The visitors filed in.
Rory quickly scoped the room for Sean. He didn’t have to look far. Sean waved his hand and rose to his feet. Rory quickly made his way over to his brother. They embraced, then sat down either side of the low table.
A prison guard hovered nearby watching intently as everybody took their places. Rory made sure his hands were visible and locked together. To do anything else would bring them sniffing around. Even though the visitors had already been searched, they watched every move. Everything about it made Rory’s gut turn ice cold.
“How you doing?” Sean asked, before Rory had a chance to speak.
“Okay. How about you?”
Sean nodded, indicating he was okay. Rory knew better. His brother looked as if he had an axe to grind. And he was changing physically too. He’d taken to the gym, but it was more than that.
“Every time I come you’re more ripped,” Rory commented.
Sean shrugged his massive shoulders. “Lifting weights keeps me out of trouble.” He gave a side-eye glance around the room and a warning glance.
Rory didn’t like it, but he knew best not to comment. “Not long to go now. Hang in there, bro.”
Sean nodded but again scanned the room with narrowed eyes, as if he wanted to watch the other prisoners even closer than the guards did. He shifted, crossed his arms but kept his hands on his knees. He really was ripped, his shoulder muscles and biceps making his prison regulation shirt a tight fit.
“There’s something important I need to tell you,” Rory began. Time would be short so he had to press on.
“What?”
“I may not be able to uphold the promise I made to you.”
Sean stiffened, his eyes locked on Rory’s. “Please tell me you’re not hacking again?”
Rory shook his head quickly. “No, it’s not that. I’m steering well clear, believe me. I told you I’d get you a job when you came out. My boss listened and he was willing to give you a try out. You’ll be staying with me but I wanted to find you work too, that’s in doubt now.”
Sean scarcely moved but his expression changed. It was almost imperceptible, but Rory could see the disappointment in his brother’s eyes.
“My boss, he was attacked. He died in hospital just last week.”
Sean looked genuinely shocked. “Jesus, I’m sorry to hear that. I know you really liked the guy.”
“Yeah, he was good to me, and he would’ve been good to you as well.” Rory quashed down the emotions threatening to fight their way to the surface. “Thing is, I don’t know what’s going to happen, who’s going to buy the place and whether I’ll even have a job. I hope I’ll be kept on and there’ll be work for you as well, but I couldn’t let you cruise along thinking it was all set up.”
Sean nodded. “Don’t give yourself a hard time. Put yourself first, try and stay in there. Look, I might need some time off grid anyway.” He wrapped one large hand around the back of his neck rubbing at the base of his skull. “Some of the guys here have latched onto my skill set. Now they are dropping heavy hints they want me on side for jobs.”
“Shit. How did that happen?”
“I trusted someone I shouldn’t have, simple as that. It was stupid of me. You can’t trust anyone in here. Thing is, I think I should lay low once I get out, just for a while.”
Rory nodded. “Any plans I can help you with?”
“A bike with a full tank?” Sean gave a lopsided grin.
Rory smiled instantly, relieved to feel the tension break.
“You got it.”
“Figured I’d go back to Wales. All they know is I’m London based with Irish connections. Never told them about our time in the land of the dragons. It’s going to be the safest place for me to go off grid right now.”
“Any other reason you want to go back to Wales?”
Sean shook his head and lowered his eyelids but not before Rory saw something there, something that made him think Sean might be going back to see Rowan. He thought about telling his brother he’d seen Rowan, that she’d had been left high and dry by her boyfriend and had a baby to look after, but he didn’t want to complicate things. Sean had a plan and that was good enough. Sky’s family would give him a bed if he needed it.
“I’ve seen Draco,” Rory offered, by way of news. “He’s got himself some highflying job in the city.”
Sean frowned. “Seriously?”
“Yeah I’m not sure it’s above board, but he swears it is. Wait until you see him—he’s turned into a suit.”
“No shit!” Sean laughed gruffly.
Rory nodded. It felt good to see his brother laugh. “Sky’s in London too.”
He tried to mention it as nonchalantly as possible. He wanted to know how his brother would react. Sean was his only family, since their dad had gone walkabout, his only real family. Now that George had gone too, there was no one really close he could talk to. The guys he shared lodgings with were good guys but more often than not they spoke to each other in their own language. Rory was the outsider. “She’s working as a barista. Makes good coffee.” He smiled. “And she hopes to go to Art College.”
Sean studied him for a long time before he reacted. “Are you seeing her?”
It was tentatively asked. Rory knew his brother understood.
“Yes, we’ve spent time together and it’s been good, really good. Draco wasn’t happy about it though.”
Again Sean laughed. “No surprise there.”
“He’s accepted it, reluctantly.”
“Wow.”
“It’s different. We always got on, all of us, but we’re not forced together now. It’s more natural.”
“No escaping the Brady Bunch, huh?” Sean smiled, genuinely amused.
Rory pointed at him, acknowledging the shared joke. “It wasn’t so very bad though, was it?”
