play it cool [L.S]

chapter thirty

lie.

harry shook his head 'yes' but the woman didn't buy it "mummy" the six year old tugged on her sleeve "i don't think he knows how to talk"

"lindsey, don't" she hushed the child, turning back to harry "i'm sorry, she just says everything she thinks" there was a slight tone of concern in the woman's voice. harry didn't really make eye contact, he more observed the mother's features.

she had brown hair with some grey strands standing out, her eyes were hazel with a hint of green, some faded freckles were scattered across her face. her daughter, lindsey, was a carbon copy of her just more prominent freckles and big dimples.

"do you need water or anything?" harry shook his head at the question, staring down at lindsey's shoes. they were pink and blue rain boots with glitter scattered through out. harry remember's gemma having the same pair when they were younger "because i have no problem getting you something to eat or drink"

harry didn't know whether to cry or not, he didn't expect some stranger to offer him help "know what, we aren't to far from our house. why don't you come for lunch. get warmed up" reluctantly harry agreed by slowly getting up of of the bench.

"you alright to walk?" the mother asked, her hazel eyes looking a little concerned for harry. he nodded once more "my name's melanie by the way"

melanie.

"mummy, can we make cookies when we get home? pleaseeee" lindsey asked, skipping around in some puddles as they turned down a road that led to a bunch of town houses "i don't see why not"

they eventually stopped at once, melanie unlocking the door. the three of them walked inside all taking off their shoes. the house smelled like chicken and rice "whose this?" a boy around harry's age asked walking into the foyer.

"he doesn't speak" lindsey stared up at the boy. melanie led harry into the kitchen where her son was serving lindsey a plate of food. the house was fairly bug, bug enough for the family "can we keep him mummy?"

"keep who darling?"

"quiet boy"

melanie looked over to harry with a small innocent smile "i'm sure the boy has his own family"

"but he's pretty, he looks like one my of dolls" there was a small pause as she sat at the table and shoved a fork full of chicken in her mouth "doesn't he mason?"

mason.

harry held back tears just from the name "sport, we can't just keep some one" mason spoke. lindsey sighed continuing to eat. harry was soon handed a plate full of food, a notepad and a pen. everyone eventually sat down at the table.

harry looked over to melanie "if you can't talk, why don't you write us your name" oh ok. harry gave her a small smile before writing the five letters out on a page "harry" the mother smiled "it's nice to meet you harry"

harry stayed quiet throughout the dinner. how could he not, he was in some strangers house eating their food. which he wasn't even hungry for, but still ate since he didn't want to be rude. he learned that mason had cooked it since melanie and lindsey were out running errands.

the son' name just made harry's brain a mess, he forgot other people could be named mason "harry you alright?" melanie asked, cutting lindsey's chicken into smaller pieces. he nodded, moving the rice around on his plate.

eventually everyone finished their food. harry leaving some of it behind. he didn't necessarily feel awkward in the stranger's home but it was strange. mason was doing maths homework at the kitchen table while lindsey and her mum were making cookies "mum i don't understand this"