Page 109 of Butterfly

“That really is enough now,” a voice said. “I’ve let you have longer to say goodbye than anyone else.”

Ollie opened his eyes. His hand had found its way to the back of Teddy’s head. Teddy was at his throat, sucking marks into his skin, undeterred by the officer waiting a metre away from them. The officer wasn’t the only one waiting on them. Three others had positioned themselves around Teddy and Ollie, all edgy, all darting looks at each other.

Everyone else had gone.

“Teddy,” Ollie said softly. “We’ve got to go.”

Teddy’s body jolted with an unhappy grunt. He straightened, stroking his thumb over the mark he’d left on Ollie’s neck.

The closest officer cleared his throat. “It’s time to say your goodbyes.”

Teddy glared at him.

Ollie snorted softly. “He didn’t mean it likethat.” He pressed a quick kiss to Teddy’s cheek as he untangled himself from his arms. “Send me another visiting form.”

Teddy didn’t shake his head, but he didn’t nod either.

“Goddamn it, Teddy, you’d better,” Ollie said, moving away. “Do the opposite, remember? Hold on to me, and don’t let me go.”

Teddy nodded, but it was small, tentative.

Ollie knew Teddy wouldn’t leave until he did, so he turned his back and walked out the door.

18

Everydayhewaitedfor another visiting form from Teddy, and every day he shook his head, exasperated when there wasn’t one.

“Are my bills disappointing you?” Sebastian asked.

Ollie jumped, knocking his elbow against the wall. “No,” he blurted, rubbing his arm.

Sebastian held out his hand, and Ollie gave him the letters.

“What is it you’re waiting for?” Sebastian asked.

“Nothing.”

“You’re not a good liar.” Sebastian sighed. “But I won’t push.”

“Thanks,” Ollie whispered, lowering his gaze.

“Wrap up,” Sebastian said. “It’s going to be a cold day.”

Ollie zipped up his jacket and left the house. Christmas was over six weeks away, but his boss insisted on everyone wearing an elf hat and drawing red circles on their cheeks. Ollie looked like the world’s most conflicted elf, frowning to himself while thinking about Teddy.

Teddy had admitted he hadn’t started the fire, but he was to blame for what happened.

Maybe Gary had hurt him, and someone else had taken offence to that.

Someone else had set out to punish Gary, maybe not fully understanding what they were doing.

“His sister,” Ollie whispered.

“Excuse me?”

Ollie startled at the customer in front of him. He could zone out while passing items over the scanner. It was mind-numbing work, but every so often a customer spoke to him, jarring him from his thoughts.

“I said…are they for your sister?”

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