Page 19 of Butterfly

“No, of course not.”

Pichard smirked. “Luckily for you, I can’t feel a break, and the bleeding has stopped.”

“Good.” Ollie relaxed. “I’d hate to think what would happen if I couldn’t go back to the wing tonight.” At Pichard’s questioning look, he added, “My cellmate will be worried. He’s a bit on the protective side.”

“Who’s your cellmate?”

“Teddy.” Ollie smiled. “Teddy Saul.”

“The name rings a bell.” Pichard nodded. “He’s sent quite a few inmates her—”

“He’s not like that,” Ollie blurted. “Well, he is like that, but that’s just one side to him, a small side. Teddy’s kind, he’s caring, he’s…gentle.” He lowered his head. “With me, at least.”

Pichard took a step back. “There’s rumours about him…his previous cellmate.”

“Teddy had nothing to do with his death.”

Pichard held up his hands. “Be careful, that’s all I’m saying.”

“I don’t need to be careful around him,” Ollie snapped.

Pichard retreated again. “Sorry,” he whispered, “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“Am I cleared to go back to the wing?”

“If you’re okay hanging on a second, I’ll get you some ibuprofen. It’ll help with the pain and the swelling.”

“Ibuprofen?”

“It’s the best I can do.”

“Thanks.” Ollie bit his lip. “I didn’t mean to snap.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Pichard encouraged him to stand. “There’s a few forms for you to sign, then I’ll be able to get your meds.”

He strolled away, moving behind a counter where he tapped on a laptop. “Full name?”

“Oliver Linton.”

“Wing?”

“F.”

“Prison number?”

“55214.”

Pichard scrolled the page, clicking buttons and nodding at whatever he read on the screen. “All good.” He held out a clipboard. “If you can sign and date.”

Ollie went to take it, but the clipboard slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor.

Pichard didn’t scowl at him; his wide-eyed gaze shot to the drawn curtains.

When nothing happened, he exhaled, slumping in relief.

“I think you just about got away with that.”

Ollie scooped up the clipboard, took the pen from the top of the desk and scribbled in the designated boxes.

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