My Ice Prince - стр. 62

– It wasn't raining when I drove in» I explained, and slipped under her umbrella. – But I hope you'll keep me warm. I like my nail polish, and I painted my nails especially for you!

– Red nail polish? – grinned her sister. – Well, you've surprised me. Shall we go?

But it seemed to me that she didn't want to smile at all: she must have been in a bad mood, but I didn't care, for I was terribly glad to see Mariszka.

We walked around the town, and my sister asked me about my studies, what I was doing, how I was spending my time, who I was talking to, and I told her all the same things I had told my mother. I knew that if Mariszka found out that I was living with Mary, she would get angry or, worse, teach me about life, so, according to the official version, I lived in seclusion, did not communicate with anyone, but watched people and their behaviour. And when my sister asked me, «Have you met Frederik Haraldson» I said, «No. Not once.»

– How is Markus? – I asked, because I knew everything about Mariszka, but almost nothing about her husband.

– 'He's fine,' Mariszka replied briefly.

'Is that all she can say? «It's fine?» – I was surprised at such secrecy.

– 'And Cedric?

– 'He's gone to Russia. And please don't mention him to Markus» she said. Her face became stern and aloof.

– Gone? But you said he had to study at Charles University! – I was astonished at the news: Cédric had dropped out and left?

– Yes, but he changed his mind. Did you hear me? Don't talk about him in front of my husband! Markus is suffering a lot because of his brother's absence. – Mariska's voice was still harsh, but the aloofness on her face was replaced by resentment.

– Since you ask, I won't. It's just weird: Cedric seemed so fixed to me. – I shrugged.

– Fixed! – A mocking smile appeared on my sister's lips. – Okay, let's not talk about that.

– Good.

Mariszka's behaviour discouraged me. I was confused: What had happened to Cedric, or what had he done to make my sister so angry at the mention of him?

We walked on in silence. I didn't know how to break our silence, so I just stared around me. I was embarrassed to be walking next to my favourite sister, but I felt bad and ashamed that my words had led to two close blood relatives with nothing to talk about.

– What about Maria? Did she call you? – Mariszka suddenly broke our silence.

I was glad that she at least asked about something, and that now I could chat carelessly, just to avoid listening to our grave silence.

– Yes, recently. She's in Ottawa now, part-time photographer. Do you know who she's been shooting recently? Some celebrity! Can you believe it? – I tried to say it cheerfully, but all I got was a hysterical squeal.

– Who was it? – My sister asked, pulling a big touchscreen phone out of her purse.

– I don't know who exactly, but I'm sure she's very famous… In Canada» I replied, glancing at what she was doing.

Mariszka started fiddling with her phone, and I turned my head away, pretending like I didn't care that she preferred her big brick phone to talking to her sister.

– How do you fit it in your bag? – I muttered to myself.

– It's very useful, by the way» Mariszka said, and put the phone back in her bag. – Sorry, that was Markus: he texted that he was waiting for us at the restaurant. Let's go to him.