A Man Worth a Million

By C. Jade Wyton

Written by C. Jade Wyton

Cover art by kawaiikaabii

No generative artificial intelligence was used in the writing of this work or creation of its cover. Any use of this publication to train generative artificial intelligence technologies is expressly prohibited.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, livings or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Dedicated to all the bitches who tried to make me stop writing. Bite me.

Part 1:

It was the same every Friday:

Work.

Bank.

Chemist.

And then straight home to make dinner.

Nothing new ever happened. There was nothing that could.

There just wasn’t enough in Talia’s life that could bring about any sort of excitement.

She had no hobbies. No interests of her own. Nothing to do.

Well, nothing outside of reading the occasional library book her son would leave on the kitchen table.

Her social life was limited to the next door neighbours; a wonderful younger couple who were currently too busy with their studies to spend much time with any of their friends.

Talia always felt guilty whenever they wasted their free moments on her, and would often find herself making excuses to avoid them.

Not that she really had to, though.

She was also too busy for free time. She was paid too little for too many hours, and she knew her manager would never give her a raise. She was lucky the sleaze was too horny to fire her.

It was exhausting.

Talia spied the makeup by the chemist’s register. It would be perfect to hide the dark circles that hung under her eyes. Maybe she could present herself better and apply for another job....

No. Her glasses would just smudge it. And she couldn’t really remember how to put on makeup— And, besides, she couldn’t afford it.

Not today. And not next pay, either.

She could barely afford the medicine she was buying for her son. Though, she could never dare tell him that his medication was why they were having microwave noodles for dinner again.

She thought he might have known, though. He was a smart boy. And the way he wouldn’t meet her eye when she came home with his tablets told her that he’d guessed the reason they were behind on their rent.

She wished, with all her heart, that he wasn’t such a clever kid.

‘Have a great day!’ the chemist beamed.

Talia recognised the tone and simply nodded in response; it was the same tone she used every day. That fake happiness that was expected when working at a register. She couldn’t handle hearing it. Not after a six-hour shift of nothing but that voice echoing from the coworkers around her.

The door ding-donged! quietly as she left the air-conditioned store and the blistering summer heat hit her like a horrible wave that made her feel three time more exhausted than she already was.

She stuck her hands in her pockets, checking she had her house keys, and was surprised to find a five dollar note crammed deep down in one of the torn seams.

For a moment, Talia imagined taking the bus instead of struggling with the two hour walk home. But she knew that she couldn’t; an extra few dollars would mean she had enough to get a week’s worth of rice.... Or, she could get some macaroni.

If she was lucky, perhaps she could scrape together enough change to buy some cheap cheese to melt on top.

It would be a nice change from noodles and chicken stock.

So, instead of giving into the fantasy of public transport, she slipped the note and her son’s medication into her handbag and slung it over her shoulder.

It was going to be a hard week, she needed to—

Talia stumbled as a heavy force slammed into her side; her glasses falling from her face as a tug on her bag pulled her sideways. She instinctively tightened her grip on the strap and whirled around to face the blurry figure. Before she knew what she was doing, she had lunged forward to swing a fist at whoever had a hold on her— And they responded with a surprised yelp before kicking out at her; their foot meeting her stomach and sending her backwards onto the pavement as she gasped for air and her bag disappeared from her hand.

‘Fucking Christ!’ a voice exclaimed. ‘Are you alright?! He came out of nowhere!’

Hands gripped Talia’s shoulders and, still in a daze, she was hefted to her feet.

The blurry figure that had helped her circled the ground for a moment before bending down to retrieve her glasses.

She fumbled with them as they were returned to her, barely comprehending what was happening as she slipped them back into place.

What the hell was that?!

She heard another voice talking to an emergency operator and finally managed to catch her breath.

Had she just been attacked?

Had someone just taken her— Her....

Her bag....

Talia’s blood ran cold as her brain caught up with her body, and before she knew what she was doing she had lurched forward and stumbled away from the man who had helped her upright.

Her bag! He’d taken her bag!

Gavin’s medication was in her bag!

She barely heard the men behind her call for her to wait as she sprinted down the street.

She could still see him. She could still see the man who’d attacked her.

The man who’d taken her bag.

The man who’d taken her son’s medication.

‘HEY!’ she cried; feeling every ounce of fury in her entire body forcing its way out of her throat to shriek at the man. ‘YOU BASTARD!’

Her attacker glanced back at her and, realising she was gaining ground, veered into the nearest alley.

She pursued him; almost slipping as she turned at full-speed and came to a stop.

Where had he gone?

Talia glanced around with a frown, scanning the backstreet for the man. And then she felt something hard press into her back between her shoulders.

‘Get on the ground,’ the voice was calm and even. But it held a hint of frustration as its owner poked Talia in the back with his weapon. ‘Or I will shoot you.’

Talia didn’t obey. Instead, she set her jaw and swallowed the lump in her throat.

‘Are you deaf?’ the man growled, and the gun he was holding moved from Talia’s back to her head. ‘I said to get on the ground.’

‘No,’ Talia said, simply.

‘I said to—‘

‘And I said no,’ Talia interrupted, her voice so unexpectedly calm and firm she shocked herself. ‘I’m not leaving without my son’s medication. You can keep everything else— But if you take his medication, he might die.’

There was a moment of quiet hesitation, and Talia felt the pressure of gun that was pressed against her falter.

Against her better judgement, she took the opportunity to slowly turn around; until the gun was aimed between her eyes and she could see the face of the man who held it.

He wasn’t what she had expected, with short black hair and a clean-shaven face.... He looked like the main character in a spy movie, not an alleyway mugger. He was the sort of man she’d expect to see buying cologne and expensive cheeses— Or more, the sort of man who’d have someone buy his cologne and cheese for him.

‘Don’t turn around—‘ he hesitated again as she met his eye.

There was something familiar about him; something Talia couldn’t place. Like she knew this man from a long, long time ago. And as he frowned back at her, his eyes growing tight and confused, she thought he might have seen something familiar about her, too.

But she couldn’t recall where the feeling came from. And as his eyes darted up and down her, she realised that he couldn’t figure it out, either. All she knew, as they stared each other down, was that she hated this man.

Talia felt her lip curl in a scowl and, for some reason beyond her own comprehension; she rolled her eyes.

‘Wha—‘ he gave an offended gasp. ‘Do you want me to shoot you?!’

Talia just scowled. ‘I want my son’s medicine.’

‘I—‘

‘He has epilepsy.’

The man’s expression changed, then, and her stared at Talia for a long moment before slowly lowering his gun. ‘Epilepsy?’

‘Mhm.’

Another long moment passed —perhaps a longer moment than the last— before the man held Talia’s bag out for her to take.

She snatched it back with a grunt that sounded almost like an animal’s growl, and loudly unzipped it.

‘I...’ the thief licked his lips, before his face hardened and he raised his gun again. ‘I still want the bag.’

‘I have five dollars,’ Talia mumbled bitterly as she pulled out the paper bag that she’d gotten from the chemist. ‘You’d shoot me over five dollars?’

‘I’d shoot you to keep my fingerprints from the police,’ he said. Then, his frustrated look returned and he gave an annoyed grumble. ‘Where do I know you from?!’

‘Why don’t you check my ID and figure it out?’ Talia gave a snort and threw the bag at his feet.

The man frowned and motioned for her to back away before he picked it up. ‘Turn out your pockets!’

‘Fuck off!’ Talia snapped, and the man flinched. He was frowning, but Talia could see his hesitation and tried to take advantage of it.... She took a step towards him and then knew she’d won when he took two back. ‘I’m going to walk out of this alley,’ she said. ‘And I’m never going to forget your face. You’re going to regret this.’

Confusion, and perhaps a small surge of fear, flashed in his eyes as she met them. And he swallowed.... And then he lowered his gun and moved out of her way.

Slowly, Talia backed out of the alley. She didn’t dare look away until she could turn and run, and then she didn’t stop running until she was halfway home. She collapsed on the empty playground’s swing-set and started sobbing into her hand.

What the hell had just happened?!

She could barely believe it.

She thought she might be sick!

By the time she got home she was too tired to cook. She barely made it up the stairs to her apartment. All she could do was flop onto the couch and pray her son wasn’t hungry.

Part 2:

Dale threw the purse onto his kitchen bench and sighed.

That had been a lot harder than it should have been!

He knew he shouldn’t have stolen the bag; it wasn’t like he needed the money. But something about it had just been so enticing! The thrill of rebellion, and the rush of crime had been to much and he’d made another stupid, split-second decision.

And he’d fucked it up.

She’d seen his face.

Whoever she was, she seemed like a complete lunatic; talking back with a gun aimed at her!

Who the hell was that woman?!

He knew her from somewhere— He knew he knew her from somewhere!

Dale huffed as he retrieved a can of soft drink from his fridge and downed in it one go; nosily dropping the now-empty can into the recycling.

He wished he could remember. But there was nobody, as he cycled his memory through every person he had met in his entire adult life, who even resembled her!

Who the hell was that women?!

She’d recognised him, too.

That was more than clear!

Maybe, if she hadn’t had that look in her eye, he might have been able to convince himself he didn’t know her. But she’d had that look. And he knew he knew her, because she clearly knew him, too!

He wondered if she was going to go to the police. That would be a pain. Steven would jump on the opportunity to ID him.

Though, with the vicious way she’d looked at him, he wondered if it wasn’t more likely that she’d show up at his house with a kitchen knife and stab him to death herself.

She had guts. He had to give her that. And she’d been a lot faster than he’d expected. He didn’t think she’d be able to catch up to him. She’d looked exhausted! The way she’d stumbled out of that store he’d figured the firm shove he’d given her would have knocked her down. And then the kick to the stomach? He didn’t think she’d have been able to stand after that, let alone outrun him!

Ugh, it was a mess.

He flopped onto his couch and let his dogs jump in his lap.

‘What am I gonna do, boys?’ he asked as he massaged behind their ears. He wasn’t expecting an answer, but still sighed when the tiny dogs tried to climb to his face to lick him. ‘Daddy’s got himself a dilemma.’

Dale let out a breath. He was an idiot. He’d done literally the stupidest thing he could have possibly done. He should have just let go of the bag when she’d thrown that punch— But the kick had been a reflex. He hadn’t even meant to do that to her! He’d just reacted to seeing a fist coming his way!

Who was she?

He closed his eyes and pressed his palms into them. He hadn’t even thought about witnesses. Broad daylight. A street full of shops. He was definitely seen.

Christ, he needed to work on his self-control.

Why did he recognise her?!

He was so distracted by his thoughts he didn’t hear the knock on his front door; only his dogs’ barking alerted him to the presence of a guest.

He considered not answering it for a moment. Pretending he wasn’t home in case it was the police— Or worse, that woman. But when the knock sounded again, louder this time, he pushed himself up with a frustrated sigh and made for the front hall.

‘Dale!’ a familiar voice called as his front door’s handle jiggled violently. ‘I know you’re in there! It’s Richard, let me in!’

‘Hey, Dick,’ he greeted, welcoming the well-dressed older man into his home and closing the door behind him. ‘You’ll never guess the day I’ve just brought upon myself.’

Richard stumbled as he tripped on one of Dale’s dogs; his cane clacking on the wooden floor as he barely managed to steady himself and glared. ‘What the hell did you do this time?’

‘Guess.’

‘I’m not guessing,’ Richard replied.

‘C’mon, guess!’ Dale urged. ‘Three guesses as to what I did, and how I fucked it up.’

A long, annoyed sigh escaped Richard, and he rubbed the bridge of his nose. ‘You stole something?’

‘Yeah.’

‘From a store?’

‘Nope.’

‘A person?’

‘Yep.’

‘Oh, Christ, don’t tell me you were seen!’

‘Ding ding ding—‘ Dale was cut off by Richard’s palm meeting his cheek with enough force to send his dogs yipping in fear back into the lounge. ‘Ow?! Don’t slap me!’

