“No need to be coy, Sam. We both know today’s the day you take control of your destiny,” Roy said, his voice eerily calm. I shook my head, trying to ignore the knot in my stomach. “Maybe I need to get my bus.
”
“There’s no maybe about this. What’s your plan? ”
“I don’t really have one, Roy. I’ve been a bit busy.
”
He sighed, disappointed. “What affair could be more urgent than liberating yourself from your oppressor? He will not stop. ”
“I know.
I know. ”
“I might have known you’d lack the stomach to do what needs to be done. ”
“That’s not true. I’m not scared.
It’s just not as easy as you think. ”
“Are you really going to allow Will to destroy you and not lift a finger to prevent it? ”
“I don’t want to hurt anybody. ”
“But it is imperative for your survival.
Therefore, wholly justified. ”
“Not to me it isn’t. That’s not who I am. ”
“Well, if that’s your final word, you and I have no more to say to one another.
”
“I don’t want to fall out, Roy. You’re the only friend I’ve got. ”
“Only friend you had. A natural reluctance to act decisively is one thing.
Outright cowardice is quite another. ”
I felt the weight of his words as I walked away, unsure if I’d just lost the only person who understood me. —
That evening, Alina was already in the living room, scrolling through her phone. Will was still in bed, and the sound of his games drifted down the stairs.
“You want to turn that down? ” she called out, her voice strained. No response. “Really?
He’s got to be on that as soon as he gets out of bed? ” She looked at me, exasperated. “We should have nipped it in the bud before he did his exams last year. He might have done a bit better,” I said.
“That’s not fair,” she replied. “Well, you know what? Life’s not fair. And the sooner he catches on to that, the better.
”
Will finally appeared, his expression sullen. “I’ll see you tonight,” he muttered. “That was out of order,” I said to Alina after he’d gone. “What’s his problem?
”
“He’s just under a lot of pressure at work, that’s all. ”
“So, we need to take it out on me? ”
“No, I know. He didn’t mean anything by it though.
We are so proud of you. ”
“Whatever. ”
—
At the athletics track, the sun was bright, but the tension was thick. Will was warming up, trying to focus.
I handed him his water bottle, watching as he took a long drink. “Can’t have been easy getting back on that track again,” I said. “Well, you know, at least I feel in control there until someone passes me. Not today, though.
Those other losers will be coughing in your dust for a week, son. ”
“Although, it’s not all about finishing first,” I added. “Yes. Well, you know my motto.
It’s not about the winning. It’s the tearing people apart. ”
Alina rolled her eyes. “You’re as bad as each other.
Right. Go on. Get gone. See you at five.
”
“Yeah. Have you got your water bottle, babe? ” she asked Will. “Yes, I’ve got it.
Got it. See you, son. ”
I watched him jog to the start line, my heart pounding. I knew what was in that bottle.
I knew what Roy had done. And I knew I couldn’t let it happen. —
The hospital corridor was quiet, the fluorescent lights humming overhead. I pushed open the door to find Summer lying in the bed, her face pale and drawn.
“I asked a couple of nurses I know to look in on you,” I said. “Yeah, they have. Everyone’s been so lovely. ”
“Hey, you’ll be home in no time.
”
“Will I? The police seem so convinced that I’m guilty. I’m starting to wonder myself. ”
“You got to hang in there.
I’ll keep fighting. ”
“Not sure I have any fight left in me. I’m dreading going back. I’m frightened all the time.
I mean, I don’t want to wake up in the morning. ”
“Everything is going to be all right. ”
“I’m so sorry, Todd. I didn’t mean to do this to you.
”
“Look, when you’re feeling low, you need to find someone who can help. There must be a chaplain or—”
“No, God doesn’t exist in that prison. I’m starting to think that he doesn’t exist anywhere else, which breaks my heart because that means that Billy is gone. Paul and my dad—now I am completely alone in there.
”
I squeezed her hand, unable to find the words. —
Back at the garage, the air was heavy with the smell of oil and metal. I was trying to keep busy, but my mind kept drifting back to Roy’s words. To Will’s water bottle.
To the race. “Apologies for the delay. I’m somewhat short-handed,” Kevin said, walking in. “Nina wanted to catch Summer at the hospital before she’s discharged.
”
“Right. How’s she doing? ”
“Well, as they’re returning her to prison, I imagine she’s recovered. ”
“Well, that’s good.
”
“Yeah. Right. So, you can keep the change, right? ”
“Very okay.
