Game Girls Read Online Free PDF Page B

crucifix.
It's fantastic.'
    'Carlos found it. It's very valuable. He says
we must get it added to your contents
insurance.'
    Dale seems to be taking a string of pictures,
and Alix forces another smile across at him.
Creepy Carlos chose it? What the hell has her
eighteenth got to do with him? Mum should
have been pounding the streets of Tuscany
choosing something herself. She'll be glad
when Mum finally drops him and moves on to
the next one – and in between lovers Mum
always spends more time with her. 'Carlos
chose it? That's sweet of him. Give him a hug
for me.'
    'Of course, darling. But – Alix – there's
something else. The reason I couldn't come
over to be with you today. I wish I could have
come – then I would have been able to tell you
properly.'
    'Tell me what properly?' She feels an uneasy
prickling in her chest.
    'I've been feeling so queasy. And the doctor
said . . . '
    Alix drains back the orange vodka in one
go.
    'We've been trying for a while, as they say.
We thought I might be too old . . . ' Mum gives
a high, girlish laugh.
    Presents pile up in the corner. Ribbons and
bows. Strangers have been choosing things;
wrapping things; lavishing her. More of the
rabble press in, blowing her kisses. Someone
turns the music up louder. Courtney appears,
dragged in by Nathan. They start to dance.
    '. . .was so lucky . . .Carlos sorted out a
specialist and . . . '
    Aaron comes in with Fern, sits her down on
the sofa. Fern waves at Alix. She looks flushed
and nervous, her eyes following Aaron as he
disappears back into the kitchen, coming back
a moment later and bringing her a drink.
    '. . . so maybe you could come here instead?
Christmas would be best. I should feel better by
then. From what I remember with you and
Aaron, the nausea wears off after about three
months. Carlos will send you the fare.'
    Alix's hand clenches on the empty glass. If it
breaks the jagged fragments will cut her palm.
Warm blood on the carpet. Has Carlos told
Mum they must get the carpets insured?
    'Alix?'
    'Mum, I have to go. I can't hear you very
well.'
    She puts the receiver down slowly.
Carefully. She feels she has iced up somehow;
frozen inside.
    Dale appears and she lets him take the
empty glass from her. Tom touches her
shoulder.
    She stares at them both for a moment and
then shakes herself, forcing out a smile.
    To hell with Mum.
    To hell with everything.
    She links arms with both Tom and Dale, her
beautiful strangers. Pulling them closer she
steers them towards the middle of the room.
Glowing. Gorgeous. Princess for the day.
'Come on, let's dance. All three of us together.'
     
    * * *
     
    Nathan has led Courtney into the front room
where the Blades are playing – again. It must be
Aaron's CD because the one she gave was left
upstairs. She's still got the receipt – so Alix can
swap it if she likes. Or perhaps she'll just pass
it on to someone else, at another party.
Recycling presents. What does it matter where
something comes from? If she was Alix she'd
probably recycle it too.
    They start to dance in a slow, distanced way.
She can feel his eyes on her, trying to make her
look back at him. His right arm circles her
waist, pulling her closer. 'So-oo sexy.'
    Courtney stiffens.
    He loosens the hold but keeps his hand
there and she can feel it touching and touching
and touching all through her black sleeveless
top, to her skin.
    She dances faster so that she can turn her body
away from him and try and give herself a bit of
space.
    He speeds up too, catching her waist again,
drawing her back in. 'Are you gay or something?'
he laughs, nibbling her ear.
    She makes herself smile at him, and hopes it
doesn't look too fake. She should at least try and
look friendly. These are Alix's brother's mates
after all. She should do this for Alix –maybe that
could be her birthday present. A sort of hostess.
Alix might find that more useful than a doubled-up
CD. 'Of course not.' She thinks that maybe
being gay would be better. Easier. Only she