Page 118 of Read My Lips

“I do.” Nodding emphatically seemed like the way to go. “I definitely do hear you. I’m sorry about everyone out on the pavement.”

Oh why had I apologised? It was hardly my fault they were there.

“Don’t give me sorry. I want them gone. Scum of the earth bottom-feeders, peering in my net curtains.” The kitchen roll tube crumpled in her grip, and it sagged sadly. “I’ll tell your landlord.” Her voice quivered. “I will. Don’t think I won’t. Just because my Harry’s not around anymore.”

“I’m dealing with it.” The lie knotted my throat. Hadn’t I learnt anything about the wisdom of sticking to the truth? But she was upset, wasn’t she? And it was all my fault. No wonder she wanted us out. Mrs F’s death-glare softened, barely.

“You better do. If Charlie gets out and ravages one of them, it’ll be on your conscience.”

“Okay.” Solemn nodding implied deep understanding and remorse. Right? “Really sorry Mrs F. Thank you Mrs F. See you later Mrs F.”

The backdoor hissed softly over the draft exclusion around the frame as I slammed it closed. Sev sagged with relief.

“Why are you here?” I demanded.

“I need to show you something.”

“So you climbed over my back fence?”

She scoffed. “Don’t be dense, I used the gate. You’ve got a bunch of journalists clogging up the pavement out front – as your neighbour was rightly complaining about.”

Sweeping past me, she poured just-boiled water into one of the waiting mugs and the teabag inflated itself.

Matt’s bemusement-levels turned critical. “Come in,” he signed. “Help yourself why don’t you?” He swept an intensely sarcastic bow, and Sev patted him on the shoulder.

“Ta. Brilliant.” She thumbs-upped with emotion, signing right back at him. “You got any sugar?”

I double-took, jaw creaking open at her broad, blunt gestures, cupping an invisible mug.

“Since when do you know BSL?” Automatically, I slowed my hand gestures right down to beginner speed.

“Jo’s shown me a bit.”

“But—”My brain malfunctioned, glitching as I glanced between Matt and her. “Simon said no one in his family uses it.”

Matt snorted a gruff laugh. “He’s such a liar.” His hand reached to grow his nose from his face, like Pinnoccio.

Sev grimaced. “Sorry – can you do your thing Ben? I do not have the vocab for this.”

I nodded, already interpreting her apology for Matt, lagging a bit in repeating him back to her. She could wait. “Matt said he’s a liar.”

Sev nodded with enthusiasm. “Exactly. At this point, Simon’s entire lifeblood is rearranging the truth. I’m not marrying into a family of total sociopaths, thank you very much.”

“Why would he say that then?” I asked, speaking and signing at the same time.

“Maybe because you offered him BSL tuition instead of asking him on a date?”

Matt winced as soon as I translated. “Error.”

“No, but—”Had I really done that? The world swam sideways. “But he doesn’t even like⁠—”

Matt punched me in the shoulder, signs slowed right down for Sev, face animated. “Don’t even think about finishing that sentence.”

Well, fuck. What did he know?

“You should listen to your flatmate more. Seems like he got all the common sense.”

“Cheers Sev. Thanks. The pair of you. Why are you here again?”