Catnip

04 | In Which Caleb Christens a Princess

"You are such a fucking asshole, you know that?"

"Sure, whatever. Now can we please concentrate on the movie?"

To be honest, he doesn't buy Marnie's change of heart for a second. In all the time he's known her, never once has she admitted to her wrongs and attempted to redeem herself. It's just not in her nature. So this sudden apology for something she clearly still believes in? Definitely not something she decided to do off her own accord.

Hm.

The front door opens just as the movie's getting good, startling them both. Weird. Friday nights have always been quiet in the Royle household, with Marnie's parents heading to Salsa classes out of town and Daniel usually doing a disappearing act. It's one of the reasons he's happy for them to hold their weekly movie marathons here rather than at his own home. (The other reason being that Marnie has a badass HD TV.) They both peer out into the hallway, listening in. Shoes brush against the welcome mat. Keys jingle in someone's hand. Then footsteps start up and, seconds later, Daniel appears in the doorway.

"Hey," he wheezes.

"You're home early," Marnie says, frowning. Daniel nods but doesn't comment. His cheeks are red, blond hair dishevelled, like he ran all the way here without pausing to catch a breath. "Everything all right?"

"Yeah. 'Course it is."

"You sure?"

He smiles faintly. "I'm fine. Trust me."

Caleb doesn't trust him, not in the slightest, but he says nothing, just focuses on the film. It's not his problem, not his business to interfere, and he'd be a hypocrite to pester someone into opening up when he himself can't stand people pestering him to open up. (Which begs the question: What the hell is he supposed to do about this Maya situation?)

"Well, anyway," Marnie says, drawing the words out, "Caleb has exciting news!"

He sighs and pauses the movie. "I wouldn't call it exciting –"

"He finally named the kitty!"

"Really?" Daniel's face brightens, and this time he smiles for real. Funny how one mention of a cat can banish all his worries. Weirdo. "So, what did you finally settle on?"

"Cin –"

"Cinderella, dressed in yella," Marnie sings. (Off-key, like always.)

Daniel's eyes narrow. "You didn't, did you?"

"No, of course not!" Caleb says, at the same time Marnie says, "Damn straight he did."

"Yeah . . . I'm gonna trust Caleb on this one."

"What? You're taking Caleb's word over mine now?"

"No offence, but you're not exactly reliable, Mar."

"Traitor! You're supposed to trust me no matter what. I'm your older sister, remember, kid?"

"By seven minutes."

"Makes all the difference, Danny Boy," Marnie says, bouncing to her feet as Daniel sits on the opposite couch. "I'm getting something to drink. Want anything?"

Both boys shake their heads. She flits into the kitchen, leaving them to sit in silence. Caleb presses play on the movie before it gets too awkward, and Daniel turns his gaze to the TV screen, fingers tapping at the armchair of the couch. It's annoyingly loud in the otherwise quiet room, has him itching to speak up or walk away or just do something to block it out.

"It's Cinder, by the way," he blurts out as way of making conversation.

Daniel's hand stills. "Hm?"