Page 20 of Destroyer

"Put him home. Poor man burnt to death in own home."

"He tripped and burnt himself on a propane tank?"

"Exactly. Then the coroner say accident, but all the family will know better and play good."

"Pick someone in your phone to call and I will never mention the damn phone again."

Fine. Let's go with blackmail then. I'll be getting my own back one day with this man and his secret plans.

I let the phone ring, never taking my eyes off Gregory.

"Hello?" A Romanian greeting throws me. It has been so long since I have heard that language from anyone but myself.

"Is that Christian Balen? I am Nico, my mother was Ioana Balen."

"Good god. I was told you were both dead."

"Only my mother."

"Wow. I'm really pleased to hear from you. How are you?"

"I am being house trained. I lived with a man who didn't like reading, but I am very good at poker."

"Your mother didn't like reading either. She was always very good at remembering things though."

"Me too. They are teaching me how to read."

"You will be a library mouse in no time."

"What is a library mouse?"

"It's what we call someone who loves to read."

"Here they are called bookworms."

"That is an odd name."

I chuckle at his words. He seems like a nice man, and easy enough to talk to, even if I am out of practice with Romanian.

"What are you hoping for from me?"

"Nothing. I lost my mum six years ago, and I lost Gavriil recently. I just wanted to know I had someone. Just one relative who is glad I am alive."

"If that is all you want from me then you have your wish. I am very glad you are alive."

"Thank you. I wish I had met you during my time in Romania."

"I'm sorry you don't remember me. I didn’t my best to ensure you had breakfast each morning."

"You are Sticky-bread man?"

I remember a young man who walked past where Muma liked to sleep. He started giving me two sticky buns each morning, and I'd share with my mum. We'd move around a lot, and I couldn't always get to where Sticky-bun man was, but things always worked out.

"You called me Sticky-bun man?"

"I did."

"My father always said Isla only had to ask to come back and she would be welcomed, but he insisted it had to be her choice. I'm sorry she didn't choose that for you. I'm not sure if my father would make the same offer to you."

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