Читать книгу Heathcliff Redux - Lily Tuck - Страница 52

“Do you know Cliff’s wife?” I asked Meryl, my neighbor.

“I’ve met her,” Meryl answered, nodding.

We were standing by the side of the road while Charlie was talking to Frank about buying horse feed. He was telling Frank that Cliff had recommended a store in Ruckersville.

“A lot cheaper there,” Charlie was saying.

“I hear she wants sole custody of their kid,” Meryl continued.

“Why?”

“I don’t know exactly, but I hear he has quite a temper.” Meryl gave a little laugh before she said, “Frank said that, last year, out on the hunting field, he saw Cliff nearly whip a horse to death because he wouldn’t take a jump.”

“Oh” was all I said.

“But Frank is prejudiced,” Meryl went on. “He hasn’t gotten over the fact that Cliff still owes him money for the diaper service for his kid. It’s been nearly four years and he still hasn’t paid Frank.” Meryl shook her head and made a face.

I said nothing.

“Anyway, who knows what’s true.”

“What’s Cliff’s wife’s name?”

“Daphne. She works in the Barracks Road Shopping Center, at the store that sells wool and sewing stuff,” Meryl added.

“What does she look like?” I persisted.

“A redhead with lots of freckles. She’s cute,” Meryl also added.