Part 8 (2/2)

Did you have a good time?' she asked, sitting down on the arm of Othman's chair. He burned with the proximity of her body. She smelled of soap and floral scent.

Yes, it was very interesting,' he said.

Where did you take him, Owen?' she asked.

Owen sat down on the rug at their feet. Just for a walk around,' he said.

Othman detected Owen didn't want his sister to know exactly where they'd been, and wondered if he should pretend he didn't realise this and tell her. Owen's reaction might be interesting. Lily, however, jumped up from her seat before Othman could make a decision.

The food's ready now,' she said. We'll eat in here, shall we?'

The meal was wholesome, if rather sloppy. Lily and Owen kept up an inane chatter the whole time, plates balanced on their knees. When everyone had finished eating, Lily piled up the plates in the hearth, and refilled the wine gla.s.ses. Her cheeks had become slightly flushed. She curled up on the floor by Othman's feet and, twirling her gla.s.s in her hands, said, When are you leaving Little Moor?'

He smiled down at her. Soon,' he said.

Where do you live?'

He shrugged. Actually, I don't really have a home base at present. I prefer travelling around.'

Owen was lying on his stomach in front of them, his chin in his hands. But how do you pay for that? Do you work?'

Othman paused. He did not appreciate the interrogation. Sometimes.'

Lily uttered a squeal. You're rich, aren't you!' She seemed pleased with her deduction.

Othman shrugged again. I've inherited money, yes, but that's no excuse for being lazy.'

Oh,' Lily said, having digested this information. Do you have... a girlfriend, or a wife?'

Othman leaned back in his chair and blinked at the ceiling. No.' He frowned. There was someone, a long time ago, but...' He was unsure of what had made him say that.

Oh.' Lily's voice was soft. Did... did something happen to her?'

Othman glanced down at her. We just split up. These things happen.'

Lily giggled nervously and blushed. Oh yes, of course.' A silence came into the room.

There's no-one,' Othman said, and sat up straight again, with a sigh. He held out his empty gla.s.s to Owen. The boy gave him a studied, calculating look that went on for a few seconds too long before he got up and refilled the gla.s.s.

Lily extended a cautious hand and traced a pattern on one of Othman's boots. You are a very strange man,' she said.

How strange?' he asked.

Well, we don't like people much, but you are different. We like you, don't we, Owen?'

Owen was silent as he handed Othman a filled gla.s.s. He looked as if he wanted to have a discussion about this with his sister before committing himself.

O!' Lily snapped in a warning voice.

You seem all right,' Owen said grudgingly, sitting down on the floor again.

I'm flattered,' Othman replied in an acid tone. Owen flicked a wary glance at him.

Do you like us?' Lily asked him shyly. She did not look up at him, but Othman could see her colour had deepened around the face. Her little ears had gone scarlet. He reached out and put a hand on her shoulder.

I think you know the answer to that,' he said.

Owen jumped up and helped himself to more wine. Othman could almost smell the boy's anxiety. He, more than innocent Lily, sensed the potential simmering in the room. Othman observed Owen's taut back. His reserve must be broken down.

I think you two have many secrets,' Othman said. I want you to know you can trust me. I am intrigued by unusual people. I suppose I'm quite unusual myself. Like calls to like, as they say.'

You think we're like you?' Lily said. She sounded surprised.

Othman reached out to stroke her hair. Absolutely.'

We do have secrets,' Lily admitted, then paused, looking across at her brother. Owen appeared hypnotised by Othman's hand caressing his sister's hair.

Owen and I are very close,' Lily said in slow, earnest voice. We always have been.'

Aha, Othman thought. I should have realised. He got out of his chair and sat down on the rug next to Lily. There was a quivering desire emanating from her, unformed and unchannelled. You mustn't worry about it,' he said. It's perfectly natural.'

Owen sat down again, opposite them. His eyes looked wild, but not altogether with anger. Othman realised, with some satisfaction, that Owen was actually quite drunk, a fact he was attempting to conceal. It is clear to me that you are made for each other,' Othman said, with a smile. He looked directly into Owen's eyes. Please don't be afraid of me. I have no intention of abusing you.' Still maintaining eye contact with Owen, he gently pulled Lily against his side and held out his other arm to Owen. Come to me. Let us embrace as friends. There is nothing to fear.'

Owen did not move.

Please, O!' Lily pleaded.

Reluctantly, Owen came to Othman's other side, but his body was stiff and unyielding as Othman put his free arm around it.

Don't you know that the love of siblings is sacred in some places in the world?' Othman said.

Lily giggled nervously, a sound which tailed off into silence.

Look at me, Lily.' Othman willed her face to turn up to him. He could see she was anxious, uncertain, but recognised within her eyes a hunger for him. I can teach you,' Othman said.

Can you?' Lily's voice was husky.

Othman became aware of Owen's mounting unease on his other side. The boy would have to be attended to first. He nodded at Lily, smiling. Oh, yes. I can teach both of you.' He paused. Owen, look at me.'

Owen's eyes, when he turned his face, were guarded. He had no hunger, particularly, but a certain curiosity. Othman could see ideas and desires swimming unseen beneath the surface of Owen's conscious mind. These would have to be brought out.

Gently, he spoke to the twins, his voice instilling a sense of languor. He conjured images with words, took them on a journey through their minds to a place where the sun shone on the sandy reaches of an infinite beach and waves burned silver against the sh.o.r.e. In this place, anything was possible.

He could feel both of them relaxing against him. The words he spoke gradually changed, until they made no sense at all, just a string of sounds that were compelling and hypnotic.

Owen's head lolled against Othman's shoulder. Sensing the moment had come, Othman gently withdrew his arms from the twins. He steadied Lily with one hand, leaving her kneeling beside him, her head bowed. Then, he turned to Owen.

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