Matt Whyman - The Savages

‘It will be,’ said Titus. ‘Just as soon as I get home.’

Sasha Savage felt peculiar. After three courses, she’d expected to be bloated and full. Instead, she set down her dessert spoon in the plate she’d just cleared, feeling strangely nourished.

‘That was… good,’ she said.

‘You sound surprised.’ On the other side of the candle lights, Jack Greenway had been watching his dinner date finish her final mouthful. ‘We vegetarians know how to entertain, you know?’

‘OK, it was more than good,’ said Sasha. ‘It was great.’

Jack leaned in a little closer.

‘Do you really mean that?’

Following the fried flower episode, things had picked up considerably. Sasha had quite enjoyed the artichoke bruschetta that Jack served for starters. The main dish, a gratin that contained a lot of beans, was certainly edible. What it lacked, in her opinion, was any bite and sinew. Still, this was Jack Greenway cooking for her. Jack Greenway . Granted, he had spent much of the meal talking about himself. When he did ask her a question, it was about the food he had cooked for her. Still, it was clear to Sasha that he had made a big effort. Even if the conversation had been a little one way, it was only polite that she complimented his culinary efforts. The meal had been much better than she imagined, even if she did wonder if there would be any sliced meat at home for a late-night sandwich.

‘I loved it,’ she said, and folded her napkin.

‘That’s great to hear,’ said Jack as a grin eased across his face. ‘So, after all that, would you?’

Sasha’s eyes widened. Having dismissed her father’s warnings about dining alone with the guy, she suddenly wondered whether he might have been right after all.

‘Would I what?’

‘Turn,’ said Jack. ‘Could you become meat-free for me? I was hoping that this evening has showed you the joy to be had from eating food that didn’t once have a mother or a face.’

Sasha screwed up her face.

‘Eating meat isn’t all that bad.’

‘It should be a crime in my opinion,’ said Jack. ‘Carnivores show no respect for life or the natural order.’

‘But a falafel deserves everything it gets?’ Sasha said this with such a disarming smile that Jack could find no argument.

‘I’m sorry,’ he said eventually. ‘Sometimes I forget that not everyone shares my views about eating.’

I know the feeling , thought Sasha.

‘It’s good to believe in something,’ she said instead. ‘It shows a strong spirit.’

Jack didn’t respond for a moment. He just held Sasha’s gaze to the point where she had to blink and look away.

‘You know I’m thinking about going vegan,’ he said eventually. ‘Totally plant-based eating. No dairy. Nothing.’

‘Wow,’ said Sasha, who didn’t quite know how to respond to this news. ‘Hardcore.’

‘I hoped you’d be impressed,’ he said. ‘Just as I’m pleased this little supper of mine has given you food for thought.’

‘It really has,’ said Sasha, and hoped perhaps that things would move from the table to the sofa some time soon. Making out in the front room seemed more appealing to her than this culinary inquisition, though she certainly wasn’t the kind of girl to set her sights on the bedroom. Not after such a short time together. Then again, judging by the way Jack remained in his chair with his eyes locked on hers, it didn’t look like they were going anywhere.

‘So, what do you think about the next seven days?’ he asked her eventually. ‘Could you go without meat for a week?’

‘What?’ said Sasha, who struggled to find the right response. ‘Seriously?’

Slowly, as a thought took shape in his mind, Jack sat back and lifted his chin by an inch.

‘Actually, let’s see what you’re really made from,’ he said. ‘Make it a month !

‘But, Jack—’

‘It would mean so much to me,’ he purred. ‘I just know there’s a vegetarian inside you.’

Ten minutes after her daughter was supposed to return home that evening, Angelica began disinfecting the kitchen surfaces with an antibacterial spray. The commercial people had brought in professional cleaners as the contract dictated. They had left it spotless, and that included removing the eviscerated vole from the fire grate without even a shriek. Angelica hadn’t found fault with any of it. They had even sought her approval before leaving. Then again, her reason for going over things one more time had nothing to do with cleanliness. It was simply a distraction as she fretted about Sasha.

Angelica had tried her mobile, only for it to go to voice message. Calling Titus wasn’t an option. As a precaution, he had left his phone at home. Taking it with him would only leave a digital footprint, and that was the last thing he needed. All she could do was work the cloth over the countertops and hope that her family would be back under the same roof soon. Angelica struggled not to fear the worst, which was why she gasped when a voice broke the silence behind her.

‘ I can’t sleep .’

Spinning around, she found Ivan in his pyjamas. He looked paler than ever, and very gloomy.

‘My boy,’ she said, and opened her arms to offer him a hug. ‘I know you’ve made some mistakes today, but I do still love you so.’

Ivan walked into his mother’s arms. He didn’t return the squeeze, and just gazed at his reflection in the French windows behind her.

‘Dad is really disappointed in me, isn’t he?’

‘He’ll get over it.’ Angelica moved her hands to his shoulders, and straightened her arms. She took a long look at Ivan, gazing into his eyes. ‘You’re his only son,’ she said. ‘It’s important to him that you grow up with his values, just as he grew up with Grandpa’s. Killing people for kicks isn’t something they would ever consider.’

‘I didn’t do it on purpose,’ he said to remind her.

‘I know that, said Angelica. ‘Just don’t let it happen again, OK?’

Ivan nodded, and then turned along with his mother at the sound of a key in the front door. Angelica held her breath on hearing footsteps in the hall. When Titus walked into the kitchen, leaving an empty-looking holdall behind him, she forced a smile that he saw through immediately.

‘What’s the problem?’ he asked, shrugging off his coat.

Angelica glanced down at Ivan, indicating that the conversation could wait. Titus understood, and considered his son for a moment.

‘Ivan,’ he said finally. ‘I blame myself for what happened. I shouldn’t have shut myself away with work all morning. Not at the weekend. That’s family time. But we can’t go back. It’s done now. If you’ve learned a valuable lesson here, then that woman won’t have died in vain.’

The boy nodded, and then agreed with his father that it was time to return to bed. He scuttled off looking much brighter, which drew an admiring smile from Titus. Then he faced Angelica, and breathed out long and hard.

‘What a night,’ he said, crossing the floor to collect two wine glasses from the rack.

‘It isn’t over yet,’ said Angelica, and paused until she had his full attention. ‘Sasha hasn’t come home.’

Titus set down the glasses on the counter. He glanced at the clock on the wall, his eyes tightening at the same time. His gaze only shifted at the sound of a car pulling up outside. He looked at Angelica, who stared back, clearly straining to listen just like him. As the vehicle halted, the engine cut out immediately. Even before it came back into life, with barely a squeeze on the pedal, Titus knew for sure that there had to be batteries supporting the motor under the bonnet.

‘It’s her,’ he said. ‘The vegetarian drives a hybrid.’