Forget Me Never

didn’t, I said, ‘They were showing us what they’re capable of. We’re going to have to be more careful in future.’
    Reece stared at me. ‘D’you have any idea how monomaniacal you’ve become since we started this?’
    ‘No, because I don’t know what that word means.’
    ‘Obsessive. Only able to think of one thing.’ Reece shoved the pillow to one side and leaned forward, serious and unsmiling. ‘My kid sister just got abducted! And all you can talk about is “Where next?” That half-hour was the worst of my life! I never want to feel that wretched again or to let Mum down like that. This was my fault – because I was helping you!’ He paused. ‘OK, Cherie let Neve go. Next time she might not. Maybe she and the others did kill Danielle somehow. And maybe they’ll do something equally nasty to Neve or Mum or one of us! Do you get that? I reckon it’s time we dropped this whole damn thing!’
    ‘How can you say that?’ I managed to get in. ‘This isn’t about playing detective – this is about the truth . It matters!
    ‘Is the truth worth getting my family hurt for?’
    ‘That was your choice!’ I felt frustration begin to rise. ‘You were the one playing it down, all that macho “I’m not afraid” crap. And this isn’t about your family – it’s about mine!’
    ‘No, it isn’t! You don’t have any family any more, which is why you’re totally unable to understand what being scared for Mum and Neve feels like!’
    That really stung – and he knew it.
    ‘Thanks for reminding me how alone I am.’ My voice sounded funny – surely I wasn’t going to cry? ‘Dani might not be here any more, but that doesn’t mean she’s not important. I’m not giving up.’
    ‘Don’t you care that you’re putting my mum and sister in danger?’
    ‘That’s totally unfair! You’re the one who was putting them in danger!’
    Reece shook his head. ‘Maybe I was. Maybe I was stupid. But I did it because I wanted to impress you! I don’t even know why I bother when it’s glaringly apparent that you don’t give a damn about me. You just wanted someone to help you out, a Watson to your Holmes or something.’
    I looked away. ‘It’s not like that.’
    ‘What is it like then? Tell me, because I’d love to know!’
    I got up, wanting to put some space between us. I couldn’t take this; we’d argued before, but I’d never seen Reece this angry.
    ‘To begin with I just wanted to ask you about the memory stick . . . then I realized I’d missed you. I’d never use anyone. If you think that, you must have a pretty low opinion of me. And even if you don’t want to help me any more . . .’ I stopped; it was really hard to find the words. I was terrible at telling people what they meant to me – life was easier when I pretended I didn’t care. ‘I don’t want to fall out again, Reece . . . I really like having you around.’
    Reece slid off the bed and stood up, brushing down his jeans. For the first time I could remember, he looked awkward.
    ‘It’s difficult to tell with you,’ he said quietly. ‘Some days you make me mad because you’re so prickly and hard-hearted, and then other days I remember the moments you’ve let your guard down, and . . .’
    ‘And what?’
    He looked at me. I looked at him.
    ‘This has messed with my head too long,’ Reece said in a funny kind of voice. He actually sounded vulnerable. ‘Oh God, I think I’m going to tell you.’
    ‘Tell me what?’
    ‘Sophie . . .’ He took a deep breath. ‘Have you taken a look at yourself recently? I mean . . . you’re looking really good.’
    I blinked. Now I was really confused. ‘What?’
    Reece shifted from one foot to the other, looking even more awkward. He stuck his hands in his pockets. ‘Well, you’re a girl. And I’m a guy. And, um, I like you.’
    ‘ Like me?’ It leaped out of my mouth before I could even think.
    Reece’s cheeks were scarlet. ‘Christ, Soph, you must have had some idea! Yeah, I like you. I’ve liked you for ages.’
    I stared at him. I really ought to have realized this sooner – we’d been teased about it enough over the years, but we’d always laughed it off. The idea of someone as brash as Reece admitting to fancying someone, let alone me . . . it was so out of character.
    Reece turned his head away. ‘Guessing from that reaction that you’re not exactly overjoyed.’
    ‘I don’t know what I think.’ But even as I said the words I knew that I really