‘You deserve to be slapped, Richard growled. ‘What the hell is wrong with you?!’

‘I dunno,’ Dale shrugged. ‘I saw her bag. I grabbed her bag. I didn’t think anything past that—‘

‘Of course you didn’t think! You never think!’ Richard grabbed him by the collar and gave him a shake. ‘You’re practically a goddamn billionaire now! The last thing you need to be doing is stealing handbags off the street again!’

‘Yeah, yeah, spare me your lecture,’ Dale grumbled, tugging out of Richard’s grip and smoothing out the creases left in his suit. ‘Are you going to help me or not?’

‘Help you with what?’

‘I don’t know!’ Dale threw his hands up in the air, frustrated and defeated. ‘Figuring out why I have the self-control of a toddler, perhaps?’

‘Dale,’ it was the most frustrated sound Dale had heard from his friend in a long, long time, as he squeezed the bridge of his nose again. ‘You still have the bag?’

‘Yeah,’ Dale sighed. ‘It’s in my kitchen.’

Richard echoed Dale’s sigh as he shoved past him into the kitchen and emptied the bag on the counter.

Dale followed, his feet dragging along the floor in a mix of embarrassment and shame. He joined Richard in the kitchen and began to poke through the contents of the purse with him.

There wasn’t much to look at. There was a ragged old wallet that looked like it hadn’t been replaced in years, a five dollar note, some tissues, and a single broken paperclip.

‘That’s depressing,’ Richard mumbled, picking up the wallet. ‘Talia Wilson.... This is who you robbed?’ Richard pulled a face as he looked at the photo on the licence. ‘Jesus, Dale, you know how to pick them. You’re lucky you didn’t kill her!’

‘She was fine!’ Dale defended. ‘I didn’t hit her that hard— I should have, though. Maybe she wouldn’t have caught up to me if I had.’

‘Sure, right,’ Richard rolled his eyes. ‘Wow, she’s almost blind without her glasses. You really picked a good one, buddy. At least she won’t be able to recognise you.’

‘I... don’t know about that,’ Dale clicked the muscle in his jaw. ‘She didn’t just see me run by, she followed me into an alley and cornered me. I threatened her with my gun but she just... gave me this look. Like she knew who I was, and like she hated me. It was a little bit like the look you’re giving me right now, actually.’

Richard drummed his fingers against the counter as he eyed Dale viciously. Then, he grabbed the bag and scooped all of its contents back into its main pocket. ‘Fine. I’ll deal with this for you. Again. But I’m tired of bailing you out of this shit— If anyone asks, you were with me all day. Right here. Discussing work.... Now go get changed into something that isn’t covered in dirt so that it’s believable!’

Dale nodded and hurried upstairs while Richard calmly went outside with the bag.

When Dale got back downstairs, Richard was carrying his cat into the house. He dropped her on the couch when Dale frowned.

‘Sahara got out?’

‘Just when I was coming back in, she’s fine,’ Richard grumbled. He motioned to Dale’s suit. ‘That’s what you chose to wear?’

‘I was thinking “business”, but with a hint of “close friend”,’ he explained. ‘Plus it matches the tone of your suit.’

Richard rolled his eyes. As he did, the dogs started yapping and scratching at the front door.

‘Chihuahuas! Why chihuahuas?’ Richard gave an exasperated sigh, and motioned for Dale to go into the kitchen. ‘Why not bulldogs or a dane? You had to get the smallest, most yappy, most girly dogs you possibly could have gotten!’

‘Don’t listen to him,’ Dale covered his dogs’ ears with his hands. ‘Grandpa Dick doesn’t know what he’s saying. You’re big strong boys!’

Richard took a deep breath as Dale retreated into the other room. And Dale watched as Richard opened his front door and was met by a pair of tired-looking police officers. One of them Dale recognised as a cop with a grudge and he rolled his eyes. Steven Clark.... Of course Steven was already on his arse, not even an hour after the incident.

Dale had nearly gotten Steven discharged from the police, back when they were both fresh out of high school. And Steven had never forgotten it.

So Dale decided to play dumb, and quickly picked up Sahara.

‘How can I help you?’ Richard asked, obviously having the same idea. ‘Is something the matter?’

‘Someone reported an assault nearby,’ Steven grumbled, trying to push his way inside but being blocked off by Richard’s arm slamming into the doorframe. ‘I was wondering if Dale knew anything about it?’

‘Why would I?’ Dale’s fake-innocence was almost perfect as he rounded the corner back into the hall, stroking his cat. ‘I’ve not been out all day! Well— Besides a quick run down to the shops with Richard, but we got back quite a while ago.’

Despite Dale’s tone, the older officer didn’t look convinced. ‘You’ve stolen handbags before.’

‘I thought you said assault?’ Richard frowned, faking confusion as he glared at the two officers. ‘Not robbery.’

‘It was a mugging. A man assaulted a woman and took her handbag,’ the younger officer clarified.

‘And why, exactly, are you at my door about it?’ Dale asked.

The officer took a deep breath. ‘I know it was you. There hasn’t been a mugging in this area since last time you were arrested, and it went exactly like it used to.’

Richard raised a hand. ‘That’s not enough to convict him... or even to get a warrant. Were there witnesses?’

‘I know it was him,’ Steven pressed.

‘So there were no witnesses?’ Richard asked.

Dale shook his head. ‘If there were, he wouldn’t be here— Because he’d know it wasn’t me!’

‘Were. There. Witnesses?’ Richard’s tone was slow and flat.

‘Of course there were witnesses!’ Steven growled. ‘Do you think a report just spawned out of thin air?!’

‘And they saw Dale? Specifically Dale?’

Steven looked seriously at the two before his shoulders slumped. ‘The attacker wasn’t described.’

‘The witnesses gave no description?’ Richard growled. ‘You’re making heavy accusations, for a man with no evidence.’

‘I know it was him!’ Steven snarled back. ‘Don’t try and pretend it wasn’t!’

‘Hey— Wait a minute, I know you!’ Dale exclaimed suddenly. ‘You’re the officer who targeted me last time you needed a quick arrest!’

‘I targeted you because you did it!’ Steven snapped.

Richard gave a gasp and scowled, thumping his cane against the floor dramatically. ‘That’s right! You broke his wrist because you mistook him for an aggravator! You have no right to be here!’

‘I didn’t mistake him for an aggravator! He was an aggravator!’

‘Not according to the court!’ Richard snapped, motioning at the police to leave. ‘I demand you leave immediately! You shouldn’t be handling any cases against my friend. Your suspicion against Dale is completely unfounded! And unprofessional! You’ll be lucky if I don’t report this incident to your station.’

‘You won’t have to report it, I’m arresting both of you—’

‘Steven, no! You’re overstepping!’ the younger officer quickly stepped between the men. ‘He has no motive, an alibi, and we have don’t have a warrant!’ she turned, eyeing Richard for a second, before giving an annoyed huff through her nose. ‘Yet.... We can come back later when we have one. And we will get it.’

The officers both frowned as Richard stepped back from the door and slammed it in their face. Then, begrudgingly, they turned away and made their way to their car.

Dale and Richard watched through the window as the pair argued before finally driving away.

‘That went well. For us, I mean. It was an absolute mess on their part,’ Richard turned to Dale. ‘You still have that doorbell that records when people come in?’

‘Motion activated with video and audio,’ Dale acknowledged.

‘Perfect. Send me a copy of that confrontation. I’ll see if I can’t get those two put on leave.’

Part 3:

Talia couldn’t get up. She was in too much pain. The muscles in her legs felt like they were fusing together and every move she made sent pain through her stomach that made her feel as bad as death.

‘Mum?’ Gavin whispered, putting his hand on his mother’s head. ‘Are you okay? You didn’t make dinner, and you haven’t left for work yet.... But it’s okay, you don’t have to feel bad about missing dinner. I ate noodles. And I took my medicine last night. The container’s empty though. There’s none for today.’

Talia groaned in response. Her son shouldn’t have to get himself dinner....

‘Do you need help?’ Gavin asked. His voice dropped to a mumble when his mother groaned again. ‘I’m gonna go get Anna.’

Talia didn’t have the energy to tell him no, and not even five minutes later her young neighbour was pulling back her shirt to examine the hideous bruise that had formed under her ribs.

‘Gavin, can you ask Trish to get an ice pack out of the freezer?’ Anna asked, softly.

Gavin nodded and hurried out again.

‘How the hell did you get this, Talia?’ Anna rounded on the woman, her voice hardening. ‘Did you get in a fight?’

Talia let out a painful breath and nodded. ‘He... tried... to take my bag....’

‘It looks like the rib might be bruised,’ she sighed. ‘Try not to move or you could make it worse. I don’t think it’ll be broken, but try to keep still either way.’

‘Gavin needs... school... medicine...’ Talia gasped between aching breaths. She tried to hold the tears back as her neighbour put a hand on her gut to feel her injury. She couldn’t help but think how lucky she was that Anna was studying to be a doctor; she was always willing to help Talia with anything she needed....

‘I’ll get him sorted, don’t worry,’ Anna pulled Talia’s shirt down again. ‘But I don’t want you getting up. Do you have your phone?’

‘Pocket,’ Talia mumbled.

‘Call in sick,’ she demanded as Gavin hurried into the room again, shadowed by Anna’s girlfriend. Anna took the blue, slime-filled bag from Gavin and wrapped it in a towel before pressing it against Talia’s injury. ‘I want you to stay right where you are for as long as possible.’

Talia groaned, reluctantly agreeing to call her boss and live on the couch for the next few days as Anna quickly retrieved Gavin’s medicine from the coffee table and popped a dose out of its packet.

‘Alright,’ Anna let out a breath. ‘Gavin, are you ready for school? Have you had breakfast yet?’

Gavin nodded, and Talia felt a surge of guilt that hurt worse than her wound.

‘You,’ Anna pointed a finger at Talia. ‘Stay.’

Talia nodded as Anna ushered Gavin towards the door.

He protested, saying he wanted to stay with his mother and look after her, but Trish chimed in; telling him the best thing he could do right now was to behave and not stress her out.

‘Now, I’ve got to go study,’ Trish said, glancing back at Talia. ‘I’ll be next door. If you need me, text me, and I’ll come to you.’

A groan was Talia’s only response.

The apartment door shut quietly as Trish made her way out. She was less gentle with her own door, and Talia flinched at the loud slam.

And just like that, the world was silent.

Unpleasantly so.

She wished she could do something. Clean the kitchen. Have a shower. Wash the clothes.... She couldn’t even get something to read— Even if she was able to stand, Gavin had returned all his required reading to the library the day before.

Talia sighed and stared at the broken clock on the wall opposite the couch. She remembered when its ticking kept her awake. Now she wished it would ding out the time of day, just to keep her entertained.

She swallowed, and painfully reached up and removed her squashed glasses from her face (she felt the skin pinch and regretted forgetting to remove them before sleeping). Then she turned to look at the kitchen table; a blur of colour and shapes met her, and she began quietly guessing what each object was.

After ten or so minutes she gave up. She couldn’t stand doing nothing. No matter how painful it was; she was going to get up.

Talia took a deep breath and rolled, letting her legs drop off the couch. A horrible squeezing feeling spread across her gut like someone had grabbed her in a giant pair of tweezers and was trying to crush her. But she ignored it and let momentum help her to her feet.

The door seemed too far away and she was amazed when she reached it. She opened it quietly and glanced around before limping into the hall. Slowly, she made her way towards the stairs, stopping to rest at the split in the hallway.

‘Going somewhere?’ Trish’s voice nearly made Talia jump out of her skin, and she turned to find her friend leaning on the wall by the stairwell door. ‘I thought you’d do this.’

‘I can’t spend all day cooped up!’ Talia protested. ‘I need to go to work—’

‘If I have to sit on you to keep you in bed, I will,’ Trish interrupted, pushing herself up and marching towards Talia. ‘Back to your room!’

‘Don’t talk to me like I’m a child!’ Talia snapped. ‘I’m capable of making my own decisions!’

