Page 95 of Freshman

“Surely you’ve met them before.”

“Yeah, but before we were dating. She’s going to introduce me as her girlfriend.”

“That’s great,” Alfie said, squeezing her shoulder.

Tia’s hum felt noncommittal. “Let’s stick the TV on and not talk about Sarah or Mr Mystery.”

Alfie nodded and let her choose the movie. Thankfully, not a soppy romance but a sci-fi with plenty of gore and aliens. It helped, and watching Tia duck behind a cushion made him smile.

Their movie was interrupted by Alfie’s chirping phone. He sighed and peered at the screen, expecting Nate, then hurried to answer the call from Ryan.

“Alfie? How you feeling?”

He swallowed awkwardly and nodded. “I’m—I’m much better.”

“Better enough to cover a shift on Sunday?”

“Erm, I guess so.”

Ryan sighed. “Great. I’ve got Dave and Mike with you to accompany Nate to the funeral.”

“The what?”

“Yeah, Doris was cremated on Wednesday, and her ashes are flying over to be buried with her husband’s. It was her wishes apparently, all arranged, and she wanted Nate to be there.”

Alfie shook his head. “I can’t go.”

“Why not?”

He looked at Tia, and she wagged her finger and nodded.

“I just don’t think I’m experienced enough.”

Tia slammed her palm to her face, and Alfie turned away.

Ryan sighed. “You’re never going to get experience if you say no when I suggest roles with more responsibility. First, you turn down days on G, and now this. Besides, Dave and Mike will be there. They still go on about you punching Nate.”

“Isn’t that a reason I shouldn’t go?”

Ryan tutted. “Can’t show them fear. He’ll be handcuffed the whole time, and Dave and Mike can handle him.”

Alfie closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. “Fine.”

“Now you sound like a proper prison officer, tired and fed up.”

The line went dead, and Alfie glared at the phone.

22

Alfie arrived at the prison just in time to see Nate ducking into a vehicle. It wasn’t the usual van they transported prisoners in; this car was discreet, not wanting to draw too much attention as it pulled up at the cemetery.

Mike climbed in after Nate with a scowl. His short stockiness and round face reminded Alfie of a bulldog.

Dave closed the car door, then turned to Alfie as he approached. “Thought we’d have to go without ya.”

Alfie offered a weak smile. “That was the plan.”

Dave tipped his head back and released a bark of laughter. His long hair floated in the wind, whipping into his mouth. He spluttered, cursed, then scraped his hair together with his fingers. “Heard you’ve been chucking it up for the last week.”

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