Page 38 of Dream a Little Dream

“That’s your analysis?”

“Yeah. Bet my grand bursary on it.”

“What makes you so sure?”

Aaron swallowed, throat dry. He was hovering dangerously close to the edge of a cliff. And he wasn’t sure if he wanted to jump off or not. But he leaned forward, holding Kenny’s gaze and, voice low, said, “Because Ifuckingfeel it too.”

“Aaron—”

“I don’twantto,” Aaron cut him off. “I didn’taskfor this. Do you think I want to keep thinking about you? About your hand wrapped around my throat? I went there todance. That’s all I wanted to do. Fuckingdance. Forget. Get through to midnight not thinking about it. Then you come along.You. Fuckingyou! Dr Kenneth Lyons.” Aaron laughed, shaking his head manically, forgetting where he needed to draw the line.

Kenny stared at him a while longer. “Who are you?”

“Aaron Jones.”

Kenny narrowed his eyes. “Why can’t I find an Aaron Jones at any school in London in the past five years?”

“Surely there are a ton of them?”

“Not you, Aaron Jones.”

Aaron said nothing. Then a beep from a phone in Kenny’s pocket glided over the unrest. Kenny fished it out, checked the screen, then pocketed it. He stood, stepping over the bench.

“If you hurry, you’ll make the seminar.”

“What if I sack it off?”

“If you want to stay on the course, Aaron Jones, you’ll need to stay out of trouble.” Kenny clambered down to the pathway.

“Will you see her again?” Aaron called after him.

Kenny twisted to face him. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded. “Yes.” Although it was a rickety yes. As if he was convincing himself it was the right thing to do.

“Why?”

“Because I need to.”

“That’s not gonna keep me out of trouble, is it?”

“Then think about your dream.”

Aaron snorted, and fuck knew what made him sing,“Dream a little dream of me…”

Kenny stalled. Stared at him. Lips parting.

“Better hurry, doc.” Aaron slipped out his vape, inhaling it. “Class starts in five.” He blew out the smoke.

“That’ll kill you.”

“No, it won’t.”

He already knew what would.

Dr Kenneth Lyons.

Chapter nine

Revelry

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