A Genuine Mistake by Ted Tayler (miss read books txt) 📗

“Suzie’s fine. She just wanted a clear head in the morning.”

“I see. Well, we might not see you later,” said Brett. “Clemency has just prevented Grandad from sliding off his bar stool. My quiet drink might get curtailed if we need to take him home.”

Brett headed to the other end of the bar to assist Clemency while Gus rejoined Suzie.

“Sorry it took so long,” he said, “Brett was filling me in on Irene’s condition. He suspects a dodgy cocktail recipe caused her to end up in the hospital. Remember the gin-laden cordial that gave her and the Reverend rosy cheeks?”

“Irene does enjoy an experiment,” said Suzie. “Let’s hope she’s soon on the mend.”

“My steak looks just how I like it,” said Gus. “I can’t wait to tuck in.”

“I decided on the mushroom risotto, as you can see,” said Suzie. “Nearly everything else on the menu had alcohol somewhere in the description.”

“Brett spotted the soft drink,” said Gus. “We won’t be able to keep it a secret for much longer.”

“I’m holding off until my twelve-week scan,” said Suzie. “Mum and Dad won’t say a word until we give them the green light. We’ll tell Brett, Clemency, and the others when the time’s right.”

“Fair enough,” said Gus. “what will you have for dessert?”

“I told the waitress we’d have two sticky toffee puddings,” said Suzie. “A girl can only be a saint for so long. I didn’t see any mention of alcohol in the ingredients, and for tonight I’ll ignore the massive calorie count.”

When Gus settled the bill, there was no sign of Bert Penman or his entourage. It seemed that Brett had persuaded his grandfather to go home before the landlord chucked him out. He and Suzie made their way up the lane to the bungalow.

“It made a change to eat out on a Monday night,” said Suzie. “I don’t think we should make a habit of it, though.”

“I agree,” said Gus as he put the key in the front door. “I’ll cook tomorrow evening. Start thinking about what you want now and let me know when you make breakfast in the morning.”

“Anything but mushroom risotto,” said Suzie.

Tuesday, 14th August 2018

Gus was first out of bed in the morning. The alarm trilled at seven o’clock, and he was standing in the shower by five minutes past. He got dressed and checked that Suzie was getting up.

“How are you this morning, sweetheart?” he asked. Suzie growled.

“I’ll make breakfast,” said Gus, “If you feel hungry when you’ve visited the bathroom, let me know, and I’ll rustle up something.”

“Ugh, food, no thanks. Coffee for me, please, darling,” said Suzie.

Gus resisted the temptation to reach for the bacon and eggs in the fridge. He opted for cereals with yoghurt instead of milk and scattered half a dozen raspberries on top. It wasn’t haute cuisine, but it was healthy, and the smell wouldn’t turn Suzie’s delicate stomach.

 He wondered how poor Irene North was feeling this morning. She might be better than Bert Penman after his long night on the cider. That stuff could be lethal. Suzie came out of the shower and returned to the bedroom to change into her work clothes.

Gus poured himself a second cup of coffee and one for Suzie. He strolled into the hallway to take another look at the post on the table. As he thought, three letters for Suzie and the rest could go in the bin.

“Was that for me?” asked Suzie as she came through to the kitchen. “I didn’t take a close look last night. It was unlikely to be urgent.”

Gus handed her the three envelopes and discarded the junk mail.

“A reminder from the dentist that I have an appointment next Thursday,” said Suzie. “As if I’d forget. My membership of the Avon Valley Hunt needs renewing by the end of the month and a bank statement. I wish I were organised. I need to notify those three people of my change of address. I ought to have done the lot in one fell swoop as soon as I moved in, rather than ticking them off one-by-one when they make contact.”

“I should remind you, miss, that failure to notify the DVLA of your change of address is an offence,” said Gus. “You’re in luck because I’m not an officer of the law. Ah, but you are - awkward.”

“I knew there was a reason why I needed you,” said Suzie. “Will you help me make a list tonight of the things that need attention?”

“Of course,” said Gus. “You can make a start while I’m cooking dinner.”

“I have a deep craving for cheese omelette and chips,” said Suzie.

“Your wish is my command,” said Gus. “Do you want a second cup?”

“No thanks, I’m good to go.”

Gus grabbed his jacket from the chair and checked the car keys were still in the pocket.

“I’ll see you tonight then, sweetheart,” he said.

Suzie straightened her tie, checked in the hallway mirror that her hair was neat and tidy, and they left the house.

Suzie led the way along the lane, and they drove into Devizes in convoy. Gus wondered what this journey would be like in the New Year when he had to do it alone. There was no sign of Vera Butler walking to work this morning as he passed the London Road entrance.

Suzie raised a hand as she slowed to turn right to enter the car park, and Gus flashed his headlights. Something was reassuring about seeing the lights reflected in the back of her Golf. The windows were always an issue with his old Focus, but at least the lights never failed him.

Gus drove into town and passed the Crook Way junction to the new police building that had replaced their current accommodation. Gus missed the old Victorian buildings. They