Page 113 of The Rat

Rory saw his lips lift in a slight smile,then he lowered his head, and the smile vanished. He came closer,and Rory couldn’t look at him. He looked down at the ground androlled the stray stones with his shoe.

“I wasn’t sure if you’d be here,”Sebastian murmured.

“I owe it toyou.”

“Look at me.”

Rory forced his head up but couldn’tlook Sebastian in the eyes.

Sebastian gestured to the car.“Yours?”

“It’s a hired car.”

“Ready to go?”

“Shouldn’t I be asking youthat?” Rorysaid.

Sebastian snorted. “I’m veryready.” Hewalked over to the passenger door, then raised his eyebrow at Rory.“Well?”

Rory unlocked the car, then climbedinside. “Where do you want me to drive?”

“Can you… can you drive through thecity.”

“Sure.”

Sebastian bobbed his head, thenflung hisbagof belongings into the back.

“I’m reallysorry—”

Sebastian raised his finger in theair, then made a shushing sound. “Not here. Not yet.”

Rory swallowed, then bobbed hishead. If Sebastian wanted to pretend they were anything but normal for a fewminutes, Rory wasn’t gonna stop him.

“Okay…”

The drive was surreal, he hadbeen expecting Sebastian to growl at him, launch at him, stranglehim to death right there and then in the prison car park, butinstead helounged back in the seat, and lowered his window.

He stuck his hand out and twitched hisfingers as the air rushed by him.

Rory drove through the city withno destination in mind. He passed the cinema, the train station, theclubs, the pubs—there was nothing of interest, but Sebastian wastransfixed. He craned his neck to see the highest buildings andsnorted at the names of restaurants.

“It’s amazing whatchanges.” Sebastian mumbled.

“It’s been sixteenyears.”

“The same roads, and streetnames, but everything on them different. It’s like an alien planet. I meanwhat the hell is Oodles?”

“It’s a sushi chain. Quitepopular.”

“And thatplace?”

Rory glanced at the building,and thelineoutside. “Flip Over?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s a load of trampolines. Yougo thereandyou jump around.” Rory scrunched his face at his explanation, itdidn’t do the place justice.

“You’ve beenthere?”

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