C4 antho - Chamber Four

The Next Thing on Benefit ~247~
and came to meet them. He supported Munro’s other side,
and he and Sharon together got him onto the veranda and
into a comfortable chair. Patrick went to make them drinks.
“That’s better,” said Munro. “That’s much better. You see
why I like younger women, now, don’t you, Patrick? If you
can’t walk, they can pick you up and carry you. Women our
age can’t do that anymore.”
“Surely some can, sir,” said Patrick.
“Some,” said Munro. “But then, they’re apt to fall short
in other ways.”
“I suppose so, sir,” said Patrick.
Sharon sat in Munro’s lap. He kissed her hair. “Poor
kid,” said Munro. “Comes down here for a dirty weekend
with a rich guy―not young, but still frisky. Turns out she’s
signed on with Rip Van Winkle. Or, no. Not Rip Van Winkle.
She’s signed on with . . . with . . . Who’s that other fellow,
Patrick?”
“Dorian Gray, sir?”
“Turns out she’s signed on with Dorian Gray,” said
Munro.
“Who’s Dorian Gray?” asked Sharon.
“Fellow in a book,” said Munro. “Kipling? Conan Doyle?”
“Oscar Wilde, sir,” said Patrick.
“Have a drink with us, Patrick,” said Munro.
“Thank you, sir,” said Patrick. He poured himself a glass
of sparkling water and sat in a chair to Munro’s left, facing
Sharon.
“We were going to ask you, Patrick,” Munro began. “We
were going to ask . . . What were we going to ask Patrick?”
“The name of the island,” said Sharon.
“That was it. What is the island called, Patrick?”