I gaze around again. Her furniture doesn’t look any better than the house: a wooden table with a burn stain in the centre, three slightly damaged white plastic chairs and a green sofa that matches the armchair we’ve just wrestled with, both of which look like they’ve seen better days.
A draught bursts through the house, making me shiver even though I’m wearing my coat.
‘You look cold, Kate. I’m sorry. It’s the window in the utility room. It’s stuck.’ She sighs. ‘What was I thinking buying this place? I’ll probably freeze to death in here.’
‘You’ll be fine,’ I tell her. ‘But look, I should get on, but if you need anything, as I said, I’m just next door.’
‘Thank you.’ She shakes my hand again. ‘I’m so glad we’re neighbours, Kate. I think you and I are going to be great friends.’
6
It’s Saturday morning. I wake up, and all I can think is,two more days!
Max grunts from outside. I get out of bed and stand by the window. He’s doing push-ups on the grass. He always does push-ups on the lawn in the morning, regardless of the weather. It must be three degrees outside, and I’m pretty sure he’s sweating.
I get dressed and go downstairs to make breakfast.
I find Holly already there, standing in front of the French doors, staring at her father doing his push-ups.
‘How did you sleep?’ I ask.
‘Good, thanks.’
I come to stand next to her.
‘Is he still going?’ she asks.
‘Yes. Monday.’
Holly doesn’t know about my plan. It would be too dangerous. She could let something slip, so I’m waiting until Max has gone to tell her.
She stands there for a long time, watching her father. ‘Can I go to the shops with Scarlett later?’
I turn on the radio. ‘Maybe wait a few days.’ I almost add,‘We don’t want to poke the bear.’
Max is standing now, wiping his face with a gym towel.
‘It’s only two more days. Not even that.’
Holly walks away, grabs an apple and a small knife from the rack and slices the apple on a plate.
‘What’s got into you?’ I say, smiling.
‘Nothing, why?’
‘I’ve never seen you voluntarily eat an apple before.’
She doesn’t reply. She glances towards the French doors, then opens the fridge and takes out a bottle of milk.
…On Radio 2 – perfect for kicking off the weekend. Coming up next, ‘Summer After You’ by The Daylights. This one is bound to get you moving!
When I glance at Holly again, she is standing frozen, the bottle of milk still in her hand.
‘Put the milk away, Holly. Or he’ll think?—’
‘HOLLY!’
We both jump. I was going to say,‘Or he’ll think you’re drinking out of the bottle,’ which is something that triggers him.
