Page 26 of The Devils

Too Much Trouble

‘Hope it wasn’t too much trouble,’ said Frigo, oven’s glow on his face as Sunny watched him slide another loaf in with his shovel.

‘Please,’ said Baptiste. ‘Long as you get what you want you don’t give a shit.’

Frigo shrugged. ‘Who does? Long as they get what they want? I was being polite. That’s what politeness is. Not quite acknowledging the unpleasant truths that we both know we both know.’

‘I’m a little tired for dancing,’ growled Jakob, offering him the box.

Frigo wiped one floury hand on his apron and took it. Only Jakob didn’t let go. ‘Must confess, I’ve a worry you might double-cross us.’

‘Well, that’s a very sensible worry to have,’ said Frigo, looking levelly back.

‘What assurance can you give us?’

‘None but my impeccable reputation.’

‘So none,’ said Baptiste.

Frigo glanced at his granddaughter and gave a weary sigh. ‘Why do people insist on arguing when everyone knows they’ve got no choice?’

‘’Cause they wish they did have a choice,’ said his granddaughter.

Frigo grinned. ‘Oh, she’s sharp, this one. As sharp as her mother was. Your boat’s waiting. Hand over the box and take the boat. Or keep the box and find some other way to Troy. Up to you.’

Jakob gave a sour grunt and let go of the box.

‘Wonderful,’ said Frigo, grinning at it. He weighed it in one hand, then gently shook it, then looked up at Jakob. ‘How do I open it?’

‘No idea,’ said Jakob, already heading for the door.

‘Long as I get what I want,’ said Baptiste, swaggering after him, ‘who gives a shit? Till next time, Frigo.’

‘Don’t hurry back!’ called Frigo after them, then the door was pulled shut, and there was silence. So quiet Sunny would’ve felt the need to hold her breath if she hadn’t been holding it already.

Frigo set the box down. ‘You can come out now,’ he said, and started pounding his dough again.

Sunny blinked, wondering if he could be talking to her.

He paused in his pounding. ‘Yes, you. You can come out.’

Sunny wondered whether to play dumb. But she was curious now, and once curiosity got hold of her, she never could wriggle free. So she slipped over the railing, and dropped down lightly on her feet, and breathed out.

Frigo’s granddaughter took a shocked step back. ‘Shitting hell! It’s an elf!’

‘Doubtless.’ Frigo didn’t look surprised in the least. ‘One with a very light step.’

‘How did you know I was here?’ asked Sunny.

‘Because knowing things is my real business. Because the girls and the gangs and the gambling are just ways to get to know things. Because knowing things is the only currency that counts. What’s your name?’

‘Sunny,’ said Sunny.

‘Do you have elf ears?’ asked the girl, getting over her surprise. ‘Show me your elf ears.’

‘Fuck off,’ said Sunny, ‘you little turd.’

The girl angrily folded her arms. Frigo gave a snort. ‘You know, I’ve a sense this little sojourn to Troy will not turn out well.’

Sunny sat down on the floor, then took her boots from around her neck and untied their laces. ‘I’m used to that.’

‘Well, you ever tire of the feeling of disappointment, you know where to find me. I’ll always have work for someone of your talents.’

‘What kind of work?’ she asked, pulling on one boot.

‘All kinds.’

Sunny pulled on the other and stood. She could rarely be bothered with doing up the laces anyway. ‘Maybe I’m happy where I am.’

Frigo considered her for a moment, with those slow, careful eyes. ‘No, you’re not. I think you’re very lonely. Do you know how I know?’

Sunny swallowed so hard she could almost hear the spit move in her throat. ‘How?’

He kept looking at her, and it seemed for a moment as if he truly saw her. Not what she was, but who she was. ‘Because no one’s really happy where they are, Sunny.’ And he sighed, and carried on working his dough. ‘And everyone’s lonely.’