No Appetite for Fakes
“Hello Solicitor, interested in antiques?” Nonnie was putting the finishing touches on a display.
Richie noticed the lights on when he closed up shop for the day and walked over, “Just looks like old stuff to me.”
He wandered around the shop looking at things, “What’s this for?”
“That is a butter dish with cover. When people made their own butter it was often in a round mold.”
“Thought it came in sticks,” he chuckled.
“Mostly it does now,” she narrowed her eyes, “What brings you over?”
“Ah I uh just closed up and noticed your lights, I wondered if uh you’d like to get some dinner.”
“Now why would I want to have dinner with you Solicitor?”
Richie moved around the display piece, hands in pockets, “Maybe you’re hungry?”
Nonnie smiled and locked up the glass fronted display. “That’s a good reason if I was hungry.”
“Are you…hungry?”
Nonnie met his eyes, a light teasing look an almost smile on his lips, he really was something, “Hungry for what?”
“Um dinner?”
“It’s a little early for me, I don’t usually eat until later. I was brought up in the European tradition you see. So no I’m not…hungry.”
“Maybe a drink would whet your appetite?”
“I don’t have an appetite Mr. Roberts but thank you anyway.” She smiled and moved behind her desk.
Rrowerrr, Wuss was around his legs.
“You might take Wuss, he’d love a nice piece of fish not particular what kind, he’s like that.”
“Oh yeah, is he well I don’t think ah he’d be allowed in the dining room, he’s not the only one that’s particular.”
“I guess you’re just out of luck Mr. Roberts I hope you have a nice evening.”
Richie smirked and walked toward the door, “My name’s Richie by the way.”
“Good night Mr. Roberts.”
He couldn’t leave it alone, “Ya know twice I’ve asked you out for a meal and twice you’ve turned me down, is there a particular reason for that or maybe you don’t eat at all?”
Nonnie picked up her keys intending to lock the front door when he left and walked over to the door where he stood.
“You know I’ve been in this business since I was fifteen Mr. Roberts and My Uncle Stephen began allowing me to bid at auction at the age of seventeen. You know why I was allowed to bid at such an early age? No, well I’ll tell you I was very good at spotting a fake. I know the real thing when I see it Mr. Roberts, they are becoming very rare only so many authentic pieces made and most of those are already owned.” She smiled sweetly.
“Maybe you should examine more closely Miss Scott.”
“My first impressions are very rarely wrong, good night Mr. Roberts.”
Richie found himself on the sidewalk he lit a cigarette and walked slowly toward Millie’s.
