Page 16 of Glow

“Thank you,” Prin said, replacing the jug.

Once more, Prin’s gaze rested on the sideboard that had a slew of photographs featuring Colin.

“No, thankyou,” Colin replied. “I haven’t made a proper dinner in such a long time. One doesn’t for oneself. Far too much bother.”

Prin didn’t know what to eat first.

“I’ve not had a home-cooked roast dinner,” he said. “I’ve been out to pubs. This looks so much better.”

Usually he went alone. He didn’t add that piece of information. Prin knew how sad that sounded.

“Nothing beats homemade,” Colin replied.

Prin cut into the chicken that had been perfectly cooked so his knife slid through it. His mouth was watering as he speared a piece and popped it in his mouth. The meat and gravy taste exploded on his tongue.

“Oh, Colin,” he said. “That’s perfection.”

Colin grinned. “You can come again.”

“I certainly will.”

Prin set about carving a piece of roast potato.

“How has work been?” Colin asked.

Prin speared a piece of broccoli to accompany the potato. That was quite the question.

“You know. The usual.”

Colin frowned. “That sounds like there’s something wrong. Out with it.”

They hadn’t known one another very long. Even so, Colin had the type of stare that reminded Prin of his nanny. She’d also been able to detect when he was covering things up.

“Wow,” Prin said. “You’re good.”

He took a bite of his meal and hoped that Colin might abandon this line of questioning.

“Well?”

Evidently not.

“There’s been a theft at work,” Prin said. “A big one.”

“I dread to think what’s gone missing. Go on, tell me.”

“A consignment of dildos.”

This time Colin threw his head back and laughed. “Oh dear. Let’s hope the newspapers don’t get hold of it. The opportunity for some ripe headlines would be too much for them to resist.”

Prin smiled weakly. Of course he saw the funny side of it. However, since he’d witnessed Elliott’s phone call, he’d been worrying about things relentlessly.

“Don’t tell me you’re mixed up in it,” Colin said.

“Of course not,” Prin replied. “I don’t need the money. I think I know who it is though.”

Colin put his knife and fork down. “Then you must tell the higher-ups. Otherwise that makes you an accessory.”

Prin hadn’t even considered that. It would be typical of his luck to lose his job by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.