~ 19 ~
Athena VisitsAthena and Cassie pass by Alex on the veranda.
‘That’s your brother?’ Athena asks as the screen door bangs behind them.
‘That’s Alex. I’d introduce you, but why bother?’ Cassie shrugs.
‘He looks like you,’ Athena says.
‘He looks nothing like me.’
They step into the kitchen. Cassie’s mum looks up at them from the kitchen table.
‘Mum, this is Athena. She’s come to teach me to play chess.’
‘Athena! I thought we would never get to meet you.’ She rises and steps forward, her hand held out as if to shake.
‘Mum, you don’t shake hands.’
Athena holds out her hand and they shake.
‘Cassie talks about you all the time.’
‘I do not.’
‘Why don’t you two go into the dining room?’
‘We were going to my room,’ Cassie says.
‘I’ll bring you in some tea. This way.’ Cassie’s mu
