Page 123 of He's the One

“I lost my job because of you?” He might have suspected it, but… “How?”

“I got the name of the guy you worked for from Robert. I called him. Cried. Told him you’d wrecked my marriage. That my father was going to come and make trouble unless Nyman sacked you.”

Col clenched his teeth. There was a lot he wanted to say but it wasn’t going to make anything better.

“I’m sorry. I think I went crazy. Not think. I did go crazy. My world had collapsed. But I blamed you and I shouldn’t have. God, Robert wasn’t worth it and if there’s anything I can do...”

“There isn’t, but thank you. You were upset. I get it. But I’m happy now. I hope you will be, too. Goodbye, Megan.” Col ended the call. It was pointless being angry with her; they were both Robert’s victims. And in any case, as he’d told Megan, he was happy. Happier now than he’d ever been in his life.

“Robert being pissed off is not good,” Theo said.

“No. I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone that Robert was going to get that warning. Not make it public, at least, and I haven’t.”

Theo winced. “I didn’t tell anyone.”

“Being given a warning isn’t proof of harassment. It doesn’t give Robert a criminal record, but the warning is now on the Police National Computer and stays there indefinitely. Presumably, in case I turn up dead. Then he’ll be the prime suspect.”

“Oh God. Don’t.” Theo snuggled against him and Col put his arm around him.

“He could have kept it quiet that he was ever issued with a warning.”

Theo tipped his head to look at him. “But not now someone at his work is aware.”

“I wish I didn’t care. It isn’t my fault someone knows, but Robert won’t see it like that. He’ll blame me.”

“You need to be careful.”

“I’m glad my parents are going on holiday.”

“You think he’d go to their house?”

“He might. I’ll warn them anyway.” Col put the call on speaker. “Hi, Dad. Just wanted to let you know that Robert might be trying to find me. The police issued a harassment warning at his place of work and someone overheard. Robert’s furious. Don’t answer the door in case it’s him. I don’t think he’d be stupid enough to come after me again but…”

“Okay. We’ll be careful. Are you coming home tonight? Your mum’s made jerk chicken. Last meal we can have with you before we leave. We’re staying at an airport hotel tomorrow night, remember?”

“I’ll be about an hour.”

“See you later.”

Col turned to Theo. “Sorry. I have to go home.”

Theo took hold of his hand. “Be careful.”

“Do you want to come for dinner? Mum will have made loads. She always does.”

“Are you sure?”

“You could stay over. I’d bring you back tomorrow.”

“Okay. I’ll shower and pack a bag. Call your mother and ask her though.”

Col rang his mum, even though he knew she’d be fine about Theo coming over.

“Col. Don’t tell me you’re not coming home.”

“Can I bring Theo?”

“Of course you can.”

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