Chapter 90

I am, he thought, too old to be anxious about this sort of thing. Or precisely old enough to be delighted. He’s here. He rang me and said he’d be coming over, just like that, in that voice.

Laurie’s chest had experienced a fluttery topsy-turvy feeling at that gruff proclamation, more akin to being a teenager than his grey-haired current age. It did so again now.

He said, “Would you like tea? Or lemonade? Or the end of that splendid port Colby and Jason gifted me as a wrap present, on Steadfast? I know it’s a bit early in the day, but then again at this time of life I’ve concluded I may as well enjoy myself.”