‘Yeah, bad decisions,’ Trish commented. ‘Your track record of life choices isn’t exactly a good one!’

‘Says you!’ Talia retorted. ‘You’re not even wearing pants!’

Trish just shrugged. ‘I can live with the consequences of the neighbours seeing my undies. You? You’re not gonna make it down the stairs without killing yourself.’

‘Oh, I’ll make it down!’ Talia growled.

‘Not if I stop you, you won’t!’

For a second, Talia hesitated, then she moved as quickly as her injury would allow and ducked around Trish. She made for the door at a half run, half hobble, but was grabbed by the back of her shirt. Before she could respond, she was swung around and her glasses were yanked from her face. She let out a shocked cry and grabbed the brown and purple smear that now only partially resembled her friend.

‘I can’t see!’ she exclaimed. ‘Trish! Trish don’t do this to me!’

The blur shook its head and gripped Talia’s arm tightly. ‘You’re going to have the day off whether you like it or not, Wilson.’

‘Don’t you Wilson me, Goldberg,’ Talia grumbled as she was led back through the hall. ‘I’m older than you!’

‘Nowhere near as mature, though,’ Trish chuckled and let go of Talia.

Talia froze, terrified of losing her balance, until she heard the click of a door unlocking and felt Trish’s hand take her arm again.

‘Come on, you goblin,’ Trish tugged Talia’s arm and led her into the apartment.

Talia could tell immediately this wasn’t her own home and groaned. ‘You’re babysitting me?’

‘Yep,’ laughing, Trish guided Talia through the dull grey lounge and into a bedroom that was so bright and pink it nearly sent her into shock. ‘Don’t worry, our bed’s pretty comfortable. Even you might be able to lie down for more than a few minutes.’

In an awkward movement that took far longer than it should have, Talia lowered herself into the soft bed. She accidentally let out a sigh of relief as she stretched out, and ignored Trish’s joke as the blanket was thrown over her.

‘You can have these back,’ said Trish, offering Talia her glasses. ‘But don’t make me regret it.’

Talia took her glasses and slid them on. As she did, a magazine smacked into the side of her head. ‘Thanks.’

‘Alright, I need to do my assignment,’ Trish told her. ‘If you come out of this room it better be for the toilet, or I’ll tie you to the bed. Shout if you need me.’

Talia nodded as Trish left the room. She left the door open, and Talia could hear her settle at her desk and start typing furiously.

With a sigh, Talia started to halfheartedly flick through the magazine. It was... difficult to understand. RAM? Fibre-optic? CPU? She didn’t even know what a Wi-Fi was, let alone a network device operating system.

She discarded the magazine onto a pile of similar ones on the floor and settled for looking at the girls’ bedside photos. There were a lot of them; selfies and portraits of them out with their friends, family, and —Anna’s personal favourite, which she’d shown Talia at least a hundred times already— a picture they’d taken on their first date at their high school formal.

It made Talia feel almost jealous, though she’d never tell the girls that. She didn’t want to sour their relationship with her own stupid problems.... She just wished Evan hadn’t left. Maybe she could look him up—

She shook her head.

It wasn’t worth it. It’d been ten years. The last thing he needed was a call from her. And the last thing she needed was to dig up the past.

Though, maybe he’d actually take some responsibility for Gavin, this time.

The apartment door slammed shut so loudly Talia flinched, and Anna’s voice gasped as she burst into the lounge. ‘Talia’s gone!’

‘I got her before she got to the stairs, don’t worry,’ Trish replied. ‘She’s in our room.’

‘She’s going to kill herself!’ Anna exclaimed. ‘No— Wait! I’m going to kill her!’

Talia wanted to melt into the bed as she heard angry footsteps stomp towards the room.

‘Talia! What were you thinking?!’ Anna snapped. ‘I told you not to get up!’

Talia groaned and buried her face in her pillow. ‘Gavin?’

‘Gavin’s fine, it’s you I’m worried about,’ Anna collapsed onto the end of the bed and put her face in her hands. ‘You’re going to work yourself to death.’

‘It’s not like I have a choice,’ she retorted. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t seem to get anywhere. ‘I’m trapped in this stupid, dead-end life forever.’

Anna sighed and flopped backwards on the large bed. There was a long silence before Trish crept in, laptop in one hand, Tummy Tims in the other, and her pyjama shirt half unbuttoned.

‘Chocolate?’ she offered Talia as Anna jumped up and helped her with her clothes.

Talia desperately wanted to accept, but she knew she couldn’t; money was just as tight for the girls as for her.... She couldn’t take something they’d saved up for—

One collided with her forehead.

‘I know that look,’ Trish grumbled. ‘Don’t worry, I stole these from the campus fridge. I didn’t pay a cent for them.’

Part 4:

It was another dead Friday.

Talia groaned and shifted painfully behind the counter. She was glad that work was so quiet, but she wished she had a seat. Even just five minutes off her feet would help ease the cramping in her stomach.

Anna was right, of course; she shouldn’t have come back to work so soon. But it wasn’t like she could have taken any more time off. The pantry was emptying quick and she couldn’t bear the thought of not being able to refill it. Her pay was already halved because of her absence; she would barely be able to get Gavin’s medicine at this rate.

She felt a hand slide against her hip and slapped it away, turning abruptly as her thoughts were interrupted by her manager. She swallowed as he kept walking, blowing her a kiss before a devious smirk turned the corners of his mouth.

Shitbag, she wanted to throw up. She wasn’t sure how much more she could take of him. She fiddled with her hair for a moment, wondering how much damage she could do to if she shoved the barcode scanner up his arse. He’d probably enjoy it, she thought with a bitter sigh.

It wasn’t fair. What had she done to deserve this? To be robbed, harassed, groped? Why was she the one always taken advantage of?

God, he got under her skin....

‘I’m Randell Summerson, manager of Kladstone North’s Big Double U,’ Talia mocked. ‘I’m a massive douchebag with a tiny dick and no life.’

She tapped her nails on the counter, trying to stave off her building anger. She wanted to break something. Like the Tree Bear Bar display next to her.... Or Randell’s neck. She closed her eyes and let out a happy sigh as she thought about the satisfying crunch.

If only, she opened her eyes and stared at the chocolate display. She wondered if she’d ever have enough in her budget to afford one for Gavin. He deserved a treat. Fuck, it’s only fifty cents, she cursed silently. How is it fair that I can’t even spare half a dollar for my son?

‘Hey Talia!’

Talia flinched as her coworker passed her with a wave. ‘Hey, Jim. You’re early.’

‘I need to talk to Randell,’ he shrugged. ‘I’ll be back in five minutes and you can go home.’

She nodded as he passed, and then was alone again. She looked around the store, anxious to get out now that she knew her shift was almost over. She saw the camera in the corner above her and rolled her eyes; it had been broken for months but the owner was too tight-arsed to pay to have it fixed.

Then Talia’s eyes fell on the Tree Bear Bar display again, and she frowned. It would be... far too easy.

‘Fuck it,’ Talia grumbled. She glanced around to make sure nobody was looking, grabbed a handful of chocolates off the counter, and stuffed them deep into her pants pocket. Just as she pulled her hand out of her pocket, the staff room door opened and Jim wandered out.

Talia let out a breath and gave him a wave, quickly making her way outside. Her heart was racing and she felt more awake than she had all day; a mix of guilt and excitement rushing through her.

The energy boost kept up until she got to her building; she wasn’t even half as tired as usual after the long walk, which felt shorter than it should have been while her mind was occupied.

She quickly grabbed her mail and hurried to the stairs. The three flights up finally drained her and she had to rest at the top; which gave her the perfect opportunity to look through the mail.

She expected it to be bills. And most of it was, but... there was one letter that didn’t have a company name attached.

It was a plain white envelope with her address printed on a sticker with no return label. It was oddly weighted; a hard square was pressed into it from its trip in the post, like a credit card or a pamphlet was inside. The Christmas stamp from almost two years ago was probably the least weird thing about the letter.

Talia was almost scared to open it, but she took a deep breath and jammed her nail under the seal of glue, messily tearing it open.

It was her driver’s licence.

She let out a sigh of relief. She didn’t drive anymore (she couldn’t afford to maintain a car), but she was grateful to have her ID back. Especially since the woman on the phone had told her about the thirty dollar replacement fee.

She closed her eyes and thought about the man who’d mugged her. He didn’t seem like the sort of guy to send her ID back, considering he’d robbed her at gunpoint; she’d have thought he’d sell it or something. Maybe he wasn’t as bad as she’d thought.

Talia actually felt herself laugh out loud at that.

Of course he was as bad as she thought: he’d attacked her! This was probably some sort of threat.

Why am I even laughing at this? Talia found herself thinking. The man who attacked me knows where I live. I should be terrified. Hiding and feeling violated or something.

Though, maybe she was just too used to that feeling.

She pulled one of the half-melted chocolates out of her pocket and stuffed it in her mouth, discarding the wrapper on the floor before continuing to search the envelope.

There was a folded piece of printer paper inside, with writing showing through. She pulled it out and opened it.

A hundred dollar note fell out and Talia nearly threw up. She picked it up and stared at it in disbelief. Why would they give her that much money?

She quickly read the note:

Please don’t talk to the police.

She stared at the letter for what felt like hours before putting it back in the envelope and painfully pushing herself to her feet to start back down the stairs.

She couldn’t believe it.... A hundred dollars....

Bread and soup sounded like a great dinner.

Part 5:

‘Spike! Angel! Here boys!’ Dale called into the backyard as he smacked the empty food can with a spoon, causing a loud, metallic clang that hurt his own ears but excited his dogs. ‘Dinner time! Come on!’

‘Can’t you concentrate on work for five minutes?’ Richard sighed, coming up behind Dale with Sahara held awkwardly in his free hand. ‘Your dogs aren’t going to notice if you feed them late. They’re dogs.’

‘How dare you,’ Dale joked, shutting the laundry door and throwing the can on top of the washing machine. ‘These are my children; your precious grandchildren!’

‘I’m not your father,’ Richard chuckled as Dale’s cat leapt out of his arm and ran out of the room.

‘Might as well be,’ responded Dale, stepping over the dogs as they ate. ‘You scold me enough!’

Richard let out a heartfelt laugh. ‘Come on, we’ve got to finish putting the email list together.’

‘Or what? You’ll punish me like a bad boy?’

‘Oh my god,’ Richard threw his head back and hurried out of the room. ‘Don’t ever say that again!’

‘Am I a bad boy, daddy?’ Dale called, following Richard into the lounge. ‘Am I being a bad boy? Do I need a spanking?’

‘I don’t know about a spanking, but keep talking like that and you’ll get a backhand!’ warned Richard. ‘Hurry up and get to work! Or... actually.... If you’re so restless, why don’t you go pick up some dinner? I’ll handle the emails if you get me a burger from Scruffy Hen.’

‘Alright,’ Dale scooped Richard’s wallet off the coffee table and stuffed it into his back pocket. ‘In a meal?’

‘Large. With a Coola Cola.’

‘That’s a cool-a drink,’ Dale winked.

‘Don’t you dare,’ Richard held back his snicker. ‘I raised you better than that, you shit! Take my backpack and get a few larger bottles of cola, would you?’

Dale nodded, grabbing Richard’s bag and hurrying out of the house. As he climbed into his car he debated going to the quieter restaurant near the train station. But then he decided he didn’t really feel like driving for an extra ten minutes and went for the closer (though more crowded) one, in the food court of the nearby shopping complex.

He quietly rehearsed his order the entire trip, but still managed to buy the wrong drink for himself. He got seven Coola Colas instead of six and a Spite lemonade. He figured it was no big deal and didn’t bother bringing it up as he left the store. Instead, he just put the bottles in the backpack Richard had given him and headed towards the escalator.

Then he saw her, limping out of Kyles Supermarket with a half-full shopping bag.... Talia Wilson.

And she saw him.

He turned to hurry away, but her voice shouted across the crowded shop.

