The If Game by Catherine Storr Read Free Book Online Page A

sat there, looking down at the table without speaking.
    The silence grew uncomfortable. Stephen said, ‘I wish you’d tell me what it’s all about.’
    â€˜What what’s all about?’
    â€˜You know who they are, don’t you? Like the time I saw that old man, and you said not to have anything to do with him. Why don’t you tell me who he is and what’s happening.’
    Dad did not reply at once. After another long pause he said, ‘From what you say, I think they’re a family I used to know. But I don’t now. And I don’t want to, and I don’t want you to know them either.’
    â€˜Why not?’ Stephen asked.
    â€˜Never mind why not. I just don’t think they’d be any good for you, that’s all.’
    â€˜Are they something to do with my mum?’ Stephen asked. This would explain why Dad seemed so upset, he thought. It was a brave question. He had hardly ever asked Dad direct questions about his mother. He knew that Dad didn’t like those questions he had asked in the past and he was risking an outburst of anger now.
    â€˜Your mum knew them, if they’re who I think they are,’ Dad said.
    â€˜You mean they were friends of hers? Of her family?’
    â€˜Sort of,’ Dad said.
    â€˜What’s happened to her family?’
    â€˜What do you mean, what’s happened?’
    â€˜Why don’t we ever see them? I mean, we see your mum and Aunt Alice, but I’ve never seen my mum’s mum. Or any one.’
    â€˜That’s because they don’t live in this country.’
    â€˜Where are they, then?’ Stephen asked. He could feel that his dad was edgy. Probably wouldn’t answer many more questions.
    â€˜They’re the other side of the world,’ Stephen’s dad said in the voice that meant ‘and that’s the end of this conversation.’
    But he persisted. ‘Did my mum come from wherever that is?’
    â€˜No, she didn’t. Stephen, I’ve told you, I don’t want to talk about her.’
    â€˜I only want—’
    He was interrupted. His dad said, ‘And I don’t want. If you’ve finished your supper, I suggest you get on with your homework.’
    â€˜I haven’t got any. It’s half term.’
    â€˜You can help clear the table, then. And then you can go and read something, or watch the telly. Don’t come plaguing me with questions.’
    Stephen helped clear the table and wash the dishes. He saw his dad immerse himself in the evening paper and he turned on the television. For a time he watched a quiz programme which didn’t much interest him, because he didn’t know the answers to any of the questions. He saw his dad put down the paper and watch too. The quiz programme was followed by the news, which Stephen found equally boring.
    He sat in front of the television screen, his eyes open but without attending to a word. He was trying to summon up enough courage to risk his dad’s anger. Before this he had always stopped questioning when he was told to, but this time he wouldn’t. He waited until the next day’s weather had been forecast, and then said, ‘Dad?’
    â€˜What?’
    â€˜I know you don’t like me asking, but I think it’s time I knew. About my mum.’
    â€˜I told you, I don’t want to talk about her.’
    â€˜I’ve a right to know. Whatever it is you don’t want to talk about.’
    â€˜You’re old enough to understand that when I say I’m not going to tell you any more, that’s it.’
    â€˜You can’t tell me more than nothing. You’ve never told me anything.’
    â€˜And that’s how it’s going to be.’
    â€˜For always? You mean, when I’m grown up, you’re still not going to tell me anything I’ve a right to know?’
    â€˜When you’re properly grown up, I may. For now all you need to know is that you