Page 91 of Five for Silver

Josh used his shoulder to push into theliving room. He collapsed down on one of the sofas before pattingthe space beside him. Merc launched himself up, still swinging histail so fast he almost fell off from the momentum. He pressed closeto Josh and lay down, eyes darting between Josh and the pizzabox.

Josh flipped the lid. Chad placed the bottleof cola on the table before balling the plastic bag in his fist. Hesighed as he threw it onto the opposite sofa.

“Is … Ally back at work?”

“No. Faye thinks she’s about to retire.”

“Retire?”

Josh shrugged. “She was retired, but startedagain around the time you moved up here. Strange that…”

“Why’s it strange?”

Josh grabbed a slice of pizza. “You know, Ithink she sees you as her unofficial son.”

Chad raised his eyebrow. “What does thatmake you?”

“Her unofficial grandson that she’s not keenon.”

Chad snorted, sat down beside Josh andgrabbed a piece of pizza from the box.

“You should call her, though.”

Chad hesitated before taking a bite ofpizza. “I’m building up to it.”

“Good, but try to make it this century,she’s quite old…”

“If she was here—”

“I know, pizza in the face.”

Chad nodded. “And you’d deserve it.”

“It’s been shit at work without you. I evenfound myself doing a crossword to fill the hole you left.”

“Yeah?”

Josh snorted. “Biting insect, fourletters.”

Chad lifted his chin at the challenge.“Gnat.”

“Yeah, I know that now. Gnat with a silentG. What’s the point in silent letters? I mean they exist, for thesole purpose of being overlooked, so me overlooking them is exactlywhat I’m supposed to be doing, doesn’t make me an idiot.”

“You’re not an idiot, Josh.”

“Try telling Faye that. She looked at melike I’m a kid.”

“I think you are the same age as one ofhers.”

“The DI is distracted and snappy, andDead-Dave creeps me out. I need you back.”

Chad smiled. “I don’t think it’ll be muchlonger.”

“Good.”

Chad put the TV on for background noisewhile they ate. Josh kept stealing glances at him.

“What?” Chad asked.

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