Warren pushed up from his chair.
Patel’s eyes tracked him. “Going somewhere?”
“School.” He snatched his coffee off the table. “When you decide which option you’re going with, you can loop me in.”
“Warren.”
He turned back, masking the spark of irritation.
“I want daily updates from now on. No gaps.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
He pivoted for the door, then almost ploughed straight into a wall of leather and muscle.
“Whoa…” The bloke caught him, grinning. “Alright? Warren, isn’t it?”
It took Warren a second to place him. “Reece. Fire service.”
“Yeah.” Reece shifted his helmet to his other hand. “This is my other half, Trent.” He jerked his chin to the blond behind him, who offered a small, easy smile.
Warren nodded. “Nice to meet you.” He took Trent’s hand, shaking it with a firm grip.
“So you’re the new PE teacher all the Worthbridge girls are apparently lusting after?” Trent’s grin carried a wink. “Can see why.”
Warren huffed a dry laugh. “Ha. Yeah. Thanks.”
Reece shot his boyfriend a look before glancing past Warren towards Patel. “You…er, here early to get the cinnamon whirls too or…” Reece narrowed his eyes. “Something else?”
“Kids at school keep going on about the whirls. Place is all over TikTok.”
“They are to die for.” Reece bumped his fist to Warren’s. “See you in the gym.”
Warren stepped aside, slipped out into the street, and let the sharp blast of sea air cut through the mess of his thoughts.
chapter sixteen
Covert Mission
Jude slept in his car.
Although, sleep was a generous word for it. More like hours of half-conscious shifting, jolting awake every time a headlight flashed through the windscreen or his spine protested the contorted position he’d wedged himself into. Still, it was better than being at home. Better than feeling Callum’s presence saturating the walls.
He woke with the world, grey light bleeding through the steamed-up glass. Every joint ached from the cramped position, neck locked from curling in the back seat. He rolled his shoulders until they cracked, then slid on his glasses and stared out at the sea. And even though it was right there, it still felt unreachable.
Hecouldhave gone to a hotel. He had enough for maybe one night, but he wasn’t exactly flush. Starting from scratch ona teacher’s salary didn’t leave much beyond rent, bills, the car, and bare essentials. What little he put aside each month wasn’t meant for the extortionate prices of the Harbour Hotel and Spa, nor the coastal B&Bs charging tourist rates. And Worthbridge was full of them. Small, family-run places where the owners probably had kids in his classes. People who’d ask questions. People who’d talk.
Besides, it was instinct by now: keep moving, keep to himself, rely on no one. The car was familiar. Contained. No forms to sign, no receptionist with a polite smile and curious eyes, no trail for Callum to sniff out later. It was a locked door, four windows, and a steering wheel if he needed to go.
It wasn’t comfort, exactly. But it was control.
And control was all he had left.
Starting the engine, he shook Irene’s voice from his shoulders then drove on autopilot towards the twenty-four-hour Tesco where he picked up a shirt and trousers from the bargain rail. A tie to hide the creases. Underwear, socks, a travel pack of shampoo, shower gel, deodorant, toothpaste, a cheap toothbrush, knock-off cologne, and hair gel that would absolutely smell of alcohol. He’d have to use the blazer in his boot to make it all look intentional, along with the trainers he had just passing for professional casual.
Then he drove to work.
By the time he pulled into the school car park, it was seven thirty. He’d have the gym showers to himself if he was quick, out before the football lads flooded in for pre-school training. The quiet was a small mercy. Steam on cold tiles. The soothing rhythm of hot water on skin. He stood under it until the knot between his shoulders eased, then killed the flow and wrapped a towel high around his waist, higher than normal to hide the ink and meandered back into the changing room. He took a corner, dragging on trousers, shirt hanging open, glasses folded besidehim on the bench. He was bent to pull on his socks when the door opened.
