The Shadow House(36)

‘I said, that’s evil, didn’t I, Frank? There’s no two ways about it, that’s the devil’s work.’

Frank stood by the window with his arms behind his back, nodding along with his wife.

To Renee’s horror, Bess too began to nod. Yes. Yes. The devil, oh yes.

And Renee just stood there in the doorway watching it all unfold, thinking, This? This is my son’s sixteenth birthday party?

Oblivious, April leaned closer to Bess. ‘Did I tell you I found a Christmas angel hanging above the door when I arrived? Hung from a noose, it was. And just look at that picture.’ She nodded at the photograph in Bess’s hands. ‘I mean, the message couldn’t be clearer, could it? The angel Gabriel. I’m telling you now, that boy is in danger. His soul is in trouble, Bess, I can just feel it.’

‘Mum.’

‘Yes, dear?’

Renee jerked her head in the direction of the hall. ‘A word, please?’

‘I was only expressing an opinion,’ April said once they were out of earshot.

‘Well, don’t,’ Renee whispered. ‘Please, not today.’

‘Fine, fine.’ She spread her hands in a show of innocence. ‘I’m just saying, the devil has claws. I’d hate for him to sink them into my grandson.’


‘So, where’s the man himself?’ said Dom, as Renee refreshed everyone’s drinks. ‘Sixteen is a big deal. Seems like only yesterday he was five years old.’

Renee smiled. ‘Time flies, hey?’

‘I can’t wait to see the little legend.’

‘Don’t get your hopes up, mate,’ Michael muttered, now on his third beer. ‘Kid spends more time in that room than the Pope spends in the Vatican. Haven’t seen him since 2006. Forgotten what he looks like.’

‘He won’t be long,’ said Renee. ‘He’s still getting dressed.’

‘What has he got in there,’ Michael said, ‘a team of stylists?’ Slamming his bottle on the table, he stalked to the bathroom.

‘Everything alright, Ren?’ Dom said, careful to keep his voice down. ‘Something going on with Gabe?’

‘Everything’s fine,’ she said, heading back to the kitchen.

Dom followed. ‘Renee?’

At the stove, she picked up the oven mitt then put it back down again, her eyes stinging with rising tears. ‘Honestly, Dom. Michael’s right – I’ve tried everything, but Gabe won’t leave that room. It’s all I can do to get him to go to school. I’m so worried about him.’

Dom patted her on the back. ‘Mind if I try?’

Renee pressed her fingers to her eyes. ‘Be my guest.’


Ten minutes later, lunch was on the table. April showed Bess to her seat while Frank poured himself a Scotch. Michael claimed his usual chair at the head of the table, picking off a fat chunk of lamb from the pot with his fingers and passing it to Ebony before anyone else had been served. Renee handed out napkins and poured more wine, trying not to look at her son’s empty chair—

‘Well, look who decided to put in an appearance,’ said Michael in an odd tone of voice.

Startled, Renee followed his gaze. ‘Oh,’ she gasped, and nearly dropped her glass.

Gabe was hovering in the doorway with Dom at his side, wearing a navy blue collared shirt and smart black jeans; he’d even brushed his hair. Renee couldn’t believe it. By some miracle, Dom had succeeded in persuading her son from his room.

‘Oh, darling!’ She rushed to him, her heart bursting, and wrapped him up in a hug. ‘Happy birthday! Oh, you look so handsome. Here, come and sit down, I’ve made your favourite. Lamb shanks with mashed potato.’

Ushering Gabriel to his seat, she looked back over her shoulder at Dom. Thank you, she mouthed. Hanging back near the door with his hands in his pockets, Dom smiled and shrugged. No big deal.

Renee beamed. She fussed around Gabriel, piling food onto his plate and fetching his gifts while April and Frank fired a rapid round of questions as if pressed for time: how are you, how’s school, are you still drawing, who are your friends these days?

At the end of the table, though, Michael looked thunderous. ‘How was the journey from your bedroom to the table, your Highness?’ he sneered. ‘Not too stressful, I hope?’

‘Give him a break, mate,’ muttered Dom, taking a seat at the table.

A vein throbbed in Michael’s forehead. ‘A break?’ He stabbed a piece of lamb with his fork. ‘I’m the one who needs a fucking break.’

‘Michael,’ Renee warned.

‘What? I work myself to the bone every goddamn day and no one says shit; this one sits down to eat and gets a round of applause. It’s outrageous.’

There was an awful silence. Gabriel seemed to shrink in his chair, folding over as if winded.

‘Give it a rest, Mike.’ Dom was still, his voice dangerously low, his lips white. ‘It’s the kid’s birthday.’

Michael and Dom stared at each other for what felt like a long time.

‘You know what?’ Michael said at last. ‘I just remembered. I already ate.’ He pushed back his chair and stood up. ‘Happy bloody birthday, mate.’ Striding to the back door, he pushed it open and disappeared outside.