Family Ties by Natalie Hibberd

Author:Natalie Hibberd
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Young adult fiction
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
Published: 2022-09-22T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty

‘Zack! Zack!’ Cassie McGregor squealed, the sound echoing shrilly through the house as she charged down the stairs. ‘Layna’s here!’ Without waiting for her brother to answer, she hurtled into the hall and pounced like a lion cub, wrapping her arms around Layna’s waist and holding on as tightly as she could. ‘You made it!’ she cried happily. ‘Finally!’ Her face took on a look of disapproval, one that would have looked more appropriate on Zack’s face. ‘You’ve been away for complete and total ages!’

Layna, who had been greeted in the same way far too many times now to be startled by Cassie’s welcome, heaved a melodramatic sigh and nodded her head mournfully. ‘I know, Pumpkin; I know.’

The little girl looked fierce for a few seconds longer, but was unable to remain cross for long. Smiling widely, she plunged her nose forwards and inhaled. ‘You have a new perfume on, don’t you? What’s this one called? Does it have a pretty name that goes with how pretty it smells? Have you got the bottle with you so that I can try some? How many perfumes do you have, Layna? Do you collect them like some people collect stamps? Do you buy them yourself, or are you given them as presents at Christmas and on your birthday? Does Zack give you perfumes?’ The last question brought a halt to her monologue of interrogation, and she drew breath for the first time in approximately ninety seconds. Clearly struck by a new thought, she released her hold on Layna’s waist and flushed pink with sudden glee. ‘Do you wear all your lovely perfume to try to impress Zack?’ She giggled, thoroughly impressed with herself for uncovering such a revelation so quickly. ‘I bet you do!’

Layna blushed; her own laughter slightly nervous. ‘Well, I—’

‘You do!’ Cassie repeated triumphantly. ‘You do, you do, you do!’ Her face screwed up for a moment in concentration. ‘I don’t think you need to impress him. Zack says that he loves you very much, and he doesn’t tell lies. Not ever. I’m still glad you wear the perfume, though, because it’s so lovely!’ Giggling again, this time even louder, she poked her tongue out mischievously. ‘You luuurve Zack, don’t you Layna? And you two go kissy, kissy, kissy, kissy all day long!’

Perfectly scarlet in the face now, Layna searched her brain frantically for something – anything – that could be said to change the subject. Thankfully, she was saved from doing so by an arrival just behind them.

‘That’s quite enough of that, thank you, Cassie-Cat!’ Zack told his sister severely, his hands on his hips. ‘I highly doubt that any of your famously inaccurate analysis of our movements was called for! Come on then, explain yourself!’

‘I don’t understand a word you just said!’ his sister told him bluntly, whirling round to face him, having drawn herself up to her full – though still tiny – height in indignation. ‘I’m only six, you know!’

That did it. Any pretence of severity was lost entirely as Zack burst out laughing virtually doubled over with it.

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