Sean inhaled audibly. “No, it wasn’t.” They studied each other silently and eventually Sean voiced the unspoken question hanging between them. “And Rowan?”
“She’s good, she’s still in Wales.”
A spark lit in Sean’s eyes.
Rory was about to say more, mention he’d seen her at Cadogan hospital and why, when a loud buzzer sounded. The guard announced visiting time was over.
Sean rose to his feet, put out his hand.
Rory took it and drew his brother in for a quick hug. “I’ll be at the gate with your bike and a full tank,” he whispered, close against his brother’s ear. “Focus on that.”
“I will. Thanks, bro.”
A guard hovered nearby.
“I’ll bring you some new kit,” Rory added, nodding at Sean’s ripped body.
Sean saluted and turned away.
Rory stared at his brother’s broad back, noted the way Sean kept his head up and flexed his shoulders as if readying for a fight.
He counted the days until he could keep his promise and give him a set of bike keys and a ride he could rely on. It cut him deep to have to bring the news about George and the doubtful job potential. Even if he had to hand over his own bike and clear out his bank account, he wouldn’t let Sean down.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The day of the funeral started off grey and damp with misty rain.
Sky cursed the weather, wishing it would give them a break.
She planned to turn up at the church a half hour early, hoping to catch Rory before the service. The tube station was a few minutes walk from the church. She followed the route on her smart phone, but once she caught sight of the spire, she put her phone away. It was a pretty church. Old fashioned, and looked like it should be in a country village not in the midst of the sprawling city of London. A grey stone wall surrounded it. Once she found the entrance and passed under the lych-gate, she saw Rory standing by the large arched doorway to the chapel.
Her breath caught in her lungs at the sight of him.
Just a couple of days, but it was too long. I love him.
In that moment, she understood. Thi
s wretched, bereft feeling was because she loved him and he hadn’t been close by. She walked faster.
He wore a suit and looked incredibly handsome, despite his overcast expression. His hair was tidy and he’d shaved. The efforts he’d gone to made her feel oddly proud. Then he turned her way and looked over at the people entering the church grounds. His eyes lit and he lifted his hand in acknowledgement.
Sky walked faster still.
As she closed on him, he put out his hands for hers.
Relief swamped her.
“Thank you for coming.”
Sky stood on tiptoes and kissed him.
Passers by nodded at him as they went into the church and she stood by his side until they’d gone in. “Where’ve you been? I’ve been worried.”
“At George’s house. He has pets, a dog and three cats. I had to take care of them, they couldn’t fend for themselves.”
Why hadn’t he just replied to her messages and told her that? “Of course not. I’m sorry. I missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too.”
“Really?” She knew she sounded needy, but she couldn’t help it.
He put his hand around her waist and moved close against her. “I want nothing more than to be with you right now, believe me.”
Her heart tripped, both relief and happiness creating a heady rush inside her.
“I owe this to George. I need to get it right.” He rested a kiss against her forehead.
“I want to help you.”
“You are helping me, knowing you’re there waiting for me, my girl, is everything.”
Her eyelids fluttered down as she savored his words, his touch, his proximity.
“Be patient. Let me get this sorted.”
“I understand, really I do. You won’t forget me?”
One corner of his mouth quirked. He took her hand in his, drew it to his mouth and kissed her palm “I promise.”
A shiver ran through her entire body. “I promise too.”
She took his other hand, drew his palm to her mouth and kissed it.
He stared deep into her eyes, and she felt close to him, the closest ever. They were being frank, open and honest, and the mutual pull was heavy with longing and potential. Something between them shifted in that moment. Silently, a mutual bond had been forged. Understanding. Trust.
He looked her in the eye. “If it hadn’t been for George, I never would’ve understood this thing between us. I never would’ve let it happen.”
Sky’s hand went to her mouth. Tears gathered and she didn’t want to cry right then. She wanted to be strong for him.
“I needed some time to think. It made sense to take care of his pets.”
Sky swallowed down her emotions. “Will you have to find them new homes?”
“I guess so.” He glanced away.
The frown on his forehead worried her. “Are you okay?”
“Just concerned about Kate, George’s daughter. I hope her flight wasn’t delayed. She was due to land a couple of hours ago. She’s coming straight here from Heathrow airport.” He stood silently for a moment. “Never thought I’d be organizing a funeral,” he added.
“It’s been tough on you.”
He nodded. “I only knew him a year, but he was more of a dad to me than…”
She reached out, clutched his upper arm through his suit jacket.
He nodded. “George left instructions for a big wake afterwards. He’d banked the funds for a do upstairs in his local pub. Will you come?”
“I can’t I’ve got to turn up for my shift. They gave me this morning but I’ve had too much time off. I’m really sorry, Rory.”
“Don’t be. I don’t want to go, to be honest with you. I’ll turn up for half an hour or so, make sure Kate is okay, and then head home.”
“Do you want me to come over after my shift?”
He studied her closely for a moment then looked away. “There’s a lot of legal stuff Kate has to deal with in the next few days, I said I’d be there for her, help her find her way with it all. I’m going to be busy for a while yet.”
