Page 52 of He's the One

“No. I’ve never told anyone, but Theo’s different.”

She exhaled.

“He’s got me an interview for a job at Asquith, working in the garden.”

“But that’s not what you want to do.” She stroked his hand.

“For the time being, it’s something.” He didn’tadd—to help me pay my way and save for Dominic—because he knew they’d not accept that.

“I brought you some clothes.” She gestured to a carrier bag. “And your toiletries. I thought you might want to clean your teeth and have a shave.”

“Thank you.”

“Will you come home tonight?”

He nodded. “I hope the police give me my phone back, but if not, I’ll call you from Theo’s. Will you give him your number, please?”

“Of course.”

As they left, the doctor arrived with a list of don’ts. Don’t overstimulate his brain by excessive reading, texting or watching TV. Don’t drive, don’t operate heavy machinery for a couple of days. Col suspected that if he’d still been working on Asquith Hall’s roof, he’d have been told not to.

“You’re fit for discharge, but take it easy,” the doctor said. “And if you experience any of the symptoms I listed, seek medical help.”

When Col emerged from having showered and shaved, there were two policemen at his bedside. He’d had time to think while he’d got dressed, but he still couldn’t remember Robert’s wife being there. He believed Theo but Col couldn’t tell the police something he wasn’t sure of.

It was possible her prints were on his car, or on what she’d hit him with, assuming the police had found whatever that was. It was also possible that, given time, they could discover whether her phone put her in the vicinity. That Robert would deny she was there wasn’t a surprise. He wouldn’t want his wife put on trial for grievous bodily harm. That sort of publicity would freak him out. Robert was already lying about who’d started the assault because he wanted to wriggle out of what he’d done.

Col was exhausted by the time he’d given his statement, but the end result was as he’d expected. The police were unlikely to pursue a case against Robert. He had no record of violence against Col and it was Col’s word against his as to who had started the altercation. With no witnesses to say his wife had turned up, it was pointless investigating further, particularly since Col had survived. Well, they hadn’t exactly said that last bit, but Col got it. And he had his phone and car keys back.

They were, however, going to issue Robert with a harassment warning, a formal written notice making it clear that Robert had overstepped the line. Col dared to hope that really would be the end of it.

When he walked out of the ward, the first person he saw was Theo. He was wearing soft grey jeans that hugged his colt-like legs, a white shirt and a broad smile. Theo looked so happy to see him that Col wanted to step into his arms, but he hesitated.

“I’d like to hug you,” Theo whispered, his face so close that Col could feel his warm breath on his lips. “Can I? Not too hard. Is it okay?”

“Yes.”

They wrapped their arms around each other and Col felt Theo trembling against him.

“I’m so glad you’re all right,” Theo whispered. “Youareall right? Up for this trip?”

“Yep.”

They broke apart, then set off down the corridor, their hands occasionally brushing until Col linked his little finger with Theo’s.

“You caught me,” Theo whispered.

“Dangling bait like that, what did you expect?”

Theo grinned. “What time do you need to be there?”

“Two.”

“So we can stop for lunch. I bought snacks for the journey.”

“Mars Bars, Crunchies and salt and vinegar crisps?”

“Ah. We need to buy snacks for the journey.”

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