Page 112 of Tell No One
“That was seven!” Ahsan beamed at him.
He looked so young and happy and so different that a lump formed in Tag’s throat. Maybe this was all they’d have. One last happy moment. He thought again about telling him that Rafiq had been looking for him, that he hadn’t given up on him, but stopped himself. There was no guarantee that Tag wouldn’t find himself on a different side to Ahsan at some point. A promise of freedom by Norbury and Ahsan could betray him. False hope, but Tag understood.
When they heard someone coming, Tag froze, thinking it would be Lincoln, but he was wrong. It was Delaney.
“Who win?” Delaney asked.
“Ahsan skimmed it seven times. Best I’ve managed is five.”
Delaney looked around, picked up a stone and launched it across the water.
“Wow,” Ahsan gasped. “That had to be around fourteen.”
The three of them kept playing and Delaney stood behind Tag and took his arm to show him how to throw. As he did, he kissed his ear and the breath caught in Tag’s throat. “I’ll see you later,” he whispered.
Tag’s next stone plopped straight down.
“Huh. You’re bad luck,” Tag said.
“Better go back, puppies,” Delaney said. “Big day tomorrow.”
They set off back to the house.
“What’s happening tomorrow?” Ahsan asked.
Delaney glanced at Tag. “We shoot. Glorious twelfth.”
“What’s that?” Tag asked.
“Start of grouse shooting season.”
“Poor birds,” Ahsan said.
“Grouse fly low at 70 miles an hour. Change direction in an instant.” Delaney glanced at Tag. “Key to survival.”
Tag’s heart thumped, hope surged.
Lincoln came tearing out of the house and rushed towards them. “Where the fuck have you two been?”
“We skim stones,” Delaney said. “Don’t punish. They entertain me.”
Lincoln grabbed hold of Ahsan’s arm and Delaney grabbed Lincoln’s and twisted it. “You deaf?”
“They’re my responsibility. They shouldn’t have been outside.” But Lincoln let Ahsan go, and Delaney released his hold too.
“Then you failed to take care of them. Maybe it you who need punishing.” They reached the door and Delaney turned to Tag. “You, I punish later.”
Lincoln bustled them back upstairs, clearly relieved when they weren’t seen by anyone else.
“Clothes off and get in the shower,” he snapped.
Tag did as he was told, but as he followed Ahsan to the bathroom, Lincoln hauled him back.
“I know this was down to you. He’d never have done that before you came here.”
Tag said nothing and Lincoln pushed him away.
Tag and Ahsan were still in the shower when Tag heard Norbury talking to Lincoln. He stepped out of the water and grabbed a towel.
