Page 57 of Milo
I immediately shake my head and step into him. “That wasn’t you,” I say, breathing in between the words when it feels like they might get twisted. “Never you. You were just so close and it was automatic to move back.”
He shuts his eyes and breathes out slowly. “Okay. That’s good, right?” My lip twitches and he shakes his head. “Ignore me. I’m babbling. Come back to the house with me,” he says suddenly and passionately. “You didn’t interrupt anything.”
“So why were you gone so early?” I wince at the note of whiny complaint.
“Baby, you were fast asleep. I woke you and told you I had to be out by the lake today and you actually spoke to me.” He shrugs. “It was a bit like I’d imagine it would be to talk to JasonVoorhees if he too were a cover stealer, but I was sure you were listening. I’ll learn, I suppose.” He smiles tentatively at me. “I slipped while I was down there and fell in some fox shit, so I came back to shower and change. Gideon had only just come out when you saw us. He was barely more awake than you.” He pauses. “Do you believe me?” he asks in a low voice.
“Why is that important?”
“Do you believe me?” he repeats stubbornly.
I consider him and then nod slowly. “I do.”
He sags slightly and grabs my arm. “So, come back to the house, have some breakfast with me.” He pauses. “And maybe have a conversation with your brother because I’m getting tired of being the registered talker around here at the moment.”
I smile, feeling sunshine wash across my heart despite the fact that I have an awkward conversation looming over me. “Okay. We’ll follow you there.”
“Thank you,” he says, grabbing my hand.
Molly comes up to us. “Are you Milo’s boyfriend then, Niall?”
He looks at me and smiles. “I think maybe I could be,” he says almost challengingly. My hand jerks in his in complete shock but he holds tight.
Molly shrugs. “I don’t think I’d like a boyfriend. Ginny at school has one. He’s called Simon and he smells. I think I might like a girlfriend instead.”
“Would you?” Niall asks.
“Yes. They smell better, and my mum says girls should cook and clean. I don’t like doing that but surely another girl will. Then she can cook and clean for me while I go out and fight monsters.”
“I’m not sure that’s a very modern take on relationships,” I say doubtfully, but she looks at me almost pityingly.
“Milo, you’re very old. I don’t think you know about things like this.”
Niall’s laughter rings around the wood.
Chapter
Twelve
Maybe stop having sex long enough to get to know him, Milo.
Milo
Molly and I follow Niall into his kitchen. I look around but I can’t see any sign of Dotty. She’s obviously heard the sound of the little girl’s voice and done the sensible thing and hurled herself out through the cat flap.
Molly looks around with eager curiosity. “Do you live here, Niall? It’s like a fairy-tale cottage. I like fairy tales. I likeThe Gingerbread Manand I likeHansel and Gretelwhere the witch lived in a house made of sweets andGoldilocks and the Three Bearswith the porridge.”
I grin at Niall. “You sound hungry, Molly. Would you like some breakfast?”
She nods eagerly and Niall laughs. “I’ll make tea if you do food.” He looks at me hopefully. “I could eat breakfast too.” Hepauses. “But probably bacon and eggs are better for someone who’s been hard at work since dawn.”
I shake my head. “You were rolling around in fox poo, not resolving Brexit negotiations.”
He laughs, and Molly sidles up. “Granddad was on about Brexit yesterday. He said Boris Johnson couldn’t find his bottom with a map, but I couldn’t work out why he needed a map. I can find mine easily. It’s always in the same place.” She shakes her head in a very bemused fashion as Niall laughs loudly and smacks a kiss on her head.
I get the bacon and sausages out of the fridge and stick them on the grill before grabbing the porridge and starting to slice fruit. “Molly, get the golden syrup out, lovey. It’s in that cupboard by the big window.” Humming tunelessly, she skips across to the cupboard next to the French doors.
She stands there for a second, looking out at the garden in a contemplative manner. “There’s a lady running around the garden in her bra and knickers,” she finally says in a very matter-of-fact voice.
