‘We’ve got people,’ he looks at us, rocking his head. ‘Families, not just us. It’s a community.’
It doesn’t surprise me, my brother and him setting up a nice place for themselves and anyone else. It should make me proud to know they’ve done something good in this world but I can’t help the bitter taste of betrayal at the realisation that they built a whole community here instead of trying to find me.
I turn away from Vish, not in the mood for stories of tea parties and cosy beds when I’ve spent the last seven years surviving without even a whiff of them.
The room turns silent, the only sound coming from the other side of the worn wooden door — footsteps. They are pacing back and forth.
My skin prickles.
None of the girls would have enough restraint to stay outside, not for this long anyway.
‘He’s outside,’ Amelia whispers to Vish. Her hand up in an attempt to conceal what she’s just said, eyes bugging out like a startled child as she realises I heard her.
Vish grimaces, whispering back. ‘He’s a good man.’
‘He’s what?’ I demand, trying to shove past them and grab my machete.
‘Whoa whoa,’ Vish jumps into action. ‘Liam’s not a threat.’
Liam, so that’s his name.
‘Let’s put the weapons down. Everyone chill.’
I stare at Vish, my vision honing in on his annoying ass face. Did he just tell me to chill?
‘I mean… lets not do anything hasty. He’s only outside.’
‘Outside of my room, where I am when I don’t want him to be!’
‘Got it, Isla.’ Amelia spins for the wooden door and pokes her head out.
The sound of heavy footsteps falters and murmuring fills the void as I try to listen to what is said.
Vish nudges me. ‘Still an eavesdropper.’
‘Shut your hole.’ I can’t be doing with his nonsense, not whilst I’m unsure of what the Skull wants.
Me. He wants me, obviously.
But what about the baby?
Amelia sighs, closing the door, but just before it shuts, Fauna’s big brown eyes and crazy ass smile slip between the crack.
She looks equal parts smug and equal parts concerned as she walks over to me.
‘So sexy moma. Baby daddy came back?’
I feel my cheeks shift with amusement. This girl always knows how to break the icy shell I put up around others.
Vish snorts. And Fauna’s humour turns cold as she takes him in. She aims a questioning gaze my way and I look down, not knowing what to do.
‘Out, now. No men allowed.’ Fauna snaps.
‘But—’
‘But, but, what? I said get out. I know you’ve got ears, use them. Matter of fact, use those perfectly good feet you’ve got too and leave.’
Stunned, Vish stands gaping at Fauna. She crosses her arms and without a word, he slowly exits the small room. Amelia follows, excusing herself so we can have some time together.
