The Doll's House

58

‘So how was your day?’

The words sounded so alien, but she forced them out, all the while maintaining her broad smile.

‘It was fine, thanks.’

‘Were you working? Do you work?’

‘You know I work, Summer.’

His knowing reply rattled her, but she was not going to be weak. Not today.

‘What do you do?’

He looked at her and smiled.

‘You look pretty tonight,’ he eventually said.

‘Thank you. I… I wanted to make an effort.’

‘It shows.’

Ruby hesitated, looked at her lap, then lifting her gaze to his, carried on:

‘I also wanted to say sorry. For being unkind. I didn’t mean it.’

He was watching her, as if unsure whether to believe her or not.

‘I want us to be friends.’

He looked at her, but still said nothing. Not a smile, not a rebuke, nothing.

‘I get lonely down here, so if we could spend more time together, then…’

‘That’s all I want, Summer. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.’

The fervency in his voice took her by surprise. She tried to speak but fear was creeping up on her again now, robbing her of the power of speech.

‘It’s a clean slate for both of us, then,’ he went on. ‘So why don’t we spend the evening together? I’ll cook for us.’

He looked straight at her. He had a fire in his eyes that she hadn’t seen before.

‘It’ll be just like old times.’