‘JOHN! Oh my god, John! It’s been FOREVER!’

Dale froze as people turned to stare. He knew he had to play along so he took a deep breath and forced himself to smile. ‘Talia! Oh, it has been a long time! I was just heading off, I have to bring some food home before it gets cold— Friend over, you understand?’

‘Oh, of course I understand!’ Talia laughed and linked arms with him. ‘But I’m sure we can walk to the car park together? I have to get your opinion on this amazing set of kitchen knives I’m thinking of getting— Maybe you could help me try them out before I buy them? See how they handle cutting meat?’

Dale swallowed at her tone. Is she threatening me?

‘Can we not walk so fast?’ she asked, tugging Dale’s arm and forcing him to slow down. She glared at him as she continued, speaking in a very slow and deliberate tone. ‘I’ve got a pretty nasty injury I’m recovering from.’

He almost apologised, but instead shrugged and continued to the underground car park.

It was quiet. And for a moment Dale wondered if he could knock Talia down again and just drive off— But then he heard a car door slam somewhere in the lot and decided against it.

‘Which is yours?’ Talia asked, passing the heavy-looking plastic bag from one hand to the other. ‘I don’t see any spy cars around, Bond.’

‘Ha ha,’ responded Dale, flatly. ‘It’s the blue sedan.’

‘Open it.’

Dale frowned. ‘You’re not getting in my car—’

‘Yes, I am!’ Talia snapped. ‘Unless you’d rather I scream. Help. Someone. I’m being kidnapped. That sort of thing.’

‘I’m not kidnapping you,’ Dale snorted. ‘If anything, it’s the other way around!’

‘Open the door,’ Talia repeated.

‘Are you crazy?’ asked Dale as he unlocked his car and watched Talia settle into the passenger seat. A sigh, and he joined her. Then he adjusted his mirror, avoiding eye contact with her, before finally slamming his hands into place on the wheel and letting out an exasperated groan. ‘I could be a murderer, you know! What about that son of yours?’

‘You’re too much of a pussy to kill me,’ Talia responded nonchalantly. ‘If you were that tough you wouldn’t have pissed your pants in the alley.’

‘I didn’t piss my—’ Dale cut off mid-sentence and turned to the windscreen, scowling. He let out a long, frustrated breath as he turned the ignition in the car. Then he drove in silence, not daring to even glance at Talia as he made his way through the quiet streets.

‘Who’s Richard?’ Talia asked. ‘You steal his wallet, too?’

Dale slammed on his brakes. ‘Get out of my bag!’

‘Why? You went through mine,’ Talia shrugged and, as if to make a point, noisily unzipped the next pocket and stuck her hand in. ‘And that was a serious question. I swear I’ve heard that name before. Richard Moore....’

‘He’s a personal friend,’ Dale yanked the bag back and zipped it closed. ‘He runs Moore for More Investments. Used to own Kladstone Towers before he sold it to the Swifts.’

‘Ah,’ Talia’s lip turned up and her voice grew sour. ‘I used to live in Kladstone Towers.’

‘Really?’ Dale was taken aback. He never would have expected to meet someone else from the city —let alone Kladstone Towers, specifically— this far out. No wonder he recognised her! ‘I used to live there, too. Nice place.’

‘Not for me,’ Talia muttered. She didn’t elaborate, which made for an awkward silence as Dale slowly took his foot off the brake and let the car roll downhill.

‘Nearly there,’ he muttered as they reached the bottom. ‘Just another street over and we’ll be at my place.’

Talia looked at him, frowning, and at first he couldn’t figure out why. Then it hit him and he dropped his face into the steering wheel. A loud, ear-piercing honk punished him for his stupidity.

Why the hell did I bring her to my house? he groaned, and sat up straight again. ‘You’re not going to burn my house down now that you know where it is, are you?’

For a moment she looked like she was considering it. Then she shook her head. ‘This is too nice a neighbourhood. Your house is probably worth too much to just wreck like that. I might come back with some toilet rolls later, though.’

Dale shrugged, only half-sure she was joking. He couldn’t deny his house was nice; that was why he’d brought it. But the way Talia said it was almost as if it was supposed to be an insult.

‘How much do you earn?’ she asked. ‘You’d have to get a lot to be able to afford a place around here. Unless you just rob your neighbours every other week.’

‘I earn more than most people,’ he admitted, deliberately staying vague. The last thing he needed to do was share too much information with this woman when she already had so much power over him from his earlier mistake. ‘How much do you get?’

‘A little less than eight hundred a fortnight,’ she replied.

Dale gawked at her. ‘A fortnight?! How do you live?’ he exclaimed, his mouth hanging open. He was so shocked he drove straight by his house and had to turn around.

The entire time he drove, Talia glared at him. She only looked away after he parked.

‘So...’ Dale took a deep breath. ‘What are you going to do now?’

She simply shook her head and sighed. ‘I’m sick of people taking advantage of me. I need your help.’

‘You’re not about to blackmail me—’

‘I want to work with you,’ Talia interrupted. ‘I’ll do anything. Stealing handbags, breaking into houses.... I’ll even give you the details for the bank login for Big Double U if you know how to avoid getting caught.’

That was not what Dale had expected. He stuttered for a moment before finally managing, ‘How do you know Big Double U’s bank details?’

‘My boss has it written down on a sticky note on his computer monitor. You can have it if you give me... um....’

‘A percentage?’

Talia nodded.

He couldn’t believe it. ‘You’re not working for Clark, are you?’

‘Who?’

The look of genuine confusion reassured Dale that she wasn’t, and he shook his head. ‘Look, I don’t want to risk getting the cops on my back; I almost got arrested last week.’

‘Oh really,’ Talia’s voice oozed sarcasm. ‘For what, I wonder? Stealing handbags? Can’t you just pay your way out of that, rich boy?’

Dale groaned and closed his eyes. He almost laughed with disbelief, but managed to hold it back. ‘Look, I know you probably think I’m some sort of spoilt brat, but I worked hard to get where I am. I mean, when I was seventeen I was learning how to drive and buying my first house; you don’t get that without pushing yourself!’

‘Yeah, well, when I was seventeen I was eight months pregnant and living in a women’s shelter,’ Talia retorted, the bitterness in her voice making Dale flinch. ‘I used to push myself so hard I’d pass out. Yet somehow owning a car earns you a house?’

Dale went quiet as Talia glared at him. And relief flowed through him when she finally opened the door and climbed out of the car.

‘You know where I live; contact me before next Friday or I’ll come to you. With something sharp. Your choice.’

He let her walk away in silence; not daring to reply or call her back. It wasn’t his fault if she hadn’t made anything of herself. And it certainly wasn’t his fault if she’d spent her teenage years having kids instead of saving. Why should he have to help her get back on her feet?

He nearly jumped out of his skin when there was a knock on his window— But he let out his breath when he saw it was just Richard frowning in at him.

‘Who was that?’

Dale swallowed. ‘The woman I robbed.’

Part 6:

She couldn’t believe it! How arrogant could one man be? How was it possible for one human being to be so fucking up their own arse that they—

‘Mum, are you alright?’

Talia realised she had been pacing and stopped; instead, she tapped the stirring spoon against her arm in an attempt to keep herself from raising her voice in frustration. ‘I’m alright, hon. How was school?’

‘It was okay,’ Gavin shrugged. ‘Jacob and I threw bottles at an old bike that was down by the creek until it fell in.’

Despite her anger, a smile formed at the corners of her mouth. ‘I told you I didn’t want you going near the creek by yourself.’

‘I wasn’t by myself,’ seeing his mother’s mood lighten, Gavin began to bounce in his seat. ‘I was with Jacob.’

‘You know—’

‘What I meant,’ Gavin mocked. ‘With an adult, Gavin.’

Talia laughed and gave him a tap on the head with the spoon handle. ‘Stop that.’

‘Jacob said I can go to his house on Monday,’ said Gavin, changing the subject. ‘His parents will let me stay the night, too! Can I go? Please? I’ll take my medicine!’

Talia shifted anxiously. She didn’t want to stop her son from seeing his friend, and certainly didn’t want to let his illness hold him back from a normal childhood... but... she still wasn’t sure she trusted Jacob’s parents with Gavin’s medicine. ‘This won’t be like last time, will it?’

Gavin shook his head. ‘That was three years ago! I promise I’ll take it this time! They know I need it now, so they won’t let me forget.’

Talia bit her lip and looked away. After a long moment, she turned back to her son and nodded. ‘Don’t forget to take your morning meds with you. And write down my phone number so you can call if something happens— And make sure to call me as soon as you get to their house!’

Gavin’s bouncing got more erratic and he let out a happy cry. ‘I will! If it helps you feel better, I’ll ask Mrs Conner to text you when I get there! And when I leave for school!’

Talia nodded. ‘And when you take your medicine?’

‘She won’t mind!’

It wasn’t quite enough to reassure Talia, but she didn’t have time to respond as a loud, firm knock echoed through the apartment and she had to rush to the door.

Her mind was racing as she hurried over. It wasn’t Trish or Anna; their knocks were usually softer. Or they’d just walk in. Talia was expecting her landlord —or maybe a salesperson— with how confident the knock was. She was surprised to find a tall, casually dressed older man with a cane and a very familiar backpack.

‘I’m Richard Moore, from Moore for More Investments,’ before Talia was able to shut the door on him, he took her hand and gave it a firm shake. ‘I heard you were harassing my friend Dale?’

‘Is that his name?’ Talia scoffed. ‘Well, I’m busy at the moment so you can come back and threaten me later—’

‘No threats,’ Richard held up his free hand submissively as Talia slammed the door. He continued to talk to her as if she hadn’t just shut him out. ‘You said you wanted to work with us? I can think of a few... confidential things you could do.’

Slowly, Talia opened the door again. ‘You mean illegal?’

He gave a nod, his smile too big for his face.

Talia stared at him, her lips pursed. She thought for a long moment before she swung the door open and motioned for him to come in.

‘Thanks for letting me in,’ said Richard. Then he saw Gavin and grinned. ‘Hey, sport, what’s up?’

‘Managed to convince Mum to let me stay at a friends house on Monday,’ he answered, looking far too proud of himself. ‘Which, if you know her, is an achievement.’

‘Gavin,’ Talia sighed in a warning tone.

Richard let out a chuckle. ‘Oh, well, if you’re staying the night at a friend’s house maybe your mother would like to join me for dinner then?’

‘No. You’re too old to go to dinner with my mum,’ Gavin retorted, suddenly serious. ‘You’re way too old. You’re supposed to date people your own age.’

Talia didn’t mean to laugh, but she did, and had to smother it.

Richard, on the other hand, didn’t try to hide it. He let out a loud, hearty laugh and wiped his eye. ‘I’m not her boyfriend; I’m a friend of a friend.’

‘Anna?’ asked Gavin.

Richard shook his head.

‘Patricia?’

Again, Richard shook his head.

‘Then you’re lying,’ Gavin declared. ‘Mum only has two friends.’

Talia shushed her son by thrusting a loaf of bread from the table into his arms and telling him to turn off the stove.

He ran off with the bread as Richard pushed himself upright.

Richard looked around the room for a while, a hand on his hip and a curious look on his face. Talia was feeling a bit self-conscious until he spoke, ‘I remember growing up in a place like this; except that there was a mould problem in my building. Promised myself as a kid that I’d make a better place for people to live.’

‘Kladstone Towers,’ Talia muttered bitterly. ‘I used to live there. The place was nice enough but the people... not worth it.’

‘That wasn’t my fault,’ Richard chuckled. ‘I had to sell the complex thirty-one, maybe thirty-two years ago. Before you were born, at least. I’m not responsible for anything the new owners did.’

Talia let out a long breath and motioned to the table. ‘Do you want to join us? We’ve got some soup on the stove.’

‘Alphabet?’ Richard asked, nodding to Gavin as he sat at the table.

Talia felt her gut shift at the thought of more chicken stock. ‘Tomato.’

