Page 61 of Under Your Spell

‘I missed yours, too.’

‘Wow, look at this place, it’s so different.’ My sister wanders through to the sitting room ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the remodelling before she spies Theo on the sofa. ‘Theo! Hey, it’s so nice to see you!’

‘Lil!’ If Theo is surprised to see my sister, he doesn’t show it. Instead he gets to his feet and wraps his arm around her shoulders. She kisses him on both his cheeks.

‘Oh, right,’ I say, suddenly awkward, ‘you two already know each other.’

‘We’ve played a couple of festivals together,’ Theo says, still standing close to my sister. ‘When was the last one? Reading, I guess? A couple of years ago.’

‘That’s right.’ Lil beams up at him. ‘How’s Sidney doing?’

‘Oh, you know Sid,’ Theo groans and Lil laughs.

‘Fully recovered, then?’ she asks.

‘Of course.’

‘I’ll put the kettle on,’ I say, my voice too bright. I don’t know why this is weird for me – I knew that Lil and Theo moved in some of the same circles.

‘No, no.’ Theo moves then, standing close to me so that my shoulder is pressed against his chest. He lifts a hand and rests it on my back, looks down at me with a crinkly-eyed smile. ‘I’ll do that while you guys catch up. But it’s so hot, do you want some of that disgusting iced mint tea you’ve been guzzling? I made a jug of it this morning and put it in the fridge.’

‘Oh, that would be nice,’ I say, ‘and it’s not disgusting; it’s just wasted on you.’

‘It tastes like cold toothpaste water and you know it,’ Theo calls over his shoulder, already headed for the kitchen. ‘Oh!’ he stops suddenly, as though remembering she exists. ‘Sorry, Lil, what do you fancy?’

‘Cold toothpaste water sounds great,’ my sister says, her gaze flicking between me and Theo.

‘No problem,’ he replies.

Lil is quiet until I ask her about Serena and Bee, and then she shakes her head and smiles. ‘I can’t believe it. I never thought I’d see Serena so smitten. She’s acting like it’s a personal failure. I can’t work out if she’s happy or devastated by it.’

‘You know how independent she is. It’s hard for her to be vulnerable like that,’ I say.

Lil hums in agreement as Theo returns with two glasses of iced tea.

Lil and I settle ourselves around the table and after a moment’s hesitation, Theo returns to the sofa and picks up his guitar. ‘I’ll just head to my room.’

‘No, don’t bother on my account,’ Lil says quickly. ‘Not if this is where you usually write. I promised Serena I wouldn’t interrupt.’

Theo looks at me. ‘Are you sure?’ he asks.

‘Of course,’ I say. ‘That’s why we’re here.’ I don’t know why the words hang in the air.

‘Wow,’ Lil exclaims, her eyes lighting on Theo’s guitar. ‘Is that a Martin D-45?’

‘Yeah, 1940.’ Theo holds it out to her. ‘I’ve had this one a while now. I’ve brought a bunch here with me, but I like writing on this one best.’

Lil nods. ‘Serena said you’re working on your new album,’ she says, strumming lightly at the guitar. ‘Beautiful,’ she breathes, reverent over what must, I suppose, be an incredibly expensive instrument.

‘I’m trying.’ Theo grimaces. ‘The writing has been slow. But it’s coming on now.’

‘It’s really good,’ I say quickly, and then I flush when they both turn to me. ‘I mean, the bits I’ve heard are anyway. Not that my opinion counts for much.’

‘I think your opinion counts for a lot,’ Theo says softly.

Lil has that furtive, darting look about her again.

‘So, how’s Henry?’ I ask, and she swoons back into her chair.