“Lovely,” said Tom.
“Human nature,” said Brett. “Better out than in.”
Ryan had a rummage. “Hey, there’s cereal under the counter if anybody wants some.”
“We already grabbed something to eat,” said Brett. He motioned to a collection of crisp packets on the table. “We’ve been up for a while.”
Ryan grabbed himself a bowl of cornflakes, his hands trembling slightly, and poured on some milk. Then he grabbed a spoon. With his mouth half-full, he asked a question. “Brett, have you had any thoughts about what the weird fuzz all over Sean could be? It’s weird, right?”
Tom tutted. “Knowing Sean, he probably stuck his genitals in something he shouldn’t have.”
“Come on, man. Give the guy a break.”
“Honestly,” said Brett, “I still assume it’s some kind of fungus, or maybe some kind of bacterial growth. It’s not really my area of expertise. None of this is.”
“I know,” said Ryan. “We’re lucky you were here, though.”
“Extremely fortunate,” said Tom, touching his bandaged ear with his index finger. “I would have gone to pieces without you calming me down and taking charge. I’m not good around blood, especially when it’s my own. Remember that time when we were playing football and I cut my knee open on that broken bottle?”
Ryan chuckled, although the situation had actually been quite gruesome. “You went white as a sheet. We had to call your dad to come and get you because you lay on the floor like a plank and refused to get up. Even when he arrived he had to carry you to the car.”
“Exactly, and if it weren’t for Brett’s composure last night, I fear you would have seen a repeat of it.”
Brett shrugged. “Dogs, people, it’s all the same. Keep them calm and they won’t bite you.”
“Wonderful, you’re comparing me to a dog.”
“You’re right, I apologise. You’re far too prissy to be a dog. You’re more of a cat. A Persian Longhair perhaps.”
Tom cackled, dimples piercing his cheeks. Tom and Brett had always had a smooth relationship, both even-headed and sensible. In a way, their friendship with Ryan, Sean, and Loobey was an odd fit. If the group ever split, you could be sure that Tom and Brett would end up on the same side.
Something was bothering Ryan, the main cause of his insomnia. “D’you think the fungus came from that metal corkscrew we found on the hill? The oil Sean got on his hands was the same colour as the fuzz on his stomach.”
“Seems like the obvious conclusion to make,” said Brett. “Metal isn’t an ideal breeding ground for fungus, but if it’s porous enough, it could allow for growth.”
Tom nodded. “My parents had mould on the pipes a few years ago. They had to get half the system replaced.”
Ryan gulped down another spoonful of cereal, milk running down his chin. “It was probably antique knowing your parent’s house. That place is always falling down.”
“That’s what you get with Georgian houses, unfortunately. It’s on its third roof, and the roots from the poplar trees are starting to unearth the foundations beneath the conservatory. My father has had quite the ordeal.”
“I can only imagine the hardship,” said Ryan, a forced smile on his face. Tom had grown up very differently to the rest of them, but there was nothing he could do about it, so he had always chosen to own it. Eventually, his poshness had become endearing.
To everyone except Sean, apparently. How long has he been holding a grudge? Or was it just the drugs talking?
“When do you want to leave?” Tom glanced at his expensive watch. “I feel stranded this far from home, and I just want to get back to Amanda. We can crack open a nice bottle of wine while I regale her with courageous tales of how I lost my ear. I’m thinking bear attack. I know they don’t exist in Scotland, but fortunately she’s not that bright, bless her.”
“I want to let Aaron sleep a bit first,” said Ryan, “but we’ll get going as soon as we can. You sure I can’t convince you both to stay, even if Sean gets on a train?”
“I think this weekend is beyond saving,” said Tom apologetically. “We’ll have to arrange a night out in town, a quiet night with a few beers, perhaps a meal. I’m sorry, Ryan, I know this weekend meant a lot to you.”
It did. It meant so much to me, and now it’s ruined.
Shit happens, I guess.
Ryan forced a smile. “It’s sound, don’t worry about it. We’ll catch up before the wedding. You’re both still going to be there, right?”
“Of course,” said Brett, “but I’d think twice about inviting Sean.”
“He’s my best man. I’ve known him longer than anyone. Since I was a kid.”
“I can’t believe you never asked Loobey.
“I spoke to him about it, but we both decided that it would mean a lot to Sean. He’s always looked out for me. Loobey too. I owe it to him.”
Brett sighed. “Why don’t we just try the car and think about getting out of here?”
Tom nodded. “I’m eager to learn whether the wretched thing will start. Come on.”
Ryan went to the door. They’d left it unlocked during the night, but it didn’t exactly matter out here in the middle of nowhere. All the same, he grabbed the set of keys from where he’d left them upon arrival – on the console beside the door. He didn’t want to forget to lock up when they left.
The air that rushed into the cottage when he opened the door was mild, almost humid, and yet the sun outside was barely in the sky. The gravel on the driveway glistened like dewy grass, yet the surrounding grass itself seemed dry. Tom’s car was beautiful in the half-light of a morning yet to decide what kind of day it would be. Once again, the Stelvio sparkled like a ruby. Ryan could only imagine driving such a thing, and it made him realise that having four