So, yes. Well, steady enough pain as it is without you adding any sort of injury. ”
“Well, I’m not adding anything to anything. I just want to get these back to the garage.
”
“Yeah, don’t mention the garage. See, I keep getting flashbacks to the night I got here. You know, when Theo got offed. Just little snatches here and there, sights and sounds.
And would you believe the one place that keeps popping up is the garage? ”
“So what? ”
“So why do you think that is? Cuz I reckon you know better than anyone.
”
“But all I know is I want to get these back to the garage before they go cold. So, excuse me. ”
As I turned, I bumped into a customer, spilling coffee down his shirt. “You clumsy get.
It’s going to stain that is. ”
“I’m sorry. I’m sure it’ll come out. ”
“What?
You’re an expert on laundry now? What if it doesn’t? ”
“Well, then it doesn’t. I mean, these things happen.
”
“Yeah, they do. If you walk around with your flaming eyes shut, you might want to wind your neck in a bit, Garrett. ”
“Look, sorry, mate. I just got stuff going on.
”
“It’s all right. You and me both. I think everyone’s a bit on edge since what happened. ”
“Yeah, well, I’m not shedding any tears about Theo, but somehow—I mean, come on.
”
“Yeah, no one believes that she did it, right? ”
“No, it can’t have been her, can it? The police will see that. ”
“Yeah, I hope so, but I know coppers.
If they can pin it on someone convenient, they won’t be breaking the neck to find out who actually did it. ”
I felt a chill run down my spine. They were talking about Summer. About Theo.
About the night everything changed. —
Roy appeared at the garage, his face unreadable. “Sam, what are you doing here? ”
“I felt compelled to come here.
I was unduly harsh earlier. ”
“No, you care about me. That’s all. ”
“And I have let you down.
”
“You let yourself down, Sam. Even so, my words were unkind. But I have no wish for our friendship to come to an end. ”
“I’m so relieved.
You’re the only person who understands what I’m going through. ”
“When I say I want our friendship to continue, I mean it. And there’ll be no possibility of that long term if Will remains free to torment and ultimately destroy you. ”
My blood ran cold.
“What have you done, Roy? ”
“Taken matters into my own hands. Or Will’s water bottle, to be precise. ”
“What?
”
“So, we just have to sit back and let things unfold at Will’s athletics meeting tonight. His race will be well and truly run. ”
—
Alina was waiting for me when I got home, her arms crossed. “You’re home early?
”
“Yeah, things are a bit slow over the road. ”
“Oh, well, things will soon pick up once everyone knows you’re back to normal. ”
“Back to normal? I mean, what is normal?
I can’t even remember. ”
“What’s the matter, love? You haven’t been yourself for ages now. ”
“It’s because I wish I was somebody else, to be honest.
”
She sat down next to me, her voice softening. “Love, I’ve done something really bad. ”
“What is it? What have you done?
Just tell me. ”
I took a deep breath. “I’m the reason that Summer’s locked up. She didn’t kill Theo.
”
“No, she didn’t. You’re not saying that you did? ”
“No. No, no, no.
I had no time for Theo. But I wouldn’t do that. But I did see some of that night and I lied to the police. ”
“And why would you do that?
”
“Well, because otherwise I would have to tell them where I really was and then I’d be the one getting arrested. ”
“Tyrone, what have you done? What would they be arresting you for? ”
“Attempted murder, maybe.
I was the one that nearly killed Cal. And I think he knows it. ”
Alina’s face went white. “Right.
So, you went out of the wedding just to get some fresh air, but you noticed that the garage door was open. So, you went in to check and Cal was tinkering under Kev’s car. ”
“What was he doing? I mean, the way he’s been mouthing off about Kevin wasn’t exactly changing the oil, was it?
”
“Well, what has this got to do with him getting hurt? ”
“Right. Well, I wanted proof, so I took out my phone—and I was going to get a video of him messing with the brakes. But I hit the jack.
I dropped a car on top of him. ”
“No. Well, yeah, but not in that way. How many different ways are there?
”
“No, like I wanted a really clear video of what he was doing, you know, like proof. So he couldn’t slither out of this like he does absolutely everything else. But I bent down and then he moved. I thought he heard me.
So I went to run away and I hit the jack. Then he wasn’t slithering out of anything. ”
“But it was an accident. Why didn’t you call an ambulance?
”
“Well, I thought he was dead. ”
“So you could have called the police and explained to him what happened. ”
“What? And explain to him that I’ve just killed the bloke that I’m convinced put me in a wheelchair?
