“Try that one more time and I’ll slam you to the ground.”
“Easy to be all tough when you’re at the bottom of the ladder.”
“Pure coincidence.”
“Let go.”
“I don’t think so, this is my only enjoyment for today.”
“Here’s your coffee, Ryan,” Mum joins us. “I’ll leave it on the table for you.”
“Thanks.”
She looks at me, then looks at Nick hanging from the ladder.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m holding the ladder for Nick. I don’t want him to hurt himself.”
“Mmm.”
“It’s true.”
“That’s not true, he’s trying to kill me.”
“Again, Ryan?”
“W-what?” I ask, panicked.
“Did you think I didn’t know?”
Damn Ian.
“Maybe it isn’t the best idea for you two to be out here alone.”
“Come on, Mum. We’re adults. You can leave us to play in the garden, I promise we won’t tear each other apart.”
“Adults?”
She’s laughing. Seriously. My mother is laughing in my face. “I didn’t know you were so funny.”
Is she taking the piss out of me?
“I’ll be inside, but I can hear you – and I’ll be keeping an eye on you,” she threatens, before disappearing indoors.
“I didn’t tell her,” Nick immediately gets defensive.
“I know.”
Nick would never have told her.
“Why did you stay?” I ask him, looking up.
“The gutters needed cleaning.” He steps slowly down the ladder and stops when we’re face to face. “Dad can’t do it by himself.”
“I wonder how long he’ll be able to do anything by himself.”
“I think we have quite enough to worry about already, don’t you?”
