“Have any special plans for the weekend?”

Julia shrugged. “Nothing special, no. I have training tomorrow morning and I’ll probably go for a hike with Dad on Sunday.” She leaned down on the counter. “And you?”

“Apart from work tomorrow, no plans as of now. Sad, of course, for a Friday evening.”

“Alex Ryan has no plans for the weekend?”

“Shocking, I know.” We smiled at each other for a long moment before she blinked and I glanced away, discomforted by the intensity of her stare. “The uh—the movie. Did you enjoy it?”

“Of course I did.” She fished around in her backpack before pulling the cover out and handed it to me.

“Your Mam drop you down today?”

“No, actually. I decided I’d walk. It’s a nice day out, isn’t it?”

“Not in a rush today then, no?”

Julia’s eyes flickered down and when she looked back up at me, I could see that she was struggling to hide a grin. She fidgeted with the end of her sleeves. “I guess not.”

“Well, actually—I’m finished my shift in a little while. I get off earlier on a Friday and if you’re not—busy or whatever—maybe I could walk back with you? If you want, I mean.”

“That’d be great, Alex.” She paused. “I like having company when I’m walking.”

“So do I. I mean—not all the time. But you know. When the company’s good.”

As it turned out Julia lived not too far from me, closer to the city than to Halford. The walk to her house wasn’t too long but we strolled casually and amiably, neither of us in any particular hurry.

“So, what’s it like then, working a summer job? Do you like it?” she asked me, smiling again from behind those curious blue eyes. I shrugged.

“It’s not just a summer job actually—I’ve worked there since last June all through school. I do quite enjoy it when it’s not busy and everyone I work with is sound enough. The only annoying customers we get are the occasional spoiled kids. It’s nice having money that I can spend without feeling guilty I’m taking it from my mam. And it’s nice, too, to know that I’m saving up.”

“Saving up for anything in particular?”

“Not really. I’ve no idea what to do after school. I think I’ll probably move, though. To London, maybe.”

“My dad works in the Civil Service and he’s adamant I follow him. But I think I’d like to do psychology.”

“Psychology would be interesting.”

“I like to think so. I’m good at reading people, I think.”

“What about me? Can you read me?”

“Oh, you’re an open book. You’re easy to read.” We strolled together in step, and she threw a half-smirk in my direction. “Wanna know what I think, Alex?”

“Oh, I’m sure I’d love to.”

“I think I was right last time we met. About Connie O’Reilly. I’ve heard the rumors, you know.”

“And what rumors are they?”

“You know the ones.”

“I’m not sure I do.”