Page 47 of Dead Serious Case 4 Professor Prometheus Plume

“Yesss.” He fist-pumps the air.

“Well, go on then,” Dusty shoos him. “Run along and stay out of trouble, or you’re going to find the heel of my six-inch pleaser in your unmentionables.”

“Actually, Dusty, that sounds more smutty than threatening,” I point out.

Terry gives us one final grin and disappears.

“You have no idea how glad I am to not have to chase around after him.” Dusty shakes her head and lets out a relieved huff. Then her eyes trail over me and narrow. “You’re looking very fancy.”

“Danny and I are going to dinner.” I smile. “A romantic candlelit dinner for two.”

“Wait, there’s going to be candles?” Her eyes widen.

“Very funny,” I reply dryly. “I’m not that bad.”

“Honey, if you were a Ken doll and came with your own accessory, it would be a fire extinguisher.”

“Rude,” I snort.

“Hang on a minute.” Dusty perks up. “You and Danny are going to dinner. A. Romantic. Candlelit. Dinner... With candles and romance... and... dinner?”

“Uh, isn’t that what I just said?” I frown in confusion. “Honestly, anyone would think you’re the one with temporary hearing loss.”

Dusty looks absolutely gleeful as she rubs her hands together in delight.

“Well, I’ll just get out of your way, then. You two have alovelyevening.”

“Wha–” Before I can utter another word, she disappears. “Never mind then,” I mutter under my breath.

I turn to Danny and realise he’s been getting dressed while I spoke to Dusty. I move closer to him as he gives me one of those disarming smiles that never fail to warm me from head to toe.

“You look handsome.” I smooth my hand down his chest and feel the soft wool of his sweater beneath my palm.

“What?”

“Oh my god, Danny.” I look up at him in alarm. “Can you really not hear me properly? Maybe we should take you to the nearest A&E or something.”

He shakes his head. “Doesn’t even hurt. I’m pretty certain it’s just temporary.”

“Are you sure?” I grasp his face, turning it from side to side to check his ears aren’t bleeding, but he places his hands over mine to still their movement.

“I’m fine, love,” he says. I notice his hands are shaking slightly and he looks nervous.

“You’re not okay,” I insist. I take his hand and drag him toward the door. “We are driving to the nearest hospital.”

Chuckling, he pulls me back into him and wraps his arms around me to stop me escaping. “The nearest hospital is miles away, it’s late, and I’m hungry.” He reaches up and winds an errant curl of mine around his finger. “I just want to take my boyfriend to dinner. Honestly, it’s really not that bad. Up close, it’s kinda like I’m hearing underwater so it’s just a bit muffled. When you’re further away, it’s harder, but I’m positive it’s only temporary. I think I’d have been in more pain if I’d actually damaged anything.”

“You do make a compelling case,” I concede, “and I am hungry.”

“Exactly. How about a compromise? If it still hasn’t cleared up in a few days, I’ll see someone, okay?”

“Okay,” I grumble. “I still can’t believe I broke your ears on the first night of our romantic weekend away.”

He kisses my bottom lip, which must be sticking out petulantly since that’s his go-to response in that situation.

“Shall we go to dinner, then?”

“Fine, but you will tell me if you have any headaches, dizziness, vertigo, bloody discharge from the ear canals…”