Music and Lies (George and Finn Book 1) by Gill-Marie Stewart Read Free Book Online Page A

up to the village. Beck said you needed some supplies and I wondered if you wanted to come along.’
    She considered, then nodded. ‘Okay, I suppose. I wouldn’t mind buying some stuff. Can you pass me my boots? I’d never have thought I’d be so grateful for a pair of ugly great walking boots.’
    ‘They have their uses.’ I was kind of relieved she’d agreed. I had promised Beck.
    As she moved to tie the laces I glimpsed the books she was trying to hide. A revision guide for GCSE chemistry. So she’d been studying, had she? I was surprised – and impressed. Maybe she wasn’t so young and silly after all.
    I said, more friendly, ‘You enjoying yourself here?’
    ‘It’s all right.’
    ‘Managing to text your mum, are you?’
    ‘Yes, thank you.’ She sounded disgruntled. ‘How did you know I was texting my mum?’
    ‘Beck said you were worried she would worry. Said you were planning to stay home alone or something.’
    ‘I was going to stay in my dad’s house. I would’ve been fine. It’s not as though Becky is making much effort to look after me when I’m here.’
    She pulled a face which made me smile. She really was quite pretty, but it was the way the expressions flitted across her face that was so intriguing. Annoyed ... curious ... defensive. It was all there to see. It certainly made a change from totally spaced out, which was the norm round here.
    ‘I should have gone up to the village on my own,’ she said, frowning again. ‘But I didn’t know the way, so I didn’t. Pathetic, hey?’
    She looked so cross with herself that I laughed out loud. ‘Well, if you come with me this time, you’ll know the way in future.’
    ‘Yes.’ Then, after a pause, grudgingly, ‘Thanks.’
    I headed over to the bridge and we crossed the river and turned left onto a path that very soon joined a broad forest track.
    ‘Managing to do much studying?’ I asked, making an effort.
    ‘Studying?’ She sounded horrified. She must really have wanted to hide those books.
    ‘I’ve been trying to do some,’ I continued, encouragingly. ‘I do my Highers in May and I did shit in the Prelims – mock exams, you know.’
    She looked surprised. She probably thought Cami and I had dropped out of school, if we’d gone at all.
    After a moment she said, ‘I’ve got some GCSE exams in June. I know they’re not as important as Highers – Highers are similar to A Levels, aren’t they? – but my mum’ll go mental if I don’t do well. She goes on and on about it, she’s driving me mad.’
    ‘It’s ’cos she cares,’ I said lightly. Hard to imagine Marcus or Aunt Lulu encouraging study. Which was fine, I could manage, but Cami could definitely do with a bit of help.
    She didn’t respond so I said, ‘Was that why you wanted to stay at your dad’s on your own? To study?’ It sounded a bloody good idea. A place to be on your own.
    She shrugged uncomfortably. ‘Well, sort of. Mostly I just wanted to do what I wanted, not fit in with family. Sometimes, you know, it just feels like I’m in the way? Both my parents have remarried …’ Her voice trailed off.
    ‘You don’t get on with your steps?’ At least that wasn’t a problem I’d ever had.
    She pulled a face, struggling to explain. ‘Actually, I do. They’re fine. Steve, my step-dad, is a lot more reasonable than my mum. But it’s not like he’s my family , you know? And they fuss all the time, treat me like a kid.’
    I nearly said but you are a kid . She looked so young.
    She must have read my expression. She scowled. ‘I can look after myself.’
    I smiled and spread my hands wide. ‘Aye, of course you can.’ I would definitely have to look out for her. And not just because Beck had asked me to.
    We walked in silence for a while. Then, as we approached the village, she did a jump of mock-excitement.
    ‘Wow! This is so amazing! Tarmac roads and a shop and a pub!’
    I laughed. She really was a funny thing.
    I glanced at the pub as we walked