Strange Noises Fiction by Rachel Greenham

Jeoda wakes up in the evening. The sun sets and the city cools and expands and comes alive. I watch from my bedroom window as the lamps come on one by one; red, blue, purple, green, pink. The sky is darkening blue, striated with pink clouds at high altitude.

The door behind me opens. “Sure you don’t want to come?” Sam asks.

“No, I’m fine babysitting.” I was never one for going out pubbing or clubbing or whatever before, and that hasn’t really changed when I’m not being paid to play music, which I haven’t been since Denhall.

“Jalsone can do that.”

“I know. I want to.” I turn around and stop. “Are you wearing make-up?”

“Wasn’t my idea! They ganged up on me!”

“Yeah, right.”

“It’s true. Chirasel said she wasn’t going to dance with me if I didn’t, and then Beni joined in and—”

“Yeah yeah.” I mime a talking sock-puppet with my hand. “It’s about time. You look lovely. Go on.” Actually what I don’t say is that it’s a weird combination having the make-up with the black leather leggings and the oversize white tunic and the black waistcoat-type thing and all the jewellery…

Sam grins. “’Suti’s got the baby. Little ones are playing in the hall. I said you’d tell them a new story after supper.”

“You said what?”

Sam grins again and makes her escape.

“Why’d you even ask if I wanted to go with you then?” I yell after her belatedly. “Bitch.”