That evening, June considered making pasta pesto for her dinner but at the last minute she headed up to the Golden Dragon. George was standing behind the counter as she walked in.
“Your usual?”
“Hi, George. Please can I have some fish-fragrant aubergine, steamed rice, and your green beans with chili?”
He looked at her in astonishment, raised an eyebrow, then walked into the kitchen. A moment later Alex appeared.
“I saw that order and wondered if it was you. How are you?”
“Okay. I went to the library this morning.”
“How was it?”
“Horrible... and nice. Do you think we should organize a funeral for Stanley? I’m not sure who else will.”
“I believe Stanley’s solicitor is dealing with it.”
“Stanley had a solicitor?” June couldn’t hide her surprise.
“I spoke to her and apparently his named next of kin is his sister, so they’re trying to trace her before anything’s arranged.”
June hated the idea of Stanley’s body sitting in a morgue somewhere, all alone. “He needs a proper send-off.”
They stood in silence.
“June, I need to tell you something,” Alex said.
She studied the Formica counter. Was this going to be about her humiliating attempt at a kiss after the wedding? Or was he about to finally admit that he had a girlfriend? Either way, this was the last thing she wanted to discuss right now.
“I’ve been wanting to say it for a while, but with everything that’s happened I haven’t had a chance,” Alex said.
“Please, you don’t have to say anything.”
“But I don’t want you to find out from someone else. I—”
“You look well, George,” June said as she saw Alex’s dad walk out of the kitchen carrying her bag. “How’s your hip?
“Fine, so I don’t know why Al is still here,” George said. “I keep telling him he can go back to London.”
“Dad...”
“The doctor says my hip is healed. Why are you still hanging round here, getting in my way?” He swiped at his son, although not without affection.
“How much do I owe you?” June said, rummaging in her bag for her purse.
“Nine pounds fifty.”
She handed over a ten-pound note, grabbed her food, and ran out of the takeaway before Alex could say another word.
•••
June avoided the takeaway and Alex for the rest of the week. She stayed away from the library too. On Friday, she received an e-mail from the council, but when she opened it there was just a curt message from some HR person reminding her of the terms of her suspension. The e-mail said the investigation into the occupation was progressing and they would be in touch with the outcome in due course.
That evening, as she was walking to the village shop to buy her dinner, June heard her name being called from across the street. It was Mrs.Bransworth, waving her arms above her head.
“I’ve been looking for you all week,” she said as she crossed theroad toward June, oblivious of the cars screeching to a halt behind her. “Where the hell have you been?”
“Oh, you know, around.” In truth, June hadn’t left the house. She was currently readingA Little Life, which was doing nothing for her mood.
