Tableland by D. E. Harker Page B

kiss on Vera’s lips and fondled her shoulder in a very familiar way, although she didn’t seem to mind, said ‘Bye, bye my darling – see you Saturday’ to her and was gone in a whiff of aftershave.
    Val and Vera followed after him like a couple of tracker dogs on the trail of a scent.
    â€˜How does he get away with it?’ Ken asked and Steve shook his head.
    â€˜Hardly ever turns up at any of our functions either,’ Keith said. He looks quite different when he frowns. ‘He’ll go too far one of these days.’ Was somehow glad to note their disapproval.
    Keith lowered his voice. ‘D’you remember the affair of Sue Uppe’s lost thingamybobs when they went on holiday with the Crows?’ The others nodded. ‘To be perfectly honest, Alan’s never forgiven him – and who can blame him?’
    â€˜He’ll be for the chop if he doesn’t watch out,’ Steve said into his beer and Ken and Keith sounded fully in agreement.
    Serious stuff. There was a moment’s silence.
    â€˜However, to get back to more pleasant topics, i.e. the gourmet do. Location still top secret?’ he asked Ken.
    â€˜Very much so,’ he replied with a wink.
    Felt like one of the gang after I had bought a round of drinks, then Keith peered out at the weather.
    â€˜It’s clearing up. I think the rain has stopped. How about that game now?’
    â€˜Oh dear, oh dear,’ I said, looking at my watch. ‘It’s half past seven and Julie said supper would be ready at seven forty-five sharp. She’s making coq au vin tonight. What a pity. I was looking forward to a good game. Could just do with the exercise too but, still, there we are.’
    â€˜What a shame, old chap – another time, eh?’ They seemed genuinely sorry that I was going.
    I hurried home and, as I helped Julie dish out the shepherd’s pie, I regaled her with the chat at the Cock and Bull with special reference to the Inner Circle tennis tournament. ‘With a bit of luck, you’ll be playing in that next year,’ I told her.
    April 24th – Friday
    The great day at last, and I don’t think any of us were really sorry to bid farewell to Avery – with the possible exception of Trina, with whom he had always had a merry quip.
    No mention of us all going out for a goodbye drink or anything like that, and as we shook hands and he said, ‘Well, you must come over to Lumberjobs and I’ll show you round the place properly, one of these days – give me a ring sometime.’ I could swear he was wearing add-height heels – he never looked down on me before.
    I tried to get a glimpse of his shoes but his trousers were so long that nothing was visible.
    â€˜Cheerio, and good luck,’ I forced myself to say and left as he was describing his new private office to Brimcup, who was lapping it all up, much to my disgust.
    Felt like celebrating and I rang up this new eatery, B & 0, when I got home. Julie and I will go and try it out tomorrow and Sue can babysit for us.
    April 25th – Saturday
    The dog slept in the kitchen last night – I put my foot down about the garage at last and was pleased to think of the car being dry. Gave it a polish and cleaned the inside out this morning – still a few cat hairs clinging to the carpet. Trev has decided to call the dog Kippers (personally I think we’ve had enough of those lately): Kipps for short. Julie found an old cushion for him and put it by the back door. At least he’ll be a good guard dog, there have been several break-ins in the neighbourhood recently.
    Two things slightly marred our otherwise pleasant evening. The first being a telephone call. Just as Julie was opening the door for Sue, the telephone rang. Kipps had been out in the road this afternoon and I had caught him snarling at Lulu Belle next door. I had just managed to grab him by his makeshift collar as he moved in for the