Page 107 of Kicks

“Right then, out with it. What’s the code red emergency?” Harry asked.

“Crystal told me she wants to go it alone.”

“Shit.”

Shit indeed.

“What did you say?” Harry asked.

“I told her I was proud of her and it didn’t matter.”

“I get the feeling that’s not strictly true.”

Billy’s bottom lip trembled. “I don’t know what’s the matter with me. I’m fucking terrified, Harry.”

“Of what?”

“Being alone.”

He took another mouthful of beer. Billy knew how pathetic he must sound. Harry was still competing and raising two kids.

“Billy, I can’t say this enough. Everything that girl achieves is down to you.”

It meant such a lot to hear this. Billy was rapidly losing his battle for composure.

“Crystal is right,” Harry continued. “Now is your time again. Finally, the fucking shop is going to be off your hands. You’re easily going to worm your way into this practice.”

Billy hadn’t even considered that. Although now it had become airborne, he found he quite liked the idea.

“Anyway, you won’t be on your own. You’ve got two nephews who love the bones of you. And your brother quite likes you too. Don’t even get me started on your number-one fan, otherwise known as my wife.”

Now Billy did shed a tear. He hugged his brother tightly. They had been through so much as kids. To have him fighting his corner again made his heart want to explode.

They separated. Billy wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “What a wuss.”

“Now that’s true.”

“You’ll never guess who persuaded her to be honest with me about it all.”

Harry frowned. “Who?”

“Eddie.”

His eyes widened. “Wow. You’ve had a fucking nightmare tonight.”

Billy laughed. “You could say that. Bloody hell.”

“I guess that means there’s someone else in Brighton who cares for you.”

“Don’t.”

“Can’t you stop being so pig-headed? Just this once. The guy is obviously regretting everything that’s happened.”

Billy shook his head. “I’ve no space in my life for liars.”

“You’re being way too harsh. He’s a salesman. It’s not like you were already involved and he ripped us off. We’ve only ourselves to blame for being too fucking stupid.”

Maybe that was the real problem. Deep down, Billy had been humiliated by Eddie. Even if it were indirectly.