Weightless Read Online Free Page B

look
at me.’
    I did as she asked, taking in the dark curly
hair that hung like an overused janitor’s mop around her face and
the teenage acne painted across her forehead and chin. Her school
uniform was at least two sizes too big and I knew her weekend
clothes were no better – baggy combat trousers and shapeless
tunics. They were meant to hide her size but only called attention
to it. ‘I’m looking at an unhappy girl who’d feel very differently
with a bit of confidence.’
    ‘And where’s that confidence supposed to
come from? How can I not feel like crap when they call me Cakey
Katie and pick apart every single thing about me? Tell me that.
Please. I’m listening.’
    I wanted to put my arms around her and
squeeze until her world was brighter. But it wasn’t going to be
that easy. ‘I’ve talked to your mum.’
    Kate rolled her eyes.
    ‘No, please listen to me. She’s said that
it’s okay for us to have a day out together, if you’ll agree. Will
you trust me?’
    She shrugged. ‘What have I got left to
lose?’
     
    Usually I could leave my work at the office,
but I was still thinking about Kate when I met Jack at his flat for
our film night. Of course Mrs. Clements’ diabetes and
wheat-intolerant William’s bloating were important to me. I was
professionally committed to helping them. But I’d stood in Kate’s
shoes. With her it was personal.
    Jack kissed me hello, then waved the DVD
cases in my face. ‘I’ve got Four Weddings and a Funeral or Love,
Actually.’
    ‘Is that by choice, or did you lose a
bet?’
    His face fell. ‘I got them from LoveFilm. I
figured you’d like them.’
    I shook my head. ‘I’m more of a horror girl.
Or psychological thrillers. I’m sorry. But we can watch one if you
want to.’
    ‘No, no, that’s okay. I wouldn’t want to put
you through that.’
    ‘You hate them too, don’t you?’
    ‘Can’t stand the bloody things.’
    ‘And you’d have suffered for me? You’re
really very sweet.’ We crashed on to the sofa together, arms around
each other with my legs tucked under his. ‘What shall we do now
that we haven’t got a film to entertain us?’ Cuddling was just fine
with me.
    ‘Play us a song.’
    ‘Hmm?’
    He gestured towards the far wall, where his
housemate’s electric piano sat. ‘You used to play beautifully. I
can still remember that Christmas concert.’
    ‘But it’s February. Christmas carols would
be inappropriate.’ My heart began to thump.
    ‘Then play something else. I’m a very
appreciative audience.’
    Mum had made me take piano lessons when I
was about nine. I hated them. The teacher would only let me play
scales. I didn’t even do that very well.
    I knew I couldn’t go on with the charade
forever. I was lucky he hadn’t already found me out. I owed him the
truth. I could feel my eyes prick with tears imagining his
reaction. It would be the end of us. I looked at his profile as he
lay there stroking my arm.
    I just couldn’t do it yet. ‘I don’t play
anymore.’
    ‘How come?’
    In for a penny, in for a pound. ‘I had an
accident…’ I stared through the doorway into the kitchen, willing
inspiration to come. ‘I, er, dropped a food processor on my
hand.’
    ‘How did you do that?’
    ‘I was moving it on a shelf. They’re very
heavy you know.’
    ‘I know, we’ve got one.’
    And thank goodness it was in plain sight on
the kitchen worktop or I might not have thought of an alibi.
‘Anyway, I don’t like to talk about it. I don’t play anymore.’
    ‘I’m sorry,’ he said, making me feel
terrible. Then he kissed me. ‘I can think of a few other ways to
entertain ourselves, but I wouldn’t want to feel like a sex
object.’
    ‘Then why not make me feel like a sex object
instead?’
    ‘I thought you’d never ask.’
    As Jack and I kissed on the sofa, I opened
my eyes and noticed Felix stretched out along the back cushions. He
was staring at me in judgment, as if he’d never lied a day in his
nine