Page 25 of What's the time, Mr. Wolfe
“Get in the car,” he said, not looking at me at all.
I did as I was told.
For a moment, we just sat. “Are you angry withme?” I asked. I didn’t want him to be. For as much as I’d been rude to him in the past, being upset with me wasn’t what I wanted.
“Yes.”
His abruptness made me shrivel inside. I looked out of my window.
“I should take you home.”
“I don’t want to go home. Can we get a coffee somewhere? I’ll pay,” I said, trying to lighten the mood.
Only then did he look at me. “Never judge anyone, Ruby. Not until you know the circumstances.”
I gently nodded. He started the engine and we drove, thankfully, in the opposite direction to home. He pulled up outside an all-night café and I waited for him to open my door. He held out his hand and I took it. It was the easiest way to get out of the car.
As I walked to the counter, he took a seat. I ordered him a black coffee, strong, and myself a latte. I paid when the drinks were ready, and then joined him.
“Ask your questions, Ruby,” he said.
I had a ton, but I suddenly found I had no words. “I think I’d like to just drink my coffee, and maybe talk about the building rather than its use.”
He nodded.
“As much as I love architecture, I love interiors more. It’s easy to put up four walls, but the positioning of windows and lighting, flow of the rooms, thatfascinates me. How to make a building work, do you know what I mean?” When I spoke about my passion, I became animated. Even my voice changed. It wasn’t so sullen.
He smiled at me. “I do. It’s good to be passionate about something.”
“What are you passionate about?” I asked.
“Lots of things.”
“That you won’t tell me?” I asked, smirking.
“Exactly.”
He looked at his watch and disappointment flooded through me.
“What’s the time, Mr. Wolfe?” I asked, my voice low.
“It’s One O’clock,” he replied.
I scooted forward a little.
“I think it’s time for me to head home. But...”
“But what, Ruby?”
“I’d like to go back to that club one day.”
He stared at me. “For what reason?”
“Just because.”
He shook his head. “That isn’t a good enough reason.”
“I’m curious, okay?”
