It seemed the universe had already heard his plea, because the rumble of a car’s engine from outside answer it. His first instinct was to panic. Was this more people from Stonewell, like Mike, who’d come to finish the job? But as William leaned into the window, he recognised the familiar yellow taxi speeding up the driveway, kicking dust out behind its wheels.
It was Saturday – just as the taxi man had promised. And he’d returned just on time.
Before William ran downstairs to greet him, he poked his head into the study. To William’s relief, Edward had his eyes open, although the same couldn’t be said for Mike. “Help is on the way, dear.”
Edward blinked heavily. “Was that a Mrs Doubtfire quote?”
“Of course it is,” William said with a wink. “I knew you had taste.”
“I do.” Edward’s smiling eyes fluttered closed. “I like you after all. Did you do it?”
William nodded, lifting his hands to show him the mud covering them. Except, they were clean. Completely void of anything to even suggest he’d just dug up and grave. “I—”
“Thank you. Come back quickly so I can show you just how thankful I am.”
Forgotten were his cleaned hands. William felt like a schoolboy, all giddy and full of bubbles. He’d not been told by another person that they liked him – not in a long time. And after everything, he actually felt worthy of it. “Think you can hang on a little longer?”
“For you, always.”
What else could William say to that? What he wanted to do was plant another kiss on the man before him, right on the mouth, tongues and all. But he would save that for when the shit storm was over – and there was no doubt going to be one.
By the time William Thorn got to the front door, the taxi driver was already knocking on it, likely wondering why a pane of glass was cracked.
“It’s unlocked,” William called out as he rounded the stairs, bounding towards the door with an energy he’d not felt in a while. It suddenly occurred to him that he never asked his name – or perhaps he did and forgot. “You can come in!”
It barely crossed his mind about what the man would think when he saw the state of Hanbury.
The taxi-man knocked again, then called out. “Hello, William? Sorry, I’m a little early. Thought I’d beat the traffic…”
“It’s fine.” And William meant it. He was so relieved that a friendly face was at the door that he could’ve kissed him too. Drawing on the handle, William yanked the door so hard it smacked into the wall, making the taxi man jump out of his skin. “You’ve come at the right time. But don’t panic, something bad has happened, and I need your help with a little issue, I promise I’ll tip well–”
“What. The.Hell.” The taxi driver’s eyes bulged in their sockets.
“What?”
He leaned in as if peered through William. He shivered dramatically, shaking his arms out at his sides. “That was strange.”
William looked behind him, half expecting Teddy and Robert to be standing there. But there was nothing. Only the mess of the house, maybe that was what displeased the driver. “I know, not my greatest asset. But I really need your help–”
For the second time, the taxi driver interrupted him. “William, Hi, It’s me, Stephen… the taxi man you booked.”
Both men stepped towards each other, except Stephen didn’t stop. He continued walking… rightthroughWilliam.
There had been a time, not too long ago, when William Thorn wanted to die. He believed death meant peace. Peace being the one feeling he longed to achieve. But William was wrong. Very wrong to ever think that. Because now he’d received his wish, he felt nothing but torture.
It was lonely, not peaceful.
It’d been hours since the taxi driver, Stephen, had turned up. William had long given up chasing him, demanding to be seen and heard – trying to make sense of what part of Hell he’d found himself a part of. Once the police arrived, followed by three ambulances, he finally understood.
William just stood on and watched.
They escorted Edward out of Hanbury, carrying him down the stairs on a stretcher. As he passed, William shouted for him, and Edward’s eyes opened a crack. Then Edward was shouting too, demanding to know where William was, what they’d done to him.
Is he safe?
Where’s William?
What have you done to him!
