Page 105 of All Right No

Now that she knew Ash was safe, Ginny knew she ought to end the call. Dani was unaware she was eavesdropping, and the international call charges would be astronomical. That fact alone gave her stomach twinges, until she recalled that Xane was most likely picking up the bill, and Xane didn’t worry about money in the same way that normal people did. He had no concept of what it was like to be stony broke. While he hadn’t come from a very loving home, he’d never lacked for material things.

“Hey, Danger Dude.” Ginny could imagine Dani gently prodding Ash in the centre of his tatty vintage T-shirt of his favourite superhero. “You feeling okay?”

There was no audible response, and Ginny strained her ears, making sure. She hadn’t heard Ash’s voice since Christmas Eve, and longed to hear even the smallest groan he might make.

“That good, huh? I thought as much. You really need to stop drinking so much. It’s not a solution. Yes, I know why you do it. We all know why.”

“It’s my birthday…Isttraditional,” he slurred.

“Yeah, that’s totally the main reason your paralytic.”

“I brought some water,” Spook said. “And a large bucket.”

“That qualifies as a bucket?” Dani sounded incredulous.

“The bigger the bucket, the less emptying it requires. Believe me, I know how this works. I’ve had tons of practice. Xane, help me get him upright. Let’s see if we can get some water into him.”

Gurgling and gagging sounds ensued, followed by copious retching noises, and punctuated by effing somethings.

“That’s it, get it up. Now, let’s get you rolled over. There we go, on your side, arm behind you like this, and that one tucked up under here.”

“Just fu’king leave me to die alone.”

“Can’t do that. You’ve just scored us our biggest hit to date. We’ll be needing more of your song-writing genius,” Xane insisted.

Bedsprings creaked. “Dani would you fetch some more water?” Spook asked.

“I don’t want any bloody water.”

That was clearly Ash. Her heart swelled at the sound of his voice, even as it was torn ragged by how down he clearly was.

“Yeah, well, I’m not overly keen on patting your back while you spew, but we do these things because we know it’s for the best.”

“You don’t know anything. How did you not know about her? You know about everybody else. You check out everybody else.”

“Ginny was different,” Spook soothed.

“Don’t you mention her. Don’t you talk to me about her. What she did… What she did, Spook…”

More spewing noises ensued. “That’s right, get it all up. You’ll feel better for it.”

“I fucking hate you.”

“As you say. You know it’s funny. Every time we have one of these late night bonding sessions you burble all this crap about hating my guts, and how evil I am, but then you’re always eager to share just one more session. I think I even kind of missed this while you were being happily monogamous.”

“Weirdo.”

“Here you go.” Dani had obviously returned with the water.

“Thank you, Dani.” Spook broke the seal on the bottle, and obviously thrust it at Ash.

“Don’t want it.”

“Drink it or I’ll force it down your throat.”

“And he’ll enjoy it.” Xane was with them again.

“It’ll make me heave again,” Ash moaned.