“He’s got his mother’s influence, plus a bit of Ryan’s unpredictability.It’s a great mix.”
“There is something of you in there, too.”
“Fortunately not, or it would be a fatal mix.”
“Do you underestimate yourself?”
“I’m a realist, at least most of the time.”
I can hear the bitterness in his voice, and I know it’s meant for me.
“Is there something you need to tell me?”
“No.Do you?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Jamie, you’re here!”The front door opens again.“Oh… sorry.I thought it was your voice.I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“You didn’t interrupt anything, Riley.I was just leaving.”The Doctor walks away, and I’m left with my sister, already certain I’ve messed up.
“Is everything okay between you two?”Riley asks right away.
I try to slip past her and head into the house.
“We’ll never talk about it, will we?”She says quietly.
“Exactly.”
“But with him, you will?”
Why can’t you just live your own life, Riley, and let me deal with mine?
I turn to her, and my expression answers for me.
“Jamie.”
“It’s not worth it.It’s just casual, okay?You know me.”
“Does he know it’s just casual?”
“If he hasn’t picked up on it by now, he must really have some problems.”
“One I actually have.”
I turn around, and the Doctor is outside again.
“Don’t look at me like that, Captain.I wasn’t eavesdropping.Chris asked me to call Riley.Jamie woke up.”
“Sure.Thanks.I’ll go now,” Riley says.
My sister steps through the doorway and closes it behind her, leaving me to my fate.
The Doctor raises a hand.“Please, don’t say anything.You’ve said enough already.”
“What did you expect me to do?You wanted me to tell my sister that we… we…”
“That we fucked?Go on, say it.This’s what you were after, isn’t it?”
