“There’s nothing to say. I spend time with her. Ihang outwith her. So?”
“Do you like her?”
“I don’t think it’s possible not to like her. If a person disliked Sophie, I would seriously question their judgment.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I really don’t, and I want to watch this movie, so if you don’t mind…”
“You’re trying to woo her,” she reminds me. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“There’s been no wooing,” I admit.
“Really? You’re not—?”
“We spend time together. We play games—I’m quite the Scrabble whiz. She paints, we watch TV. Sometimes she reads to me. It’s nice.”
I’ve heard the termeyes goggledbut I’ve never actually seen it until now. “Who are you?” she demands.
“Your brother,” I point out. “Your most favourite one.”
“But Dad says… Do you think that’s why he wants to see you? To make sure there are no complications with Sophie?”
“I sincerely doubt that. I’m sure anything I’ve done flies right out of his mind as long as the press doesn’t hear about it.”
“Then why does he want to see us? And it’s not just because of Mom.”
I shrug. “Noidea. Maybe he just wants to say hi.”
A pause, and we both laugh loud enough for those across the aisle to look over with a frown.
“See, sister? They’re trying to watch a movie, and you’re interrupting them, too,” I tell Fenella.
“You’ve changed,” she says softly.
“No, I haven’t,” I snap. “Why would I want to change?”
“Gunnar said something the other day, how you’re not as bad-tempered these days. He thinks Sophie is a good influence.”
“I’m not bad-tempered. That makes me sound like a jerk. I’m grumpy. Often grouchy. And not a jerk.”
Fenella rolls her eyes.
“Sophie is not an influence for anything,” I continue, my tone twisting as I emphasize the complete opposite of what Sophie has begun to be for me. “She’s… I’m just babysitting her.”
“I think it’s more like she’s babysitting you,” Fenella points out. “She’s keeping you out of trouble.”
“Does she actually know how to get into trouble?” I ask rudely.
Fen frowns. “There he is.”
“I’ve never left.”
“Ash, I think you should leave Sophie alone. She’s a really good person and you’re…”
“Not? Is that what you’re trying to tell me?”
“No, just that the differences between you might be a little too great.”
