The Consequence Girl by Alastair Chisholm

Author:Alastair Chisholm
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Published: 2022-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

On the third day, Kai went into Base to catch up with friends, and Cora spent the afternoon on the roof. When she came down, Lilith was out of bed.

Lotty was chopping vegetables, and Juliet and Lilith sat at the kitchen table. Lilith gave Cora a stiff nod. Juliet watched Cora’s face.

“My sister never knew when to take it easy,” she said.

Lilith gave a thin smile. Everything about her seemed tight, as if she’d tied herself up with straps. “We have to keep moving,” she said. “Eventually they’ll realise we made it to Base. We need to be gone by then.”

“She’s like an iron bar,” said Juliet. “Never bending, not a millimetre of give. Me, I was always more of a wavy tree.” She laughed. “I always gave way in the end. I bet you’re the same, right?”

Cora nodded.

“That’s OK,” said Juliet. “The tree bends, and straightens when the wind stops. Things that won’t bend are stronger…” She glanced at her sister. “Till they snap.”

Lilith looked down. After a second, she gave a small nod.

“That’s enough exercise for one day.” She stood up carefully. “Gavin said he knew someone who could help with cells.”

Juliet’s expression darkened. “My boy knows a lot of folks. Some of them ain’t too good for him.”

“I just need him to give me an introduction.”

“He might give you a name, but he’s not going anywhere with you, Lilith Castillo,” said Juliet. Her face was suddenly very different, and her voice too: harsher, sharper, like a shard of bone. “Gavin’s a fine brave boy, and he’s looking for a cause. He’d follow you anywhere, if I let him. But I won’t. You’re welcome here as long as you like. I’m glad to have you. But when you leave –” Juliet jerked a thumb at the door “– you won’t take my family with you. Understood?”

Cora and Lotty watched, shocked. Suddenly it was easy to see Juliet as Lilith’s sister, and the hard line of her lips didn’t seem like those of someone who bent in the wind. The sisters glared at each other, but it was Lilith who backed down.

“Just a name then,” she muttered.

Juliet sniffed. “I dare say he’ll be able to help. Lotty, those onions are burning.”

“Sorry, Mum.”

Lilith left.

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