The Boy with the Blind Eyes

THIRTY

The next morning, Tamsin and Brett went downstairs together for breakfast. Lina's bed was already empty so they'd assumed Eliza had left. They didn't blame her for not leaving a thank-you note behind—the poor girl was in such a state of shock. Tamsin was worried about her.

Brett pulled out Tamsin's chair for her and together they sat down by the window, enjoying the view of the garden by their side. Except the sight of all the trees got Tamsin thinking about the woods, and Rachel's dead body inside it.

She shuddered. 'I just can't believe that we knew her.'

He reached for her hands across the table, grazing his lips against her knuckles. 'I didn't. I'm glad. It would be too...confronting. You weren't close with her, were you?'

'Not close, no. Associative, yes.'

He grimaced. 'Well, I'm sorry. It can't be easy on you.'

'It's not hard on me. It's just...it's all such a shock. I really can't believe it, Brett. I can't.'

He smiled at her sadly. 'How about I go and get us some breakfast? You want some toast?'

She nodded, grateful that he'd offered to go. 'Thank you.'

As soon as he left, Eliza appeared, all out of breath and out of the blue. She'd startled Tamsin, who was staring sombrely out the window, when she sat down in Brett's empty chair. Tamsin gasped, sucking in a sharp breath. 'Jeez! Eliza. You scared me!'

Eliza's face was free of makeup, her usually perfectly curled hair was hanging limply by her sides, and she was dressed in baggy grey clothes. But her eyes still sparkled that same electric blue they always had. They seemed to contradict the rest of her appearance. 'Hi, Tamsin,' she rasped. 'I'm sorry I left before you woke. I just kind of wanted to be alone, you know.' She blinked a single tear away and it slid gradually down her pale cheek.

Tamsin patted her hand comfortingly. 'It's alright. I understand.' She cleared her throat nervously and asked, 'So, um, how are you doing?'

'How am I doing?' Eliza echoed sharply. She scoffed, her eyes narrowing. 'You're kidding, right? You're wondering how I'm holding up after my best friend died? Are you joking?' She shook her head.

'I'm sorry. It was a stupid question. I'm just worried about you, okay?'

'No,' she said, her lip curling. 'Don't worry for me. I'm fine.' She rose abruptly and stormed off. Tamsin sighed and didn't go after her. She was having a hard time. It was understandable. She shouldn't have asked such an obvious, invasive question, knowing that the only feeling Eliza would have was grief.

Brett came back with the toast, chewing a mouthful as he said, 'Where'd she go in such a huff?'

Tamsin gave him a look. 'I asked her if she was okay and she totally blew up at me.'

'Makes sense,' he shrugged. 'You know her best friend did just— '

'Die, I know,' Tamsin snapped rudely. 'Her best friend just died.' She sighed, shoulders slumping exhaustedly. 'Look, I'm sorry. I just guess I don't want the reminders.'

'Hey, I get it. Nobody does. It's going to be a tough day on a lot of people.'

'And Lina's coming back today,' Tamsin scrunched her nose up. 'I don't want you to leave my dorm.' She hated how whiny she sounded, but couldn't help the sadness growing inside her. They'd connected a lot more and now he'd have to leave all over again. She would miss the night-talk. She would miss the closeness, the gentle sleep-talk he'd occasionally have.

'Me neither.' Brett sighed gently, his thumb stroking the tips of her knuckles lovingly. 'I'm going to miss having someone to wrap my arms around.'