Page 31 of Now Comes the Dark

“They are taking the piss out of all of you. Any decent employer would either pay you for the overtime or insist you left at the end of your shift.”

Roman didn’t want to argue. Ashley failed to grasp the threat that loomed over him. Ashley had a secure civil service job in the waste department of the local council. He enjoyed thirty-three days of paid leave a year, flexitime, working from home two days a week and had every weekend off. He had no idea of the demands placed on workers in the private sector.

As the heat returned to his hands and his fingers began to throb, Roman turned around, hitched up the waist of his jacket and warmed his arse against the fire. “I think I’ll get the bushome tomorrow if the weather doesn’t improve.” He rubbed his backside to get the blood flowing.

“It’s not forecast to,” Ashley said, turning down the volume on the TV and swinging his feet to the floor. “I need to talk to you about something.”

“Sounds ominous,” Roman said, finally unfastening his jacket.

“You’re not going to like it.”

“Ah, shit. Can’t it wait until I’ve had something to eat? It’s been a long day.”

Ashley glanced at his watch. “Not really. That’s why I hoped you’d get home earlier than this.” He took a long, dramatic pause and exhaled before saying, “Patrick is coming by at eight.”

Roman groaned and walked away. He took off his jacket and hung it on the stand in the hall. Ashley followed him to the kitchen, but Roman didn’t want to look at him.

“What do you want me to say?” He pulled the pot of leftover pasta from the fridge and loosened the lid before putting it in the microwave. “The man’s a violent, bad-tempered prick, unless you’ve forgotten. He took his fists to both of us. I certainly remember that. You told me you were done with him.”

“I saw him last weekend,” Ashley said, leaning against the counter with his arms folded. “I didn’t say anything because I knew you wouldn’t like it, but he asked if I would hear him out.”

“He. Punched. Me.” Roman said, accentuating every word.

“He’s sorry for that. He couldn’t have been more apologetic. He’s destroyed by what he did.”

“Don’t tell me.He’s changed.”

“Actually, he has. He knows his drug-taking had gotten out of hand, and he’s addressed it. He’s stopped it all—the steroids, the coke, the Es. He hasn’t even had a drink since before Christmas. Patrick is a different person when he’s sober.”

“I wouldn’t know,” Roman said, getting a bowl from the cupboard and fork. “I’ve only ever seen him high.”

“That’s what I’m getting at. You don’t know him, not really. You’ve only seen him at his worst. He’s trying to be a better person.”

Roman sighed. “Why are you telling me this? It’s clear you’ve made up your mind to take him back.”

“I think he deserves a second chance.”

“Good for you,” he bit.

“Don’t be like that.”

Roman struggled to keep a lid on his temper. “Oh, I’m sorry. Forgive me if I’m not ready to forgive the hulk who punched me in the stomach.”

“He’s really sorry.” Ashley’s voice pitched into an irritating whine. “He almost cried when we spoke about it. He wants to make it up to you, if you’ll give him a chance to say sorry.”

“No.”

The microwave pinged. Roman grabbed the plastic bowl, stirred the steaming pasta and tipped it into his dish.

“C’mon. Don’t be like that. At least give him the chance to apologise.”

Roman was close to losing it. He didn’t want to fall out with his flatmate, but this sudden U-turn on his toxic ex was pushing him. “No. Not a chance. Not now or ever. The man is a complete twat, and I don’t want to waste another minute of my life on him. And I’m really surprised at you falling for his bullshit again. Isn’t it bad enough that we can’t walk around town without the fear that something bad will happen? There are people out there who want to seriously hurt us. No, not hurt,killus. This is our home, Ashley. This is the one place we should feel safe. And you’re going to open the door to a man who has harmed us both and ruin that.”

Ashley’s mouth dropped.

Before he could say another word, Roman picked up his dinner and took it to his room. He was afraid if he hung around, he would say something he would seriously regret.

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