too casually and shocked Hannah. ‘I was four years old,’ he shrugged. ‘I can barely remember them.’
‘How come the two of you are allowed to live on your own?’
‘We were in foster homes, but Dave’s just turned seventeen so he gets a flat. I’m allowed to live with him on a trial basis, but we’ve got a social worker who’s gonna be checking up on me a few times a week.’
Hannah giggled. ‘So you can’t go too wild.’
‘Nah, I’m afraid not,’ James said, as he stopped outside the door of his flat and rang the bell. He could hear music thumping inside.
‘So, it was good to meet you, James. I expect I’ll see you around.’
James smiled. ‘Are you doing anything? You want to pop inside and say hello to my brother?’
‘Why not?’ Hannah shrugged.
A blast of Baba O’Riley by The Who hit them as Dave opened the front door, dressed in nothing but a pair of cargo shorts.
‘Where’s your key?’ Dave asked.
‘Up my butt,’ James said irritably. ‘What do you think? I forgot it. Maybe if you weren’t trying to deafen the entire neighbourhood you would have heard me buzzing the intercom.’
Dave raced into the living-room and turned the music down so they could hear each other speak. He reached out to shake Hannah’s hand and she went all gooey.
‘Good to meet you, Dave.’
James had managed three proper girlfriends and got off with a few other girls at parties and stuff. He didn’t think he was doing too badly for thirteen years of age, but Dave still made him jealous. When girls met Dave they turned bright red and giggled at all his jokes. He’d had a string of beautiful girlfriends, and according to most people you talked to on campus, he’d treated every one of them like dirt.
‘How’d you get that scar on your chest?’ Hannah asked, stopping her index finger a few centimetres shy of Dave’s blemish, as though his body was a beautiful ornament that she dared not touch.
‘I got a blood clot on my chest wall a few months back,’ Dave explained. ‘They had to put a tube in and suck it out.’
Hannah recoiled, ‘Yuk.’
‘Ruined my chances of a career in modelling,’ Dave joked.
‘I better put this shopping in the fridge before it goes off,’ James said.
‘Good idea,’ Dave nodded. ‘Why don’t you make us all a cup of tea while you’re at it?’
If Hannah hadn’t been there, Dave would have got a mouthful for being cheeky, but James headed into the kitchen and filled the kettle. As he stacked the food away, he looked over the fridge door and spotted Hannah in the doorway.
‘I can’t really stay,’ Hannah said. ‘I’ve got some homework I want to finish off before tonight.’
‘What are you up to?’ James grinned. ‘Hot date?’
Hannah shook her head. ‘There’s a big reservoir over the back of the estate. Loads of the local kids go up there when the weather’s nice. It’s just hanging out really, but you can come if you want. We’ll grab some booze and I’ll introduce you to a few faces.’
James nodded. ‘Yeah, for sure. So, I don’t need to dress up or nothing?’
‘Well you could lose the Arsenal shirt,’ Hannah said, putting two fingers into her mouth and gagging. ‘It could seriously damage my reputation if I’m seen hanging out with a gooner.’
15. PULLING
The boys were eating microwaved lasagne in front of a TV with a crummy indoor aerial, when Dave spotted Sonya Tarasov walking past the window. He tripped over James’ feet as he dived out of the room, down the hallway and out of the front door. He jogged up behind Sonya and tapped her on the shoulder.
‘Hey Melanie,’ Dave said enthusiastically.
Sonya turned around. She was mousy and slightly overweight, with a circular face.
‘I’m not Melanie,’ Sonya said irritably.
Dave put his hands over his face and acted embarrassed. ‘I’m so sorry,’ he gasped. ‘I didn’t mean to startle you. It’s just … You’re the absolute spitting image of a girl I used to go out with.’
James crept out into the hallway with his lasagne and listened while he ate. As soon as Sonya realised she hadn’t just been accosted by some weirdo and caught a glance of Dave’s handsome mug, she broke into a big smile.
‘That’s OK,’ Sonya giggled. ‘I’ve done the same thing myself.’
‘I should have known it was too good to be true,’ Dave said. ‘You know, I’ve just arrived and I don’t know anyone.’