“I’m glad you got out.”
“Me too.” He dragged me into another hug. A desperate, urgent hold that told me we’d never be parted again for such a prolonged length of time.
“Did you really have to set your big bad police officer boyfriend on me?” He laughed, a tense sound.
“I wouldn’t have if you hadn’t run.” I shrugged and glanced at Mitch.
“Why did you run?” Mitch said with a scowl. “What are these tax troubles?”
“I’ve been doing cash-in-hand bar work, a lot, I’ve got bills to pay, but the Inland Revenue found out and starteddemanding tax. Money I don’t have because I needed it to live while I study.”
“And you thought a cop would…” Mitch folded his arms and huffed. “We’ve got better things to do.”
“I’m sure.” Jeremy took in Mitch’s size and the width of his shoulders. The uniform seemed to make him even bigger, more imposing than he already was. “And you’re…together? With my sister.”
“Yep.”
“Yes we are,” I said. “And my man was shot not long ago, so you shouldn’t have made him chase you.”
Mitch gave a what-does-that-matter grunt and straightened his shades.
“Sorry,” Jeremy said. “I didn’t know, did I.” He paused. “So where are you living?”
“Oxford. A kindly professor, a woman, picked me up that night I escaped The Commune of Light and took me there. I’ve been making a life for myself ever since. Got a job, a flat, friends…Mitch.”
“Good for you.” Jeremy took my hand. “I want to hear all about it. How about I get to you on my next day off? We can go for a drink, have a proper catch-up.”
“Why? You got somewhere to be now?” Mitch asked and glanced at his watch.
“Actually yeah, I start a shift at Stable Yard Bar in ten minutes.”
“Where’s that?” Mitch asked.
“Down by the waterfront.”
“Come on, we’ll give you a lift.” Mitch stepped up to me and took my hand. He gave my fingers a reassuring squeeze. “It will give you two the time to swap numbers.”
We drove back to Oxford quietly. I’d given Jeremy all the cash I had in my purse, fifty quid, before we’d said goodbye. Hepromised he’d pay me back, but I told him not to worry about it. People had been kind to me when I’d made my escape, and he had the added burden of studying.
We were connected again. The past would have to be discussed at some point, but it was exactly that…the past.
Life was better looking forward.
Mitch parked up outside the apartment block. “You okay? You’ve hardly said anything.”
“I’m perfect.” I smiled and touched his cheek. “I feel like a circle has just been completed, like I’m me again. Having Jeremy in my life will fill a hole that’s been gaping.”
“Good, I’m glad you feel that way.” He kissed my knuckles, his lips lingering and his breath warm. “Come on, let’s go in, it’s been an eventful day.”
We went into the apartment, and I kicked off my shoes. As I went into the bedroom, the shower flicked on. Mitch changing from his uniform and freshening up.
My phone beeped.
It was a message from Jeremy
I’ve had three Red Letter days since leaving the commune. Meeting Jake and Ben—my two best friends—getting onto my political science course, and now seeing you again. Let’s make a pact to catch up regularly. I want to know you in the real world. Get to know Mitch—big and scary, sure, but I know you’ll always be safe with him around. And make new memories for us—a lifetime of normal memories that we deserve away from fucked-up people with fucked-up agendas. Love you, sis.
My eyes filled up and I reread the message. Imagine if I hadn’t been brave enough to go and find my brother. Hadn’t been able to put my fears, my anger, my hate for Nigel to oneside. It didn’t bear thinking about, because without Jeremy my life would have always had a gap in it. An empty seat at the table.
