Despite all of the different smells of the Stitch, from the chlorine to the lemon whiff of the squid, what I will remember most are menthol cigarettes.
They remain a permanent fixture in the metal circle of Deni’s mouth. The little section of mesh must allow a place for the filter to wedge in. When they talk out puffs a little cloud of minty smoke. No need to inhale, so no risks involved. Not sure if that makes the habit better or worse.
Deni has asked me several times if I want one. I have always said no. Mum still washes my clothes after all. But I was tempted today. Anything to help with our new occupants.
Some square flash floated through the diamond a few day ago, and have filled 746 with red slime. The gloop is stringy, like melted plastic was, and stinks of licorice mixed with seaweed. Or that netting stuff they used to hold oranges in. Thank goodness we can pick them off the trees now. Imagine having stuff like this hanging around the house!
Our job was to pull out chunks for research with some giant tongs. The slime congeals into jelly on contact with air, and we lobbed large chunks into shiny buckets. Glad everything ends up in the lab rathe than the bin, and the fish are happy enough. Plus the constant tang of burning menthol made the work tolerable.
We were slogging away in comfortable silence, when Link strolled over, and stared over the grab rail at us.
At Deni.
"Deni, we've talked about this before. You can't smoke over the tanks. The ash goes in the water. Mr Chamson does not want ash in the water. I am sure the fish do not either. '
Deni paused their usual pause, then responded.
'Not me…I do not….smoke. No lungs…no air.'
Link’s hand squeezed the hand rail, and he took a brief glance at the tanks.
‘Then why have you a got a cigarette in your mouth? Why do you always have one if you don’t smoke?’
‘I look….professional…sophisticated.’
‘Not in a Stitch uniform it isn't. This is smoking, plain and simple. Take it to the smoking area.’
He marched off. The slightest noise of the hot water bottle bubbled inside Deni.
‘Link…might need to…cool off,’ they said. ‘If I was...allowed to swim…I would…take him…for a swim.’
I had to ask a personal question then. One that had been bugging me.
'Deni, why do you work here, if you can't go in the water?'
'I like…'
There was a good thirty second pause.
‘...to see the animals. You won't...see them again.'
She is right. Made me sad to think that the Butter Mouse will go one day. I have to remember this is our objective. The key is to enjoy the creatures during their stay. But still, the thought of her vanishing to another world made my eyes fog. Especially on clip day.
Will invite Deni to the mall again next week.
Clip: I wish I could hear what the voice was saying.