Hide and Seek by Jane Casey

Author:Jane Casey
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781448119486
Publisher: RHCP Digital

13

Sandhayes was quiet when I let myself in, and only Hugo’s car was outside. I stopped in the hall beside the ridiculous, glorious Christmas tree, and fiddled with an angel carved out of a piece of driftwood, obviously homemade. Hugo was the one who was good at working with wood, but he didn’t do it much any more. I couldn’t imagine being able to make something like the angel, turning a bit of rubbish into something beautiful, something to be treasured. And Hugo took it for granted. I wished I had a talent like that, that I could make something beautiful and perfect, like my mother, like all the Leonards. But Dad’s blunt practicality was what I had, in spades, and there was no point in wishing to be different any more than there was in wishing I was two inches taller.

A low rumble of voices came from the kitchen, along with the unfamiliar sound of Hugo laughing. I wandered over and pushed open the door to the warm, chaotic room where the Leonards spent most of their time. Hugo was sitting on the kitchen counter with his hair all over the place, wearing the ancient T-shirt and shorts that were his version of pyjamas. Will was sitting on a chair by the table, tilting it back, his long legs propped up on the corner of the Aga. He was still laughing when I went in, and it killed me – it just killed me – to see the smile fade from his eyes. He looked wary instead, and watchful.

‘Hey.’

‘Hi,’ I said, a tight feeling in my chest making it hard to breathe. What do we do to each other? The thought filled my head, crowding out everything else. I covered it with a smile.

‘Oh God, you’re dressed.’ Hugo ran his hands through his hair, making it even more untidy. ‘I bet you’ve been up for hours. Don’t you ever relax?’

‘I’m not bone idle, if that’s what you mean.’ I twisted to look at the clock. ‘It’s ten to two, Hugo.’

‘I’m aware of that.’

‘So what time did you get up?’

‘When Will came round. An hour ago, maybe?’ He yawned, stretching, and the kitchen wasn’t a small room but he seemed to fill it. ‘I need to have a shower.’

‘I was going to say.’ Will waved a hand in front of his nose.

‘I don’t smell,’ Hugo said with tremendous dignity. ‘But I need a shower to wake up properly. Or a bath.’

Hugo’s baths were legendary, hours-long affairs that involved hogging the bathroom, using all the hot water and ignoring anyone banging on the door in favour of reading whatever book absorbed him.

‘That should sort out what you’re doing with the rest of your day, then,’ I said.

‘Jessica,’ Hugo growled. It was just one word, but it gave me chills.

‘Ugh. Do you mind? I really don’t need you doing an impression of my dad.’ I went over to fill the kettle. ‘Who wants tea?’

‘Me,’ Hugo said instantly.

‘And me.’ Will swung his legs down from the Aga and stood up to give me his mug.

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