That’s not a great idea, is it? ”
“Even Ronnie thought that. ”
“Ronnie? Yeah, he spotted me when I was running outside and then he knew something was up, so I told him what happened.
He spilled your guts to Ronnie. I was panicking. Besides, Ronnie said that he could sort it. And I know he doesn’t like Cal, so I trusted him.
”
“But how come nobody else found out what happened? I mean, it must have been a right mess at that garage. ”
“Well, I went in early and cleared things up and I checked the CCTV, but there was none because Carla had turned it off. ”
“You did?
You went in early. I remember now. You reeled off all this stuff that you suddenly had to do. You lied to my face.
”
“I couldn’t exactly tell you the truth, could I? Just like I couldn’t tell the police the truth. Like, yes, I did see someone leaving the flat. And yes, I seen Theo watching her from the window.
Just like she said. ”
Alina shook her head, her voice rising. “Oh, please don’t give me that face. So, not only did you fail to phone the police when you really should have done about Cal, but you lied to them when you could have given Summer a solid alibi.
”
“Yeah, but I couldn’t take that risk. And I didn’t for a minute think that they would actually charge you. ”
“Yeah, well, they have, haven’t they? And now you’ve made it so much worse for her by making her look like a liar.
”
“Yeah, I suppose. ”
“There’s no suppose about it. You have. I’m sorry, but you’ve been a complete plonker.
And you’ve made things so much worse for that poor girl. You’re going to have to put this right. ”
“But how? How?
Because Cal already thinks that it was me. ”
“How does he? I don’t know. But if I go changing my statement, then he’s going to know for sure.
”
“Did you delete that video off your phone? ”
“Yeah, of course I did. First thing I did. I didn’t even look at it.
”
“Well, maybe it’s time we did. Hopefully, it’s still in your deleted folder. Come on, phone. ”
—
The following morning, I found myself outside the police station, my hand hovering over the door handle.
I knew what I had to do. I couldn’t let Summer rot in prison for something she didn’t do. Not anymore. I pushed the door open and walked inside.
—
The interrogation room was cold, the walls a sterile white. I sat across from the detective, my hands shaking. “So, you’re saying you saw Summer leave Theo’s flat that night? ” he asked.
“Yes. And I saw Theo alive and well when she left. ”
“And why didn’t you come forward before? ”
I swallowed hard.
“Because I was scared. I had my own reasons. But I can’t let her take the blame for something she didn’t do. ”
—
Later that day, I went to see Summer in prison.
Through the glass, I could see the hope flickering in her eyes. “They said you came forward,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “I did. I couldn’t let you rot in here for something you didn’t do.
”
“Thank you. I thought I was going to be in here forever. ”
“You’re not. You’re going to get out.
I promise. ”
—
Back at the garage, Kevin was waiting for me, his expression unreadable. “You took your time,” he said. “Just be grateful I’m here, not at a cop shop.
”
“So, we need to talk. ”
“So, you said in your text about what—I wonder how about that time I was left wearing a flaming hatchback for a belt, maybe? ”
“Thought so. Well, if it’s forgiveness you’re after, you’re going to have to take it up with your god.
Only thing left for us to settle down here is which of us calls the police. ”
“You know what, K? Be my guest. ”
“You don’t mean that.
”
“Ty, I know it was you. I worked it out from what you said in the pub the other day. And your face in the cafe this morning. All the confirmation I needed.
”
“Nothing to say. Well, I suppose it’s not your usual role, is it? Villain at a piece is generally my job. Although it does feel weird, you know, being the innocent victim for a change.
”
“Oh, you’re not innocent. And you’re not denying anything. ”
“No, no. I admit I did it, but not on purpose.
”
“Right. Just like you didn’t run me over on purpose. Oh, and didn’t you let me know about it? You gave me non-stop grief for months about that.
And you’re going to do the exact same thing. If we quit, don’t cover it. ”
“Well, why don’t we just say it makes us even then? ”
“No.
No way. Real world don’t work like that, Chief. I got away with it. You won’t be so lucky.
And if you think I’m going to just let you off the hook cuz you dropped me off at the hospital, then—”
“I didn’t drop you. ”
“You didn’t? ”
“Ah, of course. New best pal Ronnie.
That’s where he fits in. Right. I’ll be paying him a visit, too, then, once I’ve been to the police station. ”
“Well, I wouldn’t do that if I was you, cuz I’ve got a film of exactly what happened on here.
