Page 25 of Mercury Rising

Mercury laughed. He strode across the room and took it. “Tea?”

“That would be lovely.”

This time, he would make the perfect brew. As he walked through into the kitchen, he sensed he was being followed. Brooke stood in the doorway, biting a nail.

“Are you after a drink too?” he asked.

“Nah,” she said, coming into the room a little more.

“What’s up then?”

She glanced at him. “Would you…would you teach me to take good photos? You know, with my phone.”

Mercury glanced over her shoulder. He did not want a repeat of Friday before he had even had a coffee.

“Nick wasn’t all that happy with me on Friday,” he said. “How about I get settled in first? Then I’ll see what I can do.”

Brooke’s face lit up. “We can always talk Nick around one way or the other.”

The kettle boiled as Mercury guffawed. “Is that right? You’ll have to share your knowledge with me too.”

“You’ve got a deal,” Brooke said with a wink.

“Brooke,” Nick called through. “Are you ready?”

Brooke dashed into the main room. Mercury finished making the drinks and wandered through.

“I don’t want any falling out or cheek,” Nick said in his sternest voice. “Geoffrey is giving his time for free, remember.”

A nervous man hovered in the other doorway, laden down with what seemed to be artists’ canvasses.

“Hello,” Mercury said. “Can I get you one?”

Geoffrey shook his head. “I had a chai latte on the way here. That’s enough for anyone.”

“Art room then, guys,” Nick said.

The small group of teenagers all scrambled off the sofas and obediently filed upstairs. Mercury couldn’t believe his eyes.

“They seem like a smashing bunch,” Geoffrey said. “I’m looking forward to this.”

A matron of a woman came out of the office. She had short brown hair and a booming laugh. “They are. Don’t worry, I’ll be with you if you need any support.”

Geoffrey stuck his chest out. “I’ve taught art therapy in prisons. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

There was a crash upstairs.

“Hassan!” Anna shrieked.

“Good stuff,” Nick said. “Then we’ll let you deal with whatever that is. I need to introduce Cath to our newest member of staff.”

Geoffrey ran up the stairs.

“Mercury, this is Cath. She’s my right hand and everyone’s favourite.”

Cath pushed him. “Don’t be so silly. The kids adore you. I’m pleased to meet you, Mercury.”

“And you,” Mercury replied. He took an instant shine to her. The positive vibes that emanated from her were infectious. An almost perfect mirror image to snarky Gavin.