He sucked in air through his teeth. ‘Wel , he’s a tough old soul. I can tel you that. But, you see … it al depends on where and when he goes, Madelaine. Who knows how long he’s got?’
That didn’t help much.
‘Do I tel him or not, Foster? You know, he’s not blind. He’s seen his bad eye, he’s seen his hair. He jokes about it, but he’s not stupid. He must know this isn’t good for him.’
He shook his head. ‘I know he’l cope. But whether you tel him has to be your cal . You’re the one in charge now. I can give you what advice I can, but command decisions are yours. That’s how it is.’ He tossed the last of his bun in among the birds. ‘I can’t run the eld o ce from out here on a park bench. You’re the boss now.’
‘But what about the agency? Is there someone else I can talk to? Someone in charge?’
‘I … I’m sorry, Madelaine. That’s … that’s o limits. You
‘I … I’m sorry, Madelaine. That’s … that’s o limits. You have to treat this like you’re entirely on your own. Do you understand? You’re on your own.’
She cursed. ‘What sort of useless freakin’ agency is this?’
He pursed his lips sympathetical y. ‘I’m afraid that’s just how it is.’
She ground her teeth in silent frustration for a while, knowing there was nothing more Foster could o er her on the subject of Liam. In any case, there was a new pair of glasses she was due to pick up from the opticians. They’d promised her they’d be ready in a couple of hours and another day of squinting at monitors and get ing a migraine for her troubles was something she could live without.
She stood up. ‘I’d bet er go. Things to do.’
He stood up, slowly, achingly. Polite, like a true gentleman.
‘You’l be here again?’ asked Maddy. ‘For sure? Every Monday at this time?’
‘Of course,’ he grinned. ‘I do charge by the hour, though.
’ She laughed then hugged him, awkward and faltering.
‘Enjoy your day, Foster.’
‘Oh, I have a fun-packed afternoon planned.’
She squeezed his arm. ‘Take care. I’l drop by and see you again soon.’ She turned to walk down the path leading to the south-west gate. But a thought suddenly occurred to her. She stopped, turned and saw him standing there among his pigeons, watching her go, almost as if he’d been among his pigeons, watching her go, almost as if he’d been expecting her to stop and turn.
‘Foster? How can you be so sure Liam wil cope? What if he works out he’s dying? What’s he gonna do? He might choose to leave us.’
‘He’l do the right thing,’ he replied. ‘You’l always be able to rely on that … the right thing. He’s a good lad.’ He turned away and began to wade through a parting sea of ru ing grey feathers and curious beady eyes.
‘Foster! How can you be so sure?’
He stopped in his tracks and looked back over his shoulder. ‘How can I be so sure?’
She nodded. ‘I mean, come on! Who the hel would be stupid enough to keep doing something they know’s kil ing them? What makes you think you know him so wel ?’
‘Oh, I know –’ he cocked an eyebrow – ‘because he’s me.’
Table of Contents
PUFFIN BOOKS
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 52
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 39
CHAPTER 40
CHAPTER 41
CHAPTER 42
CHAPTER 43
CHAPTER 44
CHAPTER 45
CHAPTER 46
CHAPTER 47
CHAPTER 48
CHAPTER 49
CHAPTER 50
CHAPTER 51
CHAPTER 52
CHAPTER 53
CHAPTER 54
CHAPTER 55
CHAPTER 56
CHAPTER 57
CHAPTER 58
CHAPTER 59
CHAPTER 60
CHAPTER 61
CHAPTER 62
CHAPTER 63
CHAPTER 64
CHAPTER 65
CHAPTER 66
CHAPTER 67
CHAPTER 68
CHAPTER 69
CHAPTER 70
CHAPTER 71
CHAPTER 72
CHAPTER 73
CHAPTER 74
CHAPTER 75
CHAPTER 76
CHAPTER 77
CHAPTER 78
CHAPTER 79
CHAPTER 80
CHAPTER 81