Next of Kin Read Free Page B

can ask him if you want. It’s the only fun they can have, no booze, no drugs, no women. It’s the truth, Sarah. Honest.’
    ‘Until you got hold of him and gave him beer?’
    Ryan rolled his eyes heavenwards. ‘C’mon, Sarah, give me a break. He’s a grown up. Woody’s his own man. He can make his own mind up, and he didn’t have that much. He told me he likes a drink now and then. Anyway, I’ve told him he can stay here for a couple of days if he wants to. He’s been having trouble with his landlord and some guys at his place. I didn’t think you’d mind. We’ve got the room.’
    ‘How much do you owe him?’
    Ryan shook his head. ‘Will you just shut up. Nothing – nothing. All right?’
    Sarah had heard it all before. ‘How much?’ she repeated.
    ‘I just told you.’
    And so she waited. Just looking at him. Ryan wasn’t good with silence. After a minute or two he crumbled. ‘Okay, okay. So he offered to help me out of a hole, so I owe him a few quid, but I’m good for it. You know that. He knows that too. So don’t go getting all self-righteous on me, Sarah. It’s fine. Marty owes me a hundred for the paving I did for him last week and Ben said he can use me on the tools next week. I just needed to sort Darryl and Neil out, just a couple of hundred and Woody said it wasn’t a problem.’
    ‘You can’t keep doing this, Ryan.’
    ‘I don’t keep doing anything. It’s just this once. And it’s fine. Just lighten up, will you, nobody died.’
    Behind her, Sarah heard Woody cough.
    Ryan grinned and waved him in. ‘There you are. Come on in. Do you want a cup of tea, mate? Or coffee?’
    ‘I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.’
    ‘You’re not interrupting, is he, Sarah? Do you want tea?’ Ryan asked again. He trailed a finger along the canisters on the shelf. ‘Earl Grey, green or just plain builders’, we’ve got it all here, haven’t we, Sarah? Wide tastes, every palate catered for.’
    He was showing off.
    Woody hesitated. ‘Ordinary tea will be just fine, thank you. If it’s no trouble.’ He was plainly uncomfortable.
    With a forced cheeriness, Ryan took a mug off the draining board and dropped a bag into it. ‘It’s no trouble at all, is it, Sarah?’
    What could she say? Woody seemed polite and deeply embarrassed at having walked in on them. ‘No, it’s fine; I’ll make the tea if you like,’ she said. ‘Ryan, can you go and clear the front room up before that woman gets here?’
    ‘Sure, not a problem,’ Ryan said with false cheeriness and, stuffing his hands into his sweatshirt pockets, sloped off.
    Woody didn’t look at all like the kind of person Ryan usually mixed with or brought home; he was dressed in a sports jacket and checked viyella shirt, tucked into cords, and worn with finely tooled brogues. Everything looked slightly too big for him as if he was wearing his big brother’s clothes. He glanced around the kitchen, shifting his weight from foot to foot, seemingly nervous and self-conscious.
    They both started to speak at once. ‘Ryan said—’ Sarah began.
    ‘—About the room,’ Woody said. They both stopped at the same time. He gestured towards Sarah. ‘I’m so sorry, after you.’
    Sarah shook her head. ‘No, please. I insist.’
    ‘Ryan is a good man,’ Woody said.
    ‘I know exactly what Ryan is. And he owes you money,’ said Sarah.
    Woody shrugged. ‘I’m sure I will get it back. He said I will have it by the end of this week.’
    She laughed. ‘Well, good luck with that. I would be very grateful if you didn’t lend him any more, Woody. Ryan’s not good with money.’ She dipped the tea bag in and out of the mug, pressing it with a teaspoon. ‘Milk, sugar?’
    ‘Milk and two sugars please.’
    ‘Are you really interested in seeing the rooms? Or are you just saying that to get Ryan out of trouble?’
    Woody grinned and shook his head. ‘No, not at all. I am genuinely very keen to see it.’
    ‘What’s the problem with