Page 7 of Hold On

Theo audibly gulped. “Yes, because Col says so.”

“Is your father okay about me living with you for the time being?”

“Col said you’ll be no problem and my father trusts Col.”

When Dominic had told the Through the Gate team that he was staying at Asquith Hall, he hadn’t been believed until they’d checked.

The door opened and Col climbed in with bags of food. McDonald’s. Dominic’s mouth watered. First time for…

“Big Mac.” Col shot him a smile and handed over the container. “Chicken nuggets for the baby.”

“Hey!” Theo protested.

“With a toy.”

“In that case…” Theo took the bag Col was holding out.

One bite and Dominic was transported back to his childhood. He and Col rarely had anything from McDonald’s. It was usually if money had come Dominic’s way by some means or another.

“Good?” Col asked.

Dominic nodded.Perfect.

Theo was playing with a toy that transformed from a robot to an insect, except he seemed to be having trouble.

“Is that it?” He held up the plastic shape that in no way resembled robot or insect.

Col laughed. “No. Give it Dominic. He’s good at things like that.”

Sixteen years ago!But he took the toy and a few twists later handed it back to Theo, feeling absurdly pleased with himself.

Chapter Two

Ren parked his sparkling, shiny Honda bike next to his brother’s disgustingly filthy Land Rover and hoped dirt wasn’t catching. As he was taking off his gloves and helmet, Will climbed out of his vehicle. He opened up the back, removed Ren’s rucksack and a sleeping bag, and handed them over. Or rather thrust them into Ren’s arms with enough force to make Ren stagger backwards.Still in a temper then?

“Watch it!” Ren said.

“You ride like a lunatic,” Will snapped.

Oh, in a temper about something else.

“I’m not making you do this,” Will said.

Ren glanced at his brother, then at what he was holding in his arms before he looked around. “Really?”

“I’m not. It’s up to you. You could have said no.”

Ren’s cheek twitched. “I know.” But with a mother who couldn’t stop fussing…

“It’s only for a few weeks.”

“I know,” Ren repeated.

“Then stop pulling such a face about it.”

“This is my resting bitch face and I can pull it if I want to.”

At least Will laughed at that. Ren looked longingly at his shiny gunmetal NT1100. He’d only just bought it, and he wasn’t happy about leaving it open to the elements. It might be the middle of summer but this was England, it could snow in April. Relying on the sun coming out was a fool’s game.

---