Read Online The Savages by Matt Whyman - Free Book Online

desk.
    â€˜Please? It won’t take a moment.’
    Titus glanced over his shoulder, sighed to himself and then swivelled around in his chair.
    â€˜So long as it doesn’t end in slamming doors,’ he said. ‘I’m too old for strops.’
    Sasha smiled, embarrassed, and headed across to the window. It looked out over the back garden. From this viewpoint it was striking just how much better the plants and flowers thrived compared to neighbouring plots. Mindful of her grandfather’s advice, Sasha took a deep breath and hoped for the best.
    â€˜I’m thinking it might be good if you met Jack after all,’ she said. ‘Just so you can see what he’s like.’
    â€˜There’s no need,’ replied Titus, sounding disappointed. ‘I already have a good idea.’
    Sasha reminded herself to stay calm.
    â€˜When Ivan first blabbed that I was going out with him,’ she said, ‘you suggested that I invite him round.’
    â€˜That was before,’ said Titus gruffly.
    â€˜Before you found out he was a vegetarian?’ She glanced at her father, found him staring at his desk but nodding at the same time. Sasha had been ready for this response, however.
    â€˜What if he was black?’ she asked cautiously, facing the window once more. ‘Asian or Chinese? Would you still refuse to let him in the house?’
    â€˜Of course not. Honey …’
    â€˜It’s still prejudice, Dad,’ she continued, finding her voice now. ‘You’re judging someone before you’ve got to know them.’
    An awkward silence opened out between them. Titus had always considered himself to be a fair man. This accusation, from his own daughter, hurt him deeply.
    â€˜Is that all you came to say?’ he asked.
    â€˜I was also hoping we could talk about this evening,’ she began, facing him briefly one more time. ‘It would mean such a lot to me if you let me go.’
    The way she phrased this brought a catch to his throat. Letting go at some point was all part of raising children. Not just for a couple of hours, but when they came to leave forever.
    â€˜It’s difficult,’ he began, and rose from his chair. ‘We have traditions in this family. It’s what makes us strong. To bring a fruit-picker into the fold would risk destroying everything.’
    â€˜I don’t want to marry Jack,’ she said, and turned to face him with both arms spread. ‘It’s just supper.’
    Titus drew breath, only to respond with what sounded to Sasha like a long sigh of resignation. Just then, Titus realised that he needed to back off. If he didn’t, he really could risk losing her.
    â€˜I want you back by ten o’clock,’ he told her warily. ‘Keep your mobile with you. If you’re worried at any time then call me, understood?’
    â€˜Understood,’ she said, beaming at her father. ‘But you don’t have to worry. He’s a vegetarian, not a sex offender. There’s a difference.’
    Before he could reply, Sasha skipped over, planted a kiss on his cheek, and then left him alone in the study. Titus watched her disappear. He gazed at the open door for a moment.
    â€˜There may well be a difference,’ he muttered to himself, ‘but both are inexcusable.’

8
    On an empty stomach, Lulabelle Hart could be somewhat fractious. Given her dietary habits, it was a mood that often lasted for much of the day. That morning, fuelled by a second glass of warm water (and a grape she had plucked from the fruit bowl in a moment of temptation) her performance was professional but underscored by a very short temper indeed.
    â€˜Yes, we can try the lighting in a different way,’ she replied to the shoot’s director, a diplomatic and gifted helmsman who was simply trying to get the best from his cast. ‘Although I had expected to be working with a crew who could get that right first time.’
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