Page 9 of Forever Ink

I let out a relieved breath. It always felt good to have Callum’s reassurance.

Callum narrowed his eyes “Why the fuck are you still here? Weren’t you and Rhys supposed to have headed off to the farm last night?”

“I’ve got some news. I need to talk to you both when you’re finished Mouse.”

“Give me five, just finishing up,” Mouse answered, turning back to his client and smoothly going back to giving care instructions for the tattoo he’d just done.

It didn’t take long for Mouse to join us at the front desk. “So what’s going on?” Mouse flopped down in one of the armchairs that sat in a semi-circle around the front desk. He hung his legs over the arm of the chair and sprawled in an untidy mess.

At an eyebrow raise from me he just snorted and didn’t sit up until Callum spoke behind him.

“Mouse, this isn’t your bedroom. Sit the fuck up.”

Mouse scowled and I waited to see what sort of scathing response he would give, but he just dropped his bottom lip and muttered quietly, too low for me to hear, but Callum’s eyes narrowed.

I spoke up before those two got into their normal back and forth. “Anyway, I have some not-so-great news.”

Callum and Mouse turned their attention to me.

“What’s happened? Is Rhys okay?” Mouse spoke first, his concern obvious.

“Rhys is fine. He’s out with Doc now, and yeah, we should have been at Dad’s farm by now, but Rhys got some news from Donald yesterday which unsettled him, so we’ll be heading to the farm tomorrow night.”

“What was the news?” Mouse leaned forward in his chair. I was sure if I even hinted at Rhys being in trouble or danger, he’d be off like a shot to help him. I loved that my brother and boyfriend were so close, even though they seemed to encourage each other into mischief.

“Susan has been released without charge.”

Both Callum and Mouse gave me looks of disbelief.

“What the fuck?” Mouse was out of his chair, stalking towards me “They can’t let that bitch just walk!”

“They don’t have enough evidence against her or something. Rhys talked to his barrister this morning, but it seems there is not much they can do. She has been given a caution and Rhys is pushing to have a restraining order placed, but that could take a bit of time.”

“We can let everyone know to keep an eye out for her. If she tries to come to town, someone will spot her,” Callum suggested.

“Yeah, Donald said he’s keeping tabs on her unofficially. He can’t really do much, but at least we’ll know if she heads here,” I said, still hating the fact that she had been released.

“I suppose that is all we can do.” Mouse said, sounding like he wasn’t pleased with the options.

“Yeah, it is. The thing is, I don’t want Rhys getting brought down by this. He’s been looking forward to the holidays like mad, and it’s our first Christmas together so I want to make it special. From what he’s told me, his only good Christmas memories come from spending time at his grandad’s farm.”

I still wasn’t sure what I was going to do, but I wanted Rhys to have a special time at my dad’s farm. The place had always been a haven to me, a place I could just let go and enjoy. I really hoped Rhys liked it too. Dad had a small herd of Hebridean sheep that I knew Rhys would go nuts for, and if the snow came in as was promised then I could take him sledding on the large hill behind the house.

“You should take him to pick the Christmas tree,” Mouse suggested around a mouthful of muffin. Where he’d pulled it from, I had no idea. He had an almost constant store of baked goods he munched on during the day. How he remained as slim as he did was a mystery to me.

“Dad hasn’t got one already?”

Mouse gave me a look like I was the world’s biggest idiot. “No, you know he won’t until one of us is up there.”

Mouse had a point.

Picking out a tree had always been a family tradition. We’d pile into the old Land Rover and head out and find a tree. We could make a fun day of it, and I was sure Rhys would love a trip to the small forest that surrounded the family farm.

“You’re right, I think Rhys would really enjoy it. We can go get the tree when you guys come up Saturday.”

Callum nodded. He was going to bring his little girl Alice and Mouse, and hopefully Doc Cullen, if Rhys could convince him to come.

“We’ll head up first thing Saturday,” Callum answered as he packed away his sketch pad, “Well, I’ve got a client coming in soon and you” —Cal pointed at Mouse—“have some flash to finish working on.”

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