‘How long does it take to drown?’
The result, a page on Reddit, was in purple, suggesting someone had clicked on that link.
But I didn’t think anything of it, not right then, anyway. I was too busy researching hypothermia and thinking about how I would need to find an expert to explain it if I ever made this film. By the time I’d finished, I felt chilled myself, as if I was the poor kid who’d died out there in the wilderness.
Lewis and Miranda didn’t get the chance to persuade Charles to play their truth game, or even tell him about their visit to the grave, because when he came downstairs shortly after they returned– while the jet-lagged Jasmine took a nap upstairs– he had an announcement.
The three siblings and I were in the kitchen, where Miranda was about to start making dinner. I had offered to help, but she had told me she didn’t like anyone interfering.
‘Miranda’s a great cook,’ Holly said.
‘I had to learn, didn’t I?’ Miranda had her back to us, chopping vegetables and addressing me. ‘When Mum was sick, I took on that responsibility, along with most of the other chores.’
‘You didn’t have to,’ Lewis said. ‘Dad offered to hire someone.’
‘I wanted to. I promised her I’d look after you. I bet you still don’t know how to cook, either of you.’
Holly shrugged. ‘Patrick usually brings me a takeaway at the end of his shift.’
Lewis, who had kept on drinking through the afternoon, said, ‘What’s it like– being a delivery driver?’
He said it as if he was asking me what it was like to be a professional toilet-scrubber.
‘It’s not great. The pay is awful, the customers are frequently rude and it doesn’t exactly have prospects. I’m only doing it till my film career takes off, though.’
‘Hmm. Or you could ask Holly to keep you.’
‘I would never do that.’
‘Really? If I were you, I’d get her knocked up and become a house husband. Not that I would ever want children.’
Miranda went to say something, but Lewis spoke over her.
‘No, I can’t imagine anything worse. It’s so funny that Holly is going out with a delivery driver, though. It’s like her final act of rebellion.’ He chortled to himself. ‘Look, Daddy, I’m shacked up with a poor boy.’
‘You’re a dick,’ Holly said. ‘I don’t care what Patrick does. And anyway, he’s going to be a famous, award-winning director. You’ll be telling everyone you know him when he gets his first Oscar.’
‘We’ll see. No offence, Pat.’
I didn’t get a chance to respond because at that moment Charles entered the kitchen carrying a gun.
It was a rifle, which he cradled in both hands.
‘Zack and I are going hunting,’ he said.
Miranda turned around, still holding the knife. ‘What? Now? In the dark?’
I had thought the same thing.
‘Didn’t he tell you?’ Charles asked.
‘He doesn’t tell me anything these days.’
‘Perhaps you should see a couples therapist.’ Before Miranda could close her dropped jaw, he went on: ‘Obviously we’re not going to start hunting in the dark. We’re going to stay in the lodge overnight. Get up early, go out and look for some deer.’
Holly winced. ‘I thought you were a vegan now.’
‘I’m not going to eat them. I’m going to kill them.’
