Page 12 of Take the Plunge

I can’t remember how to breathe.

“Or we could wait until this evening, and then they should be dry by morning.”

“Should?”

“Yes, although I think I’m going to get itchy before then. I’ve never worn clothes for this long before. Oh no, I tell a lie. I had the flu when I was thirteen and stayed in bed for a week.”

I remember that. He used to get the bus with us to school. Rufus pretended to hate having his younger brother tagging along, so he insisted on standing away from Kian. But that week, while Kian was sick, he was worried. So was I. When Kian was well enough to come back to school, Rufus let him sit with us on the bus for three days before deciding he was too cool to hang out with his younger brother again.

Kian wrinkles his nose. “That was pretty rank.” He grasps his ankles. “Toga party?”

“How’s university?” I need to change the subject.

After doing his undergraduate degree in Biodiversity and Conservation in Lancaster, he came home to do a Masters of Science. He’s doing it part-time over two years rather than getting it done in one.

“Good,” he replies. “I need to think about what I want to do for my research project. It’ll include a six-week field project in the autumn.” He hesitates, lips slightly parted. Then he picks up a DVD and wafts it in the air. “I’ll need to decide if I want to base my research here or abroad.”

“Abroad?”

“The university has links with lots of countries. Africa, Thailand, Japan, Spain, Cyprus—loads of places.”

“Do you want to work abroad after you’ve graduated?”

I shouldn’t care, but I do. It’s hard to imagine Kian not being around. He’s been a colourful part of my life ever since I met Rufus.

“Probably not, but going abroad for six weeks would be an amazing experience.” He puts the DVD back on the pile. “I don’t have to decide yet. What about you?”

I blink. “What about me?” I’ve worked for the same company since I left sixth form. I started as a junior developer, and over the last seven years, I’ve worked my way up to lead developer.

Kian laughs. “Do you want to travel?”

I stare out the window behind him. “I can’t afford to.”

“Umm, you’re a single guy with a good job. You must have a lot of disposable income.”

“Not really, no.” He frowns, which doesn’t suit him. A smile looks much better. I rub my knees and stand up. “Long story.” And one I don’t want to share. Not even Rufus knows the details, so why would I tell Kian? “I’m going to stretch my legs.”

“By doing laps of the kitchen?”

I chuckle, but the resulting sound is dismal rather than cheerful. “I guess so.”

I wander around the ground floor and then go upstairs and look in every room except the one we woke up in this morning. Every wardrobe and chest of drawers is empty.

“What are you doing?” Kian asks from the doorway of the last room.

“I was hoping to find some clothes.”

“There are usually clothes in Granddad’s room. He keeps stuff here so he doesn’t have to pack every time he wants to come up for the weekend.”

“Which is his room?”

Kian points across the hall.

“I’ve already checked in there.”

“Huh.”

I sit on the bed. “Why would Rufus take our clothes? Why would he take your granddad’s clothes?”