Page 17 of The Missing Ingredient

“Yes, of course,” said Marcus.

Five minutes later they led an ashen-faced Tom into the hospital room. First he took in the bandage around Marcus’s head before meeting his eyes.

“Marcus. Jesus, I am so sorry.”

“Wasn’t your fault. The other guy backed out without looking.”

“I should have spotted him. Should have been more vigilant.”

“Tom, stop trying to be a superhero. I’m fine.”

“Honestly, Marcus. Exactly how bad is it?”

“Minor. Doctor says I’ll have my left arm in a sling for a couple of weeks, minor fracture of the clavicle, but they’re keeping me in overnight because of the bump on my head. How are the girls?”

“They’re okay. Worried about you, naturally. Charlotte slept through the whole thing, can you believe? Katie was the one who realized you weren’t moving. Put the fear of God into me. I can’t lose—”

And in that instant Tom lost control. Marcus was caught off guard, but with his good arm, he pulled Tom’s head down onto his shoulder.

“Hey, hey, Tom,” he said into his friend’s ear, trying hard not to breathe in the man’s wonderful musk. For reassurance, he squeezed his arm around Tom and held him tight. “It’s minor. And you’re not going to lose me. I’ll be out tomorrow, I promise. It’s just one night.”

Over Tom’s shoulder, Marcus watched as the ward door opened, presenting none other than Daniel Mosborough, who sauntered in, togged out in Bermuda shorts and a white polo shirt, but then froze when he saw the scene before him.

“What the hell are you doing here?” asked Marcus. Tom straightened up then and turned to see whom Marcus had addressed.

“Nice way to greet a friend,” said Daniel, offering his hand to Tom. “Dan Mosborough. Marcus and I went to school together.”

“You’re the cop at the water park,” said Tom, shaking hands.

“Ah, so I’ve already been talked about, have I?”

“Tom was admiring our similar taste in swimwear,” said Marcus, beginning to laugh again but then thinking better of it. “I thought you might be here in an official capacity. I’m just surprised you found out what happened so quickly.”

“I was chatting to one of my team, who was passing the water park and offered me a lift home in his squad car. Stopped when we got to the scene. Then one of my boys mentioned your name and what had happened. I thought I’d head over here to check on you.”

“Listen,” said Tom, “I’ll let you guys chat. I need to go and fetch the girls. See you tomorrow, Marcus. Call me if you need anything.”

After they’d all said their farewells, Dan stayed behind and pulled up a chair. “He’s a bit of a hunk.”

“Hands off, Mosborough. He’s straight.”

“Oh yeah? I caught the two of you having a quick smooch.”

“We were not bloody—shit,” said Marcus, wincing. “Please don’t make me laugh.”

“Sorry, mate.”

“So are you here to interrogate me?”

“Course not. From what I understand, there’s not a lot to tell. Van driver—guy in his twenties, no previous—using his driver’s side wing mirror, tried to avoid a car parked on his right and didn’t see you until it was too late. Luckily Bradford wasn’t driving fast, otherwise it might have been much worse.”

“He’s a bloody good driver. Honestly, Dan, all I remember is waking suddenly to see the back doors of the van hit. Then I blacked out.”

“Yeah. Apparently Bradford told my colleague the same thing. You in much pain?”

“Doctor’s got me on some expensive meds. Just waiting for them to kick in. But no doubt it’ll hurt tomorrow.”

“Dr. Kimura’s more worried about him showing any signs of concussion, Sergeant,” interrupted the staff nurse, coming to the end of the bed and checking a chart. “We’re keeping him in overnight, just in case. If you start to feel dizzy or nauseous or if you have trouble with your vision, make sure you press that buzzer straightaway.”

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