Читать книгу The Valley at the Centre of the World - Malachy Tallack - Страница 14

SATURDAY,

13^TH FEBRUARY

‘Come on, Jamie. Let’s get oot o the hoose for a bit.’

‘It’s raining!’

‘No really. And onyway, du’s got dy coat. Let’s just get some fresh air. Just for ten minutes or so. Come on!’

Jamie looked up from the sofa and scowled at Terry, then looked back at his phone. ‘The wifi here is shit.’

‘Aye, du’s right, it is. And dat’s a good reason no to sit aroond aa day looking at a screen. It’s no going to get ony faster.’

Jamie huffed, then raised himself to his feet, as though the effort required were a chore for which he could scarcely muster the energy.

‘Where are we going?’

‘Just to the beach, okay? Just for a look. We winna be lang, I promise.’

Terry didn’t really want to go to the beach any more than Jamie, but he needed to do something. His head was fogged and throbbing, and a few minutes outside might just relieve the pressure. The walls felt too close in the house, too solid. The waves would clear things up, wash away the hangover.

Louise, his wife, had dropped their son off first thing this morning, an hour earlier than he’d expected – though that was his fault rather than hers. He had been awake, but only just. Jamie had hardly said a word so far. He had lain out on the sofa with his phone. Facebook, texting, playing games. Terry wasn’t sure exactly what. Going out might do both of them some good. It might improve the day.