Half Lies Read Free Page B

with going to Tampa as the chances of being caught are minimal.
     
    Michèle, do not—I repeat—DO NOT go to Tampa.
    Who is this Sam guy anyway?
    Gabriel
     
    Dear Gab,
    You’d like him. He’s nice.
    M
     
    Michèle,
    There are plenty of nice boys living outside Tampa.
    GabRIEL
     
    28th February, 2013
    In other depressing news: I tried to take my mind off the Sam/Tampa situation today by being busy. I shopped and then cooked dinner this evening—roast chicken. Not too hard, you’d think, but I managed to burn it AND dry it out. Dad took one bite, forced it down with a large glass of wine, lit a cigarette, and went back into his studio.
    I’ve noticed that Gab hasn’t let me out of his sight today (“Just thought I’d come to the shops with you,” “Just thought I’d help out in the kitchen”). I suspect lack of trust re the Sam/Tampa situation, and the car keys are not left on the kitchen worktop or in Gab’s jacket as normal.
     
    I trust you, Michèle.
    Gabriel
     
    Dear Gab,
    Don’t lie.
    M
     
    OK. I trust you in lots of things but not always to be sensible.
    Gabriel
     
    Dear Gab,
    I am about as trustworthy and sensible as you.
    M
     
    Exactly!!!
     
    1st March, 2013
    I’m supposed to be with Sam at the cinema tomorrow night. This is so not fair. I might as well be in prison. Gab is sticking to me like glue. I thought he’d lower his guard so I could sneak away—but I’m getting the feeling that isn’t going to happen.
     
    Dear Michèle,
    Correct.
    GabRIEL
     
    2nd March, 2013
    I found a payphone in town and rang Sam’s mobile, but he didn’t answer. So I left a message saying that I wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t come tonight. I said I’d ring again tomorrow. He can’t ring me back because we don’t have a phone of any kind. I’d told Sam that I didn’t have a mobile and I’m not sure he believed me (I said my dad wouldn’t let me have one, which is pretty much the truth). Black Witches don’t use them and despise fains and White Witches for relying on them. Gab doesn’t have one, and Dad thinks they’re evil. Dad hates all gadgets. We don’t have a TV and certainly not a computer—we’re lucky to have a car! I have a radio to listen to music, and Dad complains about that. I’ve tried to tell him it’s good for the news and finding out what’s going on in the world, and he says, “Why would anyone want to know that?”
     
    3rd March, 2013
    So I rang Sam again this morning and we chatted. I suggested we meet up in Bradenton, but he didn’t seem so keen. He said he was working every day in the Bean Counter and wouldn’t finish till late—but really it’s not that late and he could make it if he tried. Then he said he had to get back to work as some customers had just come in. He asked me for my home number and I said I didn’t have one and he obviously didn’t believe me as he just said, “Right, well . . . Gotta go,” and hung up.
    I could tell he didn’t really think that I’d been ill or didn’t have a phone. It’s all so unfair.
    I really, really like him.
     
    5th March, 2013
    When it stopped raining last night Gab and I went up onto the roof. I’m feeling a bit down—partly the Sam thing, but mainly missing Mum, and I’d had another argument with Dad in the afternoon. I don’t want to argue with Dad, but it just happens. I can’t talk to him. I don’t think he can talk to me either; he hardly even talks to Gab.
     
    Michèle,
    You need to get out of the house more. Want to come to the beach?
    Gabriel
     
    Dear Gab,
    It’s March.
    M
     
    M,
    It’s Florida.
    Gabriel
     
    Dear Gab,

    M
     
    15th March, 2013
    We’ve spent the last week hanging out at the beach and made some friends, mostly fains. My friends back in France were fains, so I’m used to being careful not to say or do the wrong thing in front of them, though the only thing I can do magically at the moment (until I’m a full witch—7 months, 16 days, and 3 hours away) is heal quickly.