Page 97 of The Good Neighbour
“It would be foolish of me to block a friend from getting such a declaration,” she said. “I’ll message you the details.”
He flung his arms around her.
“Thank you so much. You won’t regret it. I promise you.”
Five hours later, Josh stood outside a nondescript building in the suburbs of Newcastle. Once he’d finished speaking toJeannie, he’d thrown some clothes in a bag and taken a taxi straight to the station.
The train seemed to take an age. He’d barely been able to sip water as he’d planned exactly what he was going to say if and when he came face to face with Hugh.
With no hotel and only a rucksack of things, he hoped he would at least get an audience with him.
He knocked on the door. No answer.
Panic set in. Perhaps Jeannie had already warned him and he was still going to ignore Josh.
Surely, he’ll give me five minutes when I’ve travelled all this bloody way.
Josh stared up at the window. A head bobbed down. He couldn’t tell if it was Hugh or not.
He knocked again. This time more forcefully.
The door was flung open and Michael stood before him. He had a face like thunder.
“Well, well, well. What a surprise,” he said, his words full of venom. “Jeannie told us you were coming. It’s been a wasted trip. He doesn’t want to talk to you.”
Josh had prepared himself for talking to Hugh. He hadn’t allowed for getting past his guard dog. He supposed Mrs Wimpole had Parkin. Hugh had Michael. Although it would take more than a few dog treats to get past him.
“Michael,” Josh began. “I need to speak to him. It’s about more than explaining about Winston. Which I can, by the way.”
Michael folded his arms. “I’m sure you can.”
“Don’t do this,” Josh pleaded. “If nothing else, I can put a stop to the backlash. I know who’s responsible.”
This time Michael appeared interested.
“Who?”
“It doesn’t work like that. Let me speak to him and I’ll tell you both.”
Michael narrowed his eyes and a flicker of amusement crossed over his face. “Oh you’re good.”
“I’ve also got the mother of all Mrs Wimpole and Professor twists. You won’t believe your ears.”
“Fuck you,” Michael said, standing to one side. “I’m going to the shop for crisps. You have precisely five minutes.”
Josh pushed past him before he changed his mind.
“Thank you, Michael. I promise you won’t regret it.”
Michael grabbed Josh’s jacket. “If I do, it won’t be as much as you will. Believe it.”
Josh did. Michael might be small but he was powerful. Josh had no intention of making an enemy of him.
As he walked up the drab staircase, Josh found all the words he’d planned on the train had left him.
When he walked into the space it was vast. Light flooded in from the huge windows as well as from stark striplights in the ceiling. Josh squinted. Hugh faced him. He was in full drag makeup and jogging suit.
Josh took a step forward and stopped. Hugh remained rigid.
