House of Windows Read Online Free PDF Page B

that.’
    ‘Maybe a good start would be to try being a bit more positive,’ Michael said.
    ‘Talking of positives,’ Bill cut in, ‘any news about your place on the law firm letterhead, Mike?’
    Michael pulled a face. ‘Nothing concrete.’
    ‘Which probably means you’re working even more hours than God sends. Exactly how late are you getting back?’ Bill asked.
    Nick watched his godfather’s eyes flick in his direction.
    Michael sighed. ‘It’s a bit hit and miss, but I’m doing the best I can, right, Nick? You’re going to be too busy to even notice soon. Whatever the ups and downs of Cambridge, it’s bound to be better having a tough time trying to fit in with the smartest kids in the country than getting bullied by halfwit schoolboys.’
    ‘I’m not sure that’s the most appetising way to sell the concept,’ said Bill.
    Nick looked down, picking at a spot of mud on his jeans. ‘I wasn’t going to have a social life at school and maybe I will here. If not, at least I’ll be achieving something. That’s got to be a step up from where I was,’ he said quietly. He saw Bill lean forward, frowning at his tone.
    ‘Exactly!’ his father said. ‘And if it doesn’t go to plan, you can always degrade and have another go next year.’
    ‘I haven’t even started yet,’ Nick bit out. ‘Could we not assume I’m going to fail from the outset?’
    Michael rolled his eyes. ‘I never said that. I’m just trying to point out that even if that were the case – which it isn’t, since you’ve never failed at anything academic – it wouldn’t matter.’
    Bill cleared his throat awkwardly. ‘Isn’t it time to order some food, Mike? Why don’t you take care of that while Nick shows me what else he’s done to the house and I put my bags in one of the guest rooms?’
    They each took a bag, trudging up the stairs in uncomfortable silence.
    ‘Bet it’s nice to have your own self-contained space if you can’t be in halls, right? Not too bad as student digs go,’ Bill said, as he put his bag down in the corner of the room next to Michael’s.
    The whole house’s my own self-contained space most of the time.
    ‘What?’ Bill asked, turning from peering into the bathroom.
    ‘I finally bought bins, like you said.’
    There were also bedside lamps and curtains. Bill stepped out into the corridor, put his head around the door into Michael’s room.
    ‘I was going for smart hotel,’ Nick said, the words coming out sharp, turning humour into bitterness.
    ‘It’s a little … impersonal,’ Bill agreed. ‘Why doesn’t he get a picture or two? An ornament?’
    Nick shrugged. ‘I asked if he wanted anything. He told me not to bother.’ He jumped when Bill put a hand on his shoulder.
    ‘Sorry. Nick, I just wanted to say … Well, I wanted you to know that you can call me if … Well, if Mike’s not here and you need help with anything.’
    Nick looked up at him, knew from Bill’s reaction that his expression must be that cool intense one that always unnerved people: the look that made him the picture of his mother – waifish and delicate, all high cheekbones, over-long lashes and huge blue-grey eyes, like a storm caught in blown glass.
    ‘I thought now you’ve got the guest rooms set up you might not mind the odd visit too,’ Bill said, the words awkward and tentative. ‘I know you’ll have all your new friends but we’ve had some fun times too, haven’t we? That time your dad went off to New York and you stayed with me?’
    Nick looked away when he realised that Bill was waiting for a response. ‘It was nice.’
    ‘Well. Good. Anyway, I didn’t want to invite myself out of the blue, but just so you know I’m there if you need a hand. So, anyway … I guess we’d better catch Mike before he orders anchovies on the pizza.’
    Nick flinched when Bill put his arm about his shoulders to lead him downstairs. ‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘Jumpy about tomorrow.’ But somehow he couldn’t get his