Mates, Dates and Pulling Power

by Hopkins, Cathy

  ‘She died in hospital, bozo,’ I said. ‘She was ill. And if he’d murdered her, er, don’t you think he might be in prison? Not running a chain of Italian restaurants.’

  ‘Oh yeah, sorry, got carried away,’ said TJ. ‘Well, whatever the reason, I reckon it must have been about love. Most of these types of things are.’

  ‘Or money,’ said Izzie. ‘Maybe they were in business together and one of them did the dirty.’

  ‘I don’t think so,’ I said. ‘My dad wouldn’t and Luke’s dad looks pretty decent.’

  ‘It might have been something really small,’ said Lucy. ‘A misunderstanding that was never resolved.’

  ‘It’s just like Romeo and Juliet,’ said TJ. ‘Remember? The Montagues and Capulets, they were both Italian, just like you, both families hated each other and Romeo and Juliet were forbidden to see each other, just like you and Luke.’

  ‘Thanks a lot, TJ,’ I said. ‘They both end up dead if I remember right.’

  ‘Only because everything went wrong with their getaway plan,’ she said. ‘Juliet pretends to be dead and Romeo thinks that she actually is, so he kills himself, then she wakes up, sees that he’s dead and kills herself as well.’

  Lucy rolled her eyes. ‘Not a comedy, then?’ she asked.

  ‘No,’ I said. ‘And I can’t stand all that boring thee, thou and forthwith stuff.’

  ‘Nesta!’ said TJ. ‘It’s one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays. It’s a fab story. There’s a movie with Leonardo Di Caprio as Romeo that’s worth watching if you don’t want to read the play itself.’

  Oh, here we go again, I thought. I’m being got at just because I don’t read as much as the others. ‘Shakespeare schmakespeare. Sorry, TJ, I just don’t think me and old Willie speak the same language.’

  ‘You don’t know until you’ve tried,’ said TJ.

  ‘Poo,’ I said.

  ‘Maybe Luke will remember something,’ said Lucy. ‘Maybe he’s heard your dad’s name when his dad has been talking about the past.’

  ‘But your dad doesn’t want you to see Luke,’ said TJ. ‘Are you going to disobey him?’

  ‘Well, I’m going to go to my acting class and oh, quelle surprise! Luke just happens to go as well. Tony knows I met Luke at acting class, but Mum and Dad don’t. What they don’t know, won’t hurt them.’

  ‘Text us as soon as you find out anything, oh Juliet,’ said TJ as the bell for classes rang summoning us back to lessons.

  It was great to see Luke again on Wednesday in the acting class and this time he was there right on time.

  ‘I need to talk to you later,’ I whispered to him as Jo asked us all to stand in the centre of the room for warm-up exercises.

  After a few stretches and a bit of limbering up, we went on to an improvisation where we had to get into groups of three, then act out a scene showing two people that got on well and didn’t like the third person. First, Jo asked us to do the scene with dialogue and then again showing the same scenario with mainly body language. It was soooo interesting as, like the last class, it showed that the way people hold themselves can reveal more than what they say. It made me more determined than ever to walk upright and not slouched over like some saddo. I might not be able to smile with confidence any more, but I can at least walk as though I believe in myself.

  Following that, we played games where we had to throw out suggestions for creatures and actions. Izzie said, ‘Bees buzzing,’ and we all had to pretend to be bees. Then, someone else said, ‘Sheep grazing,’ and we all had to do that. It was a real laugh, especially seeing all these middle-aged people acting like five-year-olds and rolling on the floor. It felt more like playschool than an acting class.

  Then, Jo started putting newspaper on the floor.

  ‘Twelve pieces,’ she said, then counted the people in the class. ‘Twelve of you. Go and stand on a piece of paper and I’m going to play some music. As the music plays, move around the floor only stepping on the paper. As you do so, I’m going to remove some of the paper, then I’m going to stop the music and I want you to freeze where you are. Anyone who has a foot on the floor is out.’

