Page 32 of Atticus Arnott's Great Adventure
Knowing thathe’d likely be cleaning up after the greedy dog all night, Atticus stepped in. Clipping a lead to her collar, he pulled Ness to one side.
Cheryl, with an arm around the barbecue chef, turned when she saw him. ‘Here he is,’ she smiled. ‘Atticus, our new neighbour.’
The person with Cheryl, wearing a polo shirt and shorts, had cropped hair, grey at the sides, and a nose and ears pierced with studs and rings. A snake tattoo coiled around their neck, and more tattoos featuring animals continued along well-muscled arms and legs.
‘Good evening,’ Atticus said and held out his hand.
‘Hello, I’m pleased to meet you.’
Atticus tried not to wince as the hand crunched his own.
‘This is my Ruby,’ Cheryl said and planted a kiss, narrowly missing a nose ring.
‘Oh, hi, er, hello…’ Atticus shook Ruby’s hand.
‘How long are you here for?’ Ruby asked. She picked up a fork and tossed chunks of steak on a hot grill, alongside marinated chicken and fat juicy sausages.
‘I’m not sure, a few weeks at least.’ Atticus stared at the food and realised that his stomach was rumbling. It seemed a long time since his bread and cheese picnic.
‘Travelling alone?’ Ruby carefully turned the browning meat.
‘Yes, despite my family thinking I’m out of my mind.’
‘Your family doesn’t approve?’ Cheryl was curious.
‘My son, Mungo, thinks that an old codger like me shouldn’t stray far from home, and this trip in a vintage camper is crazy.’
‘A crazy cowboy.’ Cheryl smiled. ‘Does your son think you’re spending his inheritance?’
Atticus grinned at Cheryl’s directness and decided that he liked her. ‘He thinks that an old man like me isn’t safe to be travelling on his own.’
‘What tosh, eh Ruby?’ Cheryl nudged Ruby’s arm again. ‘You’re never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.’
‘Or take a nap halfway through both,’ Ruby laughed.
‘He thinks I’m old enough to know better than gadding about in a foreign country,’ Atticus said.
‘Ah, but you’reyoungenough to know better!’ Cheryl observed.
‘You look hungry,’ Ruby said, and taking a plate, loaded it with meat and handed it to Atticus. Spearing a cold sausage, she winked at Ness, who gobbled the offering before Atticus had time to tug her back.
‘Help yourself to salads and sides.’ Ruby waved her fork in the direction of a loaded table, where Atticus could see other guests tucking in.
‘You must let me contribute to this,’ he said, his mouth watering as he contemplated the delicious meal.
‘Nah, don’t be daft,’ Ruby said, giving him a gentle fist bump. ‘We’ll all be round at yours tomorrow,’ she added with a grin.
Atticus gulped. He hadn’t expected to make new friends so early on in his holiday and wondered how on earth he would cope with Winnie’s basic cooking facilities if a crowd turned up.
‘Only joking,’ Rubylaughed. ‘Don’t look so terrified.’
Erik returned and seeing Atticus’s empty glass, slapped him on the back and reached out to refill it. ‘Drink up, enjoy!’
The thirst-quenching sangria was delicious. ‘Don’t mind if I do,’ Atticus said. He gripped his plate and meandered over to the table, where Cheryl pulled out a chair for him.
Someone had picked up a guitar and begun to play, and Atticus noticed several ukuleles lined up by the decking.
‘Park yourself down here, next to me,’ Cheryl said. ‘Then tell us all about yourself. We haven’t had a new face on the site for a while, and everyone wants to get to know you.’
