The Summer Island Swap by Samantha Tonge

Author:Samantha Tonge [Tonge, Samantha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781838930783
Publisher: Head of Zeus

22

I wasn’t sure where to look so pointed at the piano, sleek and black with the bird carving perched on its top. ‘I was just admiring it. Did it survive the hurricane?’

‘What? Oh. Yes… just about. In fact, we’re forever grateful to this old lady. She saved the life of one of my young cousins who had legged it out of the basement to look for one of the cats. She was on holiday here with her parents. Trixie has always been something of an adventurer and didn’t believe the wind would really be that bad.’ The redness had faded from his cheeks. ‘I got up to all sorts at her age. I once tried weed at a party in my late teens. Lee recognised the smell when I got home.’ Rick shook his head. ‘Even though he’s only three years older than me he went mad. Threatened to tell Mum and Dad, despite it just being a one-off. For as long as I can remember Lee’s been bossing me around…’ He smiled. ‘And with those words I realise I sound like a sulky teenager.’

‘Sounds like he did you a favour! And that he cared.’

Rick thought for a moment. ‘Possibly. It didn’t feel like it at the time. That’s the trouble at that age, I guess – you think you’re invincible and can do what you want without repercussions.’

I didn’t. When I left home at eighteen a secret voice in my head told me I was bound to fail. However, over time, I realised that wasn’t really my voice, it was Dad’s.

‘Trixie didn’t think she’d get back to the basement so hid under the piano, holding onto one of the legs. It had been blown against the wall and jammed there. It’s a miracle she didn’t lose her life. It’s almost back in top condition although it makes a vibrating noise when played. I’ll have to get that sorted otherwise it will be one more thing for Lee to complain about.’ He gave a loud sigh.

‘That was your brother just now? Sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear. I thought you were due to have a call with your gran.’

Rick looked aghast. ‘I would never speak to her like that. Lee used to take the lead when we were younger and still tries now. He thinks it’s low-key and subtle but it’s not.’

I sat down next to him. ‘What do you mean?’

‘He’s always checking up on me under the guise of just wanting a chat or meeting for lunch. I moved flats a few years back. Lee insisted on coming to view it with me – pretended he was in the area and dropped in before I was due to leave to see the estate agent. I’m a grown man, for goodness’ sake! Being a few years older can be a gulf when you are children – but that gap drastically narrows when you hit your twenties. Yet he still won’t treat me as an equal.’

Something shifted uneasily inside me. I recalled the time our washing machine broke.

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