Fifteen
Day by day, September drew its curtain around the landscape. Benjamin and Felicity returned after six days away with photographs and presents. That evening, Benjamin took Herbert on board The Meifod Claw and showed him a rifle. Herbert thought it looked big.
‘By my tail, Ben! Where the f**k did you get that?’
‘China.’
‘I think I like it, Ben.’
‘Well, I liked China.’
‘Have we got . . .?’
‘Bullets? I bought lots, Herb. No night vision available where I got it so we’ll have to leave playing with it till morning. Your sister thought we should keep it as a Christmas present.’
Herbert stared. ‘Derek is going to love it, I’m glad you didn’t wait.’ He looked away then, from the weapon to his friend. ‘Ben, is my sister going to live with us now?’
Benjamin looked down and thought on
