Us by Nicholls David Read Free Book Online

with magnets.’
    I laughed. ‘Well it’s one theory, I suppose.’
    She put her hand on my arm. ‘
Is
it magnets? Please, please tell me it’s magnets!’
    I was in the process of explaining the influence of the moon’s gravitational pull on large bodies of water, when she paused and put her hands on her chest and opened her eyes wide.
    â€˜Sorry,’ she said, ‘I just got a bit of a rush. Are you feeling it yet?’
    â€˜The drugs? Oh, I don’t really do that kind of thing.’
    â€˜Very sensible. Very.’
    We looked around the room. The drugs seemed to be having a devastating effect on people’s posture, with everyone hunching their shoulders and bobbing their heads in a sort of hyper-tense disco. My sister in particular was scrunched up like a squirrel, sucking her lips inwards in concentration as she shook tiny imaginary maracas.
    â€˜Look at them,’ said Connie, shaking her head. ‘People always say
take this, drink that, you’ll lose your inhibitions
. What we need is something that’ll give them back.
Here, try this, it’ll make you massively sensible.
We’d all have a much better time. Imagine waking up and saying to yourself, “Christ, I was
totally
inhibited last night.”’
    â€˜Actually, that’s exactly what I do say.’
    She laughed, for the first time I think. ‘Lucky you! Sounds lovely.’ There was a brief moment where we did nothing but smile, then: ‘It’s very loud in here. I need some water. Can we go in the kitchen?’
    I noticed Jake, his hooded eyes glaring territorially. ‘Actually, I was about to head off home.’
    â€˜Douglas,’ she said over her shoulder, reaching out her hand, ‘you give in
far
too easily,’ and I wondered what she meant as I followed her through.
24. spatula
    In the kitchen I battled with my desire to wipe down all the surfaces.
    â€˜Your sister tells me you’re some kind of genius.’
    â€˜Well, my sister has a low “genius” threshold. She says the same about practically everyone in that room.’
    â€˜That’s different, though, isn’t it? That’s talent, and not even talent most of the time. Self-confidence, that’s what it is. When she says “genius” she just means they’ve got a really loud voice. You, you actually know things. Tell me again, about the fruit flies.’
    I did my best to explain in layman’s terms, while she stood at the sink and drank water from a pint glass in one long gulp, then remained standing with her head thrown back, a good deal of water running the length of her neck.
    â€˜â€¦ then we take the next generation of fruit flies and examine how the chemical agents have altered the … are you all right?’
    Coming round, she blinked and shook her head a little. ‘Me? Yeah, I’m fine, I drank a little too much and now …’ She sighed and drew her hands down her face. ‘Christ, that was a bright idea! I’ve just broken up with someone, you see.’
    â€˜Oh, I’m sorry.’
    â€˜No, it was the right thing to do, it was a terrible relationship, it’s just … it was four years, you know?’
    â€˜A long time.’
    â€˜Keep talking to me, won’t you? Don’t go away.’
    I had no intention of going away. ‘So we look for changes in the fly’s pheno—’
    â€˜You seeing someone, Douglas?’
    â€˜Me? No, not at the moment, not for some time. Pressure of work,’ I said, as if this were the reason.
    â€˜I knew you were single.’
    â€˜Is it really so obvious?’
    â€˜No, I mean your sister told me. I think she’s been trying to fix us up.’
    â€˜Yes. Yes, I’m sorry about that.’
    â€˜Don’t apologise. Not your fault. She’s convinced that I’d be good for you. Or was it the other way around? Either way, nothing’s going to