Page 42 of Our Secrets and Lies

Darren blew on his tea and took a sip. ‘How’s he getting on anyway?’

‘Dylan’s flying, but Kellyhates it,’ Shannon said. ‘She says the girls in her class are bitches. I said they’re just jealous because Kelly is so gorgeous and smart. It’s a pain for me having a deranged lunatic for a brother, but I actually think it’s worse for Kelly because Dylan is her twin and he’s a star. I mean, she was basically forced to move to that stupid school because of him. I think it’s a crime. Lucy didn’t evenask Kelly, just told her she was going.’

‘She’ll settle soon. It’s hard adjusting, that’s all,’ Sarah said.

‘No, it isn’t, Mum. She’ll never like it there. You can’t just go to a school in fifth year and find friends. The only kids without friends at our age are the geeks and freaks.’

‘I’m sure when the other girls get to know her they’ll hang out with her. These things take time, and it isa good opportunity.’

‘For who?’ Shannon demanded. ‘For Dylan it is, because he has a great new coach, but for Kelly what’s so great?’

‘Well, the school has fantastic facilities,’ Sarah said.

Shannon banged her mug down on the table. ‘She hatessport and she doesn’t play any instruments so she doesn’t need a fancy gym or a stupid music school. And FYI, if Ollie has to go to a special schoolfor mental cases, don’t even think of moving me too because I amn’t going and no one will make me. No one. I think Lucy is a mean cow for making Kelly move.’ Shannon stormed out of the room, the fluffy backside of her onesie wriggling.

‘She’s a strong mind on her that one!’ Darren said, shaking his head.

Ollie came into the kitchen wearing his army camouflage trousers and T-shirt. ‘I’m sorryabout your glasses, Dad. Here.’ He thrust ten euros into Darren’s hand. ‘I don’t have any more, but I’ll do jobs for you. I’ll cut the grass now if you want.’

‘No need, son. You scorched it this morning. Besides, you might remember that the lawnmower is broken because you tried to ride it to school.’

‘Oh, yeah, sorry about that. Well, I could …’ Ollie looked around the kitchen for inspiration.

‘Why don’t you come down to visit Grandpa Brian with me?’

Ollie frowned. ‘He keeps calling me the wrong name and the place stinks of wee.’

‘Well, that shouldn’t bother you. Doesn’t your pal Bear Grylls drink his own wee all the time?’

‘Not all the time, only when he’s out of water.’

‘Are you coming or not?’

‘Can I get a can of Coke on the way back?’

‘You don’t want to drink your own urinethen?’

‘Shut up, Dad.’

‘Come on, you messer.’ Darren pulled Ollie to him in a hug.

Sarah watched them go and smiled, her two boys. She silently prayed that Ollie would not cause any trouble or break anything in the old folks’ home.

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