Chapter 36

“—and let me stay at his flat,” Eli continued loudly. “And I’m seriously thinking about it, it’s a nice flat with a hot guy in it.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Rob crack a smile. “Shame about the hobo in the second bedroom.”

“He’s not a hobo, it’s like having a really big, really loud dog,” Rob said.

Eli laughed.

“Oh, please, a dog would shed less, I swear I found one of those dreads in the shower last time I was there—”

“Excuse me, who are we discussing?” Mum interrupted primly.

“Rob’s brother, Danny.”

“Oh,” Mum said. “You have a brother.” She already knew that, Eli thought bitterly, but then Mum was a pro at ‘polite’ questions.

“Got a whole bunch of siblings,” Rob said, a little roughly but in a calmer tone than before. “Five older sisters and a younger brother.”

“That’s a…large family.”

Rob shrugged.

“Do you see them often?”

“Brother lives with me. Haven’t seen any of the girls since I was fourteen.”