He told Narnie and Tate his plan. Sitting in that tree, he told them he was going to build a house and that he needed their help. For a long time Narnie didnt say anything. She just curled up around the branch, staring into the valley below. She told him that from this angle the treetops looked like cauliflower and she had once heard them beckon her to jump, promising her that if she did, theyd bounce her back in the air again. Some days, like today, he was petrified shed listen to them.
So he made them both stand on the branch, tightly holding their hands.
Dont worry. Ill never let go.
What can you see? Narnie asked.
Nothing.
Know what I can see? Tate said. From this distance everything is so bloody perfect.
Chapter 7
The next afternoon I walk to Clarence House to find Ben. With hands shaking, I knock on the door and wait. The kid who answers looks at me nervously and I wonder why, until I remember how often Id come across the UC leader in the past. Rarely. They didnt do house calls. Even within their own Houses they became deified. The kid doesnt move, still staring at me, and thankfully Ben appears and puts his hand on the kids shoulder.
Go back to study, he tells him. Ill be in soon.
Ben doesnt say anything to me, but his look says, And?
So what did you tell your House co-ordinator, I ask, pointing to his face, about that.
That Ive taken up football.
I nod. Naturally. You look like a footballer.
He was very grateful for the lie. Means he doesnt have to investigate.
We look at each other for a moment and for once I feel awkward. Its not that Im not into humility; Ive just never had to practise it.
You want me to come out there with you?
Yes I do, I say honestly, realising there is no point beating around the bush.
Year eight have assignments due tomorrow, he says, pointing behind him. Its not really a good time.
You do homework with them?
Im their House leader.
My House leaders never did homework with us. Hannah did.
And my House leaders used to flush our heads down the toilet. Consequently Im going for a more pastoral approach.
Consequently? I would have used naturally.
Youve already used it. Anyway, as a consequence of how I was treated I have chosen to act in the exact opposite way, so Im sticking by consequently.
If I send Raffaela over to help these kids, then will you come?
Raffaelas probably sitting there helping your year eights.
Naturally.
More silence. Humility now has to give way to begging.
Ben, my first seven days on this job are over and I have nothing to show for it. In the past, our leaders have always made contact with the Cadets and succeeded in at least re-establishing boundaries. I dont even know what to say to these guys. Im admitting that to you, and I dont know why Im admitting it to you.
Because you have no respect for me and you dont care whether I think youre weak or not.
I resign myself to the fact that Im down to one ally: Raffaela. But Raffaela isnt a House leader, shes my second-in-charge, and theres no way she can save me from defeat at the hands of Richard and his five signatures.
Fine, I say, turning away. I make it to the bottom stair and turn to find him still there at the door. And for your own information, I dont know whether I have respect for you. But I chose you over Richard and the others because I trust you. Thats my motive and at this moment, trust is beating anything else in my life and if its not good enough for you then I dont know what to say. I begin walking.
Whats in it for me? he calls out.
Nothing, I call back to him. Im not even going to pretend there is.
He catches up with me. No.
Thats what you have to say to them when you negotiate. I always used to hear the leader say it. Whats in it for me?
He keeps on walking farther away from his House and I experience a sense of relief when we reach the clearing and hes still with me. My stomach begins to twitch and I realise Im nervous about the prospect of the Cadets.
We could be lucky, Ben says, sensing my nervousness. They might be carving up a pig theyve just slaughtered for dinner and ripping the flesh off the bones with their teeth as we speak and
as a consequence?
Wont be interested in us lurking around.
Im unconvinced.
Were out there for quite a while, marking the map with all the important checkpoints. For most of the year we dont have to worry about boundaries, but come September the map is our bible. I follow its instructions and I dont realise how close I am to the edge of the ridge until Ben grabs my shirt and pulls me back. But I like being this close. Just one step and those cauliflower trees below could bounce me right back up again.
Ben is staring at me. Are you blind? You almost went over.
Im about to tell him not to be ridiculous when he holds up a hand.
Did you hear that? he whispers.
What?
That?
He looks at me and I open my mouth to say something but he puts two taped fingers to his lips. I think weve crossed the boundary without realising, he continues, whispering.