No True Echo Read Online Free PDF Page A

classroom to a spot in the corridor by a display of self-portraits painted in the style of Picasso. They had ears, eyes and noses all over the place, and Angus and I had been giggling about them recently, imagining what it would be like if people really did look like that.
    â€˜I want to apologise for yesterday,’ he said. ‘When I saw you I had just received a personal phone call so I was rather distracted.’
    â€˜Is everything all right, sir?’ I asked.
    â€˜Everything’s fine. I imagine you’re looking forward to half term next week.’
    â€˜Yes, Angus has got this tree-climbing project,’ I said, trying to sound enthusiastic about it.
    Cornish nodded, then fell silent for so long that I had to pretend to be interested in the pictures on the wall.
    Eventually, he said, ‘It’s easier when you’re young.’
    â€˜What is, sir?’
    â€˜Everything, Eddie. When you’re young, you have firmly held beliefs but the older you get, the more you realise that life isn’t black and white.’
    â€˜Like penguins, sir?’
    â€˜What?’
    â€˜Penguins are black and white, sir. Although I don’t think they’re born like that, so I guess you’re saying that life is the opposite of penguins, because they do become more black and white than they start off.’
    â€˜Why are you talking about penguins, Eddie?’
    â€˜I’m not sure, sir. I saw this thing on television about them the other day.’
    â€˜I’m trying to explain that what you do matters. I’m talking about the consequences of our actions.’
    â€˜Is this about
Frankenstein
? Because I did start reading it last night, only I was really tired and I fell asleep and think I kind of dreamed a lot of what I thought I’d read. Is there a scene with a penguin, sir?’
    Cornish ignored the question. ‘
Frankenstein
,’ he said vaguely. ‘Yes,
Frankenstein
.’
    There was still something peculiar about him and I was extremely relieved when the bell rang. ‘I’d better go then, sir,’ I said. ‘I’ll see you this afternoon.’
    â€˜This afternoon?’ he repeated.
    â€˜For English, sir. I’ve got you last lesson.’
    â€˜Of course,’ he replied.
    I walked as quickly as I could back to the classroom, where I found Angus.
    â€˜Well?’ he asked.
    â€˜Definitely a monster,’ I said.

The Meaning of Accidents
    Angus played chess Friday lunchtimes so I was sitting on my own when Scarlett entered the dining hall. I didn’t want her to think I was some sad, friendless loser, so I stared down at my chips, trying to ignore her, but even in a crowded dining hall it was impossible not to notice her as she made her way toward me.
    â€˜You don’t mind if I sit here, do you?’ she said.
    I did my best to look surprised by her sudden appearance.
    â€˜It’s a free country,’ I replied.
    It was supposed to sound cool but it just sounded rude. The problem was that every time she looked directly at me with her green-blue eyes it felt like someone was pumping huge clouds of confusion into my brain, making normal conversation impossible.
    â€˜I can sit somewhere else if you’d prefer,’ she said.
    â€˜No. Please. Don’t.’ From the desperation in my voice you might have thought she had just threatened to turn off my oxygen supply.
    She sat down. ‘Where’s Angus?’
    â€˜Angus?’ Why was she talking about Angus? Was she interested in Angus? Was that what this was about? She liked Angus?
    â€˜Boy about your age, dark hair, sits on the bus next to you,’ she said.
    â€˜Oh, that Angus. Yes. Chess club.’ They weren’t long sentences but they were better than nothing.
    â€˜Funny. I didn’t have Angus down as a chess player,’ she said.
    â€˜He’s only in it for the biscuits.’
    Scarlett smiled, which was definitely a step in the