Grayson turned toward me. I was afraid to look at his face, because if he looked at me sympathetically again, I’d have to go and lock myself in the bathroom again. Forever.
But there wasn’t any sympathy in Grayson’s eyes this time, only something like anger. “I’m an idiot,” he said abruptly. “It’s up to Henry to explain all this to you, and he ought to have done it long ago. No idea why I’m doing it for him now.”
“Because you want to be helpful.” I didn’t know exactly why, but suddenly I felt just a tiny bit better. Not so miserable.
“But if he’s done something that hurts you, then … then I guess my help isn’t much good.” Grayson grinned at me, embarrassed. “Apart from which I was laying it on a bit thick. I mean, back then he wasn’t entirely on his own with Amy and Milo. The gardener and the housekeeper were there too. And the pets, and the au pair. But he doesn’t trust them an inch when it comes to Amy. Au pairs, I mean, not pets.”
I tried to laugh, and sure enough, it worked a bit.
Grayson came over to me and looked hard at my face. “How long since you had a good night’s sleep?”
I shrugged my shoulders and leaned back on the pillows. Suddenly I was incredibly tired. Tired, exhausted, and overstrained.
He glanced at my alarm clock. “You could get a few hours’ sleep now—I’ll tell everyone to be quiet and not wake you. You don’t have to worry about Mia. I looked in on her not long ago, and she’s sleeping peacefully in her bed.”
I couldn’t help smiling. “I left a few security precautions in place outside her dream door, just to be on the safe side. Maybe you should do the same with your door.”
“You think so?” He had already turned to go, but then he turned back and looked suspiciously at me. “Who’d be interested in my dreams? I’m not involved in any of this. And I very much hope you’re not thinking of taking advantage of my trust and visiting me in my dreams.”
“Never! Except in an emergency,” I assured him, and quickly switched off the bedside lamp. It was easier to go on talking in the dark. “Grayson?”
“Yes?”
“Thanks. Sometimes I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Hesitantly, I added, “And I’m sorry. I mean, sorry you aren’t getting enough sleep because of me. That you feel you have to worry about me. And that we destroyed that horrible bush.”
I heard Grayson sigh. “That’s all right.”
“No, it isn’t. You really are the best, nicest”—and best-looking!—“big brother anyone could wish for.”
He laughed quietly. “And you’re the most annoying … and blotchiest little sister I’ve ever had. Sleep well, Liv. Everything will look better in the morning.”
TITTLE-TATTLE BLOG
The Frognal Academy Tittle-Tattle Blog, with all the latest gossip, the best rumors, and the hottest scandals from our school.
ABOUT ME:
My name is Secrecy—I’m right here among you, and I know all your secrets.
13 January
So there was I thinking that without Jasper to call the referee animal names, start fights, or strip off his jersey in the middle of a game, watching the Frognal Flames would be boring, but guess what? I was dead wrong. Okay, so it might have been better if we’d won, but apart from that I can’t complain. It was a great show.
And am I ever glad not to be a boy—all that testosterone can’t be much fun. Seems like it’s even more unpredictable than PMS. Arthur has just set a new record. With two obvious fouls just eight minutes into the game, wow, Gabriel didn’t really have to call the ref a blind, beer-bellied sad sack. And as for Henry—terrific to see the elegance with which he missed the basket on all of his free throws, without reacting at all.
A word in the ear of Eric Sarstedt: We like you fine, we really do, and you’re trying hard to stand in for Jasper. But never mind that, just keep your jersey on, okay? If we want to see hairy backs, we can simply go to the zoo.
After the game, Grayson, as captain of our team and deputy chief editor of reflexx magazine, gave his co-editor and girlfriend, Emily Clark, an interview. I’m glad to say we can let you read it—an exclusive, just for you.
Emily: “I need a statement for reflexx. A word or so explaining why you lost. The extra practice doesn’t seem to have done your team much good.”
Grayson: “They just need a good night’s sleep. Right, I’m off.”
Emily: “Do I put that in?”
Grayson: “No, of course not. We’ll do it later, okay? I have to join the others.”
Emily: “Later’s no good. You know our deadline. Just a sentence.”
Grayson: “My God, Emily, think something up yourself.”
Emily: “Grayson Spencer is disappointed in his team members. Their adolescent behavior has foiled his best efforts yet again. One really wonders why he invests so much time and energy in this silly sport and his team, when he could be concentrating on more important things in his last year at school.”