I think that’s what’s known as evidence, mate. I won’t be advertising that. But it does show that I’m not the only criminal caught in the act. I mean, it’s not going to win any Oscars, is it?
But as a mechanic, it’s clear to see what you’re doing. That’s not a routine service. You left me for dead. I’m not going to let you get away with attempted murder.
”
“Is it? Because the film clearly shows that it was an accident. So, I might get done for some kind of assault. Yeah.
But what you’re doing after the threats you made to Kev—I’d say that’s attempted murder in anyone’s book. ”
—
I walked into the bistro, the smell of fresh pasta filling the air. Alina was behind the counter, arranging flowers. “Just went to the hospital,” I said, sitting down.
“Really? I mean, after the last few months we’ve had—Lord knows she needs it. ”
“Well, you won’t get any arguments from me, babe. Full-on day.
And then some. Daniel came in for his lunch. Talk about awkward. He looked a mess as well, you know.
Well, I mean, come on. His girlfriend has just been playing away with a teenage boy. ”
“Still though, it doesn’t excuse yesterday. I tried to help him, and this is how he thanks me.
By trying to ruin the little bit of happiness I found with you. ”
“I mean, no offense, but David—as if. ”
“All right. Can we move on?
”
“Happy to. Daniel’s the one who’s obsessed. That’s the real reason he kicked off. ”
“What?
You reckon he’s got the hots for you? ”
“Oh, yeah. Big time. I mean, I tried to let him down gently, but some blossom won’t have it.
And that’s why he lashed out, cuz I didn’t look at him in that way. ”
Alina sighed, handing me a small box. “It’s a little keepsake box, basically of Arpa’s things. There’s a first ultrasound photo in there.
There’s her hospital bracelet in there. And there’s a little onesie for when we finally do bring her home. It’s just a little story so far. ”
I opened the box, my eyes welling up.
“It’s perfect. ”
“I know I don’t show it very often, but I love you, David. Thank you. ”
—
At the gym, Roy was waiting for me, his eyes gleaming with malice.
“Will won his race, I hear. Quite the performance given the contents of his water bottle. ”
“I couldn’t let you do it, Roy. I couldn’t have it on my conscience.
”
“I’d be more concerned about what’s on your tombstone than your conscience. They will be inscribing it any day now. ”
“No. No.
I’ve been thinking—if I was to talk to Will—”
“Talk. Talk. It’s all you ever do, Sam. It’s all you’re good for.
Inane babble in the service of nothing, signifying nothing, because you are nothing. Sniveling weakling waiting for natural selection to put you out of your misery. ”
“Oh, please. ”
“I tried to mentor you, but one cannot mentor a void.
I gave you the opportunity to be so much more. But not only did you refuse to act, you were too squeamish to allow me to do so. And Will will know this now. Mark my words.
And he will not stop until the last handful of dirt has been thrown on the lid of your coffin. ”
I stared at him, my heart racing. This wasn’t the friend I thought I had. This was a monster.
—
The next morning, I found Alina pacing the kitchen. “I bumped into Todd earlier and spilled coffee down his shirt. It turns out though, it’s probably the best thing that could have happened. ”
“What do you mean?
”
“Because it got me thinking, right? Someone was so convinced that she’d see me, but I just couldn’t recall. No, until now. He’s remembered, and we’re going to go to the police station.
Hopefully, they’re going to let her out. ”
“Hang on. What? You’re saying you saw Summer the night Theo died?
”
“Yeah. Yeah. And I seen him as well, alive and well when Summer left. But it’s mad really, cuz I just don’t know how I could forget.
”
“Something must have jogged your memory. ”
“Me neither, mate. I think it was the wedding. You know, I’d had a few—everything was a bit of a blur.
And then, believe it or not, this afternoon it just started to come back to me. And I think it was probably because of our story. ”
“Yeah. Yeah.
And it was definitely her. ”
“Yeah. Yeah. Positive, mate.
”
“That’s great news, eh? ”
“Yeah. You best get down to the nick, get it sorted. ”
“Yeah.
See you later. ”
“All right. See you later. ”
—
I sat in the waiting room at the police station, my leg bouncing with nervous energy.
Summer was being processed for release. I felt a tiny bit of hope for the first time in weeks. But then my phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number.
“I know what you did. And I’m not done with you yet. ”
I stared at the screen, my blood running cold.
The battle was only just beginning.
