Page 24 of The Mission

“I won’t feel disrespected. Move in tomorrow then?”

Conrad smiled. “I want this to be the start.”

“Itisthe start. You feel it?”

“I do. But let’s take it steady. We only get one first time. We shouldn’t rush it.”

“I’ve been waiting so long.”

Conrad could so easily waver, so easily fall. “Make me wait, then.”

“I don’t want you to.” Arlo whined. “I can wait until tomorrow, if pushed.”

Conrad chuckled. “Well, I’m pushing. I’ll meet you by the Hahnenkammbahn cable car at nine.”

“And wait for forty minutes again?”

“I’d have waited far longer than that.”

“Another five minutes?”

“If I’d known you’d be coming, then I’d have waited all day.”

Arlo smiled and kissed him.

The kiss went on until Conrad could feel Arlo getting cold.

“Text me when you get back so I know you’re safe and not stuck in a snowdrift,” Arlo said.

Conrad nodded.

He tried to ignore the disappointed look on Arlo’s face, and set off back to the hotel. Why did doing the right thing feel like he’d done the exact opposite? Even if Rurik hadn’t been Arlo’s elder brother, Conrad would have still gone back to the hotel. He wasn’t sure he could have faced Arlo’s parents in the morning, let alone a pack of scowling brothers.

The town was still busy with après-skiers having a good time, light and sound spilling from bars into the streets. The snow continued to fall and everywhere looked beautiful, sparkling under the street lights, with all sharp edges softened. Maybe this was going to be the best Christmas he’d ever had. Conrad told himself not to hope for too much, but it was hard not to. He’d opened up to Arlo. Told him stuff that he’d only told the therapist. Not told him just how bad it had been with Mark, but that was behind him. He was a different person now. Emotional neglect had led him into Mark’s arms and ironically, the same thing had led him out of them.

His therapist had made him understand that he was more of a victim than he’d ever seen himself. No more thinking he was too passive, too weak. He’d made a mistake. He’d learned and now he was a different person.

David was fast asleep when Conrad went into the hotel room, a lump under the covers. Conrad was as quiet as he undressed. After he’d used the bathroom, he slipped into bed and pulled the covers over his head.

I’m backhe tapped into his phone.

The reply came quickly.I wish you were here.

I’m sorry I left.

I understand. I do.

It’s your parents’ chalet. It feels…difficult.

I am a bit of a screamer.

Conrad smiled.Well then! Think how you’d feel if one of your brothers rushed in thinking I was killing you.

LOLRurik said Big Arsehole—well he didn’t call him that—has organised a race tomorrow at 10 at the Kitzbüheler Horn slalom course. Rurik’s going because clients are racing. You should ski too. I’ll meet you there instead of the base and watch you beat Rurik.

As if I’d dare.

If you lose deliberately, he’ll know and so will I. You’re good! I’ll see you at the top at 10. Night xx

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