Page 14 of Fire Must Burn

‘Oh, that particular ship sailed a while ago,’ she said with a grin. ‘And other ships have— well, the metaphor is going to become grossly unsubtle. Again, I don’t attach romance to theactual act, and as a result, I have had more fun and less angst in my brief life.’

‘Has the first kiss project helped with the winnowing?’

‘Immensely.’

‘But I’m not a man you would consider a good candidate.’

‘Who says you’re not?’

‘Everyone I’ve asked so far,’ he said ruefully.

‘So you’re saving yourself for the right woman,’ she said mischievously.

‘More like I’ve been throwing myself at the wrong ones,’ he said. ‘Let’s go for a walk.’

‘Where to?’

‘Just about,’ he said.

He paid the bill, and they left the Whim, eventually finding themselves strolling along the path of their flight two nights before. In the light of day, the Fellows’ Garden was filled with bare trees and gnarled bushes huddling in the cold, damp winter, awaiting the slightly less cold, damp spring.

‘Distinct lack of cover here,’ observed Sparks. ‘If seducing me is your intent.’

‘It isn’t,’ he said. ‘I wonder if they’ll preserve this garden when they put up the new building.’

‘I hadn’t heard about that.’

‘All of the servants’ and porters’ buildings are going to be razed for a new residential building for Queens’ College,’ he said. ‘Once again, the working class being trampled upon for the sake of the privileged.’

‘Are you privileged?’ asked Sparks.

‘I’m afraid so,’ he said. ‘You?’

‘Working class of the less trampled variety. Mum was a schoolteacher, Dad a businessman.’

‘What sort of businessman?’

‘I believed “failed” is the proper description. “Drunk” would also be an appropriate adjective.’

‘Sorry to pry.’

‘No, no secrets here,’ she said.

‘Yes, you’ve told me much that others would generally keephidden,’ he said. ‘Tell me, are you able to keep secrets when called upon?’

‘I am,’ she said, looking at him curiously.

‘How serious are you about the socialist agenda?’

‘Quite serious. Why?’

‘A lot of folks dabble, but stop before going to the next level,’ he said. ‘Are you one of those?’

‘I don’t dabble. I plunge in headlong.’

‘Are you free Wednesday evening?’

‘As far as I know. Why?’