The Keeper by Natasha Mostert

Author:Natasha Mostert
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: eBookPartnership.com
Published: 2013-11-06T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY

Flash had hooked up his iPod to his external speakers and was playing Skunk Anansie’s ‘Weak’ at top volume. Nick could hear the music even as he entered the building. For some bizarre reason Flash had become infatuated by Nineties protest rock and Skin was his new icon. At about the same time, Flash had also become interested in Barbie dolls, bidding inordinate amounts of money on eBay and other sites to feed this new obsession. An army of plastic, blue-eyed blondes had taken up residence in the office: reclining gracefully on Flash’s desk and peeping out roguishly from behind stacks of books and computer disks. They spooked the hell out of Nick.

‘Weak as I a-a-am, no tears for you…’

Shit. The neighbours were going to kill them. As he stepped into the office Nick motioned urgently to Flash to turn down the volume.

‘What on earth are you thinking? Do you want us evicted?’

Flash shrugged. He looked out of sorts. Flash rarely showed any strong emotion and Nick looked at him sharply.

‘What’s wrong?’

‘Nothing. But Mr I’m-so-cool-can-you-stand-it dropped in while you were out.’

Flash was referring to Ash. Flash was the one person who had proven immune to Ash’s charm. ‘He’s creepy,’ he had told Nick after meeting Ash for the first time.

‘Creepy how?’

‘I don’t know, but I feel it here.’ Flash had slammed a bony fist somewhere in the region of his heart.

Coming from someone who counted among his friends people with names such as Lillith, Mistress of Darkness, and who hung out in chat rooms with other grown men who spent their savings on politically incorrect dolls, this was a bit much, Nick thought. He watched as Flash disconnected the speakers, his movements jerky.

‘So what did Ash want?’

‘Said he was in the neighbourhood and wanted to see if you could have lunch with him. I don’t trust that guy, man, I tell you.’

Nick shook his head in warning. ‘He’s a friend, OK?’

In truth, Ash was fast becoming his best friend. Nick was slightly bemused by exactly how quickly the relationship had grown. Ash had become the kind of friend with whom you shared secrets. Nick had never talked to anyone about Mia—not even Okie knew his true feelings—but one night, after a particularly demanding spar, something had opened up inside Nick.

‘I plan on taking things with Mia to the next level.’

Ash’s face was calm. ‘I’m surprised you haven’t done so already.’

‘It’s fear, I suppose. My whole life I’ve been lucky.’ Nick smiled. ‘My mum will tell you the planets have always aligned right for me. But with Mia… I’ve always had the feeling that this might be where the planets will fall from the sky.’

‘When will you talk to her?’

‘Soon.’

‘Before the fight?’

‘No. Don’t worry.’ Nick shook his head. ‘I’ll wait until after.’

‘That’s good. You shouldn’t lose your focus now.’

‘Yes, you’re right. But after the fight: watch me. I’m going to take my mum’s advice and sweep her off her feet.’

Flash was gesturing sullenly at a large manila envelope. ‘That came for you.

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