Page 49 of Murder in Shades of Fire and Ash

“Ice cream and beer,” Charlie replied, dropping into the soft recliner with relief. He wanted to be in just shorts, too, but that would mean moving. He could hear the occasional sound from nearby houses, and the odd car from the street, passing with a burst of music though an open window. But it was quiet, and peaceful, and this was home. Painkillers and beer probably shouldn’t be mixed, but he didn’t care.

“Aren’t you hot in all those clothes?” Tom asked. He handed Charlie a cold beer and put a bowl of ice cream on the grass.

“Can’t be bothered to get changed,” Charlie said. He took a swig of beer, wriggled the painkillers out of his pocket and took one with another swig. Probably too early, but after the drive home, he didn’t care. Then he swapped the beer for the ice cream, loving all the creamy, sugary deliciousness. He was conscious of Tom watching him and smiling. He finished the ice cream with a sigh of pleasure and put the bowl down.

“Better?”

“Much,” Charlie said. He told Tom about Jeff Burton, knowing it would go no further.

“So, that means you still don’t know who killed Unwin? And it might have been Patsy?”

“I don’t think it was Patsy,” Charlie said. There was nothing elsetosay. He was too tired, achy, and demoralised to think about it. As well as hot and sticky in his work clothes. He flicked his shoes onto the grass and lay back on the recliner.

“At least take your shirt off,” Tom said.

Charlie nodded slowly but made no move. It was cooler than it had been, and if he kept still, he would be OK. Tom turned round in his chair, took the bottle out of Charlie’s hand andbegan to undo Charlie’s shirt buttons. “Sit up,” he commanded, and Charlie wriggled himself free of the shirt. Carefully, because twisting was seriously painful. Then Tom pulled Charlie’s socks off and dropped them on the grass. “Trousers,” he said, “don’t worry, I’ll be careful.” He undid Charlie’s trousers and slid them off, lifting the fabric so that it didn’t touch the bandage. The night air caressed Charlie’s bare skin. His leg still hurt, but less than it had. Breathing was painful, but only if he took a deep breath, and he didn’t need to, not lying here in the dark. He began to drift.

Then he felt a hand on his thigh, and another sliding under his briefs.

“No one can see,” a voice whispered in his ear, and the hand slipped lower.

“You’re an exhibitionist,” he whispered back.

“Yes, and you love it.”

Charlie closed his eyes, sighed and felt himself harden under Tom’s hand. “I can’t … reciprocate …” he murmured, and Tom wrapped his hand around Charlie’s cock and began to stroke, slowly and gently.

“So?”

And then he felt his briefs pulled down and Tom’s mouth around his erection, hot and tight and wet. It was perfect, and he wasn’t going to last. It was too dark to see, but he heard Tom jerking himself as he sucked Charlie’s cock, and then he stopped thinking at all as his orgasm rolled over him. He groaned with pleasure, before remembering where they were. Tom giggled in his ear and then came.

Later,in bed, with the windows open and only a sheet for cover, Tom said, “I’ve got to tell you about Orianna’s phone call. Only not tonight.”

Charlie heard the words, but was asleep before he could make sense of them.

38

Wednesday morning

“The thing is,” Tom said, “it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

That didn’t make Charlie feel any better. Over a blessedly quiet breakfast, after the best night’s sleep, Tom told Charlie about Orianna’s call.

“It’s a year in London for Ann and Ori. And a year in this house for Amelie and Ziggy.” Charlie said flatly.

Tom nodded.

“A whole year of ear-splitting Taylor Swift, bathroom hogging and never having any bread.”

“And the arguments. Don’t forget the arguments.” Tom added.

“You want to do it.” Charlie knew there was no choice, not really. The poet-in-residence job Orianna had been offered was simply too good to turn down. There was even a tiny flat to go with it. Ann was an experienced PA and would easily get work in London. But the girls were coming up to their first set of important exams, exams they had been preparing for throughout the last year. If they couldn’t stay with Tom and Charlie, Orianna wouldn’t be able to take the job.

“Honestly? No. I don’t want to do it. I was only ever supposed to be a babysitter, but things change,” Tom said. “If it was just me, I’d put up with the noise and the mess and the rows, because, well, they are my kids, and Ori and Ann are my friends. Only it isn’t just me any more. This affects you, too. If you say no, I’ll support your decision. If you say yes, then we will agree some rules.”

Which made it impossible for Charlie to say no. “Tell Orianna to take the job,” he said. The way Tom’s face lit up, made his agreement – almost – worthwhile. “Before you do, could you take me to work?” Even with extra painkillers, his leg still hurt. They could discuss the rules later.

Charlie pushedthe thought of a whole year living with Amelie and Ziggy to the back of his mind. He was almost grateful that he had a murder — two murders — to deal with.

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