Chapter 24

Eli groaned. Fucking brilliant. Just fucking brilliant, not only did he do that but he was down the pub an hour before he was meant to be coming over to meet Mum and Dad, and—

“What’s the matter, dear?” Mum asked, shaking out a tablecloth.

“Dinner’s off,” Eli said shortly. “Rob can’t come.”

“Can’t come? Why?” Mum asked.

Dad, leaning against the oven, curled his lip.

“Something came up,” Eli mumbled.

“Really,” Dad said. “This wouldn’t be anything to do with the, ah, planned raids across Parson Cross, would it?”

Eli scowled. “Fine. He got arrested. Is that what you want to hear?”

“I want to hear you come to your senses,” Dad said coldly.

“Right,” Eli said, clenching his fists. Then he unclenched them and turned on his heel.

“Eli…” Mum called.

He kept walking, out into the hall and up the stairs, and heard his mother snap, “Samuel, must you antagonise him?”