Page 56 of Our Secrets and Lies

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Lucy held out the menus. ‘So, what do you fancy tonight, Chinese or Indian? Kelly, that new legal drama is on BBC tonight. It’s supposed to be really good.’

‘Actually I’m going out,’ Dylan said.

‘So am I,’ Kelly said.

‘Oh.’ Lucy’s hands dropped to her sides. ‘I thought you were both staying in for a change. Where are you going?’

‘Just the cinema with Shannon,’ Kelly said.

Lucy turnedto Dylan. ‘Where are you off to?’

He needed to play this down. He knew if he said it was a house party he’d get a lecture about being led astray and the evils of alcohol. ‘I’m meeting up with a few of the lads on the team.’

‘You’re not going to be drinking, I hope,’ his mum said. ‘You know you can’t get caught doing anything silly, Dylan. You don’t want to get into any trouble, and Jordan wouldgo mad if he found out you were drinking.’

‘I’m not drinking, Mum. Relax.’

‘Where are you meeting up?’

‘In Justin’s house,’ he lied.

‘Which one is he?’

‘He’s centre mid.’

‘Oh, yes, he seems nice. Well, don’t be late. You’ve got training at eleven tomorrow.’

Dylan left the kitchen and went into his room to get changed. Kelly came in and lay on the bed. ‘Liar!’ she said.

‘What?’ Dylan sprayedon some aftershave.

‘I heard you tell Mum you’re going to Justin’s house. You’re not wearing your best shirt and half a bottle of aftershave for the boys. You’re going to Taylor’s party, aren’t you?’

Dylan fixed his hair in the mirror. ‘Yep, and if all goes well, I’m planning on hooking up with the hostess.’

Kelly sat up, hugging her knees to her chest. ‘I hope Taylor’s nicer than her sisterMelissa. She’s a real bitch.’

‘Taylor’s great. Which one is Melissa? Is she the short dumpy one with the long blonde hair?’

‘Yes.’

‘They’re sisters? Seriously?’

‘Step-sisters.’

‘Okay, cos they couldn’t look less alike.’

‘I hate St Jude’s, Dylan.’

Dylan sighed. He just wanted to go to the party and hook up with Taylor. The last thing he needed was a big chat about how much Kelly hated StJude’s, but he loved his sister and could see she was struggling, so he sat down beside her.

‘I don’t fit in,’ Kelly said, looking at her toes.

‘Maybe if you tried a bit harder. They can’t all be bad in your class. Come on, I know I’m not in the top stream for all subjects like you, but some of those nerdy swots must be decent.’

Kelly shrugged. ‘Some of them seem okay, but Melissa is in allof my classes and she’s constantly making horrible comments.’

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