  Definitely playschool, I thought as I found a piece of paper and the music started up. It was hysterical as, when the music stopped, we found that there were only eight pieces of paper left on the floor. Panic broke out as everyone scrabbled to stand on a piece of paper. A few people were out as they lost their balance and stood on the floor. And so it went on until there were four of us left and only two pieces of paper. Izzie, Luke, Jan and I. We had to really hang on to each other so that one of us didn’t lose our balance and put a foot off the paper. For me, it was a great excuse to wrap myself around Luke. He didn’t seem to mind at all and held on to me tightly. He smelled divine, sort of citrusy and warm and it felt great to snuggle into his neck with a legitimate excuse. Then Izzie started laughing as she had her leg wound around mine and was losing her balance and threatening to topple all of us over. That started me laughing as well and soon all four of us were giggling like idiots, desperately trying to hang on to each other at the same time and not lose our footing. As the music started up again and people began to unfold, I found that I couldn’t. I seemed to be caught in Luke’s jumper.

  ‘Oh no!’ I cried as Luke tried to move away. A strand of wool from his jumper had got caught in my brace, so I was attached to his neck like a Siamese twin. ‘Enuheraahh . . .’on’t ’ove.’

  Jo saw what was happening and rushed over to separate us, but I felt so embarrassed. All the rest of the group was standing laughing. Even Luke thought it was hilarious. ‘My animal magnetism,’ he said grinning, as Jo carefully extricated the wool I’d caught on from my brace. ‘Girls just can’t bear to be apart from me.’

  I felt stupid. I had spent most of my time trying to talk through half closed lips so no one would notice my brace, then I went and did something that brought it to everyone’s attention. Like me saying, er, just in case you missed the fact that I have railway tracks on my teeth, watch this!

  The rest of the class went without a hitch and it was fun, but I couldn’t help checking my watch. I was looking forward to the end, so I could get Luke on his own.

  At last it was over and, as we all trooped out of the school, Luke offered to give Izzie and me a lift home.

  ‘Nice car,’ said Izzie as he held the door open for us five minutes later. ‘I like these Volkswagen Passats.’

  I hadn’t even noticed the car as I was so impatient to talk to Luke. Amazing that Izzie knew what type it was, I thought as I got into the front seat. When did she become a car expert? Up until recently, if you asked her about a car, she’d say, ‘Oh, er . . . it was a green one.’

  ‘So what was it you wanted to say to me?’ asked Luke as he started up the engine.

  ‘You won’t believe it,’ I said and quickly filled him in on my dad’s weird reaction to hearing that I had met his dad and what my mum had told me about my dad and his being old friends.

  ‘Wow,’ he said. ‘Small world, huh? And at least that explains why he did that double take on Saturday night. Like he’d seen a ghost.’

  ‘I suppose he had in a way, if he used to be mates with your dad. You do look like him. But have you ever heard him talk about my dad? Matt Costello.’

  ‘Don’t think so.’ Luke shook his head.

  ‘Nan used to call Dad Matteo not Matt. Maybe your dad will know him as that.’

  ‘I’ll ask him when I get home. Try and find out what happened.’

  After we’d dropped Izzie, Luke drove up to Highgate and we stopped in at Café Rouge for a late night hot chocolate. We soon got talking about films and, once again, I felt aware of how much he knew about them and I didn’t. I decided to tell him about how I pretend I’m a character in a film if I’m in a stressful situation.

  ‘So what character would you be now?’ he asked.

  ‘But I only do it when I’m stressed.’

  ‘Yeah. So what character would you be now?
’

  ‘But what makes you think I’m stressed?’ I asked.

  ‘You’re still holding your hand over your mouth. You can relax with me you know, the brace doesn’t bother me.’ Then he smiled. ‘Except that is, when you fasten it to my left shoulder.’

  I tried putting my hand down, but he was right, I couldn’t relax. I couldn’t help but be aware of my metal mouth.

  ‘So what character?’ he asked.

  My mind had gone blank. ‘Dunno,’ I said.

  ‘OK. Who are your top favourite characters in films then?’

  I wanted to distract him. I felt really awkward. He was sitting so close and doing that lovely thing that some boys do — looking into your eyes and then at your mouth, then back at your eyes. Only I couldn’t enjoy the sensation as I was so aware of how unattractive my mouth was. ‘Don’t you ever think about anything else besides movies?’ I asked through closed lips.

  He looked hurt for a moment. ‘Yeah. Sorry. Was I being boring?’

  ‘No. Just . . .’

  ‘No, sorry . . . I know I can go on,’ he said leaning back slightly and crossing his arms over his chest. ‘I tend to get carried away. So. What would you like to talk about?’

