Page 63 of Thrill
“I’m not vegetarian, no. A coffee would be perfect. Thank you.”
Monica sat opposite Tyler. She still regarded him as if he’d crawled up on the beach and slithered to their kitchen.
Lisa busied herself around.
“What have you boys got planned today?” she shouted over her shoulder.
“Nothing,” Danny said. “Tyler’s running me home.”
She spun around. “We’re not keeping you from something, are we, Tyler?”
“Not at all,” Tyler said. “I’ve no plans today.”
“Then you’ll stay for Sunday lunch,” she replied.
Once again, all eyes were on Tyler.
“Really?”
“Of course. There’s plenty.”
“Lisa’s roast potatoes are worth all the grilling you’re going to get,” Andy said.
“Then I accept. Thank you.”
Danny took the fourth chair and winked at Tyler. Once again, he instantly put him at ease.
SIXTEEN
DANNY
The next morning, Danny was lost in a world of daydreams. The toaster popped, snapping him back into the real world. He threw the toast onto his plate.
“Fuck, that’s hot,” he exclaimed, sucking his finger.
“Now there’s a surprise,” Andy said.
He and Lisa were sat at the table, nursing cups of tea. Monica ran through the door and into the room. She grabbed the slice of toast that Danny had just finished buttering.
“Hey,” he said. “Give me that.”
“I’m late,” she replied before biting into it. “I need to be at St Bernadette’s school for nine. We’re doing a free class. Love you, brother. And love your new boyfriend. He’s cute.”
She kissed him on the cheek and ran out again. Danny watched her go. Ninety-five percent of the time she got seriously on his nerves. Today was the five percent though. Those words had meant so much to him.
By the time Tyler had left the night before, it was late. Danny had flatly refused an autopsy of the evening. Of course, Lisa had offered for Tyler to stay. Danny absolutely wasn’t ready for that.
He put himself another slice of bread in the toaster. Then he turned around to find both his parents watching him expectantly.
“You needn’t think we’re having a deep and meaningful. I’m not missing my bus.”
“No worries,” Lisa said. “I’m driving you to work. That’s why I’m up.”
He’d fallen victim to an ambush.
Resigned to his fate, Danny took his toast and the butter and sat at the table.
“Go on then. I presume you both have rehearsed speeches,” he said. “Can I have my breakfast at the same time?”
