Page 29 of Samuel

Frankie sighed. “It was worth a try,” he said, grumbling softly to himself.

I felt Sam laugh beside me as we both watched Frankie walk away. Once he was bounding up the stairs we stood up.

“What is it?” I asked. “What weren’t you telling me?”

Sam raked a hand down his face and breathed out heavily through his nose. “The police said they’d try and get a squad car to drive past, but that was the most they could offer. Fucking idiots,” he hissed.

“It’s fine, Sam. He’s gone now, that’s the main thing.”

“Yeah and what if he comes back?” He moved away from me back to the counter next to the fridge, where the bottle of vodka stood. He looked around the kitchen and then reached for a mug that I’d washed earlier. He poured in some of the clear liquid and then came back to me, holding out the mug for me to take. “Drink that.”

With a wince, I swigged down the drink and handed the mug back to Sam. “Thank you. I’m sorry I dragged you into this. I should’ve just called the police.”

“Yeah well, we’ve established they wouldn’t have helped,” he grumbled, turning to put the mug into the sink.

“I know, but I shouldn’t have called you.”

Sam swivelled around and glared at me. “Yes you should. I told you to.”

“But we’re practically strangers,” I argued, placing a hand over my fast beating heart. “I should’ve called my dad if not the police.”

“No you shouldn’t. You should’ve called me and I’d have been pissed if you hadn’t. It doesn’t matter how well we do or don’t know each other, I want to make sure you’re both safe.”

“Why though Sam, why would you want to get involved in all this crap?” I cried taking a step closer to him. “It isn’t down to you.”

“I want you to be safe, I want my…” He paused hanging a hand off the back of his neck. “Listen it’s all irrelevant, you did call me and I’m here, so we just get on with it.”

I knew he’d been about to mention Frankie, his pink cheeks and the way he couldn’t look me in the eye showed it. Even if I hadn’t heard the word ‘my’, I would’ve known it was his son he was trying to protect.

I took a few breaths in the silence and then walked over to the cupboard that held my glass wear and took out two tumblers. I then went to the fridge, taking out a bottle of tonic water. Moving silently to the vodka, I then poured us both a drink, turning to hand one to Sam.

“Here you go. You probably need one too.”

He gave me a small smile and took the glass from me. “Cheers.”

We both took long swigs of our drinks, standing opposite each other, the silence echoing around us.

“Was his car here?” I asked, the thought suddenly striking me.

Sam shrugged. “It wasn’t on the drive, or on the road. Maybe he was on the way home from the pub or something and drink made him brave.”

“So you don’t think he’ll come back?” I asked, hopefully.

“Who knows, but what I do know is I’m staying here tonight.”

My eyes widened as I stumbled back. “What? No, no you’re not staying here. You can’t.”

“Um yes I can and I am,” Sam replied, taking another swig of his drink. “I’ll sleep on the sofa. Did you change the locks like I suggested?”

“Yes,” I snapped. “God, bossy much.”

“Maybe I am, but I was right when I said he’d come back. Did he try and get in?” he inclined his head, waiting for me to prove him right again.

“Yes, okay.”

His lips twitched and moved to one side, so like bloody Frankie it was scary. He gave me a quick grin before he finished off his drink and turned to place the glass in the sink alongside the mug I’d used.

“Right, do you have a spare duvet or blanket?”