‘That’s not really a que—’
‘Can I go? Please?’
After several seconds of silence, he shrugs. ‘I can’t stop you.’
I should be hyped, but Dad’s cool demeanour annoys me. Of course he could stop me. He’s my dad.
Anna claps with delight. ‘I’ll make the arrangements.’
‘It can’t interfere with school,’ Dad reminds her.
‘That goes without saying,’ she retorts.
‘And I won’t be able to come. Someone needs to look after the cafe.’
‘The boy doesn’t need a chaperone. And he has us,’ Graham says.
Dad’s expression makes it clear what he thinks of that. ‘You should ask Simo if he wants to go.’
‘I will,’ I say. ‘If it’s all right that he comes along?’
Graham frowns and Anna hesitates, but only until she sees Dad’s battle-ready expression and quickly reconsiders. ‘Of course, darling.’
I’m excited and a little relieved. With Simo by my side, even the strangest place feels like a piece of home. It’ll make things more balanced – my grandparents have each other and I’ll have Simo.
Anna gets up. ‘Let me find Susie – I’ll get her to drop everything and start organising ASAP.’
‘And I’ll arrange a visit to your great-grandfather’s bakery; you can see where the first Brandenburg loaf was made.’
They’re out of the room before I get a chance to reply. I’ve never seen them this excited before, like kids on Christmas Day. I have to admit, it’s cute.
Dad, on the other hand, looks sceptical. He might not trust his parents, but letting me go must mean he has enough confidence in me.
‘Thanks, Dad,’ I say.
His lips form a tight line. He pushes back the chair, clearly ready to go. ‘Don’t thank me yet. Wait till the trip is over.’
CHAPTER 18 – SIMO
‘Ready?’ Luca asks.
‘Ready,’ I reply automatically, because I know the routine well. Only, this time, I’m not sure I’m prepared. Luca falls back on to the sofa and stretches his long legs, but unlike all the other times when we’ve settled in for a film night, he is mushed up against me, his head resting on my arm. I suddenly find myself unable to move.
‘I hate your weird policy, you know. We could’ve watched this weeks ago,’ he complains over the title music.
‘You’ve made that point often enough. It’s not gonna change anything.’
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to read the book before watching the film. I like to make up my own mind about the characters and their world, so I can complain about the bad job the director has done in bringing it all to life. And it’s usually a very bad job.
‘It’s selfish,’ Luca says, and shifts. For a second his weight is gone, but, to my relief, his cheek settles back against my biceps.
‘Selfish?’ I manage, gazing upon him from above.
He looks up and grins. ‘Yeah, it makes it impossible forme to watch it too, just because you’re not quick enough to read the damn book by the time the film comes out.’ He breaks eye contact to grab a handful of crinkle crips and offers it to me, even though I know he loves them more than I do, and he can be possessive when it comes to his favourite foods.
‘I think it doesn’t hurt you to be inconvenienced. Consider it a lesson in patience.’
‘No talking over the film!’ he says, because he knows I’m right.
