page16 (1/2)

‘What did you call oosebuht I’d used the f or the c word

I thought he must have had misheard ‘Daddy,’ I repeated

‘I’m not your daddy I’m your Papa Don’t ever try to be like those o to school with You can et you are Russian and only Russian You have e your culture and your Russian ways for theirs again’

He had totally discounted e The blood ofMy s lie Wake them up and they will bite you

‘Yes, Papa,’ I said i that has earned that soft, ain

The kitchen falls suddenly silent

‘It’s been a long night I’ to bed,’ Papa says into the strained silence

‘Sleep well, Papa,’ I say, and step forward to kiss his cheek again My father reaches out a hand and plucks a one-inch-long twig froround I freeze with fear, but he doesn’t realize the significance, and turns towards the door I watch hio out of the door with relief and hear the sound of his shoes on the h the empty house

‘I suppose I better go to randmother

She nods

I bend to pick up the black bag and she grasps rip surprises e and dark lurks in them