The Likeness: A Novel by Tana French

Author:Tana French
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780143115625
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Published: 2010-07-20T05:00:00+00:00

"Speaking of using vices to release tension," Abby said coolly, "don't you think you've had enough to drink for one night?"

"Actually," Rafe told her, "I don't think so, no." He filled his glass, so high that a drop sloshed over the edge onto the table. "And I don't recall asking for your advice. Deal the fucking cards."

"You're drunk," Daniel said coldly. "And you're becoming obnoxious."

Rafe whipped round on him; his hand was gripping the top of the glass and for a second I thought he was going to throw it. "Yes," he said, low and dangerous, "I am in fact drunk. And I intend to get a whole lot drunker. Do you want to talk about it, Daniel? Is that what you want? Would you like us all to have a talk?"

There was something in his voice, something precarious as the smell of petrol, ready and waiting to ignite at the first spark. "I don't see any point in discussing anything with someone in your condition," Daniel said. "Pull yourself together, have some coffee and stop acting like a spoiled toddler." He picked up his book again and turned away from the others. I was the only one who could see his face. It was perfectly calm, but his eyes weren't moving: he wasn't reading a word.

Even I could tell that he was handling this all wrong. Once Rafe had worked himself into one of his moods, he didn't know how to snap back out of it. What he wanted was someone to do it for him, change the note in the room to silliness or peace or practicality so he could follow. Trying to bully him was only going to make him worse, and the fact that Daniel had made such an uncharacteristic mistake sent a jab through the back of my mind: amazement and something else, something like fear or excitement. I could have settled Rafe down in seconds (Oo, do you think I have PTSD? Like Vietnam vets? Someone yell "Grenade" and see if I dive . . . ) and I almost did, it took an effort of will to stop myself; but I needed to see how this played out.

Rafe caught his breath as if he was about to say something, but then he changed his mind, gave a disgusted head-shake and shoved his chair back hard. He grabbed his glass in one hand and the bottle in the other and stalked out. A moment later his door slammed.

"What the hell?" I said, after a moment. "I'm gonna go see that shrink after all and tell him I'm living with total loopers."

"Don't you start," Justin said. "Just don't." His voice was shaking.

Abby put the cards down, stood up, pushed her chair in carefully and left the room. Daniel didn't move. I heard Justin knock something over and swear viciously under his breath, but I didn't look up.

* * *

Breakfast was quiet, the next morning, and not in a good way. Justin was pointedly not speaking to me.

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