Page 69 of Cosy & Chill
Change of Mind
The shower wasn’t hot enough to wash the shame from Leo’s soul, or the memory of Finn’s expression from his mind. It was easy to forget the previous day over that look, leaving him to wonder why he’d stumbled out of Mr Griffin’s chambers and into a pub when he could have come home to Finn.
He knew why, of course. He didn’t want Finn to see him so scared and angry. But was letting Finn see him as if he’d spent a night drinking with strangers for the sheer hell of it any better?
Steam, thick enough to obscure the furniture, filled the bathroom when Leo finally remembered that the shower wouldn’t run cold—ever—and that his excess was eating into their heating budget.
His skin was clean, but his mind felt scoured by memories and heavy with shame.
He wasn’t going to do this again, whatever Mr Griffin advised. If his parents wanted the money, they could have it. Leo wanted Finn, wanted his new life here, and he didn’t want any memories of his family to be part of that.
The council ran a Christmas Market instead of the weekly one, and Leo wasn’t in the right mood to visit pubs and restaurants to talk about ice cream. He dressed in ratty jeans and an ancient jumper and decided to work on their store, knowing full well that he’d have to face Finn and Roisin sooner or later.
Roisin, as they’d learned over the last week, had a sharp tongue and a nose for bullshit. She claimed it was what made her fae, but Leo didn’t see her that way. Fae were creatures in storybooks, not women who broke into houses at night and proceeded to turn the inhabitants’ lives upside down.
Whatever she was, she had a knack for design, and a way with decorating that was nothing short of magical. He could hear her bustling through the house, humming while she worked. He hadn’t developed any new ice cream flavours since they’d moved here, and Roisin had given him a workroom he couldn’t wait to make use of.
Provided Finn let him stay.
Finn’s hurt expression swam before his eyes and Leo knew he should apologise. But how could he explain something as horrible as his family?
He remembered the decision he’d made in the shower and pulled his phone from his coat pocket. When he turned it on, he found thirty-two missed calls and nineteen text messages from Finn, and he felt like a heel.
Finn had been worried for him.
Had been concerned that something had happened, when he’d been so buried in his own misery that he hadn’t thought of anyone else.
He dialled the solicitor’s number.
“I’m sorry, Mr Griffin,” he started without any preamble. “I can’t do this again. If they want the money, they can have it. I’m done.”
“I wish you wouldn’t do that,” Mr Griffin said. “You’re giving away something that rightfully belongs to you. Funds your grandmother wanted you to have. Imagine how much easier your new life could be.”
“I’m fine as I am. I can work. You and grandma have given me a good start.” He thought of coming home on the first train this morning, heartsore, hungover, and disgusted with himself. “I didn’t go home last night,” he admitted. “I went from the meeting straight to a pub. I stayed there until closing time and walked around London until the trains were running again. That’s what seeing them does to me, Mr Griffin, and that’s not who I want to be.”
“They only carry on as they have if you let them get away with it.”
“Maybe not. There’s nobody else at home for Miriam to torment.”
“Leo…”
“I’m not strong enough to make them stop. I’m sorry I lost my temper, but hearing that they wanted to challenge grandma’s mental competence, when she was the sanest, kindest person I’ve ever known…”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. Under the circumstances, it was the best thing you could have done. You’ve never stood up to them before, and you leaving the meeting scared them. I think your parents finally realised that they’ve lost control over you.”
Running out had been a good thing? Leo had been berating himself most of the night for his cowardice and it hadhelpedhis cause?
“I’ll ensure that you won’t have to face them again, Leo. Please don’t throw your grandmother’s gift away just yet. Not now, when you’ve got them spooked.”
Leo’s eyes filled with tears, and he dashed them away, hating himself for his weakness. It wasn’t what he wanted, but Mr Griffin had a point. Rather than let his past rule him, he should think of Finn and Cosy & Chill. “Grandma always told me I should listen to your advice,” he got out. “I’ll wait.”
“Good boy,” the old man said. “You won’t regret it. Believe me.”
Leo turned the phone off and tossed it onto the airbed. He was regretting it already, but short of calling back there was little he could do. He leaned on the windowsill and stared out over rooftops and back gardens. “Why can’t things be fucking easy?” he whispered savagely.
“Because then they wouldn’t be worth shit,” came Roisin’s voice from behind him.
He spun and found her leaning in his doorway.
