Eye of the Storm by Mark Robson Page A

responding.
    ‘Just feeling a bit jumpy,’ she admitted.
    ‘Come on through to the kitchen and I’ll get you a cup of tea. That’s what you Brits like to drink in the mornin’, isn’t it?’
    ‘Tea would be lovely,’ Niamh agreed.
    A few minutes and half a cup of tea later, Niamh was sitting at the breakfast bar eagerly tapping at the keys on Carrie’s laptop and feeling worlds better.
    ‘She’s online,’ Niamh announced excitedly. She clicked on Beth’s name and a chat window opened at the bottom of the screen. With quick finger strokes, she typed a
greeting.
    Morning, Beth. You OK?
    There was a slight pause and an answer appeared with a gentle popping sound.
    Afternoon! Great thanks. You?
    Then underneath appeared:
    What’s so urgent? Boy news?!
    Niamh thought for a moment. Beth lived just across the road from her and the girls spent all their free time together. In other circumstances, after not having spoken to Beth for so long, Niamh
would have been dying to fill her in on her kiss with Tony, but sitting next to Carrie, on her bed and using her laptop, it didn’t seem appropriate to chat openly with Beth on Facebook about
her brother. Besides, now wasn’t really the time for boy talk; she needed to get Beth to get the notes from her dad’s computer.
    ‘Tell her you need her to get your Dad’s notes,’ Carrie urged.
    As it happens, there might be . . .But before I tell you about that, I need a favour. You busy today?
    Tease! Go on. What do you need?
    Can you go to my house and log in to Facebook from the computer in my dad’s office? You know where the spare key is. Dad’s password is Cla1re01.
    Oooh! I suppose so. Are you sure you’re dad won’t mind though?
    No, it’s fine, honest.
    OK. But come on as I’m doing you a favour you have to spill some boy goss! Who is he?
    Niamh felt her face begin to heat up. What could she say about Tony with Carrie sitting beside her? There was no reason to think that Tony had told his sister about their kiss in the back of the
car yesterday. How much should she say?
    His name is Tony. No juicy details till you get to Dad’s computer. I’ll wait online.
    Pictures?
    Niamh glanced at Carrie, her cheeks burning.
    Carrie laughed. ‘I’m sure I can find somethin’ for you,’ she said.
    Yes.
    Cool! I’m on my way!Give me 5 mins.
    The green dot disappeared from next to Beth’s name, signifying that she had gone offline.
    ‘So, you and Tony are an item then?’ Carrie stated more than asked as she leaned back against the headboard. ‘That was fast work for him. He’s not normally so quick when
it comes to girls.’
    ‘I wouldn’t say “item”. We got to spend some time together yesterday afternoon, and we like each other, yeah,’ Niamh mumbled.
    ‘See? I told you he was into you, didn’t I?’ Carrie put her arm round Niamh and gave her waist a gentle squeeze. ‘I’m glad you two are hookin’ up.
You’ll be great together.’
    ‘I hope so.’
    ‘I know so.’ Carrie swung her legs off the bed and got up. ‘Do you want some breakfast? I’ll go make it while we wait for your friend to get to your house.’
    ‘That would be nice. Thanks.’
    ‘What would you like? Pancakes? Waffles?’
    ‘Just some toast, thanks. I’ll come with you. We can take the laptop through to the kitchen.’
    Tony was in the kitchen. He’d laid the breakfast bar with place settings, bowls and plates, and had poured three glasses of fruit juice.
    ‘Mornin’, bro’. This all looks very organised. Should I ask what the occasion is?’ Carrie teased.
    ‘No occasion,’ he replied, trying to look nonchalant. ‘Just looking after our guest.’
    ‘Guest? That’s a bit formal, isn’t it?’ she said, giving him a cheeky wink.
    ‘Oh, leave him alone, Carrie,’ Niamh said, giving her a friendly push on the shoulder. ‘He’s being very sweet. Thanks, Tony. Where should I sit?’ She put the laptop
down on the breakfast bar where they would all be able to see