  I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. I’ve blown it, I thought. I’ve cut him off when he was in full flow about his major passion in life. I’ve made him feel ill at ease. I can tell by his body language and the way he’s crossed his arms, like closing off from me. I read somewhere that people do that when they feel uncomfortable. Maybe the girls were right when they said that I don’t give boys a chance to show the true side of themselves. Right. That’s it, I thought. I have to change and be able to hold a conversation about films without being intimidated by my lack of knowledge or else he’s going to get bored with me. And I have to learn not to be inhibited about my teeth.

  ‘No, sorry. I am interested in films just . . .’ I glanced at my watch, ‘Just . . . oh dentists. Look at the time, look I’d better . . .’

  ‘Er, dentists?’ Luke said, laughing. ‘What have they got to do with anything?’

  ‘It’s my new swear word,’ I said. ‘Look. Sorry, but I’d better go. Mum thinks I’ve only gone to class so, if I’m any later, she’ll worry.’

  ‘And we don’t want your dad to suspect you’re out with me until we’ve got to the bottom of why my family is a no-go zone.’

  ‘Exactly,’ I said standing up, ‘but he won’t know that I’m out late. He’s away at the moment, on location in Bristol. He’s filming a two parter for the BBC there.’

  ‘Cool.’ Luke stood up and helped me put on my jacket. ‘Let me pay for the drinks, then we’ll go.’

  While he was away at the counter, I took a look around the café and spotted Jade Wilcocks and Mary O’Connor from our class at a table on the far side. Jade caught my eye and waved me over.

  ‘Hey, Nesta,’ she said when I went to join them.

  ‘Hey.’

  ‘Is that the divine brother I keep hearing about?’ asked Jade, jutting her chin in Luke’s direction.

  I shook my head. ‘No. His name’s Luke. Why would you think he’s my brother?’

  ‘Looks a bit like the guy I saw Lucy with in Hampstead once in the summer,’ said Mary, ‘and I knew she was seeing your brother off and on so . . .’

  Then it hit me. That had to be it! The reason why Dad wanted me to stay away from Luke. Lucy had been right. It was a love thing. It was obvious. Izzie was right too, Luke did look a bit like Tony. Mary was right in mistaking them for each other. Which explained why Dad didn’t want me to see Luke any more. Dad had clearly had a love affair with Luke’s mum. Luke was my brother!

  ‘Are you OK?’ asked Mary. ‘You look a bit faint all of a sudden.’

  ‘Umf . . .’ I said. Ohmigod. I’d snogged my own brother. And given him ten out of ten. Told Lucy that he was an ace kisser.

  Now what, I asked myself as Luke came over to join us. My brain was about to explode.

  ‘Luke,’ I said. ‘Sorry got to go.’

  ‘Yeah. I’ll give you a lift . . .’

  ‘No. Can’t see you any more. Sorry.’

  Luke looked around the café. ‘Did I just miss something? Why can’t you see me any more?’

  ‘Because you’re my brother!’ I blurted out.

  ‘You just said he wasn’t,’ said Jade, who seemed to be enjoying every moment.

  I headed for the door. ‘Well he is,’ I called over my shoulder. ‘Sorry, Luke.’

  And with that, I ran out of the café. As soon as I was outside, I dialled Dad’s mobile.

  Top Tip for Brace Wearers

  When snuggling into a boy’s neck or shoulder, if he’s wearing anything made of wool, keep your mouth shut.

  Chapter 11

  ‘Where’s Mum?’ I asked as soon as I got home.

  ‘Having an early night. She’s doing the morning shift tomorrow,’ said Tony, who was slouched on one of the sofas in front of the telly in the sitting room. He was watching the sci-fi channel, currently his favourite.

  I raced down the corridor into Mum’s room, but the lights were out and I could see she was in bed.

  ‘Mum,’ I whispered in case she was still awake. No response, so I gently closed the door and went back to the living room.

  ‘Tony . . .’

  ‘Shhhhhhhh,’ he said and turned up the volume on the remote.

  ‘I need to . . .’

  ‘Nesta. Don’t be annoying.’

  ‘It’s really important . . .’

  Tony’s eyes didn’t leave the screen.’ So is this. Talk to me after. It’s a crucial moment.’

