Shadow of the Mountain Read Online Free Page B

Thechlorine probably wouldn’t be enough to combat the furry growth on the walls, but it was a start.
    Inspired, she hunted for the skimmer and began scooping the densest piles of sodden debris from the uninviting water. It wasn’t just the pool. The whole place was a mess. She dumped a mass of soggy leaves under a leggy, overgrown hebe and reassured herself that the garden was not her problem. Maybe she’d suggest to her father that they ask Mrs Macphee to put in a few hours. She used to come once a week, and it had been her input that had shaped the whole redesign of the garden, aiming for sleek and easy-care. Casting an eye around the overgrown borders, Geneva acknowledged the difference between low maintenance and no maintenance.
    Satisfied that the pool looked marginally better, she returned the skimmer to the shed, tightened the caps on the drum of chlorine and closed the door. The loungers could stay out — it was close enough to summer, and they might serve as a reminder that the pool needed attention.
    Scuffing her way back along the paved path towards the kitchen, Geneva decided to cook dinner. Lemon chilli chicken used to be her father’s favourite — she’d have a look in the freezer and see what she could find. If there was any fruit in the house she might even stretch to an apple crumble.

6.
    P reoccupied by their new maths teacher’s announcement of a snap test in two days’ time, Geneva unchained her bike from the long row of double metal triangles. She’d liked Mrs Pomana. They’d had an understanding that involved leaving Geneva to get along on her own. She didn’t hold out much hope that Mr Nichol would be as tolerant of his students’ individual preferences.
    Blue tartan skirts fluttered around her as she wheeled her bike toward the gate. By rights she should enjoy maths. She used to, last year. But Mr Nichol …
    Her attention caught on a splash of colour, grey and maroon, on the wall opposite the gates. Frowning, Geneva slowed almost to a standstill, causing someone to batter into her shoulder with a rude expletive as the home-going tide swung around her and out into the street.
    It was Angus. The uniform was Wakefield College — and she was fairly sure a tie meant he was Year Thirteen. He must have bunked off to get here this early.
    She was nearly at the gate when his eyes skimmed the crowd and found her, setting a tentative smile flitting across his face. He slid off the wall as she waited to cross the road. This was not part of her plan, she told herself firmly, avoiding meetinghis eyes by judiciously scanning the traffic. Complications: who needed them?
    As she reached the pavement she looked at him speculatively and his eyes skittered quickly away. God but he looked nervous. Geneva grinned. ‘Hi,’ she said, her voice sounding strange to her ears. ‘Just passing?’
    Angus nodded. ‘Yeah. En route from here to there. Thought I’d stop by.’
    They turned in unison to walk along the pavement, the bike’s wheel clicking with each revolution. Curious glances lapped at them, but Geneva was used to that. Angus wasn’t.
    ‘I hope it’s okay, coming here. I mean, it’s not against the rules or anything?’ He was blushing, and she liked him for it.
    ‘No, it’s fine. They’re just wondering how you get to be so lucky, walking along with a gorgeous chick like me,’ she said.
    Angus nodded, playing along. ‘Mm. You’ll have to tell them I didn’t give you any choice.’
    ‘Oh, I’ve got a choice. This bike goes a lot faster than you.’
    He laughed aloud, bringing more curious eyes swinging their way. But the tide was beginning to thin.
    ‘Hey,’ he hesitated. ‘I was wondering if, maybe,’ he stopped to clear his throat. ‘Are you in a hurry or anything? We could get a coffee in town, or …’
    She studied him. Boys didn’t feature in her life. Nothing much featured in her life, not since — she cut the thought off. She liked Angus. Taking in his profile as he