Haunting of Lily Frost Read Free Page A

though Mum’s made lasagne. Normally this would excite me, but tonight I’m slumped at the table watching my brother eat his third serve, and waiting for the ‘conversation’ to start. If they think I’m going to start it, they’re so wrong. I’m going to make them squirm through this for as long as possible.
    Dad’s tried to smile at me a few times, but he’s got tomato sauce on his chin and it makes him look ridiculous. I don’t smile back. I’ve moved into punishing mode and I’m pretty good at it, so they’d better watch out.
    â€˜Lily –’
    I look at Dad. I know what he wants to talk about, I can even guess what he’s going to say, and I’m not going to make it easier for him.
    â€˜Did Mum show you the house?’
    â€˜Nope.’
    â€˜Do you want to see it?’
    Before I can answer, my traitorous little brother is nodding with a mouthful of lasagne. ‘I do.’
    â€˜Nope,’ I answer as I glare at him.
    Mum smiles at Max. ‘I’ll show you after dinner.’
    â€˜Thanks, Mum.’
    This is all just getting worse. Mum often takes my brother’s side, but it’s not fair to do it when they’re making me move to the country. As if I was ever going to be happy about this.
    â€˜Lil, your mum tried to explain why we’re moving.’
    â€˜Yeah – because you’re unemployed.’
    â€˜Well, that’s only half the reason. Your mum has been offered a retrenchment package and it’s a good time for us to make some changes. We really want to spend more time together. And living in the country will mean we can live more cheaply, and hopefully I’ll get work there.’
    â€˜I don’t want to spend more time together. I’m fifteen. I’m not supposed to spend any time with you.’
    Dad smiles at me and reaches out to touch my hand, but I move away.
    â€˜Well, we want to be around more,’ he says gently.
    â€˜Why?’
    â€˜Because we love you.’
    â€˜Oh please. That’s got nothing to do with it. You bought a house without telling me and now you expect me to be happy about it. Well, I’m staying here. With Ruby.’
    And as I say it, I know that’s the answer. I can just move in next door and live with her and her mum.
    â€˜No, honey. You’re coming to Gideon with us.’
    â€˜Gideon? What sort of name’s Gideon?’
    â€˜We know it’s going to be hard for you to leave this house and Ruby and school, but it’ll be exciting.’
    â€˜I don’t want exciting.’
    â€˜I do,’ pipes up Max.
    â€˜Shut up, Max.’
    â€˜No. It’s not all about you.’
    â€˜Clearly. No one bothered to ask me what I thought.’
    â€˜We wanted to surprise you,’ says Dad.
    â€˜Well, it worked. Thanks.’
    Dad looks at Mum and does that half-smile where he knows he’s not going to win. She starts clearing away the dinner plates, even though I’ve eaten nothing.
    â€˜Max, you can help me and then I’ll show you the house.’
    As soon as they’ve left the room, Dad moves his chair closer. It scrapes along the floor. ‘Lil, we need to try this.’
    â€˜I don’t.’
    â€˜We need to do it as a family.’
    â€˜Why can’t I stay here with Ruby?’
    â€˜Because you’re part of our family and you’re a child.’
    â€˜You’re always saying I’m not a child, but now when it suits you I am.’
    â€˜Sorry, Lil, but we’re putting this house on the market. We’re moving in a month.’
    â€˜A month!’
    He nods and now I feel the tears coming, rushing up from every part of me. I don’t want to cry in front of him. I want to stay angry.
    â€˜Please, just try.’
    I blurt out a sob and then I can’t stop the tears. Dad tries again to touch my arm, but I jump up and hurry away from the table.
    This time I slam my