Someone You Trust by Rachel Ryan

Author:Rachel Ryan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gallery Books
Published: 2023-08-02T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

Back at Sea View, Miles and June were in good spirits. They greeted Amy warmly, asking how she’d enjoyed her day in Cork. Amy felt bad about lying. She knew she had to tell them she was leaving soon, but she didn’t feel equal to the task just yet.

Liam was out of his room—a rare sight—and eating an oven pizza at the island, wearing gray tracksuit bottoms and no T-shirt. June seemed vaguely offended, but whether it was by Liam’s bare torso or the processed food, Amy couldn’t tell. Tom and Poppy, who were fascinated by their older brother and found it wildly exciting any time he emerged from his room, were watching him as if he were a creature in a zoo and firing nonstop questions at him.

“Liam, why is your hair black, but my hair is blond?” asked Tom.

“Dunno. Genetics, I s’pose.”

“What’s g-g—” Tom faltered. “What’s getics?”

“Science,” said Liam.

“Can I’ve some that?” said Poppy, pointing at the pizza.

“No, sweetheart, that’s not good food!” said June.

“Sure,” said Liam, tearing off two pieces and handing one to Poppy and one to Tom. They each grabbed their prize with both hands and began tearing into it wolfishly. Liam looked amused.

“Want some, Amy?” he asked, catching her eye.

“Nah, I’m all right, thanks,” said Amy, ruffling Tom’s and Poppy’s fair heads.

“We had proper dinner earlier,” said June, with just the faintest emphasis on the word “proper.” “Homemade risotto. There’s plenty in the fridge if you want some, Amy.”

“Thanks,” said Amy. She experienced another twang of guilt, like the sharp snap of an elastic band.

Miles, in the kitchen, opened a bottle of red wine. He poured a glass for himself and one for June.

“D’you want a glass, Amy?” he offered.

“Oh—no, thank you,” she said. Why did everyone keep offering her things?

“I’d like a glass, Dad,” said Liam.

“You can forget it,” said Miles immediately. “I still haven’t forgiven you for stealing my vodka and replacing it with water. What a thing to do to a man!” His voice bubbled with laughter. “You see, Amy,” he went on, addressing the next part of the story to her, “I had guests over, and after dinner, I went to make them cocktails. I make a mean cocktail, if I say so myself. But d’you know how these cocktails tasted? Weak. Watery. Disgusting.” He shook his head. “Then I took a sip from the vodka bottle and I knew why.”

Liam grinned. “I didn’t think I’d watered it down enough for you to notice.”

“It was 20 percent vodka, max,” said Miles, with dramatic flair. “In ten months, you’ll be able to buy your own alcohol. Until then, just stay away from mine, I beg of you.”

Even June was laughing. The attack from Eileen’s sons seemed to have bonded the Carrolls. Miles’s face was still bruised, but Amy had never seen them all enjoying each other’s company like this. She kissed Tom and Poppy good night and took her portion of risotto to her room, not wanting to intrude on the family moment.

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