A Note of Madness by Tabitha Suzuma Read Free Book Online Page A

wrong with him?’ A pause. Then Jennah’s voice again, aghast. ‘Do you think he’s on drugs?’
    ‘Doubt it, he’s always broke. He gave up smoking because he couldn’t afford to buy cigarettes! Anyway, he’s totally anti-drugs. Remember what he said at Kate’s party when Clive was passing around that joint?’
    ‘Oh, yeah . . .’ Jennah’s voice shook. ‘Get him to stop, Harry. He’s beginning to scare me.’
    Flynn continued running around them, amused by their conversation and sorry at their own apparent lack of excitement. They looked tired and anxious and he only wished he could get them to join in the fun.
    ‘Come on!’ he shouted at them again, jumping up and down in frustration. ‘Look at the park – isn’t it beautiful? The sky’s full of stars. Look, look!’
    They wouldn’t even look. What were they like? Harry suddenly strode out towards him, and Flynn moved away from the path.
    ‘Come on, race you!’ Flynn shouted at him, making for the trees. But the anguish in Jennah’s voice stopped him short.
    ‘Harry, don’t chase him!’ she shrieked.
    Flynn slowed to a fast walk and heard their footsteps on the path behind him. He felt Harry’s hand on his shoulder.
    ‘Come on, stop messing around. Let’s go back now.’
    Flynn spun round and walked backwards, facing them. ‘If you think the park is beautiful now, wait until dawn,’ he said breathlessly. ‘The sky is streaked by a million shades of pink and orange, and the sun rises like a golden globe of fire, hanging just above the horizon.’
    Harry looked odd. ‘I’m sure it does,’ he said shortly.
    ‘I’ll show you.’
    ‘Flynn, we’re all knackered. Dawn is in six hours. Let’s go home now, OK?’
    ‘Let’s run!’
    ‘No!’ they chorused in unison, but Flynn felt the laughter bubble up inside him.
    ‘What’s so funny?’ Harry demanded.
    Flynn stopped and leaned forwards, hands on knees, laughter cascading out of him. ‘The anti-running campaign!’
    ‘What?’
    ‘You two. Should be the anti-running campaign.’
    ‘Yeah, OK. Ha ha. Let’s go now.’
    ‘Only if you help me write the opera.’
    ‘Yes,’ Jennah said suddenly. ‘We will, Flynn. OK? Maybe not right away because we’re all pretty tired, but we will. Let’s just go home now, OK?’
    He nodded. He would. Anything to please Jennah.She wasn’t like Harry. For a start she was pretty. Very pretty. The anti-running campaign. He laughed again. And continued laughing all the way home.
    Dawn rose without Flynn even realizing it. Suddenly the black windows were filled with a pink hue and, when he next looked up, sunlight was streaming through the panes. He stretched out his legs on the carpet and pulled back the fingers of his right hand. His wrist was sore. He surveyed his bedroom carpet, covered with sheets of music, and smiled to himself. His opera was well underway. Shivering from sitting motionless for so long, he got up and padded into the kitchen to make himself some coffee. He felt a little strange, but not in the slightest bit tired. He didn’t really need sleep. There was too much to do and, anyway, he wasn’t like others. Nearly all the greats had needed little sleep. Went with having a brilliant mind.
    The kettle took for ever to boil. He hoisted himself onto the counter. The oven clock read 8:15. He looked over at the kettle again. Come on, come
on
.
    The door opened, making him start. Christ, it was Jennah! She had spent the night on the sofa bed. He had forgotten.
    ‘Morning, you.’ Her tousled hair hung in her face and she wore an oversized sweatshirt – one of Harry’s, presumably – that skimmed her bare thighs. Flynn stared at her.
    She gave a little yawn and blinked sleepily. ‘Oohgood, you’ve got the kettle on. Can you make me some coffee?’
    ‘OK.’ He felt his pulse quicken. ‘Did I wake you?’
    She gave a little smile and looked pointedly at his feet. He realized that he was drumming his heels against the cupboard