Sherry Aske

“Althorpe threw open a set of heavy double doors to reveal the spacious in-house movie theater, furnished with about twenty high-end leather couches and captains’ seats that had their own tables for snacks. Lacey and I were agog. The Cubs—my Cubs—were about to play for their lives on the wall of Buckingham Palace.

“An immense moment demands an immense screen,” came Eleanor’s voice.

When she rose with some effort from her seat, I blinked. It looked familiar. But it couldn’t be.

“Eleanor,” I said, dropping all formality. “Is that…?”

“A Coucherator,” she said. “Nicholas spoke to your mother and had one flown in. There is a treat in it for you.”

She opened the refrigerated compartment of my dad’s life’s work, so roundly mocked by the British press and Eleanor alike. Inside was a perfectly chilled case of Miller Lite. It was only then that I noticed a side table stuffed with Cracker Jack, Doritos, Pop-Tarts, and hot dog condiments.

“Althorpe will deliver the tube meat momentarily,” Eleanor said.”
― Heather Cocks, The Heir Affair