Merle flipped him off. "Made you look!"
then as an after though he added "Good luck with the job too. I hope you keep it."
And parley dissolved, leaving merle's extended middle finger till last. Whisps of smoke curled the chalk board. And angus found himself sat at his desk. With a glass of punch still in his hand somehow. He drained his glass and when he put it down that disappeared. Angus felt lighter for the talk. A little more at peace thanks to the peace maker. He tried to get back to his studies for a while. But his heart it wasn't in it right now.
So, Angus unlocked the door and took himself off for a walk. The clear evening air helped blow away what was left of the scraps of anger rattling around his brain.
Merle was as good as his word. When Angus came back on his desk was plate full of food, covered in tin foil.
And a note.
Sorry lil man. x
The food was delicious. A big ol' Burger with a halloumi, both little crispy but not charcoal. Home grown Salad, couple of chicken legs. Salsa. chunky potatoes done two ways; in a potato salad with apple and as wedges.
But the note made Angus sad. Because it was in Lup's writing. Not Taako's.
Angus ate. Then he replied to his notebook messages and left a few voice mails on stones. Briefly, though. Just to let folks know he was okay. And in Miller's case confirming he'd be at attending the next lectures. And telling Twinkle he was never ever covering another shift for them. (he's not sure Twinkle heard him. Wherever the fairy was tonight had a very heavy base line.) Before shutting off both his stone and far speech book again. Angus took another briefer walk just around the campus block. Had a bath. Re-read a few chapters of the third Caleb Cleveland: Kid Cop book. And made an early night of it.
Angus didn't go to bed angry. Just disappointed. But he slept soundly, thanks to Mrs Cosie's tea.