Page 71 of Tell No One
Tag’s gaze shot up. Delaney was looking at him as if… Tag’s cock began to thicken.
Spike wandered over to the table and sat next to Tag. Tag dropped his hand down to stroke his head.
“Drink up,” Delaney said.
Delaney had already finished his half-pint. Tag emptied his glass, ate the pineapple and stood up.
“Got to go, Spike. Sorry, gorgeous boy.” He gave him a final stroke.
As Delaney walked past the dog, Spike growled and Delaney growled back. The dog backed off and Tag sniggered.
When they were back at the vehicle, Tag said, “Thank you for stopping. I feel much better. I needed an energy boost. I can keep going for another fifteen minutes now.”
Delaney rolled his eyes. “We’re going to call at a supermarket and pick up a few things. About ten miles to the supermarket and another thirty to the house.”
“Drive fast then.”
“What did I just say about staying under the radar?”
The supermarket was on the outskirts of a town. Tag followed Delaney, putting things in the trolley only for Delaney to take them out again. Mostly.
“No squirty cream, chocolate sauce and strawberries?” Tag said with a heavy sigh. “You are no fun.”
“I’m more fun than you can handle.”
That comment left Tag gaping. He peeled away from Delaney, went to get a shopping basket of his own and after a quick dash around, he managed to pay using some of the cash Delaney had given him, and was waiting as Delaney entered the self-checkout.
“What have you got in there?” Delaney nodded at the bag Tag was holding.
“Essentials.” That Tag’s idea of essentials was no doubt very different to Delaney’s didn’t matter.
He did notice that Delaney had a box of hair dye in the basket, so he guessed his hair was going to be changed back to white, which in turn meant Delaney would be seeing Norbury and Feely. A cold trickle ran down his spine.
Tag had thought they’d drive on to the house when the vehicle was loaded, but Delaney headed to a retail park adjoining the supermarket and they went to an outdoors supply shop.
“Not a word when we’re in here,” Delaney said.
For once, Tag did as he was told.
They emerged with running shoes with an aggressive tread and all-weather gear for Tag, and some items for Delaney: compass, Kendal mint cake, which was apparently a source of quick energy, flashlights, batteries and survival blankets with a camouflage design. He spent a lot of money. Tag wondered about the running shoes.DidDelaney want to use him as bait?
“It’s still summer,” Tag pointed out as they climbed back in the Land Rover.
“The weather here can change in a moment.”
So Delaney wasn’t envisaging him being around in the winter. Maybe Tag wouldn’t survive that long.
11
As the light faded, it started to rain. Tag stared out at the changing landscape. Rolling hills had been almost obliterated by sheeting water. They were on a narrow road winding through darkening moorland and Delaney hadn’t let his speed drop. Tag couldn’t understand how he could see where he was going. This water-world was like a different planet.
“Where are we?” Tag asked.
“Wales.”
I know that!But Tag held back his snap. “I’m sorry I couldn’t share the driving. This vehicle’s more complicated. I can see you have to do a lot of pushing and pulling with that lever. Maybe you could teach me.”
“We’ll see.”
