by Adrien Leduc
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Mr. Peverley was irritable all through the morning and by the afternoon even fiery, old Mr. Plamondon, the cantankerous eighty-something who always had a bone to pick with the bank manager, avoided him.
Godfrey wasn’t surprised therefore when, at a quarter past two, Madame Martineau walked in and received nothing but a cold stare from the Englishman. With her head held high, she strode across the lobby straight towards him.
“Godfrey.”
“Madame Martineau.”
“Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays,” she said with a forced smile, shaking a finger at him.
“You remembered.”
“I did,”
Placing the bag on the counter she’d brought in the previous week, her expression returned to the same stoic irritation it had exhibited minutes before.
“Deposit?”
“Yes, please. And be quick about it,” she said, glancing over her shoulder.
“Why? Is there something the matter?”
“No,” the woman answered quickly, turning back towards him while managing a small smile.
Godfrey nodded. That was two fake smiles in a row. But, he wasn’t one to pry in people’s business. Pulling the coin bag through the hole in the wicket, he unfastened the drawstring and began to count the money.
“Alright.”
He glanced up at the woman.
“It’s that boss of yours,” said Madame Martineau, her eyes exhibiting her exasperation. “He came to the bar last night.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. He came to the bar and when I greeted him at his booth, he propositioned me.”
Godfrey ceased counting the money and stared across the lobby at the Englishman. “Really? Mister Peverley? What sort of…proposition?” he asked slowly.
“The sort of proposition no respectable woman wants to receive. Ever.”
Curious as he was, Godfrey decided it best not to ask just what exactly his boss’ unwelcome proposition had been.
“Disgusting, isn’t it?”
“I’m sorry?”
“I said, disgusting,” Madame Martineau repeated, glancing over her shoulder once more to steal a glance at the bank manager.
Godfrey nodded and followed her gaze so that his eyes fell upon Mr. Peverley. From his position on the opposite side of the lobby, he seemed to be staring straight at them and Godfrey didn’t like the look on his face.