Page 51 of Snowed In
“I’ll try to control myself,” I promise, leaving her for the kitchen. I pop a slice of bread in the toaster and put water in the kettle for some tea, my movements so instinctual it’s like I never left.
“I’ll have a cappuccino,” a familiar voice calls from the adjoining room, and I head through the archway to finally find Hannah.
My baby sister sits cross-legged on the floor in front of the television, surrounded by textbooks and legal pads filled with her impatient scribble. She’s still in her pajamas, and her long dark hair is pulled back into a thick plait, kept off her face with a dozen butterfly clips.
“With oat milk,” she adds, not looking up from her work.
“Dad lets you have oat milk in the house?”
“I told him it’s good for my brain and that I need it for my exams.”
“What exams?” I joke. “You’re studying fashion.” I toe one of her books out of the way, tilting my head to read the title. “Or is it history now?”
“Both. I’ve decided I want to work in the film industry.”
“Sounds like a stable career choice.”
“Can we go to the lake later?” she asks, ignoring me. “I want to show Daniela, and the weather’s supposed to be nice this afternoon.”
Daniela is Hannah’s latest girlfriend. One of many I’ve been introduced to over the years. Turns out my sister is a bit of a player. This one appears to be sticking around, however.
“You’re still with Daniela?”
“Yes. She’s coming over for lunch, and I want to show her the lake.”
“We can do that.” I pick up another book. “We can show Megan too.”
“Who?”
“Funny.” But when I glance up from the title, it’s to see genuine confusion on her face. “Megan,” I repeat. “My girlfriend.”
Her mouth drops open. “Yourwhat?” she asks, just as our mother hurries into the room.
“I knew there was something I forgot to do.”
She can’t be serious. “I told you to tell everyone,” I say.
“I thought Andrew would.”
“Andrew knows?” Hannah asks, obviously hurt. “Andrew knows, but not me?”
“Plus, I didn’t want to go spreading it around,” Mam adds.
“She’s not adisease,” I say.
“Hello?” Hannah gets to her feet with a pout as Mam starts tidying up the room, flustered. “I want to hear about the girlfriend.”
“Did you tell Dad at least?” I ask, ignoring her.
“Of course I did.”
“So everyone knows except me,” Hannah says.
Mam pauses. “I don’t think I told Liam.”
Jesus Christ. “Mam was meant to tell you,” I say to Hannah. “Stop with the wounded-puppy eyes. I posted about her.”
“Oh,sorryif I didn’t pay attention to a picture of you and some random woman. What a rare occurrence in your life.”
