“Mina’s never brought home a boy before,” Mum said, beaming at her words. I wondered if she’d already chosen the wedding flowers. “She doesn’t like me to be involved in that part of her life, do you, darling?”
I wonder why that might be, Mother?
“I’m surprised,” Morrie said, building a wall with his hash browns in an attempt to make it look as though he’d eaten more. “Mina’s so beautiful and devastatingly clever. I imagine the only reason she hasn’t had more boyfriends is the fact that dead bodies stack up in her wake.”
Heathcliff snorted. Beside me, Quoth squirmed in his seat. He raised his hand to his cheek as a black feather shot through his skin.Shit, shit.
“Mina istooclever. That’s her big problem. I keep telling her boys don’t like clever girls, unless they’re mathematicians, of course. Is one of you Mina’s boyfriend?” Mum glared around the table, her smile hopeful as she landed on Morrie.
Oh Mum, if only you knew…
“I don’t know if she could pick just one of us,” Morrie said smoothly, sliding his meatball stack onto Heathcliff’s plate.
“I have to go to the bathroom,” Quoth breathed.
“Certainly, Allan. It’s right through—” Quoth threw me a desperate look before disappearing into the hall. Mum shot me a look which I pointedly ignored.
“Actually, Mum, I just need to… freshen up my face,” I gasped.
“But Mina, I want to know who you’re dating!”
“Morrie’s right. I couldn’t possibly choose. I’ll be right back.” I dashed into the hall. The bathroom door was still open, but my bedroom door was shut. I rapped on the wood. “Quoth?”
“Croak!”
I pushed the door open. Clothes littered the floor of my room. A raven scrambled against the window, his talons scrabbling for purchase as he tried to maneuver the lever open.
“Oh, no you don’t.” I grabbed the latch and pulled it shut. Quoth hopped angrily on the bed. I knelt down beside him, meeting his frightened stare with one of my own. “If I have to endure this torture, then so do you. I’ve seen you over the last couple of weeks – you’re learning to control your shifts. You just have towantto control it. If you won’t do it for yourself, do it for me.”
“Croak!” Quoth flapped his wings and hopped from foot to foot.
Mina, I can’t do this. I can’t! Tell your mother I was feeling ill and I had to go home—
I stood up. “No. I’m not making excuses for you. I’ll see you outside. Don’t leave me alone out there with Morrie and Heathcliff andmy mother.”
I left the door open a crack and returned to my seat. Morrie and my mother had their heads bent together and were whispering furtively. Mrs. Ellis had finished her wine and had started on mine, while Heathcliff was polishing off Quoth’s food.
“What did I miss?” I said brightly, plastering a fake smile on my face.
“Oh, Mina. Morrie was just telling me all your clever ideas for the shop,” Mum beamed. “Running book clubs and author talks and hanging work by local artists and starting social media. And you’ve also been brightening up that dreary place with lamps and lanterns!”
‘Oh yes, Mina has all sorts of plans formyshop,” Heathcliff muttered.
“You do know what else is a really clever idea?” Mum held up one of her dictionaries. “A display of pet-dictionaries on the counter! There are so many pet owners in Argleton and—”
“Mum,no.”
“You’ve got hundreds of books in that junky old shop no one will buy. I don’t see why adding a few more is any problem.” Mum beamed. “Especially with your business skills, Mina. You could come up with a clever marketing plan and—”
Outside, there was a loud bang in the street as one of the neighbors let off his air rifle. Something thumped against the hallway wall, followed by a faint, “croak?”
I sighed and pushed my chair back. “I’ll go see what that is. Maybe the bathroom door got stuck—”
“Croak!” Quoth crashed into the room, his eyes wide as saucers. He barreled across the table, flinging plates and cutlery across the room. He skidded off the edge and crashed to the floor.
“Quoth?” I reached out to him, but in his panic, he didn’t see me. He scrambled up the couch and launched himself into the air, flying in circles around the room and letting out frightened croaks.
“Argh, what’s that bird doing in here!” Mum grabbed for the broom and swung it at Quoth. “Shoo, shoo!”
