Page 9 of Viking Ink

I laughed, very aware of the chocolate monstrosity Liz called her mocha mess. There was more chocolate than coffee in that creation.

“How about tea then? I might even have some of that Lady Gray that Rez likes.” It was my turn to wrinkle my nose. Tea had no business smelling like perfume.

Rhys nodded. “Yes, please.”

“Suppose you like it milky and with too much sugar?” I jokingly growled.

Rhys blushed. “Yes.”

“You and Rez are going to get along like a house on fire. That man has the biggest sweet tooth I know.” I moved back to the cooker, then grabbed the whistling pot off the hob and made Rhys’s tea. The sweet, perfumed scent made my nose itch, but Rhys hummed with happiness when I passed it to him. “Milk is in the fridge, and sugar is in the little penguin jar on the table.”

While Rhys enjoyed his tea, I stared forlornly at the near-empty fridge. “What do you say we head up to the café and get Liz to make us a morning fry up? We could also pop into Dr. Cullen and get him to check those ribs,” I slipped in, hoping Rhys would agree. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him go still. Turning around, I tried to gauge his reaction.

“I said I was fine. I don’t need the doctor.” Rhys’s voice was quiet but firm.

“Rhys, you took a beating last night, and it would be irresponsible of me not to at least get you to Doc Cullen. You don’t have to worry about him telling anyone, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

His eyes widened and his lips pinched. “Why do you think I’m hiding?”

Shit. Now I’d gone and done it. Mouth open, insert foot. I had to fix this mess, before he thought I was trying to railroad him.

“I saw how you reacted when I mentioned the coppers last night, lad. And your backpack and your guitar are your only possessions. I’m not going to push you for specifics—you’ll tell me when you’re good and ready—but I know the look. You’re afraid of something—or someone—finding you.” I watched his face carefully, afraid I might have pushed him too far. I didn’t want to scare the lad off, but I wanted to lay the cards out on the table.

“I haven’t broken any laws, if that’s what you’re worried about.” His tone was defensive, his posture becoming more hunched.

“I wasn’t saying that, lad. But I’ve worked with enough people to know when they are afraid. I told you last night, this is a no judgement home, and I wasn’t lying, I just want you to know you’re safe here.”

Rhys looked up at me from under dark lashes. I could see the conflict in his blue eyes. His hand moved out to pull his teddy closer. I wasn’t sure he was even conscious of doing it.

“So, who’s this then?” I pointed at the worn teddy bear, trying to thaw the chill that had settled in the room. “I don’t think you introduced us last night.” I didn’t want Rhys afraid that I was going to push him into something—that was the last thing I wanted—and besides, I was intrigued by the worn bear.

A light blush dusted Rhys’s cheeks as he held the bear tighter. “He’s Mr Ted. Stupid name, but that is what my gran named him.”

“I think it’s a good name. Your gran gave him to you?”

Rhys nodded. “She was my mother’s mum. She was nice. I would stay with her summers before she fell out with my dad.”

“Is she still around?”

Rhys clutched his bear tighter and shook his head.

“I’m sorry lad, but it’s nice you have Mr Ted as a reminder of her.”

“She knew that I was different.” Rhys’s face twisted into a scowl. “Not like them. She took me to Blackpool one summer, and another we went to London. She took me to see Cats. I was so excited for the week leading up to it I couldn’t sleep.” The smile Rhys gave at the memory was adorable, but then he frowned. “That was the last time my father let me go anywhere with her. He said she was an immoral woman who put foolish ideas into my head.” Rhys shook his head and sighed, reaching out for his now lukewarm tea.

I could sense the melancholic mood descend on Rhys as he lapsed into memories. “Why don’t we get dressed and go to Liz’s for some food, and then, if you’re feeling up to it, I can introduce you to the rest of the boys downstairs.”

Rhys lifted his head. “You really meant it about me staying with you? About helping around the shop?”

“The one thing you’ll learn about me, lad, is I always mean what I say. You need somewhere to stay and I want to help. Besides, it would be nice to have company around the place that isn’t my brother or Cal. I love them to death, but dear gods, their dating life is giving me hives.”

Rhys gave a throaty chuckle. “You don’t like their girlfriends much?”

“Ah, well. Cal had a girlfriend, Penny. She walked out on him about six months ago, and we’ve all kind of banded together to help him through it. His daughter, Alice, is six this year, and the brightest kid I know. Says she wants to be a tattooist like her da when she grows up.” I took our mugs to the sink. “My brother Mitch broke up with his boyfriend. The guy was a piece of shite, but I put up with him because Mitch loved him. I always thought Mitch could have anyone he wanted, but he chose that wanker.” I didn’t realise how bitter I sounded until I saw the shocked look on Rhys’s face.

“Your brother’s… gay?” Rhys’s voice was barely above a whisper.

“Yeah, both of us are.” I gauged his reaction. He seemed shocked, but not disgusted. “Is that a problem for you?” I kept my tone neutral, not wanting to rush to judgement. I’d dealt with bigotry and misinformed idiots all my life, but Rhys didn’t strike me as that sort of person. Innocent, yes, unworldly even, but not a homophobe. But as my dad would say, you never knew about a person until you did.

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