“You little—”
Esme let out a scream and Libby sprang forward, putting her body between them.
“Stop it!” she shouted. “Both of you, stop it now!”
No one moved, the air electric. Libby looked between Dylan and Simon, their faces both twisted in anger. She needed one of them out of the house before they killed each other. She took a deep breath. “Simon, you need to l—”
“Oh, I don’t feel well,” Simon groaned, and he sank back down into a chair and put his face in his hands.
“What’s the matter?”
“I feel dizzy.”
“How did he cut his head?” Frank asked.
“He fell off the bottom step outside,” Libby said.
“Maybe he has a concussion.”
“He doesn’t have a concussion,” Dylan spat. “He’s faking it.”
But Libby had to admit that Simon was looking pale. “Should we call one-one-one?”
“No, I’m okay,” Simon said. “I just need to rest for a minute; then I’ll leave.”
“I don’t think you should be going anywhere if you’ve hit your head,” Frank said, and when Libby looked at him, he shrugged in apology. “I’m sorry, Libby, but he’s not safe out there on public transport, not like this.”
“Jesus, can’t you see he’s putting it on?” Dylan said.
“Piss off,” Simon said, glaring up at Dylan. “I really do feel—”
“Will you two give it a rest?” Libby said. She looked atDylan. “I’m sorry but Frank’s right. I can’t let Simon travel back to Surrey in this state.”
“You don’t need to look after him, Libby.” The aggression had disappeared from Dylan’s voice, and he was looking at her imploringly. “You don’t owe him anything.”
“I know I don’t. But I can’t let him roam the streets when he’s this drunk; he might get hit by a bus or something.”
Dylan opened his mouth to reply, but then he stopped and his whole body seemed to deflate. “Fine.”
All the laughter and joy from earlier had gone, and when Libby looked at her friends, their faces were serious.
“We should probably be heading off,” Frank said, pulling himself up. “Libby, would you like one of us to stay and help you with Simon?”
“No, I’ll be fine, thank you.”
Frank and Esme started toward the kitchen. Dylan stayed where he was a moment longer, glowering at Simon; then he turned and followed the other two inside.
In the hallway, they all found their coats and Libby opened the front door to let them out.
“Thank you for a lovely party,” Esme said, giving her a tight hug.
“Are you free for a walk on Monday?” Frank asked, and when Libby nodded, he gave her a kiss on the cheek and stepped outside with Esme.
Dylan was the last one to leave. She felt him squeeze against the wall as he moved past, so as not to accidentally brush against her. All the intimacy of earlier had disappeared, and he wouldn’t even look at her as he stepped outside.
“Good night, Dylan.”
He faltered on the doorstep and then turned back, their eyes meeting. “You know you don’t have to do this, don’t you?” he said in a quiet voice. “You don’t have to do anything for him anymore.”
