You get to know how a writer thinks. What about you?’
‘An eclectic mix. Everything from poetry to thrillers. There are not enough books in the world.’
‘I agree.’
They chatted some more until their coffees were finished. Then they got up.
‘See you in a little while. I’ll just nip back home to get freshened up,’ Moira said.
‘That’s fine. See you in an hour or so?’
Moira smiled. ‘Absolutely.’
As The Reader got up and left he felt pleased with himself. He’d finally made a decision.