Read Online Mindgame by Anthony Horowitz - Free Book Online Page B

nothing.
    Let’s talk about this. This is intriguing. You and your mum. Why didn’t you mention her earlier? In fact, now I come to think of it, why did you never say that all those years… you and I actually lived next door?
    STYLER: ( Faltering .) Didn’t I?
    FARQUHAR: You didn’t even say you’d lived in York.
    STYLER: I did.
    FARQUHAR: You said you’d lived in the north but you were careful not to specify where.
    STYLER: I didn’t think it was relevant.
    FARQUHAR: Of course it’s relevant. We were neighbours.
    STYLER: But I never saw you!
    FARQUHAR: You’re lying.
    STYLER: No.
    FARQUHAR: Yes. You saw me all the time. And how do I know? How do you think? Because I saw you!
    A pause.
    STYLER: Can I have a cigarette?
    FARQUHAR: What?
    STYLER: I want a cigarette.
    FARQUHAR: You want me to give you a cigarette?
    STYLER: Yes.
    FARQUHAR: And how do you propose to smoke it?
    A brief pause.
    STYLER: You’ll hold it for me.
    FARQUHAR: You want me to hold a cigarette for you?
    STYLER: Yes.
    FARQUHAR: You don’t think we’re getting a little pally?
    STYLER: I just want a cigarette.
    FARQUHAR: Alright.
    FARQUHAR picks up the cigarette packet and takes one out. He examines it .
    How strange.
    STYLER: What now?
    FARQUHAR: The packet says Embassy. But this cigarette is a Lambert and Butler.
    STYLER: Does it matter?
    FARQUHAR: I’m just interested. Where did you get them?
    STYLER: At a garage on the way up. I don’t know.
    FARQUHAR: Did you ask for Embassy or for Lambert and Butler?
    STYLER: What?
    FARQUHAR: I’m just trying to work out whether this is the right cigarettes in the wrong box or vice versa. Either way I’d say it’s a direct contravention of the Trade Descriptions Act.
    STYLER: Can I just have the cigarette?
    FARQUHAR: Certainly.
    FARQUHAR puts the cigarette between STYLER’s lips. Then he gets the lighter out of the desk and stretches it on the chain. Throughout all this…
    I used to see quite a lot of you. We should have recognised each other when you came in. I’m surprised we didn’t, but then it has been thirty years.
    FARQUHAR lights the cigarette.
    You had a dog. A golden retriever. It used to bark to be let out. Isn’t it funny how the memories come flooding back. The two of you were always arguing.
    STYLER: Me and the dog?
    FARQUHAR: You and your mother. I used to hear you – over the fence. ( Imitating — in a York accent .) ‘Eeh-up, you’re stepping on the azaleas, Mark. Get your stupid feet off my plants.’
    STYLER: I told you. I wasn’t there very much.
    FARQUHAR: But when you were there, you argued.
    STYLER: Sometimes. She was very fussy about her garden.
    FARQUHAR: And about her kitchen?
    STYLER: What?
    FARQUHAR: Your mother’s kitchen.
    STYLER: Yes. She was fussy about food.
    FARQUHAR offers the cigarette. STYLER takes a drag. FARQUHAR removes the cigarette from his lips for him.
    Thank you.
    FARQUHAR: I wouldn’t do this for just anyone, you know.
    STYLER: Thank you very much.
    FARQUHAR: Tell me more about your mother. What else was she fussy about?
    STYLER: She was a very independent person. She liked things done her way.
    FARQUHAR: She sounds like a bit of a dragon.
    STYLER: I wouldn’t say that.
    FARQUHAR: What would you say?
    STYLER: She was difficult. She was demanding…
    FARQUHAR: But you said she always encouraged you.
    STYLER: Yes.
    FARQUHAR: Yes, it’s true?
    STYLER: Yes, it’s true that’s what I said.
    FARQUHAR: So she didn’t encourage you?
    STYLER: She was sceptical.
    FARQUHAR: She didn’t think you could write.
    Another drag on the cigarette.
    I’ll tell you something. While we’re in this climate of confidence.
    STYLER: What?
    FARQUHAR: I know where you’re coming from.
    STYLER: Do you?
    FARQUHAR: My mother didn’t think I could paint.
    STYLER: You wanted to paint.
    FARQUHAR: I did paint. Only my mother was