“No wonder the Scousers want your ass.”
“Yeah. I screwed things up for them. Big time. Argh! The Scousers are the worst of the lot. They’re using kids as drug mules, Claire. Nine, ten years old. Across the country, kids like we were, they’re skippin’ school or out late at night on their bikes making drug deliveries, like it’s pizza. And what kills me, is that it’s only a matter of time before they’re hooked on the stuff too.”
She put her hand over his and he turned to her.
“So many young lives ruined. I hope what I’ve done has helped save a few.”
She reached up and touched his face, then examined the yellowing around his eye and the purple bloom on his cheek.
“They hurt you bad?”
“No. But they’re not the type of bruises a computer geek can explain away.”
He took her hands in his. Bending his head he gently brushed his lips over her fingers as he held them. He could hear her breathing. Did she want him too? Or was she afraid of him?
“And now what?”
“I begged two days to come up here. On Monday, I’m going into witness protection. A new identity abroad. Far away from here.”
“Does that mean no one’ll ever see you again.”
“Pretty much. Yes.”
Silence again.
“What about me?”
She was gazing up at the moon, avoiding his eyes.
“Come with me.”
Pulling her hand away from his, she shook her head.
“All the things you’ve told me…”
“Claire.”
She sniffed.
“I need to think about it. Please, Sion. Take me home.”
He pulled into the bus stop on the high street, opposite her flat.
She’d been quiet all the way back.
“I’m good from here.”
She went to undo her seat belt and he touched her hand.
“Is this goodbye?”
Pivoting, she faced him.
“Honestly? I don’t know yet.”
Her eyes met his, and behind their bright blueness, she saw his pain.
Leaning towards him, in spite of all the doubts and fears of who this man was, she couldn’t help herself. She kissed his lips.
“Am I safe with you?”
He gazed deep into her eyes.
“I’ll always protect you, Claire. I promise you that. I was stupid, I should’ve done something else with my life after the army.”
“Like, computing?”
A hint of a smile flickered across her face.
“Yeah, like computing. But it’s done now and I’m starting again. A new life in a new country. Come with me.”
She had no words for him yet, so she kissed him.
This time, her lips opened as she felt him respond to her. His hand lightly caressed her shoulder as she leaned in closer, and she felt his desire for her as they both became wrapped around each other. Whether it was a kiss full of promise and hope, or regret and sadness, Claire didn’t yet know.
She ended it, and drew herself apart, reaching for the door handle.
“I’ve gotta go.”
“I’m leaving tomorrow. Even if it’s a no, can I see you?”
She leaned back into the open passenger door.
“I’m picking up my wages tomorrow morning. Then I’m free.”
“Alright. I’ll meet you by The Cross Keys?”
“Fine. See you in the car park at eleven.”
???
Shiny vivid-green leaves were popping out from the hawthorn hedges. The celandines and stitchwort flowers were peppering the hedgerows in waves of brilliant yellow and white. The bluebells had started peeping out. Their heads pushing up like asparagus spears, soon they’d form a bright blue carpet across the woodland behind the cottage. This was the best time of year, and it filled Sion’s heart with sadness. He’d never be here again.
Reaching the farmhouse, he checked the outbuildings. It was Sunday morning, but still, Jac was sure to be doing jobs about the place.
“Hey! Sion!”
Spotting him on the yard, Annie had come out from the house.
“Hi, Annie.”
“Long time no see. There were a couple of people wondering what happened to you
“You seen Jac?”
“He’s just got back in. Kettle’s on if you wanna brew?”
Sion hugged her as he met her by the porch.
“Shit, Sion! Your face! It’s still yellow and green. Jase told us about the bar brawl.”
Sion hastily bent down and pulled his shoes off.
“Has Claire seen the state of you?”
“Not in the daylight. It’s much better than it was. It’ll be gone in a day or two.”
He changed tack quickly.
“Looks like you’re still flat out. Your shed’s full.”
“Turning most of them out into the fields today. We’re hoping this fine weather will last. Couple more weeks’ll do us.”
“Sion!”
He surprised Jac with his strong embrace.
Jac was staring at him too, when he noticed his face. Good job they couldn’t see the rest of his body. From his ribs down, he was still a deep shade of purple. He’d been lucky, nothing was broken. The medical officer they sent to examine him, said it was a miracle he’d not cracked a rib or burst his spleen.
“Great to see you back. What does the other guy look like?”
As they drank coffee and chatted, Sion grew quieter. Their banter began to d
ry up.
“What’s up, mate?”
Annie got up to give them some space, but Sion held his hand out towards her.
“Don’t go. I need to tell you something. Both of you.”
She sat back down.
“I’m going away.”
“When?”
“Today. Right after I see Claire. I’ve got into some strife.”
Jac rubbed his face.
“What kind of trouble you in, mate? Did they arrest you for fighting?”
He regarded his friend cagily, then hung his head.
“I won’t bore you with the details, but let’s just say that I was stretching it a bit when I said I was in computing.”
His eyes met his best friend's.
“I was on ops, Jac.”
Jac leaned back in his chair.
“I knew it! I knew you’d never sit behind a desk all day. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I couldn’t, mate. It wasn’t safe.”
“Sion!”
His friend shrugged.
“The bruises?” Annie asked quietly.
“Things went tits up on my last job. Which is why I couldn’t call Claire. We talked last night. But, the mess means I’ve got to get outta here, and I can’t come back.”
“What? Like… not ever?”
“They’re putting me in witness protection.”
“A whole new identity?”
“Yeah. And place. Far away.”
Annie looked at him in disbelief.
“What about Claire?”
“I’ve asked her to come too. She’s still thinking about it.”
Jac stared at him, his face frozen.
“So… we’ll… we’ll never see you again? Is that what you’re saying?”
Sion rose from his chair, unable to speak anymore as he faced Jac who was up on his feet too and standing by him.
Jac had been there from the start. Through it all. Thick and thin. Almost half a lifetime together.
“You’re my brother. I’ll always have your back.”
Sion nodded and placed his hands on Jac’s shoulder. They hugged each other hard.
“Get word to us, bro. Find us some app, or some code to use. When you’re safe, tell us where you are and we’ll come see you.”