  ‘Can’t you record it? I really need to talk to you.’

  Tony turned up the volume even higher. ‘Later. Now shut up.’

  He was starting to look cross, so I thought I’d better be quiet or else he’d get me back when I was watching The Simpsons or something that I like. Plus, I know how it feels when you’re really stuck into a programme and someone comes in and starts talking away as though the telly’s not even on. It’s Dad usually.

  I went to look on the kitchen notice board to see if Mum had put Dad’s number up there. No. Nothing. Only taxis, pizza places and plumbers. This is really bad, I thought. No one seems to realise, this is an emergency and I can’t get hold of my own father.

  Finally, finally,Tony’s programme ended and he turned to me and leaned forward. ‘OK. You’ve got two minutes before the next episode starts. What’s so important?’

  ‘Luke. I think he’s our brother. I need to talk to Dad.’

  Tony fell back on the sofa laughing. ‘Right. Yeah. Everyone’s our brother, everyone’s our sister. In fact, the world . . .’ he began to sing, ‘is just a great big family . . .’

  ‘No, I’m serious Tone . . . Our half-brother. I think Dad had an affair with Luke’s mum, then Mr De Biasi came along and pushed Dad out of the way and now they hate each other.’

  ‘Are you on drugs?’

  ‘No.’

  When Tony saw that I wasn’t laughing, he tried to make his face go straight. ‘OK. Just what exactly makes you think this?’

  ‘It’s obvious, Tony. Think about it. Dad doesn’t want me to see Luke. He blanches when I mention that I’ve met Luke’s dad . . .’

  ‘Exactly,’ said Tony. ‘I was there. He went weird when you mentioned Luke’s dad. Not his mum. Don’t you think if he’d had this great affair with Mrs De Biasi that there might be some kind of reaction when you mentioned her?’

  That stopped me for a moment. ‘Yeah. No. The fight was with Mr De Biasi as he was the one who took Mrs De Biasi away from Dad. Maybe. Anyway. I need to speak to Dad.’

  ‘He’s in Bristol somewhere.’

  ‘I know, dingbat. But where’s his number? He always leaves his contact number.’

  ‘Mum will have it.’

  ‘Mum’s asleep,’ I said.

  ‘Good, as it’s probably not a good idea to call Dad out of the blue and tell him that you know ab
out his secret lurve child.’

  ‘It’s not funny, Tony.’

  ‘It is.’

  ‘Isn’t.’

  ‘Is. You’re mad to think that about Luke. Lost the plot. Away with the fairies. Barking. Woof. Woof.’

  ‘Don’t be horrible. What am I going to do?’

  ‘You’ll just have to wait, Nesta.’ He flicked the volume back up for the next episode of his programme and stretched out again. ‘Call him in the morning. In the meantime, get us a Coke will you?’

  I threw a cushion at him, then got up to go to the kitchen. Sometimes I think Tony thinks I’m nothing more than his private slave. Two brothers? I don’t know if I could cope.

  I didn’t sleep well that night. I dreamed that Dad was having supper with Marlon Brando. Both of them had braces on their teeth and kept singing that song that goes something like, ‘We are familee, look at all my brothers and me . . .’ All sung in a thick Italian accent.

  As I staggered into the bathroom the next morning, I contemplated as to whether to ask Mum about Luke. It might come as a blow to her. She might not know anything about Dad having a secret child. I’d ask Dad to do the right thing and tell her himself. Yes, I thought. That would be best.

  Mum and Tony were both already in the kitchen having coffee and chatting when I went to grab some breakfast. I gave Tony a filthy look and turned to Mum. ‘I need to talk to Dad. Can I have his number in Bristol?’

  ‘Sure,’ she said. ‘It’s on the pad next to the bed in my room. Give him my love, won’t you.’

  When I found the number, I sat on Mum’s bed and dialled.

  A female voice answered. ‘Hello, Hogarth Hotel.’

  ‘Can I speak to Mr Costello, please?’

  The phone went quiet for a moment, then I heard a ringing, then the receptionist came back on again. ‘I’m afraid there’s no reply,’ she said. ‘Would you like to leave a message?’

  ‘No thanks,’ I said, then put the phone down. My heart was thumping and I realised that I hadn’t really thought about what I was going to say and needed to plan how to put it. Like, hey, Dad about your secret son? I don’t think so.