Page 96 of Thrill

“Fine.”

Tyler handed Danny his drink and headed over.

“They used to do a dance to that song by Kylie Minogue,” Mr Jones said. “The la-la-la one.”

“Can’t Get You Out of My Head?”

“That’s the one.”

Mrs Jones hadn’t spoken. Her gaze remained focused on Danny. He shifted uncomfortably.

“Tyler told me you met at work,” she said.

“That’s right,” Danny replied with what he hoped was a friendly expression. Inside he resembled a quivering jelly.

He had heard what Tyler’s family thought about him working at Pleasure Seekers. His own father might not approve. Thankfully, he didn’t vocalise it at every opportunity. He expected Mrs Jones had no such reservations.

“Logistics sounds like a very involved position. Are you finding supply lines are improving?”

“Sorry?” Danny said.

He’d been ready to defend Pleasure Seekers yet now he felt like he’d received a direct hit. He wasn’t sure where it had come from.

“With the pandemic and Brexit and war. It must be a busy time for you.”

Danny frowned. “I mainly work in the warehouse,” he said.

Mrs Jones gave a meaningful stare at her husband.

“The warehouse?” she continued. “Goodness me, you must be doing a great job with your finances.”

Danny had absolutely no control over the conversation. What did his finances have to do with the in-laws from hell?

“I…I’ve no idea what you mean.”

The opening bars of Kylie’s super hit kicked in. Tyler and his siblings were dancing together.

“To be able to afford an apartment at a marina is no mean feat. I’d like you to help our youngest with budgeting. Honestly, he thinks it grows on trees.”

Danny looked from Mr to Mrs Jones. The former had the decency to seem uncomfortable. The latter had victory in her eyes.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you both. I’m just a simple warehouse operative and I live at home, with my family.”

Mrs Jones glanced over his shoulder, presumably at her children making fools of themselves.

“Maybe it’s not us that you’re disappointing.”

TWENTY-THREE

TYLER

Kylie blasted in his ears but Tyler had zoned her out. Across the room, he watched his parents, or rather his mother, speaking to Danny. As usual his father hung back, watching with that ever-present worried look on his face.

The body language between Danny and Tyler’s mother told Tyler they weren’t engaging in small talk.

I should never have left them alone.

Once Danny bolted for the door, Tyler abandoned his siblings and sprinted after him.