Page 16 of Hold On

“Of course you can,” Theo said. “We’re going to do salmon and salad for dinner. Is that all right?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Have you had salmon before?” Theo asked.

“No.”

“You might not like it,” Col said.

“There’ll be a lot of new things to try.” Dominic managed to smile.

“Do you want to borrow some of my clothes?” Col asked.

“Please.”

“Did you bring any toiletries?” Theo added.

He shook his head.

“We’ve got a spare toothbrush, toothpaste and comb.” Col furrowed his brow. “I’ll get a few things together and you can use what you want until we buy what you need tomorrow.”

By the time Dominic had water running in the large tub, there was a pile of Col’s clothes on the floor of the bathroom along with a range of toiletries and the fluffiest towel he’d ever felt in his life. He’d stroked his cheek with it and the sensation brought a lump to his throat.A fucking towel!He locked the door just for the pleasure of being able to do it, knowing no one could or would come in, that there was no way he could be seen, and stripped off.

The left side of his body was a mess, covered in red marks and grazes. He’d hit the ground hard. For a split second when the bike had struck him, he’d thought Kilic or someone working for him had followed them back from Marsden and waited to get him on his own, but if that had been the case, he’d be dead. Ren had just caught him a glancing blow by accident, and had shown enough concern to settle any worries Dominic had. At least the guy had listened to him about not phoning the police.

Dominic climbed gingerly into the bath and lowered himself into the hot water. Hotter than any shower he’d had inside. As he sank down, the pleasure of it suddenly became too much and he started to cry. Silent tears, but still tears. He’d held them back all this time for a simple thing like a hot bath to crack his shell. Even the scent of the shampoo and the soap stunned him.

He washed every part of himself, every toe, every hair on his head. The water eased his aching muscles and he felt himself relax. He stayed in until the water cooled, then levered himself out. He drained the bath while he towelled himself dry. Col’s clothes were a little too big, but manageable.I smell better.The odour of prison had gone. He cleaned the bath until it shone, then moved the toiletries to the bathroom attached to the room they’d given him. Everything he’d worn today went into the bin.

“Feel better?” Theo asked as he walked over.

“Much.”

“Come and sit down,” Col said and Dominic joined him on the couch. “We’re all on a learning curve here. Theo and I are worried about accidentally upsetting you, saying something stupid, assuming something we shouldn’t. I thought you’d be so excited to get out, but you seem the opposite. Subdued and sort of…sad.”

“I’m overwhelmed.” Dominic didn’t want to be sad.

“Like an alien who’s just landed here with a basic knowledge of the planet but not enough to fit in without giving himself away as being different.” Theo clapped a hand to his mouth. “Sorry.”

Dominic managed a smile. “You’re right.”

“Are you worried that people will look at you and know where you’ve spent the last decade and a half?” Col asked.

“Less now I’ve dumped the sweatpants and trainers.”And the smell.“If I think sensibly, I know I’m not going to be outed as an ex-con, but it is a worry. Yes.”

“Once we’ve eaten, we’ll show you how to go online,” Theo said. “Your life will never be the same again.”

“In a good way?”

Theo opened his mouth, then closed it.

“That’s a really good question,” Col said with a laugh.

“One thing I have to do is apologise to you, Col.” Dominic met his brother’s gaze.

“For what? There’s nothing you need to apologise for.”

“There is. Those calls I made, the things I said… When I forced you to play along and called you Billy…” Dominic glanced at Theo.

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