Page 73 of The Freshman

She lifted the bag in her hand andraised an eyebrow.

Alfie stared at it, then to Sally.“What?”

“These were the clothesyou were bought in wearing. Do you want to keep them?”

Alfie looked again, and his heartquickened when he saw the charcoal coat through the clear plastic.“No-no thanks.”

“Are you kidding?” Tiasqueaked. “The coat is worth a fortune. There’s no blood on it,right?”

Sally drew her eyebrows together.“Erm, I don’t think so.”

“Then I’ll takeit.”

“No!” Alfie snapped. “Noone’s taking it. I want it thrown away.”

Tia and Sally shared a concerned lookthat he pretended he didn’t see.

“Okay, I’ll throw it.You’ve just got to come to the front desk with me, and we’ll do thepaperwork.”

Alfie closed his eyes slowly. “Thankyou.”

He dropped down as gently as he couldon his legs and took a step forward.

Sally shook her head. “I’ve got achair for you.”

“A chair?”

Sally slapped her professional smileon. “Yeah, to wheel you out.”

“Great,” hehissed.

****

Tia chatted the whole way back in thetaxi, and he knew it was nervous blabbering. The entire time he hadbeen in hospital he’d been snappy and impatient. His ribs achedwith every movement, and he breathed shallowly to lessen the burn.His hip felt fine, but they constantly told him off for trying towalk without his crutches. Worse than the discomfort and thefrustration, he hated relying on others. He knew eventually theywould turf him out, and he wanted them to do it as quick aspossible, not let him linger and get familiar with the staff. Tiahad been there. She wasn’t there because it was her job or out of asense of duty like Henry, Glen, and Maire, but because she caredabout him.

Alfie rested his hand to her knee andsqueezed gently.

Tia snapped her jaw shutimmediately.

“Thank you,” hewhispered.

She shook her head. “You don’t have tothank me.”

“Yeah, I do. I’ve beenhorrible.”

“It’s okay. Everything’sconfusing. Not just the crash, but I bet you’re wondering why hepulled you from the car.”

Alfie wondered, but he didn’t like tothink about it. Nate had left him to die away from the car,sprawled out like road kill. Nate who had escaped andvanished.

Tia shuddered. “Freaks me out thinkingabout it. He’s been all over the news. You never said there werepeople like that at Larkwood.”

“You knew there wasmurderers and rapists.”

“But not vindictivepsychopaths who—”

Alfie raised his hand, and she pressedher lips together.

She exhaled through her nose,seemingly getting herself under control. “Sorry. Must be creepyknowing you could’ve ended up like them.”

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