‘And you clearly still want him,’ I shout. ‘I thought he was a cu …’
‘Don’t you dare!’ Swinging to a halt, she aims a finger at me. ‘That’s foul language, Maya Scotton. You’re talking about the man I love.’
‘Fair enough,’ I laugh.
Lowering her arm, she surveys the apartment.
‘So where are they now?’ she asks.
‘Down at the police station. Clive says he’ll be here soon. He wants to see you.’
I watch as joy flits across her face, only to be replaced by a shadow.
‘And what about Dan?’
‘I don’t know yet.’
Right on cue, I hear a key in the latch. Facing the door, I hold my breath, and then sigh in disappointment as Clive appears on his own.
‘He’s still there?’ I ask.
Casting a nervous glance at Lucy, he nods.
‘So, what’s going on?’
‘Like I said, he’s helping with enquiries.’ He advances slowly, his eyes flitting in Lucy’s direction, and then back to me. ‘They’ve got the gun. Boyd’s prints are all over it. They found Lily at her house. She’s in a state, but she confirmed she’d been seeing Boyd for weeks, only she didn’t know him as Ian Boyd. They found the site manager too, tied up in a cleaning cupboard. He’s okay. The picture’s coming together.’
‘I should be with him.’
He shakes his head.
‘He’ll be here soon enough. Just have patience.’ He swallows. ‘Everything’s going to be fine.’ And now, finally, he turns to the hung-over elephant in the room. ‘Hello, Lucy,’ he ventures.
While the seconds drag their feet, I watch as Clive attempts a hopeful smile, and Lucy glowers back at him.
‘You shit.’ She sidles forward. ‘You put me through hell.’
‘I didn’t have much choice.’ He holds up his hands.
‘I should deck you right now.’ And she wouldn’t get very far. ‘You’re a lying git,’ she growls.
So, just like me, she’s putting up a fight before the inevitable reunion. Trouble is, I’m too tired to let it go on. In fact, I’m in the mood for a little fast-tracking.
‘Clive, can you take her away please?’
‘We’re staying here until Dan gets home.’
‘I’m perfectly capable of dealing with this on my own.’ I give him a cold stare. ‘Take her to your place. You’re only down the road. You can come back later and check on Dan.’
‘But …’
‘I’ve got Beefy.’
I’m determined to stand my ground, and Clive knows it. With a nod, he holds out a hand to Lucy. And as if it’s covered in something distinctly disgusting, she simply stares at it.
‘Lucy,’ I snap. ‘Drop the act. You already know what’s been going on. Just get to the bit where you fall into his arms and sod off, will you?’
She opens her mouth to protest.
‘I mean it. I’ve got enough to deal with.’
‘She has,’ Clive confirms. ‘We should leave her in peace.’ And then he opens his arms. ‘Ready?’
Thankfully, she can’t fight it any longer. The smile reappears. Broadening quickly, it threatens to explode right off her face.
‘Oh, okay,’ she squeals. ‘Go on then!’
With a half-demented laugh, she flings herself into his arms, letting him embrace her with all his might. I should really look away, give them a bit of privacy, but I can’t help watching as he kisses the top of her head, and then her cheek. My heart’s flooding with warmth for my friend, but as soon as they launch into a full-on snog, I decide enough is enough.
I cough, loudly.
They break the kiss.
‘I’ll just …’ Clive motions to the door.
‘Yes, you do that,’ I smile.
And with no further ado, he leads Lucy out of the apartment.
Finally left alone, I lie on the sofa and go back to waiting. At some point I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I know, there’s a finger lightly tracing a path down my cheek. I open my eyes, slowly focussing on Dan’s face.
‘You’re back.’
‘I am.’
I sit up, taking in the fact that he’s kneeling next to me, still wearing yesterday’s work suit. There’s dried blood on his collar, smeared across his sleeves and down the front of his shirt. And the bruises on his face are deepening now, contrasting with the pale grey of his skin.
‘You’re a state.’ I brush the stubble on his chin. ‘How’s Lily?’
‘She’s okay. She’s been checked by a doctor. She’s at home. Her parents are with her.’
‘Don’t you want to see her?’
‘Tomorrow. I’m too tired right now.’
He readjusts his position, and I catch the slightest hint of discomfort in his expression.
‘Your leg’s hurting.’
‘It’s fine.’
He’s lying, and I know it.
‘You need your pills.’
‘Later.’
We stare at each other for a while. On my part, I’m just trying to enjoy the calm after the storm, but there’s something strange in his eyes, something that sets me on edge.
‘You stuck to the story then?’
He nods. ‘Self-defence. They’re satisfied.’
‘So, that’s it?’
He looks away.
‘What’s the matter?’
I’m answered with silence.
‘It’s over, Dan. Don’t let it get to you.’
‘It’s not over yet.’
Suddenly, he buries his head into my lap, clamping his hands tight against my thighs. Perhaps it’s the shock and exhaustion catching up with him. The truth is I have no idea what’s going on inside his head, but whatever it is, I need to give him time. Smoothing his hair, I do my best to reassure him. A few minutes pass like this before he finally looks up, gazing at me as if I’m an object of worship, something he shouldn’t really touch.
‘I need to tell you something,’ he says.
Flickers of uncertainty appear. Again and again, his lips seem to form a word, and
