Page 34 of Fe
“Not yet. Who he is, is a big thing for me,” Fen said. “I’ve never told anyone.”
The conversation changed to lighter topics and they discovered they both loved reading. Fen could talk forever about books—and he did. They both complained about the ending in the same book. They had different favourite authors but they liked thrillers and suspense novels, and some literary novels too.
Fen discovered Ripley was left-handed, played the piano, used to smoke and had insomnia. He liked birds, loved walking in the first light of day when everywhere was quiet and empty. He didn’t believe in God. Fen revealed how he had a thing for suits and ties—which made Ripley smile—that he was learning Japanese, he loved Tai Chi, eyeliner and lip gloss, and hated bananas and ants.
When the last order call came, they were both shocked it was so late.
“I need to go. I have a case to read up on tonight. Harry will come and get me.”
“It must be lovely to have a driver on call.”
“It is. I helped him a few years ago. It’s his way of paying me back. I’ll walk you home.”
As they headed out of the bar, Fen’s crutch slipped, and he bumped into a young woman in a short faux-fur coat. He instinctively reached out to stop himself falling and caught hold of her.
“Hey, watch it!” she snapped. “Get your hands off me.”
“Leave her alone,” someone shouted.
“I’m sorry. It was an accident.” Fen shot her an apologetic glance and she glared.
As he and Ripley headed towards the main road, Fen became aware a group had followed them out of the bar and were coming up fast behind them. He glanced back and tensed when he saw the woman he’d bumped into was one of them. The man with her stared straight at Fen.Shit.
Once they’d reached the high street, Fen felt better. There were more people around now.
“Something wrong?” Ripley asked quietly.
“I don’t know. That woman I bumped into in the pub. I said I was sorry but I think her and the group she was with are behind us. Keep going. My place isn’t far away.”
But they didn’t get there. Three men moved in front of them to block their way. Fen felt someone shove him from behind and if Ripley’s hand hadn’t shot out to grab his arm, he’d have fallen.
“Back off,” Ripley snapped.
“Look what we have here,” one of the men said with a laugh.
Ripley was trying to get Fen behind him, but that wasn’t going to happen.
“Your watch, mobile and wallet, or the crip gets it,” said the biggest of the guys who was taller and wider than Ripley.
Not happening!Fen didn’t hesitate. Guys who thought he was small, weak and helpless, really pissed him off. He freed his crutch from his arm, and drove the end straight into the big guy’s stomach. Well, he’d aimed for the stomach but hit him a bit lower down. He cried out as he doubled up. People were yelling, Ripley was tussling with another guy and Fen lashed out, using his crutch as a weapon. He threw himself at a man who was about to thump Ripley and found himself crashing to the ground, though he took someone else down with him by tripping him up with his crutch. There was a flash as a picture was taken.What the fuck?
Someone shouted, “Feds!” and the attack stopped as suddenly as it had started. Everyone scattered, leaving Fen on the pavement and Ripley leaning over, hands on his knees, breathing heavily.
Ripley helped Fen to his feet and gave him his crutch. “Are you hurt?”
“No, are you?”
“I’m fine.”
A police car went past without stopping, sirens blaring, and Fen sucked in a breath. “They didn’t see what happened.”
“Where do you live?”
“A few doors away, above the bookies.” Fen pulled his keys from his pocket.
“Harry’s just pulled up in the car.”
“Then go. It’s fine. I’m safe now.”
