Page 106 of Thrill

Tyler sat back. “I know. That makes it all the more annoying.”

“Listen. You fucked up. Give him the weekend then call him. You can’t go on indefinitely. Besides, you work in the same building.”

“I know,” Tyler replied. “It was such an effort not bumping into him this week. I’m exhausted. Poor Amanda has been up and down to the warehouse a million times.”

“There you go then,” Eddie said. “That’s your way in. You see each other every day.”

Tyler considered it. “You might be onto something.”

Scott leapt up off the sofa.

“Okay, if I tell you something do you promise not to act on it?”

“No,” Tyler said. “How can I?”

“Because if you did, I’d get the sack and never work in HR again.”

“Fine. Yes then.”

“I mean it.”

“So do I.”

Scott paused for dramatic effect. “Danny has handed his notice in.”

Tyler sank back. “Well, that’s it then, isn’t it? He’s checked out.”

TWENTY-SIX

DANNY

Danny raced up the street. He saw a figure in the shop.

Perfect. He’s here.

He almost fell through the door. Bruce sat in the chair by the cash register like he always did.

“This is all a bit amateur dramatics, isn’t it?” Bruce said. “Summoning me here as if your life depended on it. Denise is after your hide.”

Danny sat on a stool opposite him. “It had to be here. Sorry, Bruce. I’ll help you home. I promise.”

Bruce waved him away. “I’m capable of getting into a bloody taxi. It’s nice to be in the old place again. Feels like ages. It’s a bit dusty, mind. Anyway, what did you have to announce?”

A huge smile was already on Bruce’s face. It was pretty obvious but Danny couldn’t wait to say it anyway.

“I got the loan,” he said. “I can take this old dump off your hands.”

Bruce held his arms out. Danny leant forward and hugged his friend.

“You have no idea how happy that makes me, Danny.”

Danny knew he’d done exactly the right thing for him and hisfriend. To his amazement, tears were flowing down Bruce’s cheeks.

“Hey,” Danny said, squeezing his knee. “This is a celebration, remember.”

Bruce patted his hand. “I know. I’ve lost my mind since I’ve been in that hospital. I cry at bloody everything. Denise has banned me from daytime television. The other day I was inconsolable when a couple didn’t make the reserve onBargain Hunt.”

Danny laughed. “Are you two going to be safe? Stuck with each other day in day out. Maybe I can kidnap you from time to time. Light duties, of course.”