Page 101 of Thrill

His lip quivered. She took the mug from his hand and put it on the table.

“Come here.”

Lisa wrapped her arms around him. That sent him over the edge. Danny burst into uncontrollable tears.

“I’ve got you,” Lisa murmured. “Let it out.”

So, he did. Danny didn’t realise he was even capable of crying that much. When the final sob left him, he stilled.

“Better?” Lisa asked. She stroked his cheek.

“Better.”

“What is it? Deep down.”

Danny wiped his hand. “I just want to make someone happy. For Holly, I wasn’t man enough. Now with Tyler, I’m not successful enough. He’s going all the way to chief of something or other. I’m trying to buy a backstreet furniture shop.”

“Hey now,” Lisa said. “You’re going to continue learning a skill that will never go out of fashion. Imagine if the bottom drops out of dildos.”

They burst into fits of laughter.

“Thanks, Mum,” Danny said. “Let me get today out of the way and I’ll speak to him. I promise. I need to do this on my own.”

Lisa extracted herself and stood up. “I don’t agree. I also know how pig-headed you can be. Are you nervous?”

“Shitting it.”

“At risk of getting my head bitten off, I suppose I should inform you that your father is incoming. He’s going with you and please don’t argue.”

Danny didn’t know what to say. “He’ll lose half a day’s pay.”

“So bloody what? He needs to do this, Danny.”

He nodded. “Okay.”

Danny and Andy had sat in silence most of the way to the bank in town. Andy had insisted on driving. Danny reasoned that arriving in a joiner’s van demonstrated his commitment to woodwork.

As usual, Andy had got them there twenty minutes early.

“Do you want a mint?” Andy asked.

“Fuck, does my breath smell?”

“No. You’ve been on mute since we left the house. I thought I’d better check if your mouth wasn’t glued together.”

Danny sighed. “Sorry. Life’s a bit bonkers at the moment.”

Andy had managed to park near the bank. Some of the peopleon the benches in front might work there. Fuck, his interviewer might be one of them.

“I believe your mother has already pecked your head about Tyler. You won’t need my input other than I endorse whatever she said.”

Danny shook his head. “I need to focus right now. This is for me.”

Andy squeezed his leg. “I know that, son and I’m bursting with pride. You’ll do so well at this.”

“I’m terrified.”

Andy turned. “Terrified?”