Page 59 of A Very Happy Easter

“Nah, we got blast boxers. Bit hot in the summer, but okay in the winter.”

“Blast boxers?”

“Got to keep the old crown jewels safe from shrapnel.”

“Oh my gosh, I never even thought of that.”

“We were issued ballistic cups too, but fuck, they were uncomfortable. You only had to trap your balls once when you got up from kneeling, and you never wanted to wear the thing again.”

I absolutely shouldn’t have been thinking about Heath’s junk, but I couldn’t help it.

“You survived with everything intact, though?”

“Got a few scars, but yeah, everything works just fine.”

“Phew. Uh, anyway, about the fashion show… If you’re planning to come straight from work, I could send Jerilyn to pick you up?”

“I was meant to be working the night shift, but I swapped with Dev, so I’m off next Tuesday. Probably be quicker if I take the Tube. Shall we meet at your place and go the rest of the way together?”

A lump formed in my throat, and I nodded. “I’d appreciate that.”

“You want me to sleep on your sofa tonight?”

“You’d do that?”

“Sure, Edie. And I’ll arrange for a panic button in the morning.”

I gripped his hand tighter. Did I really need a panic button? The idea of someone targeting me was terrifying, but at least I’d be able to call for help quickly.

“I hate this.”

“So do I. You said you know Neil’s sister—how familiar are you with his friends?”

“I’m not, not anymore. We used to run in the same circles, but after what he did to me, more stories began coming out, and he got more or less exiled. Why? Does that matter?”

“Just wondering if he might have any buddies willing to help him.”

“With scaring me?”

“It’s a possibility. I’ll try to find out where Short is, see if he’s had a cellmate released recently.”

“He’s in Brixton prison.”

“I’ll see who we can contact about that. But we need to consider all the possibilities—your work with abused women could put you in the firing line for a lot of angry men.”

“That’s why we rent an office rather than working from here. And I never give out my surname over the phone.”

“You’re also the figurehead of the charity, and you visit the girls in person.”

“Are you saying I shouldn’t do that?”

I bristled a bit because I couldn’t give it up. My name raised money, and my presence let women know they weren’t alone as well as reminding me why Vocare’s work was so vital.

“I’m saying that I understand why you do it, and I know how important it is, but it does make you visible to those who might not have the best intentions.”

Heath was so calm and composed about the situation. He thought logically while I wanted to crawl into bed, pull the duvet over my head, and weep because I’d never escape this. By refusing to back down, I’d pissed off a whole lot more men than Neil. Jazzi’s husband was being held on remand, but there were hundreds more like him out there walking free, and I’d made myself a target.

“The bedroom above mine is empty. No need to sleep on the sofa.”