Page 68 of Mercury Rising

“Can’t afford it.”

Mercury watched the young lad moving on to slicing tomatoes. The matter-of-fact way he accepted the limitations on his life broke Mercury’s heart. When he remembered some of the pointless things he had worried about at Eddie’s age, it made him cringe.

He glanced over at Nick. He was carefully showing Hassan how to turn the sausages with his tongs. Nick must have sensed Mercury’s eyes on him. He looked up and gave the most imperceptible wink.

“Have you and him got it together then?” Eddie asked.

“Bloody hell, you should go to MI5 for a job.”

Eddie had a twinkle in his eye. “It’s just with you going into his yesterday. You stayed ages.”

Mercury put the knife down. “Are you kidding me? Did you say anything to the others?”

“Nah,” Eddie replied. “I’m not a grass.”

So much for them keeping things quiet. They would have to work harder on that one in the future. Mercury worried that Nick might get into trouble if it got out that they were sleeping together. Somehow, he trusted Eddie not to let their secret out.

“What about Brooke?”

“Haven’t said nothing,” Eddie replied.

“How come?” Mercury asked. “You were pretty sure the other day that you liked her.”

“I do,” Eddie said. “It’s…well, you know.”

“Terrifying?”

“Something like that.”

Mercury stared across at Brooke. She very rarely let Eddie out of her sight when he was at the House. Mercury suspected that Eddie had nothing to worry about on that score.

“I think you should have faith,” Mercury replied. “But not until you’ve done these salads.”

The food went down a storm. Hardly anything had been left. As the kids lay on the grass with full bellies, Hassan treated them all to a dance routine he had choreographed. The confidence of the boy was admirable.

“You should go on one of those talent shows,” Cath said. “You’re excellent.”

Hassan shrugged. “I might do.”

Mercury stood with Nick, surveying all they had created.

“I think it’s a success, don’t you?” Nick said.

“One hundred percent.”

“I wish you could stay at mine tonight. I like sharing a bed with you.”

Mercury turned to him. “I finally have my tag off on Friday. Fancy helping me celebrate with a meal out, few drinks and a night at yours? I know how cheeky I’m being, but fuck it.”

Nick raised an eyebrow. “Fuck it, indeed. I’d love to. I guess your mother is still in the country?”

Mercury flinched. Once again, he felt like a loser having to build his social life around his mother’s movements. Nick must think him a child that never grew up.

“Yeah. She’s going back next week to finish her scenes. Our style is most definitely cramped in that neck of the woods.”

They stood in silence. Now Mercury had tasted Nick’s body, he couldn’t get enough of it. Still, it wouldn’t do them any harm to wait a few days. By then, he would be fit to burst.

He scanned the garden and saw Eddie and Brooke deep in conversation.