Page 80 of Mercury Rising
“Wake up,” Nick said. “We’ve bloody overslept.”
The world rushed in at a pace that did not agree with Mercury. He lay on the pillow, fighting to get his head together.
“What’s going on?”
“The alarm didn’t go off,” Nick replied.
“And? You’re the boss, remember.”
“You’re not and I don’t like the idea of people seeing you here. We’ve already been sussed by Eddie.”
Nick dragged the duvet off Mercury.
“Bloody hell, Nick. I’m coming. Jeez. Can we have coffee at least?”
Nick scowled at him. “Next door.”
Mercury scurried around, getting his clothes. He didn’t really share Nick’s worry. He’d made it past the halfway mark of his time at Bodhi House now. Did it really matter if they were caught out?
As he put a T-shirt on, Mercury peered out of the window. If he craned his neck, he saw the House car park.
“Cath’s here,” he hollered.
“Oh, fucking hell. Aren’t you dressed?”
Mercury couldn’t stop giggling. It was a family failing in a stressful situation. He and Madeline had both been told off for laughing at funerals.
Once he’d got his loafers on, he ran down the stairs. “There had better be emergency toothpaste. My mouth feels like filth.”
Nick grabbed him as he walked into the lounge. “That’s because of the dirty things you were doing with it.”
He kissed him.
May he always find the time to kiss me.
“Okay, you go first,” Nick said. “I’ll give it ten minutes and follow you.”
Mercury frowned. “Why would I be arriving so early? It’s not even half seven. Wouldn’t I be better following?”
“No,” Nick said. “There’ll be kids here by eight. Say you stayed at with a friend.”
“Darling, I don’t have friends in South London.”
Nick pinched him. “Yes, you do. Me. Now go.”
With one last kiss, Mercury rushed out of Nick’s door. He made it out onto the pavement undetected. Slowing his walk down, he wandered around the House.
When he got to the door, Cath was in the kitchen.
“Morning, Cath.”
“Gosh, you’re an early bird today. What’s got into you?”
“Oh, I, uh, stayed with a friend last night. Was closer than I realised.”
Cath regarded him. “Practically next door, you could say.”
Fuck.
