Page 36 of Crying in the Rain

“…It’s almost nine.”

Ade slid up into a sitting position and watched Kris sidestep along the wall to set a mug of coffee on the cabinet on Ade’s side of the bed.

“How did you know?”

“That you were a coffee-in-the-morning person? You have it at work, plus your comment last night about it being too late for coffee implied you usually drink it rather than tea. Did I do bad?”

“Not at all. Thank you. You’re very observant.” Ade waited for Kris to move to the other side of the bed and then pulledback the covers in preparation for getting his phone to call work. He could go in over the weekend to catch up if need be, but for now, he wanted to stay in this idyllic escape, free from the stress of Fergus’s constant harassment.

“What would you like for breakfast?” Kris asked. “Can you eat OK now?”

“I managed the meal last night.”

“Kashmiri chicken curry for breakfast?”

Ade laughed. “Maybe not. Give me a minute to make this call and then we can discuss it.”

“I’ll go give you some privacy.”

“No need. I’m only ringing work to tell them I won’t be in today.”

“OK.” Kris picked up his coffee and ebook reader and settled back against the headboard.

The call started out well enough. Ade worked flexibly, and he frequently did more hours than he was contracted for, so his boss was fine with him taking the day off. It was what came next that threw him straight back into turmoil.

“Your mate from upstairs is sitting with me. I’ll hand you over. See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, bye.” This couldn’t be good.

“Hi, Ade.”

“Hey, Pip. What’s up?”

“You-know-who turned up here this morning.”

“What?”

“Yep. He was getting in the lift as I arrived. Apparently, he told the guard you forgot your lunch.”

Ade was on his feet, too agitated to stay still.

“What time was that?” he asked but missed her response when he caught sight of his reflection. The colour had drained from his face and neck, and the bruises were dark as a thunderstorm sky. Nauseated, he turned away and tried to tune back in to what Pip was saying, but he’d heard enough to get the gist.

“I’m sorry, Ade. I didn’t know how else to get rid of him.”

“It’s OK. I’ll call him now. Thanks, Pip. Love you.” Ade hung up and slumped down on the bed, staring at his phone screen. Not a single missed call or text, andstillFergus was getting what he wanted. What was the point in even trying to get away from him?

“Ade?”

He brought up Fergus’s number, but his hands were shaking and he accidentally clicked the wrong button.

Block and report? Confirm/Cancel

Kris’s face appeared in front of him. “Ade, what’s happened?”

He clickedCanceland locked his phone. “He went into work looking for me. Pip saw him charm his way past the security guard and intercepted before he reached the studio. She thought that’s where I’d be. She told him I didn’t want to see him, and he acted like she was lying and asked her to pass on a message.”

“Which is?”

---