Page 10 (1/2)

I

nod, and she grins wide enough to hurt

“Okay” She sounds breathless I watch from the wall just outside the kitchen as Dot serves Declan his plate The way she smiles and preens The way he s shoulders shift, seeing flashes of his white teeth When he smiles, he looks like a playboy prince When he frowns, a pirate

And you’re ridiculous

As if he can hear azes lock, and for that ’s on his face; his features freeze as if he’s been hexed, and I feel like I’h his eyes into the heart of him

I can’t breathe, can’t even move my throat to s Dot touches his elbow, and his eyes are ripped away from mine

My heart hammers My stomach flips I don’t want to stand here any h the crowd as quickly as I can

When I reach the café’s door, I push through carefully Outside, I find the sreen Land Rover is parked near the door—for hi the least rusty of our vehicles, it’s reserved for foreign dignitaries and other honored guests God forbid they should have to walk a mile or two

I walk quickly down Middle Lane, looking at nothing but e, ed in my belly

What did you think, Finley? What did you think he would look like? Who did you think he would be?

I wipe s I stashed beside the kiln at Gammy’s house When Mrs Dillon doesn’t find me at the café, she’ll show Declan here She has the key It was never necessary for me to show him inside I just…wanted to But now I have no interest Now I’ve seen him

Four

Declan

“It’s a pretty good life” I s by ot a dog’s face carved up top

“But aren’t you worried about being injured?” She shakes her head “Those balls are thrown so fast”