Page 31

‘So, how are you finding living at home again?’ he asks.

I groan and roll my eyes theatrically.

‘It’s driving me crazy. The second I can find somewhere to live, I’ll be moving out. If I don’t, I might murder one or both of my parents.’

Si laughs.

‘I can imagine. It must be tough moving back after having your own space.’

‘Exactly,’ I say, nodding, relieved someone gets it. ‘It’s like I’m a teenager all over again, but with less privacy, somehow.’

Si chuckles again, then pauses as if a thought has struck him.

‘Actually, I have a spare room,’ he blurts. ‘I’m looking for someone to rent it out to help fund the renovations. But everyone the letting agent sends over, I can’t imagine living with them. One had smelly cats, one seemed like a real party animal… It’s been a nightmare.’

‘Really?’ I reply, intrigued.

He shrugs, smiling at me.

‘You would be perfect,’ he says. ‘I already know you, and I know you won’t be trouble. The room is newly decorated with a king-sized bed. And I’ll do mates’ rates, seeing as though I know you’re trying to restart your life here.’

I just blink for a moment, my heart racing with… something. Am I crazy for considering this? Maybe. But I’m really craving my independence back, and mates’ rates might be the only way I can afford to live somewhere else until I get a new job.

I can think of a million reasons to say no – but so many reasons to say yes too. I suppose I could give it a go, right? See how it plays out? I can always move back home, if I need to. I’m just not sure when an opportunity will fall into my lap like this again. And maybe I need to take more chances?

‘Okay,’ I say excitedly. ‘Thank you, I would love to.’

Si grins.

‘That’s great news! This makes it a double celebration.’

Before I can ask what he means, there’s a knock on the door. Si, lifting what looks like a lasagne out of the oven, glances at me.

‘Can you get that?’ he says – then he laughs. ‘It’s like you live here already.’

I smile to myself as I head to the door. Maybe this really is the break I need right now.

I open the front door, and my jaw drops. Standing there, clutching three bright pink helium balloons in various shapes, is him. Mr L. Oh my God, it’s really him, here. Has he been thinking about me too? Has he tracked me down? And he’s got balloons; he’s so romantic. This is like something out of a fairy tale.

‘Hey, little bro,’ Si says, appearing behind me.

‘Happy birthday,’ Mr L replies.

Suddenly, I realise he’s just as surprised to see me as I am to see him. He’s not here for me. Si is his brother. Oh God, Si is his brother.

Mr L looks slightly embarrassed, holding up the balloons.

‘Sorry, I left my keys at work,’ he tells Si. ‘And they only had pink balloons left at the shop.’

Si laughs.

‘It’s the thought that counts,’ he replies. ‘Lia, this is Adam, my baby brother who lives here too, helping with the renovations.’

I’m in shock. My brain is spinning. Suddenly it all makes sense: Mr L – Mr Lowe. Adam Lowe.

Adam, not letting on that he knows me, extends his hand.

‘Nice to meet you, Lia,’ he says.