Read Online The Anxiety of Kalix the Werewolf by Martin Millar - Free Book Online Page A

the row, she thought that the white-haired werewolf might just have sunk a little further down in her seat, trapped as she was with the twins, in a public place, while they made an exhibition of themselves.
    â€œShove over, Daniel,” said Vex. “Stop hogging the armrest.”
    â€œI’m not hogging the armrest!” protested Daniel. “I was here first.”
    â€œMoonglow, Daniel’s hogging the armrest!”
    â€œNo, I’m not!”
    Daniel was in no mood to give in to Vex. He’d already had to struggle with her to ensure that he sat next to Moonglow. For a few moments Daniel’s plans had hung in the balance, but he’d finally managed to maneuver Moonglow to the outside of their group, with him next in line. He could easily put his arm around her without anyone else noticing.
    Vex stared at the figures on screen. “Is this the Runaways?” she asked, loudly.
    â€œOf course it’s not the Runaways, it’s an advert for potato chips!” said Kalix.
    â€œOh . . . will the Runaways be here soon?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWill they be in the next advert?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œDon’t they get to be in any adverts?” asked Vex.
    â€œWhy would they be in the adverts?”
    â€œTo advertise their film? Can’t they do that?”
    â€œThe Runaways won’t be in any adverts!” said Kalix, and started to feel cross. “They’re only in the film. Stop being stupid.”
    Vex turned to Daniel. “They should have the Runaways advertising these potato chips. It would definitely make me want to buy them.”
    There were a few seconds of silence. Vex leaned over Kalix toward the twins.
    â€œDid anyone buy any potato chips? Now I really want some.”
    There were a few dissatisfied mutterings from elsewhere in the cinema as other visitors started to regret being at the same showing as such a noisy party.
    â€œWill everyone keep quiet!” hissed Moonglow.
    â€œSorry!” shouted Vex.
    â€œI’ve dropped my popcorn again,” wailed Beauty.
    Moonglow and Dominil shrank in their seats and hoped, rather desperately, that things might calm down when the film started. As the adverts and previews came to an end, Kalix suddenly felt very excited at the prospect of watching the film about her favorite band. She focused on the screen, ignoring everything around her. Vex and the twins finally fell silent. Daniel inched closer to Moonglow. He felt the warmth of their arms touching.
    I’m sure Moonglow’s deliberately leaning on me, he thought. This is going to be perfect. First I’ll put my arm around her and then I’m going to kiss her.

CHAPTER 11
    â€œI’ve never been lucky in romance,” admitted Thrix. “I got off to a bad start. The first disaster happened when I was nine years old.”
    The Fire Queen leaned forward eagerly. “Really? Tell me all about it.”
    â€œI had a crush on Bobby MacPhee. He sat next to me in class. He had spiky black hair. I was fascinated by it. And he gave me sweets at playtime.”
    Malveria nodded sagely. “A young Lothario, with his fascinating hair and generous ways. I can see the attraction.”
    â€œHe was a popular werewolf,” agreed Thrix. “All the girls at the castle liked him. But I had an advantage, sitting next to him in class. He asked if I’d like to meet up some time.”
    â€œFor a date?”
    â€œWell, sort of. A nine-year-old date.”
    â€œExcellent,” said Malveria. “The other girls at the castle must have bristled with anger. What happened?”
    â€œOne evening when the full moon was out, Bobby shouted up at my window, asking if I wanted to come out. Which I did, obviously. For a play fight.”
    The Fire Queen was surprised. “A fight? Surely an odd choice for your first date? Was there no restaurant nearby?”
    â€œWell, when werewolf children go out as werewolves,