Page 30 of Stoney Gazes for Helpful Gorgons

A loud creak fills the air, reminding me that I really need to see if building services will come and see to the door for me. Then again, all of the others in the flat do the same, so it's not like I actually have much to complain about.

"You ready?" I ask Rhea. "I owe you for the slushie, so the first round is on me."

"Who are you talking to?"

I freeze and turn around, surprise filling me at the sight of my little brother standing in my room. "Eddy? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at school?"

"Half day," he responds. "But Dad didn't come pick me up like he was supposed to and I didn't know where else to go."

My heart aches. "Oh, Ed. I'm sorry."

He grimaces. "Not your fault."

"Have you tried calling Dad?" I don't know why I ask, I already know the answer.

"Three times, but he's away with his girlfriend until Sunday."

Frustration grows within me, but not towards my younger brother. "He didn't even tell me."

"You think he told me? He sent me a message an hour ago saying as much and that he'll see me on Sunday. There's no food in the fridge, and that's even if I can get home."

"You can stay here until Sunday," I promise. "We'll do some fun stuff. There are some go-karts I can see if we can book. Oh, or an escape room."

"You need more than two people for an escape room," he points out.

"I can probably find someone to be a third person for that." My mind immediately goes to Rhea.

"Are you sure I won't be in the way?" The expression on his face breaks my heart. He's thirteen, he should be doing his own thing, not standing in my dorm room looking like he thinks I'm going to throw him out. But everything that went on with Mum's illness robbed him of that part of his childhood, and Dad acting this way is definitely making it worse.

"You're definitely not going to be in the way," I promise, heading over to him and pulling him into my arms.

For a moment, I don't think he's going to hug me back, but then he wraps his arms around me and holds on tightly. A small sniff comes from him and then he's crying in big fat sobs. My own tears respond, falling down my cheeks.

"I miss her, Jack." His voice cracks as he says it.

"I know. Me too." More than I ever thought possible.

Another knock sounds on my door and we pull apart even as it opens.

Rhea steps inside, a concerned expression on her face as soon as she realises I'm not alone.

"I'm sorry, I was about to message you," I say, wiping away the last of my tears. "My brother's here."

"Oh. Erm, I can go..."

"You had plans?" Eddy asks.

I look between the two of them. "Yes, but they can be rearranged, right?" I look at Rhea, hoping she understands.

She nods. "Of course." The way she looks at me is full of concern, like she can tell things aren't great right now.

"This is Eddy," I introduce him. "And this is my friend, Rhea."

Eddy eyes her warily. "A friend-friend, or like Sonja is Dad's friend."

Rhea chuckles. "Sorry, I'm guessing Sonja's the girlfriend?"

Eddy nods. "She has a cat she keeps bringing to the house and it's bullying Mr Mittens."