The Summer of Telling Tales by Laura Summers

Author:Laura Summers [Summers, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: (¯`'•.¸//(*_*)\\¸.•'´¯)
ISBN: 9781848122321
Publisher: Piccadilly Press Ltd.
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 28

Grace

Ryan walks us home. Ellie’s completely quiet but as he’s never met her before, I think he just assumes she’s like me so he talks for the three of us. He’s bursting with enthusiasm and tries to convince me I should play in the band again. He says we could even audition for ‘Beachfest’, some big music festival taking place next month. Up till now he hasn’t dared put The Damage down but with me playing, he says they’d stand a really good chance of getting picked.

We take the shortcut down the path through the stones, something I’d never dream of doing after dark if I was on my own or just with Ellie, but with Ryan walking between us I feel safe.

The moon comes out from behind the clouds and suddenly the stones are bathed in its clear pale light. There’s a faint white mist rising from the ground like soft breath, blurring the edges of each stone. For a brief moment I imagine the group of young girls, magically released from their stone prisons, dazed by their unexpected transformation back to their human form.

We reach the caravan and thankfully Mum isn’t back from the fishermen’s meal at the café yet. Ellie rushes straight in. I know there’s something wrong because back at the community hall she didn’t say a word when I told her we should be getting home. I thought she’d kick up a fuss as it was so early but she just hurried off to collect her jacket as if she couldn’t wait to leave. She didn’t even say goodbye to her friend.

‘Grace,’ Ryan says, as I’m about to follow Ellie into the caravan. I stop and turn around. He’s holding out a scrap of paper. Puzzled, I take it.

‘I meant to give you this earlier. One of the twins found it in the kitchen. It must have fallen out of your jumper pocket.’

I stare at the folded paper blankly, then realise to my horror it’s my list about him. I prickle with embarrassment. Please, don’t let him have read it, I pray silently. Please! I put my hand to my face but he guesses my thoughts.

‘I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t read it. Harry insisted it was mine because he’d seen my name at the top. I just wanted to put the record straight.’

Mortified, I unfold the paper and realise that next to my stupid list there’s more writing, in black felt pen.

Ryan

You’re funny.

Only cos I want to make you smile.

You stuck up for me.

Someone has to stand up to the old rottweiler.

You’re thoughtful.

Can’t help looking blank. You’re on my mind all the time.

Kind.

An incurable character defect obliges me to help the following:

– small furry animals

– kid brothers ( I keep putting them on eBay but no takers)

– random old ladies across the road, whether they want to or not.

I am urgently seeking therapy.

Pretty smart.

Wrong boy.

But are you for real?

Yes I am, so you don’t ever need to be afraid of me.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.