“Come on!” Bae reaches out a hand to help you up from the sofa.
”It’s a bit early for the pub, isn’t it?” you say.
”We’re not going to the pub.” you both spring out of Bae’s room and into the chequer tiled corridor, “we’re going to the kitchen.”
”Shouldn’t we take the tea things?”
”Later, later,” says Bae. “First we need to make dinner. Aileen will be back soon, and we’ve gotta make sure she eats before she goes out for her evening shift.”
The kitchen is bright with yellow walls. Out of the window there is a small, overgrown back garden. A wooden dining table is the centre piece of the room with a fridge, a washing machine, a gas stove and a French dresser loaded up with plates and other crockery.
”Most of this is Aileen’s,” says Bae. “It’s a bit chintzy for me, but I’d never tell her that to her face.”
“It’s nice,” you remark. “What are we cooking?”
”Roll up your sleeves!” Bae puts on an apron printed with horses. It’s the least cool you’ve ever seen her. “Before you can be my wingman, you’ve gotta be my sous-chef. We’re making veg curry. Aileen likes it spicy.”
A thought occurs to you. “Are you and Aileen…?”
Bae cuts you off. “We’ve got work to do!”
Thirty minutes later there is a crashing noise at the front door, followed by a bellow of, “ANYBODY HOME?”
“We’re in the kitchen, luv!” Bae shouts back.
”Oh! Something smells good!” Aileen enthuses. As she fills the kitchen, she turns and examines you. “Oh! Who is this?”
”This is Epson Moore, Aileen.” Bae informs her.
”Are you Bae’s…?” asks Aileen.
Bae cuts her off. “Come on! Get some plates and cutlery. We’ve got to get some food inside you before your evening shift.”
”Where do you work, Aileen?” you ask her.
”Oh, I work down The Anchor,” she replies.
Bae ushers everyone to the table and serves up dinner. She brings three cans of Carlsberg from the fridge. Aileen waves hers away. “Oh, I shouldn’t before work. I’ll fall asleep at the bar and everyone will be serving themselves.”
”Fair enough,” says Bae, and offers you a cold can of Carlsberg.
Do you accept the can gratefully? (goto 74)
Or do you wave it away with a slightly frightened expression? (goto 91)