Page 89 of Oz
He obviously doesn’t answer. Instead, he plonks himself next to me and licks my hand. I look down at him and stroke his ears. He looks anxious, as if he knows I’m unhappy, and I pet him until he relaxes. For a second peace descends and then I jump out of my skin when I hear a thump and a snort of laughter.
“What the fuck?” I breathe, peering into the darkness.
“Oz, is that you?”
“Yes.Ivo?”
“In the flesh,” comes his wry retort. There’s movement near me, then a click, and light floods the cupboard revealing the dishevelled figures of Henry and Ivo. Ivo’s shirt is open and his mouth swollen, while Henry’s trousers are unbuttoned and his hair is standing straight up like he’s stuck his finger in a socket.
“What the fuck?” I mutter. “In thecoat cupboard? You’ve got a bedroom upstairs.”
They exchange sheepish looks and start buttoning and zipping up. “We’ve got fond memories of this cupboard,” Henry says. “It’s sort of a tradition.”
I shake my head. “Don’t traditions centre around events like Christmas?”
Henry grins. “It’s the same thing. I’m just letting Ivo come in my chimney instead of Father Christmas.”
“Henry,” Ivo groans and shakes his head. “That’s so lame.”
Henry shrugs, looking unrepentant. Then his gaze sharpens. “What are you doing in here with Chewwy?”
I fidget slightly. “I just needed a quiet space for a second.” I pause. “And Niall was going to lecture me.”
“Why?” He looks searchingly at me. “Is it anything to do with your disappearing act tonight?”
I shrug. “Maybe.” I dart a look at him. “I just got things turned around in my head. It’s my fault.”
“I doubt it,” Ivo says. “I saw Olivia talking to you earlier.”
“What the fuck?” Henry explodes and we shush him quickly. “I mean what thefuck?” he whispers furiously. “What did she say to you?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Yes, it does,” he says implacably, and I can tell that he and Silas are brothers at this moment.
“She mentioned how unsuited we are and how much damage I could do to him with the local gentry.”
“Like Silas spends any fucking time with the local gentry,” he scoffs. “He’s too bloody busy and he spent enough time with half of them at school.” His gaze softens. “You do know it’s total bollocks, don’t you? Other people’s opinions have never mattered to Silas.”
“I know that,” I start to say, but then we hear the click of heels and Olivia’s cut-glass tones coming up the steps.
“Shush!” I say frantically. “She’ll find us.”
Ivo reaches up and cuts the light out just as we hear Silas call “Mother” very loudly.
“Ooh, that’s Silas’s pissed-off voice,” Henry says gleefully. “Budge up, Ivo. I can’t hear properly.”
“Did you mean to put your hand there?” Ivo says calmly, and Henry snorts.
“Sort of. Are you complaining?”
“No. By all means go ahead.”
“Shush!” I say again and stroke Chewwy when he shifts about.
“What is it, Silas?” Olivia says. Her voice sounds clear, so she’s right by our door and there’s no chance of escape. I groan under my breath and slump against the wall.
“I’d like a word with you.”
