Page 58 of Now Comes the Dark

Roman asked for the bill and ordered an Uber. He would have enjoyed the walk from here to the riverside, but after what hadhappened to Phil, he knew better than to risk it. The Blyham Strangler worked on a cycle. It would be unlikely for him to strike again so soon, but there were other dangers on these streets. It would be just his luck to encounter a homophobic gang between here and the apartment. An Uber was the most sensible option.

The car arrived within five minutes. Roman’s heart raced as they drove through the city streets. He sent a quick text to let Mallon know he was on his way. Though Mallon had given him permission to come and go as he pleased, it seemed wrong to let himself in unannounced.

What if Mallon regretted giving him the key already? He could have changed his mind about everything by the time Roman saw him. No matter how complicated this was for Roman, it had to be a hundred times worse for Mallon. And what kind of future could they have? Mallon had already made it clear he would not divorce his wife until the youngest child was in university.

Roman sighed. The questions would not quit. They spun around his head, out of control, and he couldn’t see clearly.

Do I really want to get involved with this? To be the part-time lover of a family man from France?

There would always be a huge part of Mallon’s life he would never experience or understand. At twenty-six, did he want to spend the next eight or nine years waiting for a divorce that might never happen? He only had Mallon’s word that his marriage was on the rocks. What if it was just a fanciful story to string him along and keep sex on tap here in Blyham?

When the car arrived at the riverside, Roman was tempted to tell the driver he had changed his mind and to take him home instead. The temptation was strong. Maybe this decision would be easier in the morning. He wasn’t committing to spending the night here. He’d only come to hear what Mallon had to say. He could call another driver and leave whenever he wanted to.

Roman stepped out.

The night was even colder here than in the city centre. A chill wind from the North Sea blew down the river and cut through to his bones.

He looked up at the building and saw the lights were on in Mallon’s apartment. He shivered, filled with apprehension, and wrapped his fingers around the key card in his pocket.

As he moved towards the front door, a figure stepped out of the shadows to his left.

“Hey. Fancy seeing you here,” the man said.

He was dressed in a thick leather jacket with a woollen hat and gloves. There was something familiar about the light Birmingham accent and the thick-set frame.

“Sorry,” Roman said. “Do I know you?”

The man gave a snort of amusement and tugged off the hat, revealing a mussed-up crop of blond hair. “I really don’t make much of an impression on you, do I?”

In the lamplight, Roman recognised the handsome, square-jawed face. “Oh, Will, hi.” For a one-time encounter from a year ago, he had run into him a lot lately.

“Ah, then you remember my name this time.”

Roman guessed it was meant to sound light-hearted and funny but there was a patronising sound to Will’s words.

He shrugged. “I didn’t recognise you in the dark, that’s all. What are you doing here? Is this where you live?”

Will moved nearer to him. “Nope. Came down this way for a hook-up, that’s all. Was hardly worth the effort, if you know what I mean.”

Roman forced a laugh. Will stood between him and the entrance, showing no sign of stepping aside. “I think we all know what that’s like,” he said, humouring him but wishing he would go away.

Will’s eyes narrowed and he looked Roman up and down. “Maybe the night is not a dead waste after all.” He came closer. “How about we go pick up where we left off last summer? You have a beautiful body. I’d love to get into it again.”

Roman pulled back.This is just weird. He laughed nervously. “I’m flattered, really. But I’m seeing someone.” He gestured to the building. “He’s waiting for me now, so I should get inside. It’s too cold to stand around talking out here, right?”

Will still didn’t get out of his way. He stared directly into Roman’s eyes. “Oh, that’s right. Frenchy. You’re fucking the moody French guy, aren’t you?”

“His name is Mallon,” Roman said, no longer trying to humour him. Will was behaving like a total creep. Whoever he’d come here to see had probably blown him out for the same reason Roman had last year. There was just something off about him. “How do you know who I’m seeing, anyway?”

Will laughed. “It’s a small city, small scene. Everybody knows who everyone else is fucking, don’t they?” He stepped nearer. “How about I come up with you, and you can introduce us? The French invented the ménage à trois.”

Roman had heard enough—Patrick and Ashley and now Will. What had gotten into everyone tonight? They were acting like there was a full moon. “It was nice running into you.” He stepped around him and headed for the door, the key already in his hand. “Take care.”

“What’s that Frenchy got that I haven’t, anyway?” Will hollered after him.

Roman’s pulse quickened. He suddenly felt very uncomfortable. He swiped the card and was grateful to see the security light turn from red to green. He hurried inside and ensured it locked behind him.

Will stood about ten yards away, watching and grinning.

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