Page 3 of Away in a Tentacle Lair
It doesn't matter because the family curse means he will never get to know any of that. Granny has the final say on who can be welcomed into the family, and it is not marine research biologists.
“Kai? Are you listening?” Carry gives me a nudge, and my gaze lifts. “Can you pass the calamari?”
“Cala-?” I glance down at my shepherd’s pie with a frown.
“You are miles away, bro,” she laughs.
“The Marine Biologists giving you grief again?” Jonus jokes.
“He was creepy,” I defend. “All kitted out and looking at me like he couldn't believe I hadn't frozen my nuts off and drowned.”
“Kai!” Aunt Nellie scolds. “Please keep your balls away from the dinner table.”
I blush, and they all know it's not because they are talking about my genitals. I want to answer Leo's question.
What local wildlife slink around the bay?
Can I suck your nuts?
Where is the nearest supermarket?
Now, I don't care what the question is; I just want to answer it.
Granny is late to the table, diverting the little remaining attention away from me.
“Eat up, Granny.” Aunt Alice serves our matriarch a shepherd's pie, and the family is complete.
“Alex,” Nicholas calls to the waiting man, who is something between an evil henchman and a butler. "Please lock everything down for the night.”
“Batton down the hatches, prepare for nightfall,” Jonus laughs.
“At least everyone is back on time tonight, even if one is here by the skin of their false teeth.” Nicholas glances across at his mum, and I'm relieved she's getting the scolding rather than me.
Granny gives me a wink, almost implying she's only late to save me from being last home. But the grin that goes with the wink says something else. It's a'Did you see that hottie?'kind of smile.
Yes, Granny,I blush, even though she has no idea what I'm thinking.Oh, I saw that neoprene hottie.
Chapter three
Leo
My night is spent tossing and turning. The older lady told me the Briareus man ran because he was late, but guys don't look at me with fear in their eyes because their dinner was getting cold.
He was scared. I scared him.
Why would a man who is a confident free diver be scared of other divers? My rational but under-caffeinated mind can conclude he was diving where he wasn't supposed to be, but my half-asleep mind had other ideas. Throughout the night, I've invented over a hundred reasons he'd run. They started with simple stranger-danger and worked up to mermaid-infested waters.
I need more coffee.
I'm staying in a nice hotel with a minibar and a kettle. Supplies are replenished daily, but they underestimate my coffee needs. Luckily, the breakfast buffet downstairs is only a shower away.
As I make my way down, I recognise some other hopeful candidates. There were more of us at the beginning, but the number is decreasing. I know the reason I'm still here hasnothing to do with being better than anyone else; it just means they haven't reviewed my work yet. It doesn't stop the daily messages from my parents congratulating me on being one step closer.
I'm too tired for this. As I grab my plate of food, I wonder if I'd be better off going home. The wet, miserable weather of home is nothing compared to the warmth and comfort of my family. But my dreams are outside my parents' living room. They are here. I'll regret it forever if I leave now because I don't want to be alone for Christmas.
If I can stay positive long enough to finish my full English breakfast, I can spend the day in the bay. I can convince myself I'm looking for the mysterious creature cultivating the ocean floor, but I know I'll be looking for the free diver.
“Going to the centre after, Rowland?”
