could appear just as unnerving.
Mum came from the kitchen with the packet of muffins,spearing one with an ancient toasting fork. Soon the smell of burnt bread filled the room. I did feel a little closer to her now, but it was tinged with frustration. She’d hinted at fears, regrets and black clouds oppressing her, but not told me why. Part of me was always afraid that this depression was genetic and I would end up seeing the world through Mum’s eyes.
She was right about one thing though – I had to trust Merlin and lighten up over Genevieve. Merlin thought we’d have loads in common, and maybe he was right. Mum chatted as we ate, warm butter running down our chins, while I wondered just what had happened in her past to make her stop living.
The dream still haunted me – parts of it familiar, parts of it changing. Tonight I was forced to climb the interminable stairs, but when I eventually reached the top Genevieve wasn’t there and I frantically looked around, wondering where she could be hiding. I edged closer to the dressing table and her face was inside the mirror, her eyes magnified and all-seeing. She beckoned to me and I was unable to resist. As my fingers touched the glass it turned to liquid and circular ripples appeared, spreading outwards. I was being sucked into a deep, dark pool. I screamed at Genevieve to help, but she simply watched in horrible fascination. Only when the last bubble left my mouth did she smile.
CHAPTER
EIGHT
Resolution number one: Genevieve deserved to be given a chance and I could afford to be generous. Resolution number two: I would ensure that my jealousy was kept under control. Resolution number three: Merlin was unbelievably special and nothing was going to spoil that.
These were my thoughts as I determinedly walked to college on Monday morning. Jealousy
was
a destructive emotion and I had to rise above it. I quickened my pace as I noticed Nat and Hannah waiting on the corner of the main road by the pelican crossing. The wind was really gusty and Hannah frantically held on to her flared skirt, which made me laugh. I grinned at Nat, waiting for the teasing comments about Merlin, but for no apparent reason she seemed to be studying a concrete bollard and could barely look me in the eye. When she did, her face was sheepish.
‘There’s something you need to know …’
I waited for her to begin, sensing something was amiss.
‘W-we didn’t do it on purpose,’ she stammered. ‘Whenyou left with Merlin she came over and began talking. We ended up showing her around.’
Hannah joined in. ‘It was awkward. We couldn’t get away, and then she kept saying how horrible it was because she didn’t know anyone and would have no one to go to lunch with.’
I didn’t have to ask who they were talking about; it was obvious. ‘So Genevieve invited herself to lunch, with us?’
They both nodded. We walked up the steps together and went into the ladies’. I was glad because we wouldn’t be overheard in here.
‘It would’ve been rude to say no,’ Hannah apologized. ‘But we know you think she’s a bit of a … witch.’
I leaned against a washbasin and tried to control myself. Somehow I’d imagined myself being magnanimous and inviting Genevieve to join us now and then, not the other way round. This felt a little underhand. She’d waited until I had gone to move in on Hannah and Nat. The reality of her presence hit me anew – she’d wheedled a place in the same college as me, was taking the same subjects, Merlin’s mum adored her, and now my closest friends had been targeted.
‘Did she ask you?’ I said curiously. ‘Did she come up to you and expect to be shown around?’
They nodded again.
‘This sounds a bit paranoid,’ I admitted, ‘but it feels as if she’s kind of … invading my life.’
Hannah’s voice held a definite hint of reproof. ‘This isreally uncomfortable for us, Katy. You
are
our friend, and we’re stuck in the middle.’
Nat began
Mum came from the kitchen with the packet of muffins,spearing one with an ancient toasting fork. Soon the smell of burnt bread filled the room. I did feel a little closer to her now, but it was tinged with frustration. She’d hinted at fears, regrets and black clouds oppressing her, but not told me why. Part of me was always afraid that this depression was genetic and I would end up seeing the world through Mum’s eyes.
She was right about one thing though – I had to trust Merlin and lighten up over Genevieve. Merlin thought we’d have loads in common, and maybe he was right. Mum chatted as we ate, warm butter running down our chins, while I wondered just what had happened in her past to make her stop living.
The dream still haunted me – parts of it familiar, parts of it changing. Tonight I was forced to climb the interminable stairs, but when I eventually reached the top Genevieve wasn’t there and I frantically looked around, wondering where she could be hiding. I edged closer to the dressing table and her face was inside the mirror, her eyes magnified and all-seeing. She beckoned to me and I was unable to resist. As my fingers touched the glass it turned to liquid and circular ripples appeared, spreading outwards. I was being sucked into a deep, dark pool. I screamed at Genevieve to help, but she simply watched in horrible fascination. Only when the last bubble left my mouth did she smile.
CHAPTER
EIGHT
Resolution number one: Genevieve deserved to be given a chance and I could afford to be generous. Resolution number two: I would ensure that my jealousy was kept under control. Resolution number three: Merlin was unbelievably special and nothing was going to spoil that.
These were my thoughts as I determinedly walked to college on Monday morning. Jealousy
was
a destructive emotion and I had to rise above it. I quickened my pace as I noticed Nat and Hannah waiting on the corner of the main road by the pelican crossing. The wind was really gusty and Hannah frantically held on to her flared skirt, which made me laugh. I grinned at Nat, waiting for the teasing comments about Merlin, but for no apparent reason she seemed to be studying a concrete bollard and could barely look me in the eye. When she did, her face was sheepish.
‘There’s something you need to know …’
I waited for her to begin, sensing something was amiss.
‘W-we didn’t do it on purpose,’ she stammered. ‘Whenyou left with Merlin she came over and began talking. We ended up showing her around.’
Hannah joined in. ‘It was awkward. We couldn’t get away, and then she kept saying how horrible it was because she didn’t know anyone and would have no one to go to lunch with.’
I didn’t have to ask who they were talking about; it was obvious. ‘So Genevieve invited herself to lunch, with us?’
They both nodded. We walked up the steps together and went into the ladies’. I was glad because we wouldn’t be overheard in here.
‘It would’ve been rude to say no,’ Hannah apologized. ‘But we know you think she’s a bit of a … witch.’
I leaned against a washbasin and tried to control myself. Somehow I’d imagined myself being magnanimous and inviting Genevieve to join us now and then, not the other way round. This felt a little underhand. She’d waited until I had gone to move in on Hannah and Nat. The reality of her presence hit me anew – she’d wheedled a place in the same college as me, was taking the same subjects, Merlin’s mum adored her, and now my closest friends had been targeted.
‘Did she ask you?’ I said curiously. ‘Did she come up to you and expect to be shown around?’
They nodded again.
‘This sounds a bit paranoid,’ I admitted, ‘but it feels as if she’s kind of … invading my life.’
Hannah’s voice held a definite hint of reproof. ‘This isreally uncomfortable for us, Katy. You
are
our friend, and we’re stuck in the middle.’
Nat began
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