Silent, The Part (2)

Two Year Earlier, Gavin

Later, Philippa fumbled around in her bag for a half bottle of vodka. I jerked my head to the side, indicating that I needed to talk to her. She followed me to the railing overlooking the sea, a glazed smile on her face.

'What's going on?' I said

'You've already asked me that.'

‘Do you know Steve and his brother?'

'Not before today. Steve and his mate Jace got talking to me this afternoon and they invited me to the party.'

'But Steve and Jace aren't even here.'

'I'm not responsible for that,' Philippa said. 'What's wrong?'

'You've just got us into an argument with Terence Harlesden's son.’

'So? He's an idiot.'

‘I don't understand why you invited me to the party.'

'Relax. Scott's not going to say anything.  He hardly speaks to his father and he doesn't get on with his brother.'

'Whatever. The whole thing seems totally weird.'

'What does?'

'Everything.  All this stuff about the fire.  Why was Scott so upset just then?'

'He's drunk.'

Philippa turned back to look at the kids, then faced me again. Dropping her voice, she said, 'It's very complicated. His parents split up and he doesn't get on with Terence. I should have warned you about it. Look, there's a lot I can't tell you at the moment.'

'So you do know Steve and his brother then.'

'Never met them or Jace before today.  But I know a lot about the fire. It's on the Internet for everyone to see. And I have my connections, as you already know.’

'You're seventeen, Philippa. Same as me.'

'And?'

‘Well, seventeen's a bit young for powerful connections, that's all I'm saying.'

'I'm resourceful.’

'Are you really seventeen?'

'Course I am.'

‘What type of connections do you have?'

'I can't tell you that yet.  Trust me. Everything will become clear in a day or two. Lets go back to the party now.'

We returned to the fairground, my questions unanswered.  But since my main concern was a relationship with Philippa, I decided to let the questions go for now.