Page 171

“Dylan’s girlfriend.”

Luke raised his eyebrows. “I didn’t know he was seeing someone.”

“Seeing someone? It’s a bit more serious than that.”

“And how do you feel about Lulu?”

“She’s okay. She talks too much, but she’s good for Dylan. It’s tough when they’re not getting on.”

“Does that happen often?”

“More recently yes. I think it’s coincided with me coming to live with Dylan.”

“I see.” Luke frowned. “But you get on with her okay?”

“Yes. In fact, I’d say our relationship has improved as we’ve gotten to know each other. She can be very kind, and Dylan is our common enemy.”

“Dylan’s the enemy?”

I sighed, guilt swamping me again. “No, he’s not the enemy. That’s just an expression. He just overreacts sometimes. Lulu and I both bear the brunt of that.” I stared down at my fingers.

“Perhaps it’s because he cares about you both.”

“I know he cares. I threw a tea caddy at him today.”

“He told me. You’re an angry young woman who needs to vent her anger somehow. Maybe you should find a less violent way to do it, though.”

“He was horrid today. He deserved it. I’ve never done anything like that before, but then I rarely stepped out of line when I lived at home because I was happy. Happy with my parents.”

“It’s not often I hear a young person say they were happy with their parents.”

“I never thought about it before. But I’ve come to realize that I loved my ordinary life, and now… I miss it. I miss them. I loved them, and I never realized how much until they were gone. And I don’t need laptops and phones and beautiful clothes and holidays in France,” I whispered.

Luke frowned. “You resent Dylan spending money on you.”

“We’ve talked about this. I don’t want to go over it again.”

Luke paused. “Have you thought about what you’re going to say to your school colleagues when they ask you perfectly innocent questions about your family?”

“No.”

“You should think of what you want to say so nothing takes you by surprise.”

This seemed like a good idea. I remembered being thrown when Leon asked me if I’d been on holiday this summer with my parents. I’d have to think of something. I needed an arsenal of responses, as unexpected questions about my family always knocked me off balance.

“Our time is up. Can I see you in a couple of weeks?” Luke got to his feet and opened the office door.

Dylan sat outside. He looked warily at me.

“I don’t know what my school timetable will be,” I muttered.

“Call me. Here’s my card.”

Dylan said nothing as we drove back to Chiswick. He didn’t head home. He stopped and parked in the car park in the High Road. He took his sunglasses off and turned toward me.

I looked down at my fingers to avoid his gaze.

“Emily, I want to apologize for this morning. I was unforgivably rude.”