Between us, we secured the building, checking locks and cameras and anything that looked like someone could enter there. Outside was still a typical London day, the street filled with people, the sky the same colour as stone.
I threaded my fingers through hers when we started to walk, wondering when and if I told her about the fuck-up that was other parts of my life. Being a single dad wasn’t the hang up I had; Lolly was great, even for a teenaged girl, but Rob was something else.
“I can’t believe how many rough sleepers London has now.” We were walking past a side street that was sheltered from the elements. It was a known hang-out for the homeless and occasionally I’d seen Rob there.
“It’s a huge problem.” Saying any more, that it wasn’t just about the shortage of housing or how the system worked, that it was about mental health and lack of resources would only open up more questions from her, one I wasn’t sure how to answer.
“Jack.” A hand grabbed my shoulder.
We stopped, both of us turning round. A man I knew as Sid, but I was pretty sure he hadn’t been given that name on his birth certificate, stood there, his face gaunt and eyes sunken. I knew he was an occasional user, had been on and off for years. Robert had been with him one night when he’d OD’d, staying with him while he was at hospital.
“How’s it going?”
“Same shit, different day. I heard you’re looking for your brother?”
I nodded, trying to remember how much cash I had on me because Sid would be expecting something.
“Heard he’s up north. Manchester. Or Leeds.”
I pulled my wallet out of my pocket. “Any chance you can get a message to him to get in touch. Let me know he’s okay?” I handed him a five-pound note.
He took it, no word of thanks. Sid didn’t know how to say thank you, he only knew how to survive.
“If I can, I’ll let him know. You cooking up on Sunday?”
I nodded, aware of Simone’s curious expression. I didn’t want to talk to her about Robert. Coming to terms with the fact that I had let him down wasn’t anywhere on my agenda; in fact, I was keeping it as a stick to beat myself with. “I’ll be at the centre. Want me to get you some bacon?”
“I’d love that. I’ll see what I can do about Rob.” He slapped my shoulder weakly and walked off. I was sure he was limping.
“Can I ask?”
I didn’t grab hold of her hand.
“I’m going to need to sort something out. Can I see you at Mount Street later about the menu?”
She looked as if I’d just sold her puppy.
“Sure. Whatever you need to do.”
I gave her a nod and walked off, needing some space. Needing a fucking time machine and the ability to use it.
Chapter 9
Simone
“You haven’t spoken to him since?”
Seph Callaghan was an enigma. Despite both Vanessa and Sophie try to pry information out of me, it was Seph I’d spilled the details to. Not all the details; I had no desire to share exactly many times I’d had an orgasm or the length and girth of Jack’s penis with anyone, and I didn’t think Seph would appreciate that sort of information.
“We’ve spoken in passing at work, but not had a proper conversation, not in the last week.” It was actually ten days, but I wasn’t meant to be counting.
“I know he’s checked with Killian every night to make sure security’s set.”
“On his place?”
Seph shook his head and sipped his Americano. “No. Yours and the restaurants. Haven’t you asked about his brother?”
That would’ve been too sensible. “I haven’t spoken to him. He walked away like he was embarrassed.”
