Educating Simon by Robin Reardon Read Free Book Online Page B

but you have it in your power to make her miserable. I hope you’re better than that.”
    I’d been waiting for him to take a breath, and I pounced. “If I’m not a child, then I should be able to—”
    â€œIf you’re not a child, you’re old enough to understand that making others miserable will make you miserable as well. This is an extremely difficult move for you; I know that. And it’s not your choice. Your success in life will depend on how good you are at finding opportunity when life changes unexpectedly. If you’re smart enough and brave enough, you’ll take advantage of these openings. Because if there’s one thing we can be sure of in life, it’s change.”
    No one said anything for about five seconds. BM broke the silence, his voice calm again but still assertive. “So. I think we might go out for dinner. It’s rather late, and I doubt anyone feels like cooking. Any objection?”
    Perhaps as a conciliatory gesture, Mum suggested one of my favourite places where she knew they’d give her a table despite the late notice. But it had been a long time since I enjoyed doing anything like going out to dinner, and I knew I wouldn’t enjoy this little outing. Especially after having just been told off by BM, who seemed to have found a backbone suddenly. Inconveniently. I said something along the lines of “I’m not hungry.” But BM, in his newfound voice, said, “Everyone’s going for dinner. No discussion.”
    He took control during the dinner conversation, too. I, of course, was trying to say as little as possible, but BM seemed determined to get to know me, as he’d said during his castigation earlier.
    â€œSo, Simon, this synaesthesia condition. I understand that letters have colours, and that it’s consistent for any given letter.” He and Mum both looked at me, but I was not feeling conversational. So he asked, “Does it have a genetic component? Is it inheritable?”
    I spoke quickly before Mum could say anything. “My father had it.” I glued my eyes to his in a warning: Do not go there . I saw a flash of understanding.
    â€œDo you find that it helps you in any way?”
    We waited in silence whilst the waiter placed our main course dishes in front of us. Then I said, “It helps with spelling.”
    â€œWouldn’t there be too many different colours, though? I mean, for it to be really useful?”
    â€œNot at all. Oxford, for example, is terra cotta overall. There’s also dove grey, pale green, bright red, and dark brown, and if you took out the grey, the shade of terra cotta would be darker. If you don’t have it, I’m not likely to be able to explain it to you.”
    â€œI see.” He took a mouthful of food, and I was hoping he’d turn to Mum next, but he didn’t. “So, on a lighter topic that I’ve been meaning to ask you about, do you have an interest in oceanic subjects? Boston has a historic relationship with the sea just as England does.”
    It was everything I could do not to say, My, but we’re trying very hard, aren’t we? Certain that he was expecting me to say something about sea battles or whales, I decided to see how much stomach he has for my doom-oriented interests. “I’m partial to the blue-ringed octopus.”
    â€œI don’t think I’ve heard of that one. What’s special about it?”
    â€œIt’s a beautiful creature. Very small for an octopus. You wouldn’t know how beautiful it is unless you annoy it. Then it turns the most gorgeous shades of neon blues and yellows. Its bite carries the most powerful neurotoxin in nature. It kills a human within minutes. There is no known antivenom. The female carries her fertilised eggs in her arms until they hatch, and then she dies.”
    As though I’d said nothing out of the ordinary, I bent over my dinner and took a forkful of