The Break Read Online Free PDF Page B

but Sam knew that was just how they were, thicker and stumpier than other, more popular gums.
    â€˜How about something to eat when we go inside?’ Ferg said. ‘I reckon I saw some Tim Tams somewhere in the kitchen — that’s if your mum hasn’t nicked them all. I’ll just finish this last one,’ he said, tapping the branch, ‘then we’ll go in.’
    He rested his hand on the back of Sam’s head, where his hair stopped. Sam examined a handful of marri leaves, the young branch bending easily to him. Ferg’s hand was warm on his neck.
    After drying off and smearing some cream on her arms and face, Liza went around the house turning off unnecessary lights and headed for the bedroom. She hoped Ferg would be a little while yet. She wanted to enjoy it on her own — there wasn’t much time for that these days, and it was never the same when Ferg was there; she couldn’t focus on her own thing with him wanting to sleep, a t-shirt over his eyes tokeep the light out. Or if he chose to read, he was vocal about it, his journeys through amazement, amusement and disgust making it impossible for her to concentrate.
    Liza thought about Mike dropping by that afternoon. He often made her laugh. He never talked about the usual stuff — work, school, home — even when they hadn’t seen him for a while, but picked up on small things he’d seen or heard, or felt. She appreciated that. There was enough of the mundane already. That afternoon, he’d noticed a design of Sam’s she’d stuck on the fridge, and had moved closer to inspect it while the kettle boiled. It was Sam’s latest X-wing star-fighter design, sporting multiple new features including a secret spot for weaponry and an escape hatch for the pilot. Sam had brought it out to show her after a particularly long spell in his bedroom a few weeks ago. Liza had pored over the drawing with him, asking him to explain all the angles and features to her.
Jet-propelled this
and
hydraulic such-and-such
. It was gorgeous. And she saw, this afternoon, the pleasure Mike took in his nephew’s fascination with the technical.
    Sam and Ferg came back inside, talking at the same volume they had out in the wind. They came into the bedroom, almost shouting in the otherwise quiet house.
    â€˜Actually, I think it’s dying down now,’ Ferg yelled. He dropped his voice to an apologetic whisper. ‘Be interesting to see how the saplings are tomorrow morning, though.’ Concern settled on his face for a moment, before Liza distracted him. If he started worrying now he’d be awake all night, wishing on dawn.
    â€˜All clear, then?’ she said. ‘The powerline?’
    â€˜Yep, thanks to Sam.’
    She watched him, looking down at his son, this boy who learned everything from them, from her, and Ferg.
    â€˜Snacks!’ Ferg announced, rubbing Sam’s back. ‘And aren’t you looking cosy?’
    â€˜We can have them in here, and I’ll bring in my night sky chart, because I plotted some more stars the other day.’ Sam was off, tripping down the passage to his room.
    â€˜Uhh …’ Liza looked at Ferg, looked at her magazine and dropped it on the rug beside their bed with an amused sigh. ‘I’d love to see his chart. Better than make-up tips in
Elle
. I don’t even use the stuff, so why am I reading about it?’
    â€˜Because you’re bored, my love.’ Heading off towards the kitchen he said, ‘Don’t let him show you anything until I’m back, I don’t want to miss a thing.’
    Liza stared at where Ferg had been standing. Bored.
Bored
. Was she?
    He was too far away to hear her when she called, ‘What do you mean, I’m bored — how can you tell?’
    Liza glanced at her rejected magazine. Bored with what? Hurry up, Sam, she thought. Come save me from my tragic life.
    Pip lay in bed with the curtains wide open so