Bad News

Part 23

Chapter Thirty

Lincoln spent the next week working hard on his coursework.  Sam sat with him every night and at first helped him organise what needed to be done.  After that, he would just get on with some work whilst Lincoln did his.  Mr Cassidy was happy to reduce Lincoln's working hours whilst he caught up.  Abbie, Kat and Connor helped him with any queries or resources he was missing.  Although, he didn't mention it to anyone, he was actually quite enjoying it.  It felt good to work on something and then finish it.  Although he didn't like to admit it, he was also enjoying Sam's company.  They were chatting while they sat and Lincoln began to feel more relaxed in his presence.

Saturday lunchtime and Lincoln was getting cabin fever.  He sat back from his books and stretched.  He was texting Abbie when Connor came in with a football in his hand. 

"Hey" he said to Lincoln.

"Hey"

The atmosphere between them wasn't as frosty as it had been.  Keeping up his level of anger had been too tiring.  Connor had been good enough to lend him his notes so that he could do the work and was still trying to make it up.

Connor tied up his shoelaces.  He paused for a second at the door.

"You want to kick about for a bit?" he asked tentatively.

Lincoln tensed.  He still didn't want to let Connor off the hook.

"Nah, I have to study" said Lincoln quickly.

Connor's head dropped.

"Ok sure" he said as he headed out into the garden.

Lincoln watched his brother for a moment as he kicked the ball against the wall by himself.  He threw his pen down and pulled his jumper on.

Connor looked up as he stepped out into the garden.

"I could do with a break" said Lincoln, "Pass it here."

Debs went to the sink and began washing up her coffee mug.  She looked outside and smiled.

"Sam" she called, "Come here a sec."

Sam came in from the lounge with the paper in his hand.  He saw the empty chair.

"Lincoln" he called.

"Shush and come here" said Debs.

"He should be working" said Sam as he came over to see what Debs was looking at in the garden.

"Oh" he said as he saw his two sons kicking the ball back and forth between them.  It was the first time he had seen Lincoln spend any time with Connor without being forced.