Almost True by Keren David Page B

the wet patch on the seat, and ran with me to the door and said, ‘Mum, can you have him for the weekend? Thanks,’ and ran back to the car. Gran had to take me to her salsa class because she hadn’t got a babysitter. And I never saw Chris again.
    After that, my mum didn’t introduce me much to herboyfriends. When she was seeing someone I mostly got packed off to Gran’s. Sometimes they didn’t even know about me and sometimes she would tell them I was her little brother. They didn’t last long, anyway.
    Patrick unfolds himself from the chair and towers above me. It’s like looking up at a giant. ‘I’m going to have a word with Helen and Archie, and then I’d like you to apologise to them,’ he says. ‘Think you can do that?’
    Apologise to Archie? To
Archie?
He must be joking. But he leaves me alone before I can say anything.
    I’m just looking at the computer and wondering if Claire’s written back – probably not so clever to check – when Archie’s mum comes in. She’s got a big smile on her face and I can see there’s no escaping her.
    â€˜So . . . Tyler. . .’ she says. ‘We’ve all missed you so much all these years.’
    Oh yeah? No one came to look for me.
    â€˜Your dad in particular – he’ll be so happy to see you again. Poor Danny, it’s been very hard for him.’
    Hard for him? What about me? I have to bite my tongue not to say anything.
    â€˜My parents aren’t really in touch with him, but wouldn’t you like to meet him again?’ she asks. ‘You must have thought about him a lot over the years.’
    For Christ’s sake. I’m not going to discuss with her what I might feel about someone who never evenbothered to send me a birthday card. Her smile is wobbling a bit. She’s probably wondering if I know how to talk.
    â€˜Perhaps you’d like me to call him?’ she asks.
    â€˜No,’ I say. ‘I’m not interested. I’m just staying here while I have to and then I’ll go back to my gran and my mum, and you can all forget about me again.’
    â€˜No one ever forgot about you,’ she says, but I’ve had enough. I push past her and stomp up the stairs.
    Patrick is talking to Helen and Archie. I pause outside and I hear him say, ‘Tyler’s come here with almost nothing, Archie, and you’re not to interfere with his possessions,’ and then I push open the door. Everyone’s looking at me, and I can see Archie’s annoyed that I heard him being told off.
    â€˜Sorry Helen,’ I mumble. ‘Sorry Archie.’ I drag his name out and sound as un-sorry as I can.
    â€˜I think you can do better than that,’ says Patrick. ‘Try again.’
    Jesus. It’s like being back in reception class.
    â€˜Ummm . . . I’m really sorry, Helen, I shouldn’t have taken your mobile without asking. I only did it because I needed to make an urgent phone call and it won’t happen again. Maybe I can repay you for the cost of the call. I promise never to take your stuff without asking again.’
    She looks a bit stunned and says, ‘Thank you forthe apology. Of course you can use the phone whenever you want, darling.’
    â€˜No he can’t,’ says Patrick, ‘Don’t you remember what Louise said? No calls.’
    I’m hoping that he’ll have forgotten that I haven’t apologised properly to Archie, but oh no, that would be too much to hope for.
    â€˜And next, your cousin,’ he says. I think he’s really enjoying this. Sadist.
    â€˜I’m very, very sorry Archie that I pulled your hair and I do hope you are not seriously hurt and I’ll try never to pull your hair again,’ I say through gritted teeth.
    â€˜Much better,’ says Patrick. ‘Notice, Archie, that Tyler has left himself a large escape clause. You’d better be careful how you approach