Page 5 of Kissing Games
‘If it’s about the money, don’t worry, I’ve got it covered. You’ll get paid.’
‘I’ll think about it. When do you need me?’
‘Soon as poss, mate. He’s already here, swanning about like he owns the fucking place.’
Charlie let out a short, hollow laugh. ‘Have you punched him yet?
‘Not yet, but my fist is itching all the time. Will you think about it? It’ll only be for a few weeks.’
‘Will do. I’ll let you know.’
Charlie ended the call and looked where his feet had brought him.Dave.It had been nearly two weeks since his last visit. He stared at the austere Victorian building: the bars on the lower windows, the layers of peeling paint. He rang the buzzer to gain entry.
Inside was warmer but still bleak. Judy met him at reception, her polyester uniform stretched over her large frame, a ring with hundreds of keys clanking at her hips.
‘Charlie! Long time no see.’ She smiled, taking his hand. Static shot up his arm as they touched. ‘Bloody bastard uniform. Sorry, love. I’d like to think it’s the animal attraction between us, but unfortunately, it’s man-made fibres and safety shoes.’
Charlie smiled, concentrating on the moment so that nothing from Caroline could spill in. ‘There’s always an animal attraction,’ he replied, wiggling his eyebrows.
Judy shrieked with laughter and slapped his arm. ‘Stop it! I know who you’re here for, and it ain’t me. Let’s get you signed in and I’ll take you to him.’
They walked togetherdown the wide corridor, their voices bouncing off the metal and concrete. He’d started visiting as soon as he got to London. Being a volunteer gave him a sense of purpose. He was always drawn to the underdogs, the ones who would never fit into society.
‘How’s he been?’ Charlie asked.
‘Same old, same old. Mad as a box of frogs and a bit smelly. Misses you, of course.’
‘Do you think he’ll ever …?’ Charlie let the question hang in the air.
Judy shook her head. ‘He’ll die in here. No chance of parole or escape when you’re Dave. You’re the only one who’s ever given him the time of day.’
‘You know if I could, I—’
‘I know, love.’ Judy squeezed his arm and stopped in front of a metal door, sorting through her keys. ‘Here we are. Dave! Look who’s come to see you!’
Charlie looked at him through the bars. Dave had been in more fights than he had. He was missing an eye and ear on one side of his head and walked with a perpetual limp. Created from the sludge at the bottom of the gene pool, there was ugly, then there was Dave. He had looks even a mother would struggle to love. But Charlie didn’t see any of that. People never saw past his exterior, so he’d be buggered if he treated Dave the same way.
‘A’right, Dave?’ he asked, smiling broadly.
Judy unlocked the door and Dave lunged at him – drooling, barking, his stumpy tail a blur of excitement. Charlie sank to his knees as Dave launched himself into his arms, licking all over his face. Finally, someone was pleased to see him. He could just about make out the sound of Judy laughing.
‘I’ll leave you with him. Come and get me when you’re ready to take him for a you know what.’
Charlie pulled his head out of tongue range. ‘What was that, Dave? Do you think Judy means a walk?’ At that, Dave completely lost his shit, running around in circles and bouncing off the walls, his bark getting more frenetic. The other dogs in the building joined in.
Judy threw back her head and gave her own howl of frustration. ‘Charlie! Now look what you’ve done!’ She turned on her heel and walked off, shushing the other dogs.
Dave hurled himself back at Charlie, toppling him to the floor. Charlie sat, his back against the bars of the door as he held Dave’s head in his hands and looked into his good eye. ‘Good to see you too, mate.’
Charlie strolledaround the park as Dave investigated everything around him, returning to Charlie’s side every couple of minutes to check he was still there.
Walking helped Charlie think. In the army he’d marched for days. Yomping up and down mountains, a pack almost as heavy as a man on his shoulders. The constant, repetitive movement helped to focus and free his mind. What now? Was it really over with Caro? Could he get her back? Or was it finally time to listen to what people had been telling him for years about their on-off relationship?
His phone rang.Mack. He picked it up. ‘Any news?’
‘Yep. I’ve got you a new job. But it’s not in London.’
‘How far away? Commutable?’
