Читать книгу Vulgar Things - Lee Rourke - Страница 22

The walk takes longer than I expected. When I eventually reach the Labworth I notice Mr Buchanan sitting at a table by the window. He greets me with a broad smile and gesticulates for me to come and join him.

‘Mr Buchanan, it’s a lovely morning …’

‘Yes, I like it at this hour, the freshness of the air, the smell of sea lavender … And Jon, it’s Robbie, you can call me Robbie, everyone else does …’

‘Yes … Okay, thanks … Robbie.’

‘How was it?’

‘What?’

‘The caravan?’

‘Oh … It’s weird being there, knowing … but I knew the first night would be like that …’

‘It must be difficult … Listen, there’s something else …’

‘Oh …’

‘Rey left me another key … with an address … I think it’s for a safety deposit box in Southend. I forgot to give it to you yesterday. It didn’t click. I was expecting Cal, your brother, that’s who I’d been speaking to … That’s who I spoke to when Rey was … found. I didn’t expect you to be here. But, a few weeks ago now, before … you know … Rey came into the Smack and gave me this key. He said that it “shouldn’t be given to Cal, and only given to Jon”. That’s what he said to me. It didn’t click yesterday, I was too busy thinking about that key, and who not to give it to, that I totally forgot to pass it on to you, I do hope you forgive me … Come to the Smack later and I’ll give it to you …’

‘A key … Right. Okay.’

‘Sorry about this.’

‘I wonder what it’s for?’

‘Like I say, it seems to be for a safety deposit box in Southend.’

I eat my full English breakfast sitting opposite Mr Buchanan while he picks out horses in the paper, taking notes in his notepad, muttering to himself about this jockey and that trainer. We don’t really speak much after our initial exchange. I don’t mind eating in silence. After I clear my plate, mopping up the egg yolk with thick-cut buttered toast, I stare out of the window, thinking about the safety deposit box. The sea is flat, mirroring the fattening vapour trails criss-crossing the sky above.