Will couldn’t remember the last time he’d heard his father raise his voice.
‘Neither of you are to see her,’ he continued. ‘Those are the rules while you are under my roof. If you don’t like it, you can clear out.’
‘What about Reu?’
‘Jesus, don’t tell me he’s sleeping with her as well?’ said his mum sarcastically.
‘Of course not.’
‘Well, this is his home – he’s not going anywhere,’ she said.
Will rose from the table. He realised what Aidan was up to. He needed to speak to Emily. Now.
Up in his room, he dialled her number on his work mobile. ‘Emily, it’s Will,’
She sighed.
He knew then he was too late.
‘Has Aidan been to see you?’ he asked.
‘No, but I bumped into him at the station.’
‘Oh, that’s convenient.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Listen, I don’t know what he said but let me tell you my side of the story. Hear me out.’
‘I can’t keep––’
‘Please?’
She exhaled, so he continued.
‘After I left you last night, I got halfway down the road when Aidan pulled up. He jumped out of his car and kicked the shit out of me. But – and this is the weird bit – he let me get up and goaded me into hitting him. He didn’t defend himself. He literally stuck his chin out, making it look like I’m the bad guy.’
‘Will––’
‘I don’t blame him for giving me a kicking. I deserved it, but he wants you to think I’m violent because he knows that’s why you dumped him. And he wants my parents to think it’s my fault too. He came over today to show off his bruises.’
‘You think he planned it?’
‘I doubt he planned it. He must’ve come to talk to you last night, and when he saw you with me, it wound him up. He wanted to hurt me, but at some point, he must have realised he could hurt meandget me in trouble with you and my parents as well.’
‘What did your mum say?’
He didn’t want to tell Emily his mother blamed her. ‘She’s upset.’
‘This is making everyone miserable. I bet they all hate me.’
‘No! Aidan’s angry, but he’ll get over it.’ He hesitated before asking, ‘Can I see you?’
‘That’s not a good idea.’
‘Come on, please…’
‘I’ve got a deadline.’ She was softening.