She’s Not There. Tamsin Grey

it, then!’ said Raff.

      Saviour nodded again and held the phone to his ear.

      ‘Dad?’ Emerald’s voice was small and tinny, but clear.

      ‘Yes, love.’

      Emerald’s voice began to wail, and Saviour flinched, suddenly wide awake. He cleared his throat. ‘OK, love. Don’t worry. I’m on my way.’ She kept wailing, but he cut her off. Slipping the phone back into his pocket, his alien eyes came to rest on Jonah again.

      ‘Saviour.’ It was Alison. She had probably been watching them from her front window. Saviour’s face stretched into a peculiar grin, but then he covered his mouth with his hand, as if he’d realised about his breath.

      ‘Alison. How are you?’ he said, through his fingers.

      ‘Fine.’ She said it emphatically, folding her arms tightly. She looked at the boys. ‘How’s your mum? Isn’t it time you were in bed?’

      Jonah nodded.

      ‘Good. Saviour, I was wondering if I could have a word?’

      ‘It’s actually not the greatest time, Ali—’ He pulled out his keys and looked over at his van, which was parked outside the Green Shop.

      ‘It won’t take a minute.’ Alison took Saviour’s arm. ‘Goodnight, boys!’

      Back in the sitting room, they watched Alison and Saviour reaching the van, Alison talking and talking as Saviour put the key in the driver door. He looked over at them, and Alison looked too, so they ducked down and lay on the floor.

      ‘Can she tell that he’s drunk, do you think?’ Jonah whispered.

      ‘Is that what’s up with him!’ Raff got to his knees, and risked another peek. ‘She’s too busy cussing Mayo,’ he said, lying back down. They listened to Saviour’s van drive away, and Alison’s shoes clipping back to her house. Then there was just the tinkly Slingsmen tune again. Jonah gazed at Roland’s aquarium, remembering the bright, flitting fish. Four parrotfish, three angelfish and eight swordtails. The fish food had run out, so they’d fed them cornflakes, and they’d all died.

      Raff sat up. ‘Who’s going to read us a story?’ His voice was very small.

      ‘I’ll read a story,’ said Jonah. ‘What story would you like, Raffy boy?’