Three's a Crowd by Sophie McKenzie Read Free Book Online Page A

to the computer and checked my emails. There was one from Mum, refusing my request for an extended deadline and saying:
    “Matt, me and the bump all fine – thanks for asking.”
    Yeah, well Mum, I’ve got other things on my mind right now. Like doing your stupid homework and avoiding Eve’s psychotic dad.
    “PS: I had a scan yesterday. It’s too early to tell, but I’m certain it’s a boy. Thought you’d be pleased.”
    Pleased? Why would I be pleased? I don’t care if it’s a boy or a girl. They both make the same amount of noise, i.e. loud.
    The shrill screams from the pool got worse as the afternoon went on. That, and the heat radiating into the room, only added to my worsening mood. I finally finished off the homework and emailed it off to Mum without replying to her message about the baby. It was two-fifteen p.m.
    Outside the air was boilingly hot. Only a few hardcore sunbathers were still lying on loungers by the pool. I found Ryan in their midst, eyes shut, listening to my iPod.
    I wrenched out the earphones.
    “Hey.” He sat up.
    “I’m so pissed off.” I kicked at his lounger.
    “Yeah, well, don’t take it out on the furniture.” He grinned. “Jonno’ll make you repaint it.”
    I sank down on the lounger next to his. “When do Eve and Chloe finish at the crèche?”
    “Four o’clock.” Ryan lay back and closed his eyes again. “But don’t go getting excited. That’s when we start waiting tables. Apparently the four-to-six shift’s the easiest though. Mostly tea and cake and clearing tables. No proper meals or actual waiting or anything. Catalina’s gonna swing by in an hour, pick us up, show us what to do.”
    “Oh?” I said.
    Ryan opened one eye. “You fancy her, don’t you?”
    “No,” I said.
    Ryan laughed. “You are the world’s worst liar, man.”
    I kicked at his lounger again. How annoyingly typical of Ryan to have sussed that I thought Cat was really hot.
    “Well, don’t you?” I said.
    “Sure.” Ryan sat back smugly. “But I’m with Chloe.”
    “And I’m with Eve,” I said, feeling more irritated.
    Ryan snorted. “Not so’s anyone would notice, you aren’t. And anyway,” he crossed his arms, “Cat’s with Marco.”
    “For God’s sake, Ry, I’m not going to do anything,” I shouted, suddenly furious with him.
    One of the hardcore sunbathers sat up and glared at me. Ryan shook his head, his eyes all wide and mocking.
    “Don’t embarrass the guests,” he mouthed.
    Another time I would have laughed. But right then I just felt too pissed off. I lay back on my lounger and sighed deeply. At this rate I was going to end up spending less time with Eve while we were on holiday than I did when we were at school.
    Catalina showed up half an hour later in the waiting staff girl’s uniform of black mini-skirt and tight, white blouse.
    As she led us up to where we were picking up our own uniforms (black trousers and white shirts) Ryan murmured. “One thing you gotta say about Jonno – he likes his female staff in hot clothes.”
    “Mmmn,” I grunted, trying not to stare too obviously at Catalina’s slim, brown legs.
    Clearing the tea tables wasn’t too bad. Better than being in the kitchen, which felt like a sauna. Not many people showed up, and Ryan, Cat and I were able to spend most of our two-hour shift chatting.
    Cat was even friendlier than she had been last night. She had this habit of touching me, all the time. A little stroke of the arm or a ruffle of the hair or a pat on the back.
    “It’s like she can’t keep her hands off you,” Ryan hissed as we passed each other on the way to the kitchen. I deposited my armful of dirty plates, then crossed the room to where he was refilling a china bowl from a large, encrusted jar of strawberry jam.
    “She’s like that with everyone,” I said.
    “Nah, mate.” Ryan grinned at me. “For example, take me. She likes me, sure. But with you it’s different. She’s totally hot for you.” He shook his