Soul Storm by Kate Harrison Page B

coffee? Or a Coke?
You know there’s nothing un-caffeinated in the entire flat. Even my shower gel’s stuffed with it.’
    ‘Coffee, please.’
    It really is a mess in here. If I had to guess, I’d say he hasn’t left his place since he got back from Brighton on Thursday. This is a Lewis I’m not used to. Yes, he’s a
workaholic, but he’s image-conscious, too. Everything is just so, from his designer glasses and man-bag, to the plant varieties he’s chosen and nurtured, and the caffeine in his shower
gel.
    ‘Before you ask, I’m still not quite there with the Fixing Alice research. Irons in the fire, but none of them glowing.’ Lewis is talking incredibly fast, but he hasn’t
looked at me once since he’s let me in.
    He
has
had second thoughts. Even though I’d considered the possibility, I couldn’t imagine it happening. He’s always been so loyal and kind.
    This time you pushed him too far, didn’t you, Alice?
    It’s over. Without Lewis to tease me and reassure me, I don’t know if I can carry on. I feel dizzy.
    ‘Maybe . . . if you don’t want me here, I can go. I drove, anyway, so—’
    He turns back towards me. ‘Eh? What are you going on about? Did I
say
I didn’t want you here? Forgive me if my manners aren’t as gentlemanly as they usually are; I had
a rough night. But, Ali—’
    I look away. I can’t let him see I’m on the edge of tears.
    Too late.
    ‘Hey. What is it? Has something happened?’ He comes closer, touches my arm. His fingers are warm against my skin but I’m cold with fear.
    ‘No.’
    ‘It’s not because I’m grouchy, is it? After everything you’ve had to deal with, don’t say it’s grumpy old Lewis who’s tipped you over the
edge?’
    ‘You think I’m crazy, don’t you? You’re trying to find a way to tell me to go.’ The harder I try not to weep, the more choked I get. And I’m not a crier, not
usually.
    ‘What?’ Then he slaps his own forehead – too hard, judging from his pained expression. ‘Bloody hell, Ali. No. That’s not what it’s about. I had everything go
wrong on me with some stupid project overnight and I’m sulking. Nothing to do with you.’
    That’s all it takes for me to believe him. Instincts aren’t only about negative stuff, like Sahara being dangerous. They’re also about who you can trust.
    I want to change the subject away from my own paranoia. ‘Tell me about what went wrong. Lewis. We’re always talking about me.’
    I don’t know nearly enough about what Lewis does, though I know his heart’s not really in his day job. He only does the boring projects to fund some kind of Robin Hood style campaign
against hackers. Perhaps he needs someone to confide in too.
    ‘Ali, you don’t want to know. Too tedious. Let’s lighten up, shall we? You’re banned from the web, but I’ve got every video game you can think of. Not just the
shoot-’em-ups, either. Some girly ones, too. We could Zumba. Build a virtual zoo.’
    Banned from the web.
I’d hoped I might be able to talk him round, but I get the impression it’s not a good time to push him.
    ‘I’m not that into games. I haven’t had time lately . . . what with the Beach and everything.’ I try to smile and he smiles back. ‘Oh, before we do anything else,
you need to call my mum, please – to tell her I’m here and I’m not up to no good.’
    He whistles. ‘Like
that,
is it? Surprised she hasn’t fitted you with an electronic tag.’
    ‘Whatever you do, don’t suggest it. I bet they sell them on Amazon.’
    I hand him my phone, already calling Mum’s number.
    ‘Mrs Forster. Lewis here. Just checking in, to tell you your daughter’s safe and well . . . Yes, absolutely . . . We thought a country walk might be in order. Maybe to a nice country
pub. No . . . Ha ha, don’t worry, I won’t let her drink during the day. Same to you, too. Bye for now.’
    He hands the phone back. ‘How was that? Reassuring enough?’
    ‘Perfect.’
    ‘In which