“How are things?”
“There were a couple of items of post. I haven’t sent them yet.” They were still in the boot room.
“Right.”
Newt made a snap decision. Max was his employer. If he said nothing and later River did… “There was an incident.”
River was shaking his head furiously and glaring.
“What sort of incident?”
River grabbed the phone. “No,” he said. “Fuck off. I’m…okay.”
Max chuckled. “You’re using words I can understand! I’m impressed.”
“Cock.”
Max laughed loudly. “What did you do?”
River was holding the phone and scowling at Newt.
“He doesn’t want me to tell you.”
“Do you need to?” Max asked. “You didn’t burn the house down or blow something up?”
“No.”
“Is River injured?”
“No.”
“Then don’t tell me. I might be paying you, but you’re working for River. Keep his confidence.”
“All right.”
River pressed his lips together and put the phone down again.
“A new physio is coming tomorrow at nine,” Max said. “Ed Gains. I’ll send you the link to his website so you can see what he looks like. I’d like you to stay with River during the session. Just to ensure there are no problems.”
“Fine,” Newt said.
“And I want to apologise about Jorge. Someone who used to be part of my life recommended him. He thought I’d enjoy the…er… Well… I hadn’t told him who the physio was for.”
River whined.
“I think that’s too much information,” Newt said.
Max laughed. “Be good boys. Play nicely.” He ended the call.
Newt’s phone beeped.
“Your new torturer.” Newt showed him an image of an athletic looking guy in his forties. He didn’t addso you’re safe from me.
“Po… Pl… Fuck.” River made a sound of frustration.
Newt didn’t know what River was trying to say.
River made a square shape with his fingers.
