Page 83 of The Good Boy

“No, don’t,” I say. “He’s probably with Claudia and I need to get used to not having him around all the time. I need to sort this out myself.”

Rory has left.

Five minutes later he returns with Miles.

“Genie?” Miles says. “Rory said you were ill?”

“Not ill, not exactly—just... Miles, I didn’t want to bother you, but if I’m honest, I could really do with a friend—one that’s been human for more than a week. And as you’re here...”

“I’m going in the garden to throw stones at Matilda,” Rory tells me. “Keep out of your way.”

“A man throwing stones at a cat is not a good look,” I tell him.

“Oh, but she can have my eye out and it’s all hunky dory,” he says crossly. “Fine, pigeons, then?”

“Just... dig a hole or something.”

“Can I put one of each of your shoes in it?”

“Yes,” I say, shaking my head at Miles.

“So.” Miles sits down on the edge of the armchair, resting his hands on his knees. “How can I help?”

Running my fingers through my hair, I sit and straighten my shoulders, reaching for the pink, square box.

“You know the story,” I begin. “You were away at uni when it happened, it was your finals. Kelly rang you. You came back on three trains and sat up all night with me and Kel and Mum, and the next day you went back and took your exams on about an hour’s sleep.”

“You are ready to talk about Amelia?” he asks, his voice so gentle I want to wrap myself in it.

“I’m ready,” I say.

Miles doesn’t say anything for several minutes.

He has listened while I talked, listened very closely with such close concentration, not looking at me, but with his head tilted toward me, nodding every few words. Now he sits back in his chair and thinks.

“We should go and see Aiden,” he says

“Really?” I ask. “You really think so?”

“Rita isn’t the sort of woman to suggest something she knows would cause you more harm than good. I don’t think she would have mentioned Aiden if you hadn’t visited her today and talked about Amelia. I think perhaps she saw an opportunity to help you on your quest.”

“But why should I absolve him of any guilt he might feel because of what he did to me?”

“He might feel better if you and he talk, and you say the things you’ve never had the chance to say before. It might heal him if he is able to look you in the eye and apologize and ask for your forgiveness. But that’s not the point, Genie. How Aiden feels isn’t your problem. Howyoufeel is, and I think Rita is right. I think seeing him will helpyou.”

Quite unexpectedly he reaches out and takes my hand in his.My fingers are cold, his are warm. I lean toward him, longing for more of that warmth.

“You said ‘we’?” I ask tentatively.

“Yes,” he says. “I’ll come with you, of course. That’s what friends are for.”

We sit there, our fingers entwined and our eyes locked. One tug of his hand, to bring him a little closer, and I could kiss him. I want to kiss him. I want to kiss my best friend Miles more than anything in this world.

“So, when shall we go?” I ask

“Now,” he says, letting go of my hand and standing up decisively. “When something scares us it’s better to either run at it or run away. Today we are going to run at it.”

“Better tell Rory...” I say.

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