Page 109 of Seven Letters

Riley hummed as she waited for the kettle to boil. Mia and Johnny eyed her suspiciously.

‘She seems, dare I say it, happy,’ Mia whispered. ‘This is amazing. The teenage angst must be over. Everyone says it breaks at about sixteen and she’s nearly sixteen. Hurrah.’

Johnny shook his head. ‘I dunno, Mia. I’ve seen guys this happy and it’s always after getting laid.’

‘What?’ Mia gasped.

Johnny shushed her. ‘I’m not saying that’s what it is, but I think a boy might be involved in this new-found joy.’

‘We have to find out. You ask.’ Mia poked him.

He poked her back. ‘No way, you ask.’

‘She’ll bite my head off. You do it.’

Riley came over, bringing coffee and hot buttered toast. ‘What are you two whispering about? Not more bad news, I hope. Oh, my God, Mum, is Sarah …?’

‘No, love, everything’s the same,’ Mia assured her.

Johnny sipped his coffee. ‘So … you seem in good form today.’

Riley smiled. ‘Yeah, I guess I am.’

‘Any particular reason?’ Johnny asked.

Riley blushed. ‘Yes, but I’m not going to tell you.’

‘Did you have sex?’ Mia blurted out.

Riley spluttered. She wiped coffee off her chin. ‘No, I did not, not that it’s any of your business.’

‘Thank God for that.’

‘But there is a boy involved in all your … ah … shall we say, good form?’ Johnny said.

‘Stop digging, Dad. I’m not telling.’

‘Riley, pet, you haven’t sung or hummed or cracked much of a smile since 2015. Let us enjoy this moment.’ Johnny grinned at her.

‘Bit harsh,’ Riley said.

‘Is it?’ Johnny replied.

‘Yes. I smiled at Christmas when you got me the new iPhone.’ Riley smirked.

‘And there’s another one. Jesus, Riley, stop or I’ll have to put on sunglasses from the glare of your happiness.’ Johnny laughed.

‘Sod off, Dad, you’re such a freak.’

‘And now we’re back to normal.’ Johnny grinned.

‘No, cos I’m still smiling.’ Riley got up from the table and hummed as she left the kitchen.

Mia and Johnny turned to each other. ‘She’s happy and she didn’t have sex, thank God,’ Mia said.

‘Yet,’ Johnny said. ‘A sixteen-year-old boy’s involved in the bliss, and sex will be on the agenda. You need to talk to her.’

‘Why me?’

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