‘You’re right, they are. Now, come on, let’s get you downstairs for breakfast. Pat will arrive soon for more chess.’
‘I like playing chess with Pat, but I wish I could start school today.’
‘I know, but it makes sense to start on Monday. It will give you a proper chance to settle in.’
Bertie sighed. ‘I suppose. And Stephan said he’ll take me fishing this afternoon. He said it will get him out of Maggie’s hair, but I don’t understand why he’d be in her hair in the first place.’
‘It’s an expression, like getting under someone’s feet.’
Bertie shrugged in anall adults are weirdkind of way.
With Bertie settled with his breakfast, Harry drove us to the lake. As Seb had predicted, this time there was no standing on ceremony, no picnic and blankets stashed away in the rowing boat. Now Harry was convinced I could survive the threat of cold-shock she became less encouraging-primary-school-teacher and more sergeant-major.
No sooner had I got my wetsuit on than we were in, sending ripples across the previously calm water. I squealed just as much as the first time, but now I knew the sensations to expect, the lack of breath and pins and needles didn’t panic me. I waited for them to pass and began testing out a few different strokes. I wasn’t prepared to dunk my head, and could only manage minimal leg movements thanks to the wetsuit, but I swam a good fifty metres before the cold became painful and we both got out.
I’d hoped to stay in longer to put off the meeting with Seb, but we were showered, dressed and accepting a cup of coffee in Seb’s kitchen before I had a chance to gather my thoughts, or composure.
‘Right,’ said Harry, downing the dregs of her coffee. ‘I’ll leave you to it.’
‘Are you sure you don’t want to stay?’ Seb asked, probably to avoid being alone with me.
‘No, it’s best I hand things over to you two from the get-go. Otherwise, I’ll be tempted to micro-manage and I’ve already got enough on my plate. I’ll see you later.’
‘Bye.’
Seb turned back to the kettle and re-filled it. I pulled a notepad and pen from my bag. ‘We’ll need more coffee if I’m going to give you a crash course on the project.’
I sighed. Whilst on the surface, offering me more coffee was friendly, the way Seb banged about in the kitchen suggested he’d rather be anywhere but with me.
‘Look, I know you don’t want me working with you on this, but Harry’s asked me to help and…’
‘It’s not that.’
‘OK.’
I waited for Seb to elaborate, but he carried on fussing with mugs, milk, and coffee grounds.
‘Seb, would you rather we do this another day?’
I jumped as he flung a spoon into the sink. He leaned over it, pressing down and taking deep breaths.
‘I think it’s best if I go,’ I said.
‘No. We need to talk.’
Unsure what was going on, I sat rigid in my seat, waiting for whatever he clearly needed to get off his chest. Seb laid the pot of coffee and two mugs down on the table and pulled out a chair.He sat down, his head in his hands, his fingers tugging at his long mane.
‘What’s this about?’
‘You asked if I had a brother called Baz.’
‘And you said no.’
‘I lied. Well, not about the brother part. Baz was me, I was Baz.’ He ran his hands through his hair and sighed. ‘My friends called me Bas, short for Sebastian, then somewhere along the way, it became Baz. You were right about us having met before. I shouldn’t have lied.’ He looked up at me, his face taut, jaw clenched.
‘Why did you?’
‘Things happened that weekend that I’d rather forget.’
