‘It is if you have a headache.’ ‘That’s the not normal part,’ said Caterina. ‘I see you’re having difficulty adjusting to my morning routines,’ said Blume. ‘No, I think it’s working out pretty well. I am adjusting.’ ‘Still, I imagine it’s nice to have a break from me now and again. I certainly would like to take a break from myself now and then.’ ‘We both need to compromise if we’re going to be living together,’ said Caterina. ‘What about my big American breakfasts at the weekend? They seem to disturb you, too. I need to know they can continue.’ ‘That’s a cultural thing. I can accept that. I like the pancakes too. But I don’t know how you can bear to eat all that meat and eggs first thing. It’ll kill you.’ ‘Not at all,’ said Blume. ‘Fat and protein are beneficial.’ ‘No one will convince me that those fried sausages do you any good. They put all sorts of disgusting stuff in them.’ ‘I know that,’ said Blume. ‘You know what’s a big ingredient in supermarket pork?’ ‘No,’ said Caterina. ‘Aspirin.’ He picked up the envelope, gave it an appreciative flick with the back of his hand, and dropped it into the top drawer of his desk, which he kicked shut as he leaned back in his chair. ‘Still, thanks for this.’ ‘You need to take the results to your doctor.’ ‘Sure thing. Like I said, thanks.’ He returned to his newspaper. ‘Now.’ ‘What?’ ‘I took the liberty of checking your schedule and making an appointment for you. We have no urgent cases . . .’ ‘You did what? I’ll make my own appointments, thank you. Also, I have one with the magistrate this morning.’ He picked his watch up off the desk and reluctantly started attaching it to his wrist. ‘I saw that. But it’s not until eleven,’ she said. ‘Also, I thought he’d finished with you.’ ‘More or less. He probably wants to explain where the case is going. A courtesy thing. There’s a certain irony in this, isn’t there?’ 15
163h The Namesake.indd 15
07/02/2012 10:58:12