Page 72 of The Christmas Competition

Ethan turned his head toward Kerr’s, taking in his (almost) equally impressive display. “Hmm. Tough one,” he said slowly. He turned back to me. “I’d say you just have the edge.”

I grinned. “Right answer.”

Ethan laughed.

“How are your parents, by the way?”

“Great, thanks. And how’s Drew?”

My blood ran cold at the question. But of course, Ethan wouldn’t know that we had split; he and his parents had moved away before that had occurred.

“I’m afraid we’re not together anymore,” I told him, trying not to sound too happy about it and failing.

“Oh shit,” he said, covering his mouth. “I’m so sorry, didn’t mean to put my foot in it.”

“No, no, it’s fine,” I said, waving my hand.

He winced. “Did you split because of what happened to Izzy?”

My brain stuttered and I frowned, unable to parse his meaning. “Izzy?”

“Yeah. After Drew ran Izzy over that time. I’ll bet you were pissed, even if it was an accident. You totally loved that cat.” He paused, as if realizing what he was saying, then covered his mouth again. “Crap, is she okay? Did she survive? I probably should’ve asked that question first.”

I was silent for a couple of seconds. Lucky for me, Ethan had always been a chatterbox who spoke before he thought, otherwise this piece of information might never have come to light.

“Ethan,” I said slowly. “Can you tell me exactly what you mean?”

“Sure,” he said, shifting his weight from one foot to the other as he scratched his head again. “It was the day I left for uni. As I drove down the street I saw Drew standing by his car, right at the end of your drive, halfway onto the street, looking stressed. Izzy was lying at the back of the car, not moving. I stopped on the way past and wound my window down to ask if he needed any help, and he said no, it was just a wee accident and he’d sort it. Her eyes were open, so I like, figured she was alive and he’d nip her to the vet and that would be that,” he finished, eyeing my face. “I hope I’ve not said anything out of turn.”

I lifted a hand to pat his arm. “Not at all, Ethan. That’s actually very helpful information. Thank you.”

“Cool,” he said, relief in his eyes. “Anyway. Have a good one!”

“You too,” I said, waving him off in a distracted manner. All I could think was I could not wait to tell Kerr all about this.

28

Nisa

“AND THEN HE said that he stopped to offer to help, but Drew just said no, that was fine, he’d sort it!” I told Kerr as I gestured wildly from his passenger seat.

I was supposed to be driving tonight, by rights. After all, it was my parents’ house we were going to. But I had been so animated when Kerr came round that he’d insisted on driving me instead, so I could concentrate on my story.

He frowned as he watched the road. “Wow. So he wasn’t mistaken at all. He just lied his arse off about it.”

“Yes!” I said, throwing my hands in the air. “That absolute, shady, lying piece of fucking shit—” I continued to turn the air blue, ranting about Drew for five minutes while Kerr silently let me vent, interspersing my tirade with noises of encouragement and agreement. I was aware that I was raising my voice and that a passerby would no doubt think I was shouting at Kerr, but I appreciated him allowing me to get it all off my chest.

All too often in the past, when in similar need of a rant, Drew would tell me to “stop shouting” or “calm down,” frustrating me into silence, and then I’d have to stew about it until I could speak to Rona or Aisha. And come to think of it, my mum had always had the same reaction.

Finally, I sank back into my seat, spent.

“Better?” he asked, smiling as he squeezed my hand briefly before returning his to the wheel.

“Much better, thank you,” I said on a sigh. “And thank you for letting me go full She-​Hulk on that one.”

“No problem. And it was perfectly justified.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe he lied rather than just telling the truth and apologizing for the accident. I’m sure you would’ve been upset, but you would’ve forgiven him.”

I nodded. “ ’Course I would. Eventually,” I added, shooting him a wry smile, which he returned. I shifted my gaze to the road, turning steely again. “But not now, I won’t.”