"L. Lee Lowe - Mortal Ghost" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lowe L Lee)

'It's been here as long as I can remember, but they're always adding or changing something, especially in the
last few years. Why?'

'Some of the trees are very old.'

'My dad would probably know more about it. He's involved in some city stuff.'

'Friends in high places?' Jesse was a bit ashamed of the mocking note that crept into his voice.

Sarah reached over and feigned flicking something from Jesse's shoulder, though she was careful not to touch
him, not even to come too close.

'What was that about?' he asked.

'Getting rid of the chip.'

'That bad?'

'That bad,' she agreed with a grin.

Nubi was racing round the meadow, chasing a butterfly. The brightly stippled insect darted first left, then
right, then climbed steeply out of reach, then dropped in a nosedive to hover just above Nubi's muzzle, then
swerved again in a sudden feint and sped away to perch upon a bush and flutter her wings like long curled
eyelashes. Nubi came to a halt and gazed at her with adoration, and no little reproach. Why was she taunting
him? There was no need to keep fleeing. He barked once. The butterfly flew off, with him in pursuit.

Sarah leaned back against the bench and closed her eyes. The sun was hot and brought a flush of colour, a
sheen to her face. Jesse thought how vulnerable the tiny beads of sweat above her upper lip made her look. He
had a momentary impulse to wipe them away. He turned his face towards the sound of approaching voices,
more disturbed than he cared to admit.

'Sarah! We thought you were still on holiday.'

A girl and three boys carrying skateboards came up to them. The lads wore gaily coloured, baggy shorts; the
girl, tight striped shorts, very short, and an even skimpier croptop -- she had no qualms about displaying the
goods. A market stall, Jesse thought in disgust. Sarah opened her eyes and sat up a little straighter. Her
bearing altered subtly, though Jesse would be hard put to describe how. She smiled.

'Hi there,' she said in a lazy drawl.

A lot of talk followed, most of it in a code that Jesse couldn't be expected to crack. He was just thinking of
getting up and playing with Nubi when Sarah felt obliged to explain his presence. 'This is Jesse.'

Jesse rose and turned his back on the group. He whistled for Nubi, who came dashing up as if he'd been
training for years. Jesse crouched and rubbed the dog behind his ears.
Chapter 4 30

Sarah got the message. Apologetically -- sort of -- she came over. 'They're going skating. We could join them,
if you like.'