Read Online Deity by Steven Dunne - Free Book Online

sadly at the others. Poor Rusty. Nobody knew. Eighteenthbirthdays were a big deal in a life so short of landmarks. They were an excuse for wild partying and drunken revelry with friends, extravagant presents from parents and maybe even a cruise round Derby, hanging from a Stretch. Assuming you had friends, of course. He looked at Rusty and realised he knew very little about him.
    Suddenly Rusty looked up into his eyes. ‘What’s a MILF?’ The others darted their eyes around the table in panic. ‘That is what Wilson called my mum, isn’t it?’
    It was difficult for the others to keep a straight face in the ensuing silence. Fortunately the writer among them came to the rescue. ‘It stands for Mums I Like Fine,’ said Adele, with a quick glance at Fern to discourage giggling.
    ‘That’s right,’ agreed Becky. ‘And Wilson’s such a good judge of personality.’ She stared at the top of Rusty’s head, then open-mouthed at Fern and Adele.
Was this guy for real?
Social skills zero, street patter zero. She sneaked a glance at Fern, who was starting to snigger, and Adele who was mouthing at her to stop.
    Rusty looked up again and smiled. ‘Funny, I had Wilson down as a bit of a knobhead but he’s right. Mum’s the best. It’s been very difficult for her, having to move again.’ He looked away again, embarrassed, and no one pressed him to finish. They’d all heard the rumours of bullying.
    ‘It’s
my
eighteenth tomorrow,’ said Kyle, changing the subject. He looked round at his fellow students with an apologetic smile. This time even Fern was on message and looked intently at her drink. ‘Don’t worry,’ he continued. ‘You don’t need to waste your weekend on me. I’m not having a party either. Things are tight at the moment. There’s just me and Mum. Daddy Warbucks offered to pay but Mumdoesn’t . . .’ Kyle’s voice became more halting and he began to wish he’d said nothing. ‘Well,’ he finished tamely.
    ‘I couldn’t come anyway,’ said Fern, trying to hide her relief. ‘My parents are taking me Bournemouth for the weekend. Lame or what?’
    Adele laid a hand across Kyle’s and fixed him in her gaze. ‘You should celebrate.’
    Kyle looked at her with his doleful eyes. ‘Should I?’ He emitted a half-laugh. ‘I don’t think so.’
    ‘Well, I think so. You only get one eighteenth. And on a Friday too.’ She smiled but felt a stab of pain. Friday was always her special night with Adam. The first time they’d made love was on a Friday, last summer at his cottage.
    ‘He doesn’t have to celebrate if he doesn’t want to,’ said Becky.
    ‘Celebration implies happiness,’ said Rusty almost to himself.
    ‘Rusty’s right. There’ll be other times,’ said Kyle. ‘When I’ve . . .’ He hesitated, then smiled sadly. ‘But thanks, Ade.’
    Adele’s face hardened. ‘Suit yourself,’ she replied. ‘You can sit in the corner fondling your Morrissey posters and feeling sorry for yourself. But I’m coming round at seven with your present and you damn well better be there, Faggot.’
    Kyle’s mouth fell open and there was shock and surprise around the table. Adele raised an eyebrow and glared at Kyle and he glared back. A second later Kyle’s mouth curved into a huge grin as Adele started to chuckle. ‘You saucy bitch,’ he screamed at her in his campest voice. ‘You’re so un-PC, girlfriend.’
    ‘That’s a date then.’ Adele laughed and everyone joined in. Even Rusty managed a thin smile.
    Kylelooked around the table. ‘And you guys are all invited.’
    ‘Going Bournemouth,’ repeated Fern.
    Becky looked at her sternly. ‘Yeah, leave me dangling, ho – that’s dread.’ She turned reluctantly to face Kyle. ‘I normally wouldn’t waste a Friday on you, Faggot, I want that understood, but if Fern’s dumping me then I’m sure I can find an hour for you – as long as we’re not listening to the fucking Smiths all night.’
    Kyle smiled at her. ‘Great. I’ll