Read Online March: A Tale of Salmon and Swedes (The Glothic Tales Book 4) by Derek Haines - Free Book Online Page A

then, when he arrived, slumped into a chair at her small kitchen table, as she prepared to make their meal. ‘How have you managed to stay on this odd planet for so long?’
    ‘You’ve been here less than a day. It’s not so bad really, once you get used to the people and their customs. They have a wonderful saying here; when in Rome, do as the Romans do.’
    ‘What does that mean?’
    ‘It means relax and enjoy your holiday,’ she said, giving him a smile across her shoulder.
    March pushed his long blond hair back over his head with the fingers of both hands, and let out another defeated sigh, which Tryskolia heard, but decided to ignore, as she prepared some toasted sandwiches. She wasn’t sure yet about March, but knew that the first few days for a Glothian on Earth were always a little daunting, although in her own case, she couldn’t recall being uncomfortable at all when she first arrived. But then again, she had the benefit of having spent a number of years being posted as a junior deputy ambassador on Ultimatum Minor, a thriving second moon in the Third Sun System and then, after receiving a promotion, on to Escopisticon-Three, the outermost planet in the Eleventh Sun System, as Gloth’s ambassador. She also knew that the eldest sons of the Supreme Potentate tended to be a little sheltered and over-protected in their younger years, so she doubted that March had travelled so far before, and that this may also be the first time he had travelled alone.
    ‘There we go,’ she said, as she placed the plates on the table. ‘I'll make some tea soon. Nothing helps more than a nice cup of tea, and especially Earl Grey I have found. I’ll have to take a goodly supply with me when I finally decide to go back home to Gloth, because there is nothing like it there.’
    ‘Another product to add to my yet to be achieved export list then,’ he said, but without any enthusiasm.
    ‘Why not, indeed?’ Trys said, smiling and trying to boost March’s spirits.
    March watched quietly as Trys bit into her sandwich, and then waited until he had finished his own mouthful. ‘Are there people on Earth who know of Gloth?’
    ‘Only seven, if I include you and me.’
    ‘And these other five?’
    ‘My two assistants, who are both from Gloth of course, and three senior members of the Camera Stellata – the president, the vice-president and the treasurer.’
    ‘And where are your assistants?’
    ‘One in Washington, and one in Moscow.’ March had a questioning look on his face. ‘Check THE for the importance of both cities later. I assure you, it will be a long read.’
    March sipped his tea, thoughtfully. ‘I’d like to meet Abba.’
    ‘Well, that’s about as possible as arranging a meeting with the President of the United States, March. They are all very reclusive people now and as I understand, they don’t take kindly to overtures to meet people they don’t know. But there is a musical on in the West End you can go to see. It’s called Mamma Mia, and well, from what I’ve heard it’s quite entertaining.’
    ‘From what I have read, I believe Mr. Björn Ulvaeus seems to be their leader.’
    ‘I don’t know at all about that. I think you may be setting yourself a very unrealistic goal. And anyway, you have more important matters to concern yourself with. Salmon and caviar, isn’t it?’
    ‘And precious metals.’
    ‘Yes, that’s right. Best you concentrate on those I think, and perhaps a meeting with the vice-president of the Camera Stellata. I’m sure he would be very pleased to discuss trade opportunities with you.’
    ‘And not the president?’ March said, seemingly somewhat offended.
    Catch Twenty-Two
    Tryskolia thought dinner that evening at The Waldorf in Aldwych would help March experience a little of everyday upper class London life; perhaps along with Norwegian salmon tartare, French oysters and Iranian caviar, which would also help with his export research, so she called to book. March was lost