Page 21 - The Mermaid Call

This Alice, she had a definite, determined tone to her voice – the sort that spurs you to take action, immediately.
“Erm, maybe when I finish at the shop later? I can even do you a mermaid tour if you like?” I coughed to clear the over-eagerness from my voice.
“And do you believe there might actually be a mermaid, in the lake?”
I paused again. Fighting a little with myself, like that game, truth or dare – which is the safer option to choose?
Her deep-sea eyes were moving over mine like a hypnotist now.
I danced my neck oddly, swallowing past the lump in my throat that reminded me for the millioneth time: Mum didn’t think I was good enough.
My answer came out, croaky, but clear: “I suppose – maybe I do.”