‘Tomato?’ Richard’s brow raised almost as high as his voice. ‘I’ve never met a kid who liked tomato soup.’

‘I love it,’ Gavin told him, climbing backwards onto his chair and resting his arms on the back-rest. ‘It’s nice to have something that’s not chicken flavoured.’

‘So, will you join us?’ Talia asked again. She hoped he wouldn’t.

‘Thanks for the offer, but I’ve already eaten, so I’ll let you and your son have a quiet night,’ Richard tipped his head politely. ‘Until Monday, let’s say eight in the evening? I’ll meet you at Trouffel with Dale.’

‘I don’t know where that is,’ Talia admitted.

‘Give me your number and I’ll text you the address,’ Richard quickly pulled out his phone and passed it to Talia, who typed her number in.

She triple checked it before handing it back. ‘Text me the time, too? So I don’t forget.’

‘Of course,’ Richard gave her a smile, Gavin a nod, and then turned and made his way out. ‘Get your resume ready; it’s going to be an interview. If you work for me, you work for me properly.’

Talia swallowed as Richard shut the door, and collapsed into her chair at the table.

‘Are you going to get a new job?’ Gavin asked, dipping a lump of bread into his soup. He grinned widely when his mother nodded. ‘Good! The one you have now sucks. You need something better.’

Part 7:

Talia had completely forgotten that she was meeting Richard for dinner.

She’d gotten home and called out for Gavin, only for her mobile to buzz and the sudden realisation of what day it was hit her like a truck. She’d spoken to her son briefly before he got distracted by his friend and abandoned the phone with the Conners.

They tried to reassure Talia that Gavin would be alright with them for the night, but she still couldn’t completely swallow the lump in her throat. The moment she hung up, she ran to the bathroom and was sick in the sink.

She was glad she wasn’t going to meet Richard until eight. But she knew the four hours were going to be hell to wait. She was too tired to clean, so she quickly threw together her resume; a hand-scrawled list of her skills on lined paper. She cursed under her breath and realised she should have stopped at the library on the way home to print it properly.

She knew she still had the time to go to the library now, but she really didn’t have the energy. And when she was done scribbling her work history (which was abysmally short: ten years at the one store) she collapsed on the couch with a heavy breath and closed her eyes.

She thought she’d only rested for a moment, but she was jolted awake by a text asking where she was. For a moment she was confused, then she saw the time and bolted out the door.

She arrived at dinner almost an hour late, sweaty and panting from running the entire way. She hurried into the restaurant and saw Richard and Dale sitting together near the window and stumbled over to join them.

‘Hi, sorry!’ Talia blurted as she collapsed into the chair. She quickly pulled her coat off and fanned herself with the menu, trying to cool down. She realised too late she hadn’t brushed her hair, and could only imagine how much of a mess she looked.

Richard gave a polite nod and poured a glass of water for her. ‘Did you bring your resume?’

She almost kicked herself. ‘No. I had it— I forgot to bring it with me.’

Dale rolled his eyes and stood up. ‘Well, I guess that means this meeting’s over. Nice to meet you, but I suppose we should be going—’

Roughly, Richard grabbed Dale’s arm and tugged him back into his seat. ‘Sit down! I hired you without a resume.’

Dale let out a sound like the halfway between a dog’s whine and a bird’s squawk as his chair nearly tipped over. He rightened himself before he looked around and blushed; obviously worried he’d drawn attention to himself.

He had, but it was only for a moment before everyone shrugged and went back to eating. Richard didn’t even seem to notice the people staring and slid a menu over to Talia. ‘I’m paying today.’

Talia gave a small nod and fumbled with the menu. ‘What’s the budget— Oh my god! The cheapest thing on this menu is thirty dollars? I can’t—’

‘Don’t look at the prices,’ Richard interrupted, placing his hand over the half of the menu that displayed the cost of the food. ‘Just order what you think you’ll be able to eat.’

‘Really?’ Talia squeaked, suddenly feeling very overwhelmed.

Dale let out a loud, exaggerated sigh. ‘Yes, just order! Before we all starve to death!’

‘Oh shut up, Dale,’ Richard nudged his friend. ‘The last time we came out for dinner you took two hours to order!’

Talia’s mouth felt dry. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She drank the entire glass of water Richard had given her in one go and looked back at the menu.

She hadn’t had much time to think before Richard called the waitress over and ordered his own meal. Dale ordered, too, and so feeling pressured Talia blurted that she’d like a lasagna.

‘Are you sure that’s all you want?’ Richard asked. ‘You could get something more if you like. A drink? Desert?’

Talia fumbled with the menu again and stammered that she’d like a lemonade. ‘Maybe? If that’s okay.’

‘Ditto,’ Dale waved his hand. ‘Spite if you’ve got any. And maybe— Dick are you driving or am I?’

‘No alcohol at work meetings,’ Richard muttered, taking the menus and passing them to the waitress. His voice changed to a much nicer, politer tone as he addressed her. ‘May we please get another bottle of water for the table... Kim, is it?’

‘Of course, sir,’ the waitress gave a smile (that seemed much more genuine than Talia’s own work smile) and looked to Dale. ‘Was that all?’

‘Yeah, that’s it,’ Dale shrugged and shooed her off with a wave of his hand. Then there was a thunk under the table and he let out a cry.

It took a few seconds for Talia realised that Richard had kicked him. And when she did, she was half tempted to give him another. She figured he deserved it for one reason or another herself.... Still, she just crossed her ankles and watched as Richard and Dale began to bicker.

‘Stop acting like a brat,’ warned Richard. ‘And don’t you dare take your bad mood out on the staff here!’

‘I wasn’t!’ Dale whined, rubbing his leg. ‘And I’m not in a bad mood. I just don’t see the point in wasting our time like this.’

‘If you keep complaining I’ll hire her out of spite,’ Richard joked, a smile creeping to the corners of his mouth. ‘How would you like that?’

‘Living up to your name, I see,’ muttered Dale. ‘Daddy Dick.’

Another thunk, and another cry from Dale that Talia pretended not to notice; she didn’t want to know what he’d meant with that comment.

Then the waitress came back with a basket of garlic bread, and Talia forgot about the argument as her mouth began to water.

‘May I?’ she asked the boys.

‘Of course,’ said Richard, smiling.

Dale didn’t respond and just grabbed one of the pieces for himself, stuffing it in his mouth and frowning at Talia like she was a dragon who was stealing his valuables from him.

‘You have a problem with me eating bread?’ Talia frowned back and took a more delicate bite. Flavour washed over her and the world faded as she was pulled away by the overwhelming taste of herbs and cheese.

It was the most delicious bread she’d ever tasted!

She barely heard Dale’s response as she choked.

‘You okay there?’ asked Richard.

Talia nodded, and swallowed properly. ‘Just ate a bit fast.’

‘As long as you’re okay,’ he chuckled. ‘Before you take another bite, could I hear your customer service voice?’

‘Oh, uh—‘ Talia swallowed what was left of her mouthful and gave a small cough to clear her throat. ‘Hi, I’m Talia. Welcome to Big Double U! We’re having a store-wide discount on swimwear, would you like to see our catalogue?’

Richard raised his brow, and Dale stopped whining for long enough to look impressed.

‘That’s cool,’ said Dale. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone sound so much like an advertisement! Hell, not even advertisements sound that much like advertisements!’

‘Years of practice,’ Talia muttered, stuffing another piece of bread in her mouth.

‘Do it again!’ he laughed.

‘Good afternoon! Can I help you with anything?’ Talia said through her food. ‘Of course, sir. That would be in aisle three, just this way.’

‘Ho-Ho-Holy shit,’ Dale let out a laugh as the waitress approached with their meals. ‘You sound like an actual robot!’

Shrugging, Talia cleared a spot for her food and didn’t respond.

‘So Dale said you don’t like your current job,’ Richard gave a cough and swallowed his chuckles as he took his own plate. ‘What makes you think you’ll like working with us any better?’

‘I doubt either of you are going to grope me,’ she said flatly. She ignored the waitress’ shocked look and stabbed her meal with her fork. ‘That’s literally all it would take for you to be better than my current boss.’

‘You should report that, shouldn’t you?’ Dale mumbled; actually sounding serious.

‘He’s friends with the owner,’ Talia took a deep breath and tried to push down her anger. She took the can of lemonade the waitress offered her and didn’t bother to pour it into the glass. Instead she downed the entire thing in one go and crushed it in her fist angrily. ‘I just work at the checkouts. If I report him, I’ll be the one that gets fired. I can’t afford to lose my job.’

‘You could always get another,’ said Dale.

What the hell do you think I’m trying to do right now? Talia didn’t say the thought out loud. She just glared at Dale and scooped a forkful of lasagne into her mouth.

The first taste that hit her was the cheese; strong and tangy, it overpowered the rest of her senses and she felt the world disappear around her. Then she swallowed, and felt the rich sauce and meat press into her tongue and she almost couldn’t breathe. It was like heaven had fallen from the sky and onto her plate.

She dug her fork into her food and scooped so much into her mouth that she could barely chew.

‘Are you... crying?’ asked Dale, glancing at the confused waitress. ‘Jesus.’

‘Oh my god,’ she mumbled, stuffing more lasagne into her mouth with a sob. ‘I didn’t know food could taste like this.’

‘Kim, could you please get her another drink?’ Richard side-eyed Dale as the waitress nodded and, once she left, he spoke in a low, hushed tone. ‘Dale, I need you to think for a second.’

Bitterly, Dale poked at his steak. ‘About what?’

‘About her,’ responded Richard. ‘And what she could do for us.’

Talia wiped her mouth on her napkin and sat up; the meal gone far too soon. ‘What I could do?’

Richard gave a nod. He seemed sure of himself and tapped his fork against his plate happily. ‘People respond differently to a woman on the phone. Until now it’s just been me and Dale with our confidential work. I’m curious what you’d be able to do with the opportunity.’

Confidential work, Talia swallowed, feeling her nerves starting to get the better of her. She wasn’t sure she wanted to do this anymore. It was illegal.... What if she got arrested? What would happen to Gavin, then?

‘What would you do with the opportunity?’ Richard asked. Then, he lowered his voice again. ‘Dale’s already said you’d give us Big Double U’s details for a share.’

Talia flinched. She’d forgotten she’d offered that. She was starting to feel overwhelmed by the reality of the situation— She needed some time to clear her head. ‘Can I think about it for a while?’

‘You’ve had the entire weekend to think about it,’ Dale whined, only for Richard to kick him again. ‘I’m just saying, Dick! She’s either in or she’s not, you know?’

‘Stop being a brat,’ said Richard.

‘Fine, Dad,’ Dale snorted sarcastically.

‘Your drink?’

Talia jolted as the waitress put another drink in front of her. ‘Thank you.’

‘You can order more if you like,’ Richard told her, ignoring Dale’s continuous complaints from his other side.

‘I don’t want to be a bother—’

‘You’re not,’ Richard gave her a kind smile. ‘How about a steak? Red meat will be good for you. Kim, could we please have a steak? Medium rare.’

‘Why are you ordering her so much?’ Dale grumbled as the waitress went back to the kitchen.

‘Because it’s polite!’ Richard snapped. ‘And she looks like she could use a good meal.’

‘She’s had a good meal,’ scoffed Dale. ‘Can we just not hire her already and send her home?’

Richard glared at Dale until he shrank into his seat, looking even smaller than when Talia had cornered him in the shops. Then Richard turned to Talia and laughed, ‘I’m looking forward to working with you. If you want the job. I have a feeling that you’ll fit in perfectly.’

‘No!’ Dale cried, a horrified look appearing on his face.

‘Yes,’ Richard replied, turning to Dale to argue.

‘But— But—‘ Dale dropped his voice to a whisper, and leant in close to Richard. ‘But she’s scary, Dick! What if she stabs me?!’

‘Grow up, Dale.’

Talia closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, tuning out the boys’ angry chatter. She was getting in over her head, she was sure of it, but she couldn’t bring herself to back out. She needed this.

