Page 24 of Their Burning Graves

‘Only from what Sally would tell me whenever we bumped into each other.’

They talked as they crossed the road, walking towards the mortuary entrance.

‘What was she like back then?’

‘A little more outspoken, she hung around with a group of girls who were a bit like the ones in the Lindsay Lohan film, the one with the burn book.’

Morgan turned to look at Ben.

‘You’ve watchedMean Girls?’

His cheeks tinged with the slightest pink colour as he laughed. ‘I have, I shouldn’t have admitted that, should I?’

Morgan was giggling as they walked on. ‘There’s nothing wrong with that, I just wouldn’t have pegged you as a fan of those kinds of movies.’

Ben shrugged. ‘I’m not really, Cindy enjoyed them, and I’m going to tell you something I’ve never told anyone else, ever.’

‘I can’t wait, I’m holding my breath.’

‘I had a thing for Lindsay Lohan.’

Morgan stopped dead in her tracks, folded her arms across her stomach and bent double with laughter.

‘What’s so funny, she’s attractive. Or was, I don’t know what she looks like now.’

‘Nothing, it’s just funny.’ She stopped laughing. ‘Oh God, tell me you didn’t have a crush on me because we both had red hair?’

‘Now you’re being plain ridiculous. Well okay, maybe I did a little.’ He began to laugh and the pair of them stood there for a few seconds holding each other. Morgan lifted a finger to wipe her eyes that were watering.

‘I don’t know whether to be insulted or not, I can’t make up my mind.’

‘I fell for you because you’re you, not because you reminded me of her. I shouldn’t have told you.’

Morgan squeezed his arm. ‘Don’t be daft, sorry, it really tickled me that’s all.’

As they reached the door to the mortuary their mood shifted back to one of sombre dread for what they were about to observe.

She pressed the buzzer on the intercom.

‘Hiya.’

‘Morning, Susie, it’s Morgan and Ben.’

‘On my way.’

After a couple of minutes Susie opened the door. Her hair this month was surprisingly blonde. Morgan decided that she preferred her rainbow-coloured hair a million times over, though she had every right to do what she wanted with it. Ben was gawping as per usual, and before she could say anything he spoke.

‘Your hair.’

Susie looked at him. ‘What about it?’

‘It’s normal.’

Morgan glared at him.

‘Are you going natural, Susie?’ she asked.

Susie shrugged. ‘Not sure, thought I’d give being blonde a go but I’m not really feeling it you know, it’s a bit boring. Be different if I was a natural fiery redhead like you, but this mousy blonde is a bit bland.’