Page 43

“Um, no, thank you. I think I might be safer walking through the park. You two are kind of weird.”
I don’t take offence to her remark, since I can see she’s said it as a fact, not maliciously. “We are. But you’re safe with us.”
“I’m good, thank you. I was actually wondering if you wanted to meet up next week before class on Friday.”
“I can’t on Friday, but I can Wednesday.”
“Why can’t you on Friday?”
“Nosey,” Banner mutters.
I elbow him in the stomach for being rude. Fortunately, Becky doesn’t seem to mind and instead just shrugs at him.
“Sorry. I told her I was socially awkward.”
“It’s fine. I have to meet up with someone before class.”
“Is it about Mr. Flint? I can come.”
“Mr. Flint?” Banner asks, stepping closer. “Isn’t that your Historical Literature teacher?”
Sending Becky, a subtle shake of my head, I plead she picks up my silent plea for her not to say anything else. I turn to Banner, forcing a smile. “Yeah.” I glance back at Becky, speaking before she can say anything else. “It’s just someone I need to talk to about something. It’s personal.”
“Why would you want to talk about your teacher?”
I inwardly groan, not wanting to lie to him, but thankfully, Becky picks up on the tension and answers. “We want to talk to someone about the criteria this term. He’s set too much work out for us to complete,” she lies.
“Oh.”
“Well, we’d better get going. My cousin is waiting to dish the dinner out. Are you sure you don’t want a lift?”
“I’m good. Have a nice evening, though.”
“Will do. And I’ll text you a time and place for Wednesday, okay?”
“Sounds good.”
We separate, both going our different ways. It’s not until we exit the park that Banner speaks up. “She’s the friend you made?”
“Yeah.”
“Emma?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m worried about you.”
“What? Why?” I ask, turning to face him.
“She’s really fucking weird.”
I burst out laughing, tucking my arm under his and resting my head on his shoulder. Even freezing cold and soaked through, this has been the second-best day since my arrival at Whithall. My first one is always going to be the first time Banner fell asleep in bed with me.
*** *** ***
We walk through the door and come to a sudden stop when we find Mark leaning on the back of the sofa, his ankles and arms crossed, a stern expression on his face.
“If you get a cold, don’t blame me.”