Free Cat's Cradle by Julia Golding

exist.
    â€˜Very good.’ The waiter still had not raised his eyes to me, bowing to Frank as he departed.
    My friend chuckled.
    â€˜How can you bear it?’ I sighed. ‘All that fawning over you as if you were some kind of demigod.’
    â€˜Only a demigod?’ Frank took a bite of his bacon and chewed with relish.
    â€˜Zeus himself then. Lord knows what would happen if your exalted father graced the place with his presence.’
    â€˜I imagine the waiter would expire with excitement.’
    â€˜Still, doesn’t it get on your nerves?’
    â€˜Absolutely. Why do you think I’m friends with you? A sobering dose of your insults and teasing, and my head deflates to normal size. So, Cat – Scotland. What’s the big plan?’
    I crumbled up my muffin, then instantly regretted wasting it and tried to stick it back together again.
    Frank clicked his fingers. A waiter sprang to his side. ‘Another muffin for the lady, please.’
    â€˜At once, my lord.’
    A basket of warm muffins covered by a linennapkin appeared in front of me and a fresh plate replaced my old crumb-covered one.
    â€˜I suppose rank does have compensations,’ I muttered as I took a bite.
    Frank met my eye and held it.
    I capitulated. ‘All right – Scotland. I don’t think marching up and knocking on Mrs Moir’s door would get me any further – she can tell me any tale that she wants. I need to slip past her defences and hear the truth without her knowing what she’s revealing.’
    Frank nodded. ‘Good plan. So how?’
    â€˜I thought I’d get a job.’
    â€˜A job?’
    â€˜Yes, in the mill. Get to know the family and see what I can make of them.’
    The cream jug arrived on a silver salver.
    â€˜How does the young lady like her tea, my lord?’ The annoying waiter was back.
    Frank smiled at my irritation. ‘I’ve no idea, Herman. I suggest you ask her yourself.’
    The waiter angled himself slightly in my direction but couldn’t quite bring himself to framethe enquiry to such a questionable specimen of the lower classes.
    â€˜Oh, give it here,’ I grumbled, taking the jug and adding a dash to my tea. ‘I like it like this, all right?’
    â€˜I will remember your companion’s preference in future, my lord.’ The waiter backed from the table as if leaving the presence of royalty.
    Frank frowned. ‘He’s beginning to annoy me too now.’
    â€˜I’m surprised he hasn’t erected a screen around me to hide me from the other guests.’
    Frank raised his hand as if to click his fingers again.
    â€˜Don’t you dare!’ I said in an undertone.
    He gave me his sunniest smile. ‘You are so easy to tease. So – back to Scotland.’
    â€˜Yes – job, get to know the Moirs, find the truth and then . . .’ My voice tailed away.
    â€˜Then?’
    â€˜I don’t know, to be honest with you. If they do turn out to be family then I suppose I’ll have to make myself known to them.’
    â€˜Would you stay with them?’
    I shook my head.
    â€˜Not even if this Mrs Moir turns out to be your mother?’
    I bit my lip. ‘I can’t answer that.’
    Frank tapped his fingers on the table for a moment – a most annoying habit.
    â€˜I can take you as far as Cambridge. You can catch a stage from there.’ He felt in his pocket. ‘And to prevent you donning a mask and turning highwayman, I insist you accept some money.’ He placed a stack of gold coins on the table.
    â€˜Ten guineas! I couldn’t. It’s too much.’
    He pushed the money to my side. ‘Did you not hear the “insist” bit? I did it in my most impressive demigod voice especially and I don’t want that wasted.’
    I hesitated. It would solve so many problems but I hated being beholden to a friend – to anyone for that matter.
    â€˜You’d do as