Page 130 of Fe
“A few.”
“I’d love to dance with you.”
Fen was still shaky but in Ripley’s arms, he wasn’t going to fall. They were doing little more than moving to the beat but Ripley held him tight, and Fen felt safe and wanted, for now at least.
Gradually, people began to leave. Seth and Morgan were among the first to go. Morgan slipped Fen’s phone into his pocket and kissed him goodbye.
“You two look perfect,” he whispered.
But they weren’t perfect.
25
Ripley crept downstairs on Sunday morning and cleaned up while Fen was asleep. Last night, after everyone had gone, he’d sent Fen to bed, then come down and put away what remained of the food—not much, and filled the dishwasher. Now he emptied the machine and filled it again. There was less mess than he’d expected. No one had spilled anything or ground food into the floor. No one had mentioned Alejandro, and Ripley knew his friends would be thinking he’d finally moved on.
Had he?
Maybe he was getting there. Though he had thought about Alejandro last night, knowing he’d have enjoyed the party, and the food. He’d have liked Fen, though Alejandro wasn’t good with illness. When Ripley had Covid, Alejandro had gone to stay with his mother. Ripley had intended to move onto the top floor and hoped Alejandro would at least remain in the house, but he hadn’t. Ripley would have done if it had been Alejandro with the virus.
Alejandro had been the social one of the two of them, the entertainer, the organiser, the one who arranged to meet up with friends, who’d try new things, do anything for a good time. Well, he had until worries had dragged him down a dark hole Ripley hadn’t realised was so deep and dangerous.I should have pulled him out.He’d tried. Thinking back, he’d tried a lot, but Alejandro had closed himself off.
For a man who was supposed to be good at seeing what people were hiding, Ripley had failed badly. He stood for a while at the side of the bed looking down at Fen with his pale face. He looked frighteningly fragile. He’d still be good-looking when he was old, and Ripley smiled at the thought until he remembered Fen was unlikely to grow old enough for wrinkles and crow’s feet and grey hair.
“Stop staring at me,” Fen mumbled.
“I came up to see if you want breakfast?”
Fen blinked until his eyes were fully open. “Yes, please.”
Ripley came back up with toast and tea for Fen, toast and coffee for him. They sat with their backs to the headboard.
“Is it safe to go down yet?” Fen asked.
“Safe? There are no bodies on the floor. Is that what you mean?”
“Have you cleaned up?”
“Ah. Cheeky. But yes. Thankfully there were no desserts left or I’d have to spend the afternoon cycling down the Amalfi coast to work off the calories. Though it would have been worth it. Everyone loved the food.”
“The man in the checked jacket didn’t.”
“Peter?”
“I don’t know his name. He was a bit scornful about the sausage rolls when I told him the pastry wasn’t organic. Actually, it might have been. I don’t know. He said—at least the champagne was quality.”
“Did he? He won’t be coming again.”
Fen laughed but Ripley meant it. Peter Havelock had made a bad mistake.
“The party was lovely,” Fen said. “I—”
“Hang on.” Ripley’s phone was telling him there was someone at the door. “Hot tub,” he said. “Don’t get too excited. It probably won’t be up to temperature today.”
“When we come back on Boxing Day?”
“Yes.” Ripley hurried down the stairs.Why didn’t I ask him to stay?Though he knew why. Fen had a mother who wanted him with her.
Fen appeared about twenty minutes later. The hot tub was already in the garden and being filled.
