Chapter Ten

Chicken Alfredo

Later that day, when the time came, Vladislav cooked dinner for Beatrice.

She sat in the kitchen patiently, waiting for her meal to arrive, watching him move about the kitchen. If she had been familiar with such a thing, this would have been like waiting for a meal at a restaurant.

After not too long, her meal arrived.

‘It’s chicken alfredo’ Vladislav offered. ‘It’s a pasta dish, with chicken, of course. For me it’s a comfort meal, and easy enough to make. It’s made with a creamy cheese-sauce.’ He straightened up. ‘I hope you like it.’

Beatrice looked down at her wide bowl, seeing before her the gentle colours of the chicken and creamy pasta. She lifted her cutlery, cutting a small piece for herself and lifting it to her mouth.

Vladislav watched her closely as she did this.

Beatrice began to chew, doing so slowly, giving her mind time to process this strange new taste, and gradually coming to the conclusion of how it tasted, and whether or not she liked it.

‘Hm’ she said, as Vladislav continued to watch her expectantly.

‘What do you think?’ he pressed.

‘I um…like it.’

‘You do?’ Vladislav’s eyes began to glow. ‘That’s excellent’ he declared, reaching into his coat and pulling out a little book and a pen.

He opened it, and began to scribble into it.

‘Chicken alfredo’ he mumbled to himself as he began to write, Beatrice watching him with curiosity, ‘what do you like about it exactly?’

‘Um…’ Beatrice pondered her words. ‘Its…creamy….’ She settled on, ‘and um, tastes of cheese, in a nice way.’

‘…tastes of cheese in a nice way’ Vladislav murmured. ‘Remember’ he said to her, speaking clearly now, ‘I need an honest opinion of the food if I’m to find tastes that are to your liking. You understand?’

‘I do.’

‘Excellent.’ Vladislav snapped the little book shut, returning it and the pen to the inside of his coat pocket. ‘Now if you would be so willing my dear, could you help me clear the table?’

‘You’re asking me?’ Beatrice blurted.

‘Of course.’ Vladislav paused. ‘Is that so odd?’

‘I suppose I’m not used to it.’

‘How long have you been a slave?’ Vladislav asked her.

Beatrice pursed her lips, bowing her head.

‘I’m sorry’ Vladislav said. ‘What that question uncomfortable for you?’

‘Umm…mmm.’

‘You don’t have to answer’ Vladislav clarified. ‘Pretend I did not ask.’

She raised her head, looking him in his glowing eyes.

‘I would love to help you clear up’ Beatrice said. ‘You could show me where everything belongs.’

Moments later, Vladislav handed something to Beatrice to put into the next room, where there was a little pantry. And that is when Beatrice was met by something that caught her by shock and surprise. She had almost walked directly into it.

Beatrice let out a cry, falling back and dropping what she had been carrying.

Vladislav was behind her in an instant.

‘What’s wrong?’

‘What is that?’ Beatrice cried. ‘It’s upside down!’

It was a single large fruit bat, staring innocently back at Beatrice.

‘It’s just a single fruit bat’ Vladislav said to her. ‘It is rather large for its size, but they are normally quite large.’

Vladislav helped Beatrice to her feet.

‘There is no need to be afraid’ Vladislav said. ‘I think they are rather sweet.’ He paused.

‘Would you like to feed him some banana? He loves banana.’

‘What?’ Beatrice gasped.

‘Here’ Vladislav went to the nearby cupboard, taking a bunch and pulling one of the banana’s free.

Instantly the bat’s eyes grew massive, grew hungry.

Vladislav peeled the banana, tearing off a piece and offering it to the creature.

The bat ate it whole, stuffing it in its mouth and eating loudly, its little pointed tongue poking out as its cheeks bulged.

‘Would you like to feed him?’ Vladislav offered.

Beatrice stepped forward tentatively, taking the banana piece from Vladislav and offering it to bat.

The creature ate hungrily, stuffing its already bulging mouth.

‘He seems hungry.’

‘He’s always like that’ Vladislav replied. ‘I assure you he is very well fed.’

‘Does he live here?’ Beatrice asked. ‘Here in this pantry?’

‘Yes. He is free to come and go whenever he likes’ Vladislav indicated the large open window beside them. ‘It’s lovely’ he said moving over to it. ‘It lets a lovely breeze in but its sheltered enough to keep the rain out.’

‘But doesn’t the food get stolen?’ Beatrice asked.

‘By who?’ Vladislav turned to her. ‘There is no one else for miles around, and there is nothing worth stealing here.’

‘What about all your books?’

‘Hardly worth much to a criminal or thief’ Vladislav replied waving her off. ‘And anything that is worth stealing…well…’ he paused. ‘No one but I would know either its worth or what to do with it. Apart from that’ he added cheerfully, ‘Jack keeps the ground safe and will alert to any unwanted guest.’

[END OF CHAPTER]