âThereâs the drive back home, invariably in the dark. Not safe.â
âShe has plenty of space. We could have just stayed over.â
Linda shook her head. âNo. Not allowed. Against the rules.â
âWhat do you mean?â Andrew took off his glasses and frowned at her. âHodgey was always begging us to stay the night. Iâve never understoodââ
Linda drummed her fingers on her knees.âItâs just a thing, okay? An agreement.â
Andrewâs furrows deepened. âBetween you and Hodge?â
âBetween Peter and I. We sibling-swore.â
ââSibling-sworeâ? What are you two? Twelve?â
Linda stopped drumming. âWe were sixteen, if you must know.â
Andrew laughed. âWhy? Is the house haunted?â
âIn a way.â
He stopped laughing, perhaps remembering that Linda had lost her parents when she was sixteen. âIn a way?â
âBad things happen. If you stay over.â