Then her phone rang and she almost fell off her chair in fright. Realisation hit her as she answered: Gavin needed this.

‘Hey Gavin, are you alright?’ she asked.

‘Yeah,’ Gavin’s voice was quiet, almost a whisper, and Talia could tell something was wrong. ‘I want to come home.’

‘What’s wrong?!’ Talia exclaimed, her worried tone causing the table to fall silent. She barely noticed people turning to look at her. ‘Are you okay? Are you hurt? Did something happen?’

‘I’m okay,’ Gavin replied, his voice cracking. ‘I had a seizure, is all.’

‘How long did it last?’ Talia’s heart almost stopped.

‘It was just a jerk,’ Gavin replied. ‘But I feel sick.... Can Jacob come home with me? His mum said it’s okay for him to stay over if you say yes.’

‘Of course he can,’ Talia let out a breath. Without thinking, she stood up and grabbed her coat. ‘Are the Conners able drive you home? I’ll meet you there.’

‘We can give you a lift if you need,’ Richard offered.

Talia’s heart leapt. ‘Yes! Thank you!’

Part 8:

Dale couldn’t believe what had just happened. He couldn’t believe Richard would even consider hiring that woman. Not after she’d threatened him like she had!

‘You’re not seriously going to hire her, are you?’ Dale asked, slowly pulling the car to a stop in front of Richard’s house. ‘She wants to kill me; I can see it in her eyes. This is just some ploy to get close enough to knock me off.’

‘Stop being a baby,’ said Richard. ‘She just wants a job. And honestly, how often do we have opportunities to get help with the scams? Local help?’

Dale knew he was right, but that didn’t mean he had to admit it.

‘I’m going to the chemist tomorrow,’ Richard mentioned as he climbed out of the car. ‘You need anything?’

‘Condoms? I have a date on Thursday.’

‘I’m not buying your tiny condoms,’ Richard laughed, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. ‘I have a reputation to uphold.’

‘Fuck you too!’ Dale called as Richard made for his house. Then he laughed. ‘Hah! See you tomorrow.’

Richard gave a wave before limping home.

Dale waited to make sure Richard got inside safely before pulling off the handbrake and starting the drive home. He didn’t bother to turn on the radio; he enjoyed the revving of the engine and the scrape of the wheels as he sped over the limit across the damp road far too much to interrupt it with advertisements and chatter.

As much as he hated to admit it... Richard was right. Talia looked like she would be a good addition to the company. Even if she had to become a secretary or something to hide what she was really hired for.

Actually, a chance to boss her around didn’t seem like a bad idea.... If she didn’t end up bossing him around instead.

If only he could remember where he’d seen her, before!

He parked out the front of his own house and, pushing that last thought to the back of his mind, pulled out his mobile. A few presses and he was met with Richard’s answering machine.

‘Hey! Sorry Dick, you’re probably showering or something so I’ll be quick, I think I found a good use for Talia,’ Dale laughed, fumbling to open his front door. ‘I know you were talking about making her work as another front receptionist, but what about making her your secretary? You know, send her to get lunch so I can keep up with my paperwork. Get her to make coffee— For you, not me. Not sure she wouldn’t poison it if she made it for me....’

Dale stretched as he got inside, and threw his keys on the table by the door.

‘But yeah— I think it’d be a good way to start her off while keeping her close. She’s got experience with customers so I can’t imagine taking our phone calls would be too difficult for her,’ he continued, heading into his kitchen and flicking on the light. ‘Also—’

‘Hello, Dale,’ Steven’s voice cut through Dale’s thoughts and he leapt back into the kitchen bench.

‘Jesus Christ! What the hell are you doing in my house?!’ Dale exclaimed. ‘How long were you sitting in my kitchen? In the dark. Dude. What the fuck?’

‘I have an arrest warrant,’ Steven mumbled, holding up a piece of paper. ‘And I need you to come with me.’

‘Ugh, fuck me dead,’ Dale sighed into the phone. ‘Dick, Steve’s just broken into my house. Meet me at the police station would you?’

‘He can’t help you,’ Steven grinned. ‘Not this time.’

Dale just rolled his eyes and hung up. ‘You’re making a mistake, you know that right? This is going to end in you being humiliated. Just like last time.’

‘You know your rights,’ still grinning, Steven motioned for Dale to turn around and pulled his handcuffs off his belt. ‘Should I even bother repeating them?’

‘The more misconduct from you, the better off I am,’ Dale watched in amusement as Steven tried to open the cuffs, only for them to jam.

He knew he should have been anxious, but after dealing with Talia all day it was like comparing a dog on a chain to a swarm of wasps being launched out of a cannon directly at your face. And the dog didn’t seem so scary, now. Especially with his chain holding him back.

Steven swore and smacked the handcuffs against the kitchen bench.

‘I have a pair if you need,’ Dale teased. ‘Pink and fluffy. Though usually I’m not the one wearing them.’

‘Shut up!’ Steven hissed, pulling the handcuffs open. ‘Hands behind your back.’

There was no point in arguing, so Dale shrugged and calmly turned around for Steven.

The lack of reaction only seemed to make the officer angrier, and he tugged Dale’s arm up roughly and forced on the cuffs.

‘Gentle, buddy, only girls get to be that rough with me,’ Dale laughed.

Steven didn’t reply. Instead he grabbed Dale’s arms and shoved him out of the house. Just as they got outside, one of Dale’s neighbours pulled into her driveway; she climbed out of her car and stared curiously as Dale was dragged across his yard.

‘Hey! Penny!’ Dale yelled out to her. ‘Can you feed the pets for me? The door’s unlocked and the keys are on the table in the hall!’

‘Shut up!’ Steven hissed, shoving Dale.

‘Pet food’s in the laundry!’ continued Dale, ignoring Steven’s complaints. ‘I’ll pay you back when this is sorted out! Thanks girl, love you!’

‘Get in the car!’ snapped Steven, pushing Dale’s head down.

‘Careful now, don’t be so rough,’ Dale commented as he was forced into the vehicle. ‘An officer with a record of brutality making an arrest without his partner present? You wouldn’t want to leave a mark or anything.’

Steven grumbled and climbed into the car. They drove down to the station in silence; Dale was hoping Richard got his message. Spending the night with Steven gloating over him wasn’t exactly an exciting prospect. Especially when he remembered the so-called “witnesses” Steven had mentioned last time they’d spoken; the fact Steven had been able to get a warrant using them was worrying.

‘We’re here,’ said Steven, parking the car and turning in his seat. ‘You better behave yourself, or I’ll do more than break your wrist this time.’

‘Is that a threat?’ asked Dale.

‘A warning,’ Steven replied.

Dale just rolled his eyes before he let out a deep breath and shrugged. ‘Or, you know, I could always do this—’

Before Steven could stop him, Dale smacked the side of his head into his seatbelt’s D-ring.

‘Oh, Jesus!’ Dale groaned, wincing at the pain near his eye. ‘I think that might bruise, don’t you?’

‘You conniving shit!’ Steven snapped. ‘You think that’ll stop you from going to jail?’

‘It certainly wouldn’t hurt,’ Dale laughed, blinking away the colour that had appeared in the corner of his vision. ‘My defence, I mean. This is actually the most pain I’ve been in all day. Steven, you must learn not to be so rough with your arrests!’

‘You really think anyone’s going to believe you?’

‘With your history? Yeah,’ Dale grinned. ‘I mean, that girl who was with you last time; she’d probably agree you were quick to get angry.’

‘Shut up!’ growled Steven. He didn’t say more as he undid his seatbelt and dragged Dale out of the car.

Dale didn’t argue and let himself be led into the police station. He was met by several other officers; all whom he was familiar with.

‘What’s up with his eye?’ one asked. Dale recognised him as one of Steven’s superiors; Stuart Banks.

‘He smacked his head against the side of the car—’

‘No, I didn’t,’ interrupted Dale. ‘He hit me.’

‘Hm.... Maybe you should go,’ Banks said, He motioned to Steven and then to the door.

‘I didn’t hit him!’ exclaimed Steven. ‘He did it to himself!’

‘Even if that’s true, you know him,’ Banks motioned again to the door. ‘He knows how to work you up. The last thing we need is you lashing out like last time.’

‘I hope you rot in a cell!’ Steven hissed in Dale’s ear before storming out.

‘Bye, Steve-o!’ Dale called after him. Then he turned to Banks. ‘Can you take the cuffs off now?’

Banks shook his head. ‘Not until this is cleared up. You remember how this works, I assume?’

Dale rolled his eyes and nodded. Of course he did. ‘Am I going to an interrogation room or a lineup?’

Shrugging, Banks crossed his arms. ‘We were—’

‘That’s him!’

The shout came from Dale’s left, and he turned to see two young men, probably only a little younger than he was, pointing to him.

‘That’s the guy we saw!’ one continued. ‘He’s the one who robbed her!’

Banks let out a long, frustrated sigh. ‘Not going to let them see you until the lineup, but I suppose things don’t always work out. Shaw! I told you to keep them in the other room until we got everything ready!’

‘You guys don’t coordinate very well, do you?’ Dale chuckled.

Banks cut his eyes at Dale; a harsh, angry glint showing through for a moment before he pushed it aside to his usual false calm-and-neutral expression.

Dale just shrugged, and looked to the witnesses. ‘I don’t know what to tell you boys, but I think you have the wrong person.’

They hesitated, then looked to each other, unsure.

‘I know a friend of mine got assaulted a week or two ago,’ Dale continued, deciding to take a gamble. ‘She described the guy by saying he could have been my twin! Maybe it was the same man? I’m not sure if she reported it— Her name’s Talia Wilson?’

‘I don’t remember that name,’ Banks responded, flatly. ‘Maybe you could call her for us?’

‘Don’t think that’s necessary,’ Dale flinched as he saw Richard’s car pull up outside; a frustrated Talia clearly visible through the windscreen window, and two young boys in the backseats. ‘She’s about to come in.’

Dale watched as the two adults stepped out of the car, leaving the boys behind.

Banks turned and, seeing Richard, gave a furious scoff.

‘That’s the girl,’ one of the witnesses breathed. ‘She’s the one who got attacked!’

‘So it was just one assault?’ Banks’ annoyed glare was, to what little credit he could be given, replaced with a genuine-sounding sigh of relief. ‘That’s something, at least.’

‘I didn’t do it,’ said Dale.

‘We’ll see,’ Banks said, simply.

‘What’s happened?’ asked Richard, pushing open the glass door and holding it for Talia. ‘Stuart? Why’s Dale been arrested?’

‘A misunderstanding, I’m sure,’ Banks replied, sarcastically. ‘We have evidence that he robbed a woman.’

Talia scoffed and rolled her eyes. Then she caught sight of the two men besides Dale and her features softened.

‘You’re that guy, aren’t you?’ she asked quietly. She smiled when he nodded. ‘Thanks for looking out for me. But Dale didn’t do it; he’s a friend of mine. And he knows better than to wrong me.’

‘Boy, do I ever,’ muttered Dale, taking in a long, harsh breath through his teeth.

‘Well, I’d like to file a complaint,’ Richard abandoned his cane for Talia’s shoulder, and pulled a pen out of his breast pocket. ‘This has just been unacceptable. Clark has been targeting Dale for years, now, and I want action to be taken!’

An air of tiredness rose around Banks, who nodded and rubbed his temples. ‘I understand. I’ll go get Steven’s details while you start writing the complaint at the front desk. Shaw, can you deal with this? Take a statement from the girl? And...’ he hesitated, casting an annoyed side-eye at Dale before speaking through his teeth. ‘Let Dale go.’

Shaw nodded and flipped open a notebook. ‘Wilson, was it? Why didn’t you report this assault when it first happened?’

