Free Fragile Lives by Jane A. Adams Page B

have fitted one of those silly corner baths but that would have taken up so much space it didn’t seem worth it. Anyway, it’s all newly done and comfortable and I’m sure if I ask around we can get you some furniture together.’
    Mac was a little taken aback. He opened the folded sheet. ‘The boathouse?’
    â€˜Actually, it’s above the boathouse. The first lifeboats used it, before we got the proper shed and slipway. Neil uses the downstairs to store his own boat and such but there’s a separate entrance and it can’t be more than ten minutes walk away from work so …’
    Mac realized that he was really quite touched. Steven placed a second mug of tea beside his elbow. ‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘You really shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble.’
    â€˜Oh, no trouble,’ Steven answered for Rina. ‘Rina and I went to check it out. The kitchen space is a bit small, but I’m sure it will be fine for one and the views are to die for. I’ll make you out a list of essentials, for cooking, you know.’ He frowned. ‘You do cook, I suppose?’
    â€˜Oh, leave the man alone,’ Matthew told his brother. ‘Of course he doesn’t cook. He’s a policeman, they live on coffee and doughnuts.’
    Mac stifled a laugh. ‘I can manage simple stuff,’ he said, ‘and a list would be welcome, thank you, Steven.’
    Steven beamed and Matthew awarded Mac a grateful smile, happy with anything that made his brother feel rewarded. When he had first met Rina the so-called brothers had been introduced to him as twins but he doubted the Montmorency’s were even related, so different were they in appearance, though he had learned that they had worked for years as a double act and were always billed as a matched pair. The more he got to know them, the more Mac thought of them as being two parts of the same whole. Whatever the exact nature of their relationship, they completed one another in a way that Mac thought enviable, if a little disturbing. He’d never, ever felt that close to another human being.
    â€˜Tim is on his way,’ Matthew said. ‘He’s been rehearsing. He has an audition at that new posh hotel away up the coast.’
    â€˜Oh?’ Mac was curious. ‘As Marvello or The Great Stupendo?’
    â€˜Oh no,’ Matthew told him. ‘He’s put a stop to all that. Stupendo has seen his last action. Tim and the girls and Matthew and I had a ceremonial wig burning out in the garden. We sprinkled the ashes around the rose bushes. Rina thinks it might kill them but I’m sure it will be all right.’
    Mac nodded solemnly, thinking that it was about time Tim gave up on the clown act. For a start, he didn’t really like kids and the make-up brought him out in the most awful rash. ‘Good for Tim,’ he said.
    â€˜Good for me about what?’ The tall, ascetic figure that wandered into the kitchen, had never, Mac thought, looked less clownlike.
    â€˜For cremating Stupendo.’
    The serious, almost severe face split into a broad smile, spoiling the effect but transforming the otherwise rather steely eyes. ‘I just couldn’t go on,’ he confessed. ‘That last party just about did for me. Twenty-seven spoiled little brats …’
    â€˜Not to mention the choking incident,’ Rina added.
    â€˜Hmm, not to mention that. The parents had to pay for the carpet to be cleaned, I believe.’
    â€˜Carpet?’ Mac asked.
    â€˜Oh, the choking was followed by a bit of vomiting and a fair bit of hysteria,’ Tim said airily. ‘Mind you, they couldn’t have blamed yours truly for it. I banked the cheque first thing the next morning and it cleared in only two days. Not bad, eh?’
    â€˜And this audition?’
    â€˜Oh, purely an adult gig. I’m putting a whole new act together for when they hire me.’ He tapped his right temple,