The Beekeeper's Apprentice - Laurie R. King [154]
pipe out against the sole of his shoe, stood up, and reached down to help me rise.
“Let me know when you’re ready for a game of chess, Russell.”
Twenty minutes later we came to his hives, and he went down the row to check them while I stood and watched the last workers come home with their loads of pollen. Holmes came back and we turned to-wards the cottage.
“I’ll even spot you a piece, Russell.”
“But not a queen?”
“Oh, no, never again. You’re far too good a player for that.”
“We’ll start equal, then.”
“I shall beat you if we do.”
“I don’t think so, Holmes. I really don’t think you will.”
The cottage was warm and filled with light, and smelt of tobacco and sulphur and the food that awaited us.