4. Earth and Sky
“Are you a rock star?” asks Natasha, eyeing the tattoos and the rosary around his neck.
“A rock star? Heck no, I’m Captain Cool.” He winks at her.
She melts. “You want another one?”
“I’d love another.”
“Mum made them,” says Zain.
“She did?”
With his shirt off, he’s even more intimidating, like he’s suddenly grown and filled my whole field of vision.
“Uh-huh. We can’t give you the recipe,” Natasha declares solemnly. “But we can make another batch if you want.”
“Oh, I want.” He looks at me as he lets his teeth sink into the last piece. “I have quite an appetite for sweet things.”
Sayfa 32 - lanet olsun, h a r i k a
4. Earth and Sky
“Lunch time, mateys. Let’s see what Aunty Jayne packed for us.”
Gentle waves lap up to the boat as we dig into the basket.
“Ah, there’s a cold beer in here,” he says. “Must be for you, Zain.”
Zain giggles.
“No? You want it, Shayda?”
The kids giggle even louder.
“Mum doesn’t drink, silly,” says Natasha.
“Natasha!” Since when does she act so familiar around strangers?
“It’s okay mum. Troy’s cool,” she replies.
“Yeah, mum. I’m cool.” He pulls the tab.
Sayfa 31 - d ü ş t ü m