“Okay.”
While they waited outside the church she held onto his hand and she tried to comfort him. He kept hold of her until he left her side her to greet George’s daughter.
Sky watched as they shook hands and spoke. Rory seemed to be reassuring her, arrangements perhaps. The woman dabbed her eyes with a tissue and nodded gratefully. Rory stayed with her. Sky looked over at him. He was her lover, this handsome man in his smart dark suit, who looked so capable, so steadfast.
The crowd of attendees grew larger by the moment. A group from George’s old biker club had turned up in force, and the car park at the side of the chapel was full of impressive bikes and classic cars. Many of them knew Rory or informed him they’d heard good things about him. There were neighbors and people who ran local businesses as well as loyal customers who’d been coming to his workshop for years. Sky listened avidly, intrigued by what was being said as they waited for the car to arrive carrying the coffin.
Eventually the hearse pulled into view.
Rory squeezed her hand and stepped away.
At first she didn’t understand why, then she realized he was one of the pallbearers. The coffin was carried out of the church by five of George’s biker friends, and Rory. Rory looked grief stricken taking on the task, but he stood up straight and did the job well.
During the service he kept his head down. She knew he did it so people couldn’t see how upset he was. When she reached out to him, it seemed to make it worse. It made her heart ache.
As they passed out of the church, the clouds finally lifted.
“Call me as soon as you can,” she whispered, as they parted.
He kissed her and left, heading to one of the funeral cars.
I feel his hurt. I hurt so much. I hurt for him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Rory stepped out of the solicitor’s office onto the busy London street and loosened his tie. It was another thing he never thought he’d find himself doing, and certainly not at this point in his life but he’d got through it.
The turn of events had knocked him for six.
Kate, George’s daughter, stepped out behind him and shut the heavy door behind her with a sigh of relief.
She smiled at him. “Thank goodness that’s done.”
It was a relief that she found it stressful too. Perhaps these kind of things always were. Rory had no clue.
She put her arm around his shoulder. “Come on, let’s go and get a nice big glass of wine and have a chat.”
It was scarcely midday, but a drink sounded good. Rory was pretty much in shock after the reading of George’s instructions.
Kate nodded across the street. “There’s always a good wine bar near a solicitor’s office.”
A few minutes later they were sat in a quiet booth with a bottle of Australian Chardonnay in an ice bucket and two big glasses. Rory didn’t think he’d ever drank Chardonnay but when she ordered a bottle he didn’t argue. It actually had quite a pleasant taste, and it did make him feel a bit more relaxed.
Kate was chatty, seemingly relieved now all the business was done. What she wanted was to get home to Australia to her family that was clear.
Rory nodded as she talked about her flight back home. “I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done this past couple of weeks. You’ve helped things go smoothly with the arrangements.”
“I’ve only done what anyone would do in the circumstances, glad to help. I’ve never done anything like this before, but your dad’s friends were willing to give me advice, and your dad had set things up pretty well.”
“He did, didn’t he?” She smiled wistfully. “Well, you’ve made it a heck of a lot easier for me. I didn’t have to deal with undertakers from across the world.”
Rory took off his tie, folded it and put it in his pocket. “I’m not sure about the will though.”
Kate gave a sad smile. “You mad
e that obvious in the lawyer’s office. Don’t knock it, as far as I’m concerned it works out perfectly. You should have his workshop. It works out much better if you keep it going, and look at it this way, you’ll make a profit and I get a share. That couldn’t be better for me, all I ask is you keep doing what you were doing. He told me you were the best apprentice he ever had, the only one who he could really rely on. If you carry things on the way he set them up, that would be great tribute to him.”
“It just feels wrong. I don’t deserve it.”
“No it isn’t. She smiled. Her eyes were sad, but she smiled. “My dad loved you. We used to talk on Skype once a week and all he talked about was you. I couldn’t believe you’d talked him round about stuff like servicing electric bikes and motocross models.”
Rory laughed. “People were always asking, it was the sensible thing to do, it didn’t have to change the classic core of the business or its trademark look.”
“He was delighted you were able to expand the business, take on those customers.”
Rory knew that. “He liked to joke about it, he called me a turncoat.”
“I can imagine.”
“Why send the customers away? I was willing to learn and I promised I’d take care of it.”
“It was one of the things he respected about you, your willingness to take responsibility. He wanted you to have what he left you.”
“But what about you?”
“The money, the stocks and shares, that’s all good. I’ll keep it invested for my kids. Rory, my husband has his own company, and to be honest with you it’d be a royal pain in the ass for me to have to deal with the workshop and all that stuff. I’m happy for you to take it over in his name.”
Rory swigged his wine.
“There’s something else I need to run by you.”
Rory lifted his eyebrows. It was already a lot to take in.
Kate laughed. “Why don’t we order lunch and another drink?”
“Sounds good.”
* * * *
That evening Sky lay in her bed with her sheets twisted between her arms and legs, thinking about Rory. Sleeping wasn’t easy, because the longing she felt for him, the man who made her feel whole, had long since become overwhelming.
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