‘What one of a billion reasons do you want?’ Talia grumbled, crossing her arms. ‘Maybe because he returned my things when I caught up to him? Or because I was in too much pain to walk all the way here? Or because I had work to do and a son to look after and a police investigation for a crime that would never get solved would waste too much of my time? Which, by the way, can we make this quick?! It’s well past his bedtime and I’ve had to drag him out here while he’s sick to deal with your incompetence—‘

Dale bit his lip. He didn’t mean to raise his brow, but he could feel himself avert his gaze like a guilty child as Talia began to rant at the officer.

So she was just like that, huh? Good to know he wasn’t the only one her anger was directed at….

‘WHAT?’ Steven’s voice screeched from another room and in a moment he was back in the main part of the station, arguing with Banks about Richard’s complaint. He almost ran into Richard as he got in his face and shouted, ‘I’ve been doing my job, you bastard!’

‘Clark!’ Banks exclaimed, pulling Steven away from Richard. ‘Show some self-control!’

Richard stared at Steven for a long, long moment before shrugging and continuing to write on the form. ‘That’s going in there, definitely.’

‘He hit me, you know,’ Dale commented. ‘Don’t forget to add that in.’

‘He smashed his face into the seatbelt buckle!’ Steven retorted.

Talia rolled her eyes. ‘Yeah, right, like he’d be smart enough to do that.’

‘Yeah! Like I’d be smart enough to— Hey!’ Dale whined.

Talia just grinned at Dale and winked, and Dale felt himself relax. She could have said anything here; she could have told the officers what really happened and had him thrown in a cell.... But she didn’t. She had lied for him.

Probably for herself, too, he realised, as he cast another glance at the boys in the car. She needed the job with him and Richard. But that didn’t stop Dale from deciding that he could trust her. At least for now.

He let out a breath.

Maybe they could learn to tolerate each other....

Part 9:

The apartment smelled like burnt noodles, and no matter how much Talia tried to air out the kitchen she couldn’t get rid of the lingering smell from the fire.

She was glad it was a Sunday; the apartment manager only came in every second Saturday and it would take her at least a week to make it look like nothing had happened.... After all, it had taken all day just to make it look like the stove hadn’t been utterly destroyed.

‘I’m really sorry,’ Gavin muttered, running his hand along the mop handle. ‘I didn’t mean for this to happen.’

‘I know you didn’t,’ responded Talia, pulling herself out of the cupboard and stretching. She hugged her son close and kissed his cheek. ‘It was really sweet of you to try and make me breakfast.’

‘But I made a mess of it, and now you have so much of extra work,’ sighing, Gavin leant against his mother and wiped his face on his filthy sleeve. ‘And you spent all day Friday cleaning the house. And now it’s all ruined again.’

‘It’s alright, Gavin. I’m just glad you didn’t get hurt,’ Talia comforted. Then she smiled and poked her son’s nose. ‘Now, I think we’ve done enough for today. Take your medicine and have a shower, and I’ll get dinner ready.’

Gavin nodded and, propping the mop against the kitchen bench, hurried into the lounge. Just as he did there was a knock at the door and he hurried back in. ‘Do we answer it? Or are we pretending we’re not here in case it’s Mr Potato?’

Talia choked on her laugh. ‘Don’t call him that!’ she exclaimed, playfully cuffing her son around the ears. ‘Mr Felix does not look like a potato!’

‘Yeah, he does!’ Gavin argued. ‘He’s big, and he’s bald, and he has weird hairy lumps all over him!’

‘Gavin,’ Talia bit her lip and tried to make herself sound serious. ‘Don’t call the landlord a potato.’

The knocking sounded again, and Gavin turned his head to peer at the door. ‘Do you want me to get it?’

‘If you would,’ Talia chuckled, ruffling her son’s hair. ‘I need to get changed.’

‘Right!’ Gavin exclaimed, running to answer the door as his mother headed into her bedroom.

If Talia didn’t have work in the morning she may have thrown on her Big Double U uniform instead of getting her only other casual shirt dirty.... But it was better than ruining her good shirt, she supposed.

‘Hey there, junior!’ Dale’s voice was clear through the thin wall. ‘Where’s your mum gone?’

‘She’s getting changed,’ Gavin replied, taking on a decidedly defensive tone. ‘What do you want with her?’

‘I work with her.’

‘At the supermarket?’

‘At her new job. That’s our boss, Richard!’

‘Oh, I know him!’ Gavin’s voice rose, and the wary note it had taken vanished as his footsteps moved away from the door. ‘He’s the one who took Mum to dinner! Yeah, you can come in.’

‘I certainly am,’ Richard laughed. ‘Don’t you remember Dale? He was driving when we picked up you and your friend.’

‘Not really. I wasn’t feeling good and it makes it hard to remember faces sometime. Hey, if Mum’s working for you, are you going to take her out a lot?’ asked Gavin. ‘You should! She was heaps good after we got home! I think she enjoyed whatever you fed her. And I like you, too. One: you made my mum happy. Two: you look like a news reporter, only old and rich! It’s cool.’

Talia couldn’t stop herself from grinning as she buttoned up her shirt. Gavin continued badgering the boys, so she called through the wall, ‘Go have your shower, Gavin!’

‘Can I stay home from school tomorrow?’ Gavin called back. ‘I’ll help you clean the rest of the kitchen!’

‘No!’ Talia exclaimed, finally getting the last button and leaning out of her bedroom. ‘Get in the shower before I pick you up and throw you in, young man! And no more cheek!’

Gavin laughed and rushed past his mother into the bathroom. He tapped his cheeks playfully before shutting the door. Talia waited a few moments, until she heard the water start running, then made her way into the lounge to greet Richard and Dale.

‘I’m sorry about him,’ she chuckled, wiping her glasses with her shirt. ‘He’s at that age, you know? Testing his boundaries.’

‘It’s fine,’ Dale answered before Richard had the chance. ‘Kids are great! I’ve always wanted to have one, myself.’

‘It’s the women he has trouble with,’ laughed Richard. ‘Never had a serious relationship. They like him well enough, but he always ends up in the friend-zone!’

‘You know I hate that term,’ Dale replied, adjusting the collar on his suit. ‘Why date someone you can’t be friends with? I don’t get it, honestly. What would you even do together? Well, on the plus side I have way more friends than you do!’

Richard snorted a laugh. ‘If you say so.’

Talia had to cover her mouth to stop herself laughing out loud. ‘I’m sure you have more friends than I do, at least.’

‘Ah, yes, your two friends,’ shrugged Richard. ‘What were their names again? Anne and Natasha?’

‘Anna and Patricia,’ Talia corrected. ‘They’re actually the next door neighbours, so don’t talk too loudly about them.’

‘I’m done!’ Gavin hollered. Then there was a crash. ‘I’M FINE! JUST KNOCKED OVER THE SHAMPOO!’

Shaking her head, Talia let out a sigh. ‘Come say goodnight!’

‘Lively tyke,’ Richard commented. He grinned when the bathroom door slammed loudly. ‘Are you always this much trouble?’

‘No,’ replied Gavin, rushing over to his mother and grabbing her arm so he could lean against her in a way that nearly knocked her over. He kissed her nose when she leant down, then tugged on his sleeves and bounced up and down with excitement. ‘Sometimes I’m more trouble! Aren’t I, Mum?’

Talia grabbed him and blew a raspberry on his still-damp cheek, eliciting a squeal-like laugh before letting him rush behind the boys.

He began to circle Dale; clearly sizing the man up, and Talia just rolled her eyes at him.

‘Gavin, are you sure you don’t want dinner?’ Talia asked, sighing when Gavin shook his head. ‘You didn’t eat much at lunch.’

‘I’m fine, Mum!’ Gavin replied, seemingly content with his examination of Dale, and making for his room. ‘If I get hungry I’ll come out and get something later! And I won’t set it on fire, this time.’

Talia rubbed the side of her head as her son disappeared into his room, and turned back to the boys. ‘Dale mentioned something about taking phone calls, the other day?’

‘Yes, he was thinking you could do secretary work,’ Richard explained, raising a hand to cut Dale off as he opened his mouth. ‘You’d be surprised how many calls we get. What do you think?’

‘Phone calls sound manageable,’ said Talia. ‘What kind of calls would I be taking?’

‘You’ll be putting people through to Dale and me more than taking calls yourself,’ Richard told her; again, dismissing Dale’s attempts to speak with a wave of his hand. ‘You’ll be helping us with paperwork, too. And managing our appointments. Just general office assistance.’

‘That’s not the sort of work I was expecting,’ Talia said with a laugh. ‘What happened to the confidential work you wanted me to do?’

‘That will come in time,’ said Richard. ‘But we can’t just throw you a pay-cheque without giving you an official place in the business. Secretary work means you’ll be close to Dale and me, and it means I can give you... unexpected “bonuses” for extra good months of work. It also means you’ll have a secure permanent income even when we’re not using risky income methods.’

Talia laughed out loud at the term. ‘Risky income methods? Really?’

‘Plausible deniability is my speciality. I mean, “risky income methods” could refer to investing in upstart overseas businesses,’ said Richard with a wink. ‘Which is how we’re handling the current job we’re doing, by the way..... While transferring the money-that-comes-from-a-confidential-source to one of our overseas partners who-is-totally-not-in-on-it, we make investments in the company’s name. Luckily for Moore for More, this small up and coming business we’ve invested in has a major stock increase from all their loving supporters who-are-totally-not-us-with-money-from-a-questionable-source. We then buy our stock back from them at a very high profit... and just in time! The business is shut down mysteriously as the owner makes off with all the investment money left from sources-that-are-totally-not-us-pretending-to-be-multiple-untraceable-individuals. But it’s okay for us because we have our clean, legal profits.’

‘Does that... work?’ Talia asked.

Richard just shrugged. ‘It has the times we’ve done it before. Not that we do it too often, just when our company is having trouble— Or when an opportunity falls in front of us on a platter.’

‘And why don’t we take all of the money we get?’

It was Dale who cut Richard off, this time. ‘Well, we need to pay our overseas partners somehow!’

‘This way works well enough for them as it does for us,’ Richard added.

Then, there was a thump from Gavin’s room, and Talia quickly excused herself to check on her son.

She opened his door to find him on the floor, and her heart leapt to her throat. ‘Gavin—‘

‘I’m good! Fell out of bed, is all,’ he reassured with a sheepish chuckle as he kicked out his leg to show her the way his foot had been tangled in his blanket. ‘Not having a seizure! Just being a clutz.’

A relieved sigh found its way out of Talia, and she stepped over to her son to help him up. ‘Did you take your medicine?’

‘First thing I did,’ he promised, before rising on his toes to peck a kiss on his mother’s cheek. ‘G’night, Mum.’

‘Night, Gavin,’ Talia grinned. ‘Do you need anything before I go? I’ll make you something to eat, if you want.’

Gavin shook his head, so Talia flicked the light off as she left the room and shut the door behind her. She listened at the door for a second in case Gavin changed his mind.... But when he didn’t say anything she headed back to the lounge and met the boys.

‘What happened to your kitchen?’ Dale asked.

‘Why were you snooping?’ Talia retorted, not answering his question.

Dale shrugged, and held up a dinosaur-print mug. ‘I was thirsty. Wanted a drink of water. And seeing as we’re getting so familiar with each other, I figured I’d treat myself as a friend and help myself!’

‘Hey!’ Talia raised a scolding finger at Dale. ‘Listen here you smug b—‘

‘Mum?’ Gavin’s voice called through his door, and Talia waggled her finger at Dale one more time before she headed back to his room. ‘I changed my mind. I’m hungry.’

Talia gave an amused sigh and shook her head. ‘Thought so. What do you want?’

‘Do we have any more bread?’

Talia shook her head. ‘All we have is a tin of soup, noodles, and some leftover rice.’

Gavin thought for a moment before shrugging. ‘I don’t mind what you make.’

‘I’ll heat up the rice, then,’ Talia told him. ‘You stay in bed and I’ll bring it in.’

‘But you always say I’m not allowed to eat in bed!’ said Gavin, grinning widely before dropping his voice to a cheeky whisper. ‘Are we breaking the rules?’

