“I don’t think anyone has ever stared so long at my crotch,” Newt said. “If you keep doing that, I’m going to get the wrong idea.”
River was so tempted to unzip him. Just to piss him off. But then maybe he wouldn’t have been pissed off and that would have led River into water deep enough to drown in. He put on his best blank expression.
“I know it looks childish, but it will help.”
River said and did nothing.
“Do you want a drink?” Newt asked.
River filled a glass using the fridge dispenser. He was going to drink the water himself but he offered it to Newt.
“Thank you.”
Then he filled another one.
Newt took the dish of enchiladas from the oven and put it on the hob. “Linda said to let it stand for five minutes. Come and sit down. Let’s try and learn yes and no.” Newt peeled the labels off his body. “Yes,” Newt said. “Yes. Yes.”
“Ju… Ju…” How could it be so difficult?
“Look at my mouth and my teeth. Keep your mouth wider. Yes. Yes.”
“Yu…” River gave up. He still wanted a miracle cure.
“Don’t stop trying. That was the right start, but widen your mouth after as if you’re going to grin.”
“Yeh…Yeh.”
“Nearly.”
River glowered.
“Let’s try something more important. My name. Newt. Newt.”
“Nu…”
Newt beamed at him. “Once more. Tongue behind your upper teeth. Then almost spit out the T. Newt.”
“Nuuute. Newt.” River’s heart lurched. “Newt. Newt. Newt.” He smiled.Oh God. I did it.
“Hey! That’s me. Well done.”
“Fuck off, Newt, Newt, Newt.”
“Not now we’re making progress!”
The enchiladas were delicious. River couldn’t help but notice how quickly Newt ate, as though he worried the food was going to get taken away from him. At least this was a meal River could eat with a fork in his left hand.
“I like this,” Newt said. “Linda left a few recipes so I can try and recreate some of your favourites.”
River wished he could talk to him. And that shocked him. He’d spent all this time and energy trying to push Newt away and now that wasn’t what he wanted.
When River had eaten as much as he could, he put his cutlery neatly on the plate.
“I’ll tidy up later. What we’re going to do is time critical. We need jackets and shoes. Do you have a hat and gloves?”
River nodded. He led Newt to the boot room and was glad when Newt didn’t offer to help him, even though he struggled. Newt picked up several blankets and led him outside to the loungers on the deck. They stayed out all year, but Newt must have put the cushions on them earlier.
“Lie down. I need to go back in and switch off the lights.”
