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I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. It’s not just that I’ve already told the whole thing to two police officers and can’t face going through it again. It’s the look on his face.
“She was out with Penny,” Emmy says, stepping in. “Some lad came up behind her on one of those e-scooters. Took her bag off her shoulder and was round the corner before she was back on her feet.”
Ryan drags a hand over his bruised face. “Fuck. Are you…” He shakes his head. “I was gonnae ask if you’re okay, but you don’t look okay.”
“I’m fine,” I say. “It looks worse than it is. A woman helped me up and walked me back here, and Emmy’s been taking care of me since. Plus, the police were lovely, even if I got the impression they don’t think they’ll be able to catch the guy.”
Ryan breathes out through his nose. “What did he look like?”
“I didn’t really see him. He was in a hoodie, but I’m not even sure what colour it was. Honestly, I only saw his back, and it was all over so fast.”
I have the strangest feeling that if I were able to give Ryan a better description, he’d walk outside and go street by street until he found the guy.
“What did he get?” Ryan asks.
“Not much. A bit of cash. A bank card, but it’s already cancelled. Some lip balm. Hairbands.”
“Her phone was in her jacket pocket,” Emmy supplies. “And her keys were here, which is lucky.”
“It’s annoying more than anything,” I add. “I’ll have to wait a few days for a new bank card. That’s the biggest pest, but it could have been a lot worse.”
“If you need any money in the meantime—” he begins, but I cut him off.
“Nope! I’m all right. Thanks, though.”
Emmy looks from me to Ryan. “You two make quite the pair. You both look like you’ve been in the wars.”
Great. Just what I need: matching bruises with Ryan Sloan.
“Anyway, Briony,” Emmy says. “You need to call your mum and tell her what happened.”
“No.”
“Briony—”
“Absolutely not. She worries about Innes enough, and Dad’s been ill. I’m not giving her one more thing to be up to high doh about.”
“You go to your parents’ house for dinner every Friday. You really think your mum’s not going to notice your face?”
“It’ll have gone down a bit by then. Anyway, make-up can do wonders.”
“Hmm.” Emmy looks unconvinced, but she lets it go.
“Did you ever look into self-defence?” Ryan asks me.
Emmy turns to me, eyebrows raised.
“Ryan suggested it after that guy bothered me at the Grove,” I explain. To Ryan, I add, “And no, I never got around to looking into it.” Truthfully, I never had any intention of looking into it, but I don’t say that.
Ryan nods once, as if that settles something. “I’ll teach you.”
“Oh—no. That’s really not necessary. I’m fine, thank you.”
Self-defence lessons would mean him putting his hands on me. After last night, I’m having enough trouble just looking him in the eye.
“I don’t know, Briony,” Emmy says. “I think it could be a good idea. I did a course years ago. I’ve never had to use what I learnt, touch wood, but I’m glad I at least know the basics. And you’ve got someone who literally fights for a living offering to teach you!”
Whose side is she on?
