Page 94 of Between the Lies

Robert nodded, running a hand through his hair and upsetting it further. ‘She has something to tell us.’

Candace’s eyes flickered between Robert and Daisy, then landed on Finn, Billy and finally Nina. ‘I’m not sure?—’

‘I trust them.’ Robert gestured to everyone present. ‘All of them. They won’t rat you out to anyone. No one’s going to be after you. Please, please help us out. Help your friends out?’

She nodded, shrugging out of her coat… shrugging out of Robert’s coat. Nina smiled a small smile. Aye, the man couldn’t help himself.

Robert drew out a stool for Candace to sit, then asked, ‘Coffee?’

She grimaced. ‘Could you please make it something stronger? Anything. I need liquid courage for this – desperately.’

Once she sat down, hands on her lap, Nina noticed Candace’s restless fingers. Her right foot tapped a beat against the bar, and she kept gulping.

After a minute of silence, Candace whispered, ‘I’m not sure I can do this.’

Finn opened his mouth to say something Nina was sure wouldn’t be complimentary. She shook her head at him and walked up to the girl. Fifteen years ago, Nina had moved countries. She remembered how scary it was, even with legal documents, to be in a new place and not know anyone you could reach out to. And something told Nina, for Candace, this entire transition hadn’t been a walk in the park. So despite it feeling entirely stupid and like a new boot that made your foot ache, Nina reached out to clasp Candace’s hand.

To Nina’s surprise, she squeezed it back and lifted her watery gaze to Nina’s. ‘Have you moved too?’

Nina nodded. ‘It was a long time ago, but I remember how scary it was.’

Candace swallowed, then opened her mouth to speak. Only no words spilled from her lips.

Billy held out a glass of something that looked like lemonade. ‘Just breathe, lassie. And take a sip of this.’

The woman complied, taking a small sip. ‘Wow, that’s strong. Appreciate it.’

Billy patted her shoulder and slunk back.

Nina stepped away, unsure how to make Candace comfortable. Then the AA meetings she saw in movies came to mind. In those meetings, people sat in a circle so the focus wouldn’t remain on one person. Perhaps that would ease Candace’s worries.

Nina began arranging their chairs accordingly. After she settled the third chair in place, Robert’s hand slipped around her waist. ‘That was kind of you.’

‘What was?’

Robert dipped his head and placed a kiss on her forehead. ‘You reached out to her – she appreciates that. And I appreciate it. A lot.’

Nina clutched his shirt. ‘Thank you. Let’s get through his, shall we?’

After everyone sat down, Candace gnawing on her lower lip, Robert pulled his chair ahead. ‘Er, before Candace takes over, I have a few things to report. When I went to the Dumb Buck Arms to find Candace, I sort of ran into Dickheadson.’

Billy cursed. ‘What was your boss doing there?’

‘He’s there more often than you think.’ Candace’s statement rang out across the room. She set her drink down on the floor and swallowed. ‘He comes by every so often.’

Daisy reached out and squeezed Candace’s knee. ‘I’ve never seen him before.’

Finn hissed out a curse, then sank back in his chair with a shake of his head. ‘Sorry.’

Candace gripped Daisy’s hand. ‘No, he’s only comes by to talk to Felicity – that’s the receptionist. She… books appointments. But I don’t think he’s a client.’

Robert leaned in. ‘I’m not sure I understand you.’

‘He isn’t there for a session, I mean. But I’ve seen him arriving. He comes in to book an appointment. Once he asked for an appointment with m-me, so I kept an eye out. Only he didn’t arrive, but Felicity left with an envelope in her bag. The next week, he returned to make another appointment.’

That didn’t make any sense. ‘So he’s running his own wee op?’ Daisy asked.

‘No,’ Billy said. ‘No, he’s setting up a meeting. A pal of mine used that system to meet with me. He was, um, wanted by the police. So one of his lads would set up appointments and you had to go meet him at those times, instead of him coming to you.’

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