Page 53 of He's the One

Col laughed. “I’m kidding.”

“I’ve been googling concussion,” Theo said as they waited for the lift. “Things that might happen afterwards. Memory and concentration problems, mood swings, personality changes, headaches, tiredness, insomnia and excessive drowsiness.” He blinked. “There’s probably more but those are the ones I remember. Oh, and if your vision deteriorates or you can’t keep your eyes open, you need to go back to hospital.”

Col smiled. “Thanks, doctor.”

Theo looked stricken. “I’d never wanted to be a doctor until I saw you were hurt. Not knowing what to do was awful. I was so scared. The guy on the other end of the phone was asking if your breathing was okay and I had no idea, then you had a seizure and I couldn’t do anything.”

“You dideverythingyou needed to do.You called for help, stayed with me. It was your turn to save me.”

The difference between this gentle guy and Robert had never seemed clearer. Robert had left him lying there and was only looking out for himself.

“The doctor says I’m fine for work as long as I don’t overdo it. I can come and see your head gardener tomorrow.”

“If you feel well enough. What did the police say?”

“You can’t tell anyone, but they’re going to issue Robert with a harassment warning. There’ll be no follow up on the assault. I can’t remember enough to make it worth their while.”

“What if your memory comes back?”

“I think I’d still let it go.”

“She could have killed you.Hecould have killed you. You ought to tell his wife that you know exactly what she did and that you’re giving her the chance to mend her ways. Robert too.”

They stepped into the lift and Col wrapped his hand around Theo’s.

“I don’t want anyone to hurt you,” Theo whispered. “Ever.”

Col had never held any guy’s hand in a public place like this—not for more than a brief moment—and was alert for Theo trying to pull away, even though there was no public around, but Theo’s grip tightened.

“Are you worried you might collapse?” Theo whispered. “Because, to be honest, I’d be a useless crutch. Or is it that you’re excessively drowsy and you’re concerned you might fall asleep before we get to the car?”

“Are you trying to wreck the moment?”

“Oh no! A personality change! Press theupbutton.”

Col laughed.

When they stepped out of the lift, their hands stayed together until Theo had to pay for the parking. But once they’d left the building, he reached for Col’s hand.

“The car’s in the multi-storey. I sat and programmed the satnav for Marsden before I came in. Don’t freak out if it sayswelcome to Belgium.It sorts itself out after a few minutes.”

Once they were in Theo’s car, an eight-year-old Citroen, a voicedidwelcome them to Belgium and Col chuckled.

When Col woke, they were parked outside a pub and Theo was reading a book.

Col pulled his head away from the window and straightened up. “How long have I been asleep? You should have woken me.”

“No, sleep’s what you needed and you looked so peaceful. When I got bored of staring at you, I had this to read.”

“How long did it take you to get bored of staring at me?”

Theo showed him the book and grinned. He was on the first page. “And it’s supposed to be a brilliant thriller. Ready for lunch?”

“Uh huh.”

“I hope this place is okay,” Theo said as they made their way across the car park.

“I’ve been here before. The food’s good.”

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