Page 46 of The Mission

“Not far. He…grabbed my cock, rubbed himself against me… I just want to forget it ever happened.”

“I understand that.”

“The sad thing is that I don’t think Mark will ever change. Narcissistscanchange if they’re able to see things from someone else’s perspective and ready to come to terms with the way they behave, but I’m not sure that will ever be Mark. He doesn’t understand that the way he’s behaving is wrong.”

“You’re probably right. I sacked him this morning. Instant dismissal.”

Conrad gave a quiet gasp. “What did he say?”

“That you’d been out to get him since he broke up with you. That he was defending himself. I pointed out you were injured, he wasn’t.Youwent to the hospital for treatment.Youreported him to the police. He’d taken drugs. You hadn’t. I know exactly how much you drank and it wasn’t much.”

“What did he say?”

“Bumbled on about defending himself.” Rurik shrugged. “They moved him into another room last night so he couldn’t mess with any evidence. When I asked him what the police might find, he went quiet. I hope they find drugs. It serves him right.”

Was it really over?Conrad still didn’t think Mark would go quietly.

When they got back to the chalet, the adults were eating breakfast and the kids were nowhere to be seen.

“Ski school, then a party and we pick them up after lunch,” Rurik answered Conrad’s unasked question.

Arlo came straight to him and wrapped his arms around him. “I’d hug you tighter but I don’t want to hurt you. How did you get on?”

He pulled Conrad down to sit next to him.

“How are you?” Arlo’s mum asked.

“I’m okay.”

“Everyone knows what happened,” Arlo said. “Well, some of it.”

“Want us to beat him up?” Benedikt asked.

Rurik gave a heavy sigh.

Conrad felt embarrassed.

“I’ve sacked him,” Rurik said. “I don’t want his name mentioned again this Christmas.”

Nor did Conrad.

10

Arlo was relieved when Conrad said he didn’t feel up to skiing, because he looked worn out. Moments after they settled on Arlo’s bed, Conrad fell asleep. Arlo laid his hand over Conrad’s and stared at the cut on his cheek. He was awash with emotions about what Warner had done, angry that he’d dared touch Conrad, frightened to think what might have happened and concerned that Conrad had been hurt. Warner’s arrogance was astounding. At least Rurik had sacked him, though Arlo wished for more of a punishment than that. Still, it was up to Conrad whether he wanted Mark charged with assault or not.

He left Conrad sleeping and joined his mum in the kitchen.

“Conrad asleep?” she asked.

“Yes. Can I do anything to help?”

“Mince pies? I’ve made the pastry. All you have to do is roll it out and cut it.”

Arlo washed his hands and set to work. His mum was makingVanillekipferl, crescent-shaped biscuits made from ground almonds and dusted with vanilla sugar.

Arlo slipped a piece of the uncooked mixture into his mouth. “Hmmm.”

“No more!”

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