Page 68 of Touch in the Night

Jesse fought a smile. “Now I know you’re either high or bullshitting.”

“Neither.” His brother did smile, wide and warm, though the dark sadness that had become part of him since their father passed still shaded his eyes. “So, what do you say? You’ll come?”

Jesse hesitated then lowered his gaze. “So, I’m sort of…working…late…on Christmas Eve.”

Anton blinked at him. “You’re working Christmas Eve night?”

“Yeah.”

A dozen questions flickered over Anton’s face, but he drew a breath and just asked. “How late?”

Jesse chewed on the inside of his cheek, watching the emotion harden his brother’s eyes. “Fuck it. I’ll be there.”

A smile washed away the pensiveness in Anton’s face. “That’s great. Early, yeah? Want to surprise Oliver.”

Jesse nodded. “I’ll try.”

“Great,” Anton said, standing. “More mead, I think.”

“Hell yes,” Jess muttered. “Line them up.”

Anton brought more mead, pork pie and halloumi fries, and they ate and drank and talked about Oliver. It was easier than it had been since their dad had died, and Jesse gradually started to relax. Though when it came time for Jesse to leave, their hug was still awkward, that ever-present barrier between them stiffening their movements.

“See you Saturday, yeah?” Anton said as they stepped out into the darkening evening.

“Yeah,” Jesse replied, turning to hurry away without meeting his brother’s eye. “See ya Saturday.”

Jesse dug his hands in his pockets and hunched against the icy wind blowing down Church Street. The alcohol had dulled his thoughts but had also weighted the unease that lay in his gut like concrete.

A message from an unknown number flashed on his phone screen as he sat on the bus making its way out of town.

Please meet me in the library at your earliest convenience. Please also note, this is my personal number, not to be shared with anyone.

Emory

Jesse blinked at the message for several minutes, fired off a quick reply, saved the number in a hidden sub-folder on his phone and fought an idiotic smile.

* * * *

“I trust you had a pleasant trip to town?” Emory said as he took a seat in one of the deep armchairs of the library and gestured to the one opposite.

“I did,” Jesse said as he sat. “Met my brother. It was nice.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear it. Are you hungry?”

“We ate.” Jesse fidgeted. “This is about tomorrow night?”

Emory regarded him levelly. “I wanted to see how you were feeling about it all.”

Jesse grimaced. “The answer to that question changes every ten minutes.”

“I can understand that. Let’s start off with the objective matters. Are you confident you can get Dimity out safely?”

“I am,” Jesse said, staring at the carpet. “But only if she wants to come.” He raised his eyes. Emory wasn’t blinking. “I’m not forcing her.”

“I’m certain she will want to come,” he said. “But please ask her first. That is a given.”

Jesse nodded. “You got your fastest driver on this?”

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