Page 16 of Dead to Me

But as I was working out how to continue the conversation another male figure appeared through the window.

In sharp contrast with the awkward way I’d clambered out, he slid out through the opening athletically, all while holding what looked like a Tom Collins.

It was Kit Frankland.He probably jumped out of that window most days.Home advantage.

I was hoping he’d move off towards the other couple of people standing on the lawn, but he looked over towards us and then moved in.

‘You OK, Jamie?’Kit asked as he closed in, but somehow I could tell his attention was actually on me.

Up close, I became aware of exactly how big he was.He might not have been a wide front-row rugby player like Ryan, but he was taller than I’d realised– probably six three– and clearly powerful.Despite the good-natured smile he was now gracing us with, I found myself thinking that I would go a long way to avoid getting in trouble with him.

‘I’m good,’ James told him, with what sounded like slight defensiveness.‘Just having a vape.’

Kit turned to me.‘Sorry, I don’t know… Did you come with Luca?’I was sure Kit knew the answer to this already.I felt instinctively that what he’d really come to do was give me the third degree.I was an outsider, and that was, I guessed, dangerous.

I gave him a brilliant smile, and said, ‘I did.I got talked into crashing.For some reason he thought it was a good idea for me to try an undergrad party.’

Kit shook his head slightly.‘Not justanundergrad party.This ismyundergrad party,’ he said.‘It’s going to spoil all the other ones for you.’

‘Oh, sorry,’ I said.‘I should have realised.Is that what all the candles were for?Like, offerings for us to be grateful for your generosity?’

I said it with a grin, and Kit had the good grace to laugh.‘Exactly.We’ll take whisky or blood sacrifices, depending.’

‘Shit, I forgot the whisky.’I glanced towards the window.‘Given that… is there anyone you wouldn’t miss?If I offed them?’

‘Ha.Several people, actually.’

There was a sound from James at that: a short, impatient sigh.

‘I’m heading off,’ he said.

I turned towards him with a strange feeling of looking away from a bright light.

‘Really?Already?’I asked.That was my plans busted.He seemed closed off now, and I realised that bantering with Kit had probably lost me ground.

That said, there is always power in making people feel like they have to compete for your attention.And again, Reid, I know you do this too.So quiet with the moral judgements.

‘I should be revising,’ James said.‘Nice to meet you…?’

‘Aria,’ I supplied.‘Nice to meet you, too.’

James glanced towards his friend, and then said with his eyes still on him, ‘Don’t let Kit talk you into anything stupid.’

Despite the slight smile, I felt like there was more to that statement than light-hearted fun.I thought inevitably of Holly, and I couldn’t help a slight shiver as Kit said, ‘But that’s my one real skill.’

James didn’t bother to go back into the party.He just drifted off across the lawn, heading for the front gates.His hands were in his jacket pockets and his head was down, a picture of sadness.

‘I’m usually the one who leaves first,’ I commented as I watched him go.

‘Why’s that?’Kit asked me.

‘Early training,’ I told him, looking back at him and secretly trying to assess whether this young man was really capable of murdering his friend.

I saw the way his interest picked up.‘Rower?’he asked.

‘Good call,’ I said.‘Exactly.’

‘So… CUWBC?’

---