‘Just for tonight,’ Talia winked at her son and put a finger to her lips. ‘Sometimes it’s okay to break the rules.... But only sometimes.’

She shut the door with a quiet click and bit her lip.

Sometimes it’s okay to break the rules? She nearly laughed at herself. And then she nearly slapped herself. She was about to break the law.

She’d already broken the law; she’d lied to the police. That was an offence, wasn’t it?

Fuck.

Talia rubbed her temple and let out a loud sigh as she made her way back into the lounge.

‘Everything alright?’ Richard asked, tapping his cane on the floor in a worried sort of way.

‘Yeah, Gavin’s hungry and I’m a criminal,’ said Talia with a mock-laugh. ‘Life’s perfect. Not at all stressful.’

‘Not getting cold feet, are you?’ Dale snickered. ‘Not now that I’m actually warming up to the idea of working with you?’

All she could do was frown. ‘Do I really have the option of backing out now? Even if I leave, I’ve still lied to the police.’

‘We won’t snitch if you decide to go,’ Dale reassured with a shrug. ‘It’s up to you.’

Talia sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose, shifting her glasses awkwardly on her face, before making her way into the kitchen. ‘I’ve got to make Gavin dinner. We can talk after that, right?’

Part 10:

It was way too much for Talia to handle. She couldn’t believe she was going through with this plan. She was going to get caught. She knew it. Nobody was in the back room with her now, sure, but she just knew that someone was going to walk in at the last minute and catch her. Then she’d go to jail and never see Gavin again.

But... that was who she was doing this for, wasn’t it? Gavin. She took a deep breath. She could do this. For him. To give him a better future and make sure he was safe.

Running over the instructions in her mind she pulled out her phone —her new phone, that Richard had brought her specifically for this job— and snapped a photo of the sticky-note attached to her boss’ computer.

For a moment, she held her breath.

Nobody walked in. No sirens went off. The police didn’t burst through the break room door.

Absolutely nothing happened, except for an annoying fake photo-shutter sounding through the room.

She exhaled loudly, then stuffed the phone back in her pocket before pushing her way into the store to continue her shift. Only a half-hour was left of it, but it still dragged on.

She was glad she could take on less hours now. Especially when it inconvenienced Randell. Though she still couldn’t drop too few while Richard tried to get everything ready for her.

He’d said he’d wanted to sort out what was left of his paperwork and set up her office before she came in officially. Ironic, as she thought that paperwork was going to be part of her job. Though she figured Richard was handling... more sensitive paperwork that nobody else was supposed to see. But then, again, that was the sort of thing she’d been hired for.

She supposed Richard was just trying to make it easier for her to get started, like any half-decent boss would.

She rubbed her eyes and made her way to the counter, relieving one of her coworkers and watching as a customer approached.

She barely paid attention as she scanned their products and made robotic small-talk. Time ticked too slowly for her and those last thirty minutes felt longer than her entire 8-hour shift. By the time Jim came to relieve her, she was nearly asleep at the register.

She hurried home, pushing herself and managing to make the two hour walk in one and a half— Which she regretted when she got to the stairs and had to practically crawl up them. She barely managed to get to her front door. She wasn’t sure how she did it, as she fumbled with the lock and stumbled into her home.

‘Talia, glad you’re here!’

Talia would have leapt out of her skin if she’d had the energy. Instead she dropped her keys and stumbled into her door, which closed with a slam. She swallowed, and turned to face the boys. ‘You’re early.’

‘Sorry,’ Richard chuckled, helping Talia with her things. ‘Gavin let us in. I hope that was okay?’

Talia nodded, and pushed herself off her door. She made a beeline for the couch and sat next to Dale, who shifted over so she could curl up comfortably.

‘You look tired,’ he commented. ‘Long day?’

Talia shrugged and took a deep, deep breath. ‘It felt like a lifetime.’

‘Did you get the details?’

She pulled the phone out of her pocket and held it out for Dale.

‘Awesome,’ Dale chuckled, throwing the phone to Richard. ‘Haven’t done something big like this in years. Going to be heaps of fun!’

That didn’t sound like Talia’s definition of fun, but she didn’t say anything. She didn’t have the energy. She could barely keep her eyes open. The lights were just too bright. Maybe she should ask the boys to turn them off....

No, that would be stupid. They had to work.

She closed her eyes and sighed. She had to gather her thoughts and... focus.

‘Pizza’s here!’ Richard exclaimed.

Talia frowned and opened her eyes, which were stickier than she remembered. ‘When did you order pizza?’

‘About half an hour after you passed out,’ Dale told her. ‘Gavin wasn’t going to let us off without getting him something to eat; said if he had to wake you it would be our fault and he’d never forgive us.’

Talia turned to look at her son as he danced around with a large flat box and couldn’t bring herself to scold him. Instead she watched as he leapt at the table and started to devour the pizza like it was the first time he’d eaten in a week.

‘Don’t make yourself sick,’ warned Dale, ruffling Gavin’s hair playfully. Then he sat beside Talia and held out a slice. ‘Want some of the cheese one?’

Too sore to move, Talia just groaned and opened her mouth. For a moment they sat there uncomfortably. Then Dale sighed and held the pizza close enough for her to take a bite. She barely cared how awkward it was. She was too tired and hungry.

‘Must have been a hard day, huh?’ Dale asked as he grabbed her another slice.

‘Mum has to walk home from work,’ said Gavin, offhandedly. ‘It takes her a long time.’

Richard frowned. ‘How long?’

‘Like two hours; longer than it takes me to walk home from school, anyway,’ he told them. ‘She’s always like this when she gets home.... Sometimes she’s even worse. A few weeks ago she couldn’t even get up in the morning and I had to get Anna to come look after her— Anna’s in med school, so she’s smart, and almost always knows what to do when someone’s sick.’

‘That’s not.... That’s not good,’ said Dale. He paused for a moment, then put a hand on Talia’s head. ‘I could give you lifts sometimes. I’ve got nothing better to do most days.’

Talia shook her head. Getting a lift home wouldn’t matter when she worked with him— Or, maybe it would matter more? She didn’t know. How far away was Moore for More’s office? How far away was his house...? She couldn’t remember. She was too tired to do math.

‘You sure you don’t want help?’

No. She wasn’t sure. She was tired from a long day of work. And embarrassed from needing to be hand-fed. And she was still hungry, even after she finished her third slice of pizza. She felt like she needed to tell someone how scared she was. She opened her mouth to tell them, maybe to let out some of her internal turmoil and conflicting horrors about what she was getting herself into, but her mouth froze open and she just stared at Dale. She couldn’t think of how to say it. She couldn’t... bring herself to say anything. Not when she needed them so much. And not while her son was there, watching her with a grin as he poured himself another glass of cola.

So instead of saying everything she wanted to say, she just sighed and mumbled, ‘More pizza.’

Part 11:

Today wasn’t so bad, Dale thought, settling himself on his couch and clicking open his laptop. A bit weird. But not too bad.

Talia hadn’t been aggressive like he’d expected her to be— Though she’d fallen asleep again about halfway through the meeting and Richard had decided to leave instead of waking her. And honestly, Dale couldn’t blame Talia. If he had to walk home all the way from Kladstone North... well, he just wouldn’t do it. And he enjoyed that sort of exercise!

Dale shook his head and sighed, clicking onto his current movie site. He was surprised it hadn’t been taken down in the six months it’d been up, considering it was full of bootlegs. Though maybe that had something to do with the .utsi domain. He had no idea what kind of domain that was supposed to be. Maybe he should look it up?

He shrugged. He’d probably just find out about some dumb cryptojacking scandal— And it would probably be run by someone he worked with overseas. It didn’t really matter all that much to him.

‘What have we got today?’ he mumbled, clicking past the adware to the featured movies.

Ensnared?

Pass. Round Mouse Studio’s movies had just dropped in quality too much since Chilly Princess came out.

Wild Soul Horse?

Great show, but he’d seen it seven times already. There was only so many times he could watch a horse jump over a ravine.

He rubbed his temples, still unable to pull his mind away from Talia.

Had she been that exhausted the day he’d robbed her? Had she had to walk home after he’d knocked her down? Had.... Gavin had mentioned she’d not been able to get up a few weeks ago. Had that been because of him?

Dale sighed and pushed the thought to the back of his head, unselecting G rated movies in his search.

He didn’t like seeing the consequences of his actions, that was for sure—

Pussy Slayer 3.

He hesitated, then shrugged.

Sure, why not?

If Richard snooped through his downloads folder again that was his problem. He should know by now what sort of movies Dale liked.

Though... it was M rated? With a title like that it didn’t sound like it was meant to be. And an action movie? Probably just miscategorised by the uploader; that happened a lot on these sorts of sites.

Dale figured it was nothing, and clicked through the ads to the download page. After a moment of searching he found the real download button and got up to get something to eat while he waited.

It may have been two in the morning, but that wasn’t going to stop him from making some toast.

‘An early-early breakfast,’ he justified to himself as he spread butter on the toast and headed back to the couch. His download was done so he opened the video and started watching.

A beautifully animated rainforest appeared on his laptop, complete with birds chirping and distant insect-singing ambience. Dale nearly swallowed in shock at how beautiful it was as large, hand-written lettering faded onto the screen:

Pussy Slayer 3: Rainforest Revenge.

‘This is the prettiest porn opening I’ve ever seen,’ Dale chuckled, taking another bite of his toast. ‘What the hell is with the effort?’

As he watched, the scene panned slowly across the rainforest, beautiful music playing. Then the serenity was broken as animated characters exploded through the plant-life and onto the screen. A strongly-built woman —who was a dog with the body of a human? Oh! Anthropomorphism!— ran through the foliage, brushing leaves aside and panting heavily as she was pursued by... cat men on bikes with machine guns.

‘Huh, maybe it wasn’t miscategorised,’ Dale muttered, wiping his hands on his pants. He watched in quiet awe as the obviously-main character pulled a gun out of her jeans and aimed it at the obviously-villainous cat soldiers. ‘Pussy Slayer.... Didn’t realise they were being so literal.’

He watched, completely transfixed by the movie, until the credits started rolling. He’d hardly noticed it was three hours long; and only after he’d closed his video app did he finally feel how tired he was getting.

‘That was not what I was expecting at all,’ he breathed to himself. ‘Holy shit that was awesome! Who made this? I need the first two!’

In an instant, he was looking up the studio from the movie’s credits. Wolfdog Animations....

‘Oh,’ Dale didn’t mean to say it out loud, and he certainly didn’t mean for his voice to break, but he couldn’t contain his surprise when he found the creators’ website.

An independent studio dedicated to bringing free entertainment to our followers.... Several movies.... Donations help keep us free....

Dale stopped skimming.

Donations?

He could donate, if it meant they’d make more movies like that. He’d definitely donate if they made more of those movies!

‘What’s a good minimum donation?’ he asked himself, clicking on their PayUs donation button. ‘I mean... a thousand dollars sounds like a decent amount. Though, I really liked watching that movie.’

He bit his lip and looked through a few more of the website’s pages, opening them in new tabs and glancing at all the free movies they had made. All of them looked amazing— Even their older stuff looked a decent quality. He couldn’t help clicking the download button on each of them as he flicked through the tabs.

‘Fuck it, fifty-thousand sounds fair,’ muttered Dale as he opened the donation page again. ‘The amount I’m downloading....’

Part 12:

‘This seems really wrong,’ Talia muttered, tapping her finger on the side of Dale’s laptop. ‘Like, morally wrong. As in, worse than last week when you convinced me to steal those shoes wrong.’

‘Hey, if idiots are willing to put their personal information in a survey like this they should expect it to be sold to marketers,’ Dale muttered, spooning a little too much yoghurt into his mouth to be able to talk properly.

Talia sighed and rubbed her temples. ‘Still? It doesn’t seem right.’

‘You misspelled “email” there,’ Dale laughed. ‘It’s mail as in mailing a letter. Not male as in a man.’

‘Male man, mail man, what’s the difference?’ Talia joked