The Elephant Tree Read Online Free Page B

cheek. As she bent down, Scott noticed that she wore little if any make-up and no jewellery other than a small silver hoop in her right ear. Her presence in the room was also the only thing that had distracted the three gamers’ attention from the screen since Scott had entered, although a steady gaze from Putty refocused them back onto their racing. She walked out into the kitchen.
    Maybe Scott hadn’t given Putty enough credit, he thought. This girl was way above the level of any part-time pussy he’d been led to believe Putty would have snagged. From her entrance and carefree attitude around the place, she was obviously afforded a certain level of respect too. He continued smoking the joint and listened as sounds from the kitchen echoed along the hallway. Running water – the kettle being filled and then switched on – drawers opening and closing – then the fridge – a clink of crockery. The only noise in the living room now was from the TV, and the slight rustle of the latest joint Putty was intently focused on applying the finishing touches to.
    Scott took another drag from the joint, enjoying the unexpected twist in his afternoon. He relaxed back into the chair and slowly let out a stream of blue smoke in the manner he’d seen Putty do following his arrival. The young woman came back out of the kitchen, walked up to him and plucked the joint from between his fingers.
    ‘Thank you kindly,’ she said, and flashed Scott the same grin that he’d already seen twice on the face of his host.
    ‘My pleasure,’ he replied with a laugh, now realising what the relationship between her and Putty must be.
    She walked back into the kitchen with the joint, as the bubbling kettle reached its peak and clicked off. Putty finished his careful rolling procedure and lit up, took two quick drags without exhaling in between and handed it straight to Scott.
    ‘You staying for long?’ Putty yelled, without looking away from the TV.
    ‘Why, aren’t you glad to see me?’ came the reply from the kitchen.
    ‘Of course, it’s just we’re talking business in here.’
    ‘OK Mr. Chairman of the board, I’ll check with your secretary next time before I drop in,’ she said, walking back into the room.
    ‘Alright Princess, always great to see you but duty calls.’
    ‘OK, I’ll call back in later on.’
    ‘That would be great, Keep will walk you to the bus stop.’
    ‘No, I’d like him to do it,’ she said looking at Scott.
    ‘It can be rough out there, sweetheart. I’d feel better if Keep did it. No offence Scott.’
    ‘I still want him to.’
    ‘I don’t mind, I can come back right after and we can get this tied up,’ Scott said, getting up out of the chair. Putty looked nonplussed but waved his hand as if to indicate he was fine with that, not taking his eyes from the TV.
    Angela winked at Scott and walked to the door.
    ‘What was that about then?’ he asked, as they went down the acrid stairwell.
    ‘I just like to wind the old man up. He’s pretty overprotective sometimes so I just like to remind him who’s in charge every once in a while,’ she said, grinning, and pulled open the doorway out of the flats.
    ‘I don’t even know your name,’ Scott said, following her back out into daylight. ‘I take it you weren’t christened Princess or Sweetheart, but I’m taking nothing for granted what with Putty and Keep in there.’
    She laughed and formally held out her hand for him to shake. ‘My name is Angela, pleased to meet you.’
    ‘Hi Angela, I guess you already know I’m Scott,’ he said, feeling slightly embarrassed, and shook her hand.
    She released his hand after firmly shaking it twice, then linked her arm through his and continued to walk.
    ‘Yeah I knew who you were before I saw you in there.’
    ‘You did?’ Scott said, a little surprised. He was sure if he’d seen Angela before he would have remembered.
    ‘I’ve seen you out around town a few times. My mate bought some speed off your