Chapter 155: Vitale, Part 15

Klempner

Arranging herself on her seat she takes a plastic container and a brown paper package from her bag; a hold-all in a pale beige that, as ever, matches today's outfit.

Unclipping the container she takes out a length of sausage and a knife, slices a neat inch from the end of the sausage and pops it in her mouth.

Chewing, she speaks through her food. "I thought I'd join you for lunch again today, Larry." Stooping to her holdall, she rummages inside then produces the usual potato, then tosses it at me. I catch it mid-air before it lands on the uncertain hygiene of the concrete, cradling it like some precious thing in my palm.

Don't fall for it...

Nonetheless, it's isn't easy to stop my eyes following her hand as she slices off another bit of sausage before popping it back in the box.

She watches me, eyes glinting. "Not hungry? Perhaps I'm overfeeding you." Her gaze remains steady as raising the potato to my mouth, I bite in.