A Matter of Honor

The giant bent down and kissed his sister on both cheeks. He then shook hands with Adam before leaving them both on the doorstep.

“I am sorry to be late,” said Heidi. “My brother did not get back from work until after seven.”

“It was no problem,” said Adam, leading her into the flat. “If you had come any earlier, I wouldn’t have been ready for you. By the way, this is my flatmate, Lawrence Pemberton.”

“In England the men also need a chaperone?” said Heidi.

Both men laughed. “No, no,” said Lawrence. “I was just on my way out. Like your brother, I already have a date. As you can see, the table is only laid for two. I’ll be back around eleven, Adam, just to make sure you’re safe.” He smiled at Heidi, put on his coat, and closed the door behind him before either could object.

“I hope I don’t drive him away,” said Heidi.

“No, no,” said Adam, as she took Lawrence’s place at the table. “He’s already late for his girlfriend. Charming girl called Carolyn, a social worker.” He quick y topped up her wine, pretending it hadn’t already been poured.

“So I am going to eat my own sausages, after all,” she said, laughing. And the laughter didn’t stop for the rest of the evening, as Adam learned about Heidi’s life in Germany, her family, and the holiday job she had taken while on vacation from Mainz University.

“My parents only allow me to come to England because my brother is already in London; it is to help my languages course. But now, Adam, I would like to know what you are doing when you are not picking up girls in food stores.”

“I was in the army for nine years, and I’m now hoping to join the Foreign Office.”

“In what capacity, if that is the right expression?” Heidi asked.

“It’s the right expression, but I’m not sure I know the right answer,” said Adam.

“When someone says that about the Foreign Service it usually means they are a spy.”

“I don’t know what it means, to be honest, but they’re going to tell me next week. In any case, I don’t think I’d make a very good spy. But what are you going to do when you return to Germany?”

“Complete my final year at Mainz, and then I hope to find a job as a television news researcher.”

“What about Jochen?” asked Adam.

“He will join my father’s law practice as soon as he is arriving home.”

“So how long will you be in London?” he found himself asking.

“Another two months,” she said. “If I can stand the job.”

“Why do you carry on with it if it’s that bad?”

“There is no better way to test your English than impatient shoppers who speak all accents.”

“I hope you stay the full two months,” said Adam.

“So do I,” she re

plied, smiling.

When Jochen arrived back punctually at eleven, he found Adam and Heidi doing the dishes.

“Thank you for a most interesting evening,” she said, wiping her hands.

“Not a good word,” reprimanded Jochen.”Not interesting, I think. Lovely, happy, delightful, enjoyable, perhaps, but not interesting.”

“It was all those things,” said Adam, “but it was also interesting.”

She smiled.

“May I come and buy some more sausages tomorrow?”