The Day of the Gecko Read Online Free Page B

set of keys, also mentioning he may as well eat whatever was in the fridge as it would only spoil while she was away. She then led him over to the door.
    â€˜Now, Les, this is the security system.’ Next to the door was a plastic box of small square buttonsnumbered one to ten with three tiny lights: red, amber and green. The amber one was on. ‘Now the security number for the alarm is 1002. But so you don’t get confused, you think of the movie
2001: A Space Odyssey
. Reverse it, which is 1002, and press it and that’s it.’
    Les looked at the box of numbers then looked at Susie. ‘Let me get this straight. When I come in, I think of
2001: A Space Odyssey
. The movie?’
    â€˜That’s right.’
    â€˜And I press 2001.’
    â€˜No. You press 1002.’
    â€˜But the movie’s 2001.’
    â€˜Yeah. That’s the movie.
Space Odyssey
.’
    â€˜2001.’
    â€˜That’s right, Les.’
    â€˜So the security number’s 2001.’
    â€˜No, Les. 1002. You reverse it.’
    â€˜Reverse the movie?’
    â€˜No! Not the fuckin’ movie, Les. The number. 2001 is 1002. You reverse it.’
    â€˜Reverse it?’
    â€˜Yes, Les! You bloody reverse it!’
    Norton looked at Susie, looked at the box of numbers, then looked at Susie again. ‘But why?’
    â€˜So you don’t get fuckin’ confused, you moron.’
    Norton shook his head. ‘You’ve got me confused, Susie. And I’ve seen
2001: A Space Odyssey
about four times.’
    â€˜Oh, for Christ’s bloody sake!’
    â€˜Susie. Just one more time and slowly. What’s the number?’
    Susie’s eyes narrowed. ‘Two thousand and fucking one is the movie.
Space Odyssey
. 1002 is the fucking security number.’
    â€˜The security number is 1002? Forget the movie.’
    â€˜That’s right, Les,’ breathed Susie. ‘1002.’
    Les looked at Susie, completely devoid of expression. ‘Well, why didn’t you say so in the first place?’
    Susie seemed to go a little funny. ‘Les,’ she said slowly, ‘why don’t we finish our coffee on the lounge. I think I’ve shown you all I can for now.’
    â€˜Okay.’
    They put their coffees back down on one of the tables and sat on the lounge with Susie on Norton’s left. She was shaking her head slowly and seemed to be staring at the floor as if she was trying to avoid eye contact with Les.
    â€˜You know what your trouble is, Susie?’ said Les quietly.
    â€˜What!’
    â€˜Tension and stress. You’re that uptight, Susie, it’d take a tractor to pull a thermometer out of your blurter.’
    â€˜You’d make . . .’
    â€˜It’s all this work you’re doing,’ cut in Les. ‘Hairdressing, waitressing, rorting CDs. The bank manager pounding on your door. You don’t know where your boarder is. The break-in. Plus a death in the family. It all catches up, you know.’
    Susie gave a little sigh. ‘Yeah, you could be right, Les. I have had a lot on my mind.’ She moved up the lounge a little closer to Les. ‘It’s not all peaches and cream for a single girl trying to survive in the city.’
    â€˜And Uncle Les understands.’ He put his arm aroundSusie’s shoulder and she rested her head on his. ‘You know what you need?’
    â€˜No, Les. What do I need?’
    â€˜A nice rub. Just round your neck and shoulders. Get rid of all that stress and tension. Before the rivets in your boiler pop.’
    â€˜You think so, Les?’
    â€˜I know so. I can see so.’
    Susie let out a little breath. ‘Yes, you could be right.’
    â€˜Well, why don’t you sit down on the floor in front of me and I’ll give your neck a rub.’ Susie looked at Les. ‘Take five minutes. Then I’ll give you a lift out to the airport later. Save you catching a cab.’
    â€˜Would