How to Fall Read Online Free PDF Page A

spoke, I noticed Will walking past the window, head down against the rain. He didn’t look at me, but then again, he hadn’t since he’d stood up to go. I wondered if he’d got what he wanted. I thought he might have got more than he bargained for.
    In contrast to Petra, Hugo made his way towards me at a saunter. He stood shoulder to shoulder with his sister, gazing down at me with a mocking smile on his face. I wasn’t sure whether I was invited to share the joke or whether I
was
the joke.
    ‘Hello, cousin. Fancy meeting you here. We thought we’d see you at the house tomorrow.’
    ‘Are we invited?’
    ‘For tea. I’m making scones.’ Petra was round-eyed with excitement.
    Hugo snorted. ‘Don’t worry. There’ll be plenty of other stuff to eat.’
    ‘Don’t be mean!’ She elbowed him hard in the stomach. I watched, amused and very slightly wistful. This was family life, up close.
    Hugo gave Petra a shove in the direction of the empty chair. ‘Sit there and shut up.’
    She stared at the cake. ‘Are you eating that?’
    ‘All yours.’
    She dug into it enthusiastically, the cake oozing chocolate fudge sauce that smeared around her mouth. Hugo found a spare chair at a nearby table and drew it up beside me. He stared at his sister in horror as he sat down.
    ‘Did it fight back?’
    ‘Shut up.’ The words were indistinct and she sprayed crumbs as she said them. ‘I didn’t have time for breakfast.’
    ‘Nor did I.’ He glanced at me. ‘Jess thinks you’re revolting.’
    ‘No, I don’t.’ I handed Petra a napkin. ‘I just can’t imagine eating chocolate cake for breakfast, that’s all.’
    Hugo had started in on the cake from the other end and was making quick, neat progress. ‘Sorry. We’re not that refined.’
    ‘I’m not refined.’
    ‘Sophisticated, then.’
    ‘Hardly.’ I looked at him, curious. ‘What did Will say to you?’
    ‘Hello.’
    ‘And? What else?’
    ‘That’s not really any of your business. It was nothing to do with you, anyway.’
    The second sentence was delivered with such fluency that I was pretty sure it was a lie. How could it be true? I wasn’t actually offended; I would have been shocked if he’d told me what they had discussed. I just wanted to make sure that Hugo knew I was aware they’d talked about me. I stared at him without saying anything until the tips of his ears turned red.
    ‘What?’
    ‘Nothing. Just trying to work out if you’re always rude or if I’m getting special treatment.’
    ‘He’s always rude,’ Petra said promptly.
    Hugo grinned, looking far less hostile. It was as if I’d passed a test. ‘No special treatment. Not for one of the family.’
    ‘I feel honoured.’
    ‘Naturally.’
    The two of us looked at each other with matching amusement. A draw, I thought. Time for a ceasefire.
    ‘How do you know Will Henderson?’ Petra tilted her head to one side. ‘I’ve only just realized you were here with him.’
    ‘We just got talking. In the bookshop. He wanted to know who I was.’
    Petra sighed. ‘He’s lovely.’
    ‘Not this again.’ Hugo threw his fork down on the empty plate where it clattered. To me, he said, ‘Petra’s got a crush on Will.’
    ‘I do not!’
    ‘Of course you do. But it’s never going to happen. He’s too old for you.’
    ‘I’m very mature for my age.’
    ‘No, you’re not.’ The words were harsh but Hugo spoke quite gently. ‘He’s never going to notice you, Petra.’
    ‘He said he lives near you,’ I interjected, seeing Petra’s eyes glistening with hurt.
    ‘Over the back wall. He used to climb into our garden all the time.’
    ‘Why doesn’t he come round any more?’ I asked. It was an idle question designed to distract Petra from her grievances and I regretted it as soon as I’d said it. The reason was obvious, and painful. Hugo’s voice was matter-of-fact, though, when he answered.
    ‘Because of Freya.’
    ‘Were they close?’
    He held up crossed fingers. ‘Like