Page 47 of The Mission

“Not after this bit.” He took another chunk and she rapped his knuckles with a spoon.

“Ouch. What was that for?”

“To remind you not to take anymore. I know you.”

Arlo did his puppy-dog impression and his mum chuckled.

“You really like him,” she said quietly.

“I really do.”

“You don’t think you’re rushing this, just a little?”

Arlo shook his head. “I’ve been waiting for months!”

“But Conrad hasn’t. You fall fast and hard, Arlo. You always have.”

“This is different. Conrad is different. It’s like unwrapping a parcel with lots of layers of paper and sometimes a treat between the layers. I just…” His shoulders fell. “You like him too though, don’t you? You said you did.”

“He’s lovely, but you’re my boy. I don’t want to see you hurt.”

She didn’t sayagainbut Arlo heard it.

“This time Conrad’s the one who’s been hurt. I feel so sad for him that he’s not had a family like ours. I’m lucky to have you.” Arlo hugged his mum with his elbows so he didn’t get flour on her.

“Does he ever see them?”

“They went to live in Canada when he was eighteen and he’s not seen or heard from them since. They said he was a mistake. A faulty condom.”

“Ah. That’s very unkind.”

“I want to be the best friend he’s ever had.”

She was biting her lip when she turned to him. “Just let him breathe, sweetheart. You have such a lot of love to give but don’t smother him.”

An hour later, when the cooking was done and everywhere was clean, Conrad emerged from the bedroom, rubbing his eyes, his hair sticking up. He looked adorable.

“Feel better?” Arlo went over to him.

“I do. I just had a call from the police saying I can collect my belongings from the chalet.”

“I’ll take you.”

“Is it all right if I stay here for the rest of my holiday?” Conrad asked Arlo’s mother. “I’m sorry to have to ask but I doubt I’ll find a room anywhere. I fly back on the morning of the twenty-seventh. I can get the coach with the others. Apparently, Mark is flying home today.”

“Of course you can stay,” his mum said.

“I wonder if Rurik has thought to stop him getting into the office.” Arlo called his brother.

“Hi.”

“Did you know that the guy whose name we’re not allowed to say is flying home today? Should you stop him getting—”

“Already done.”

“I was going to saythrough customs.” Arlo put as much indignation into his voice as he could.

“My reach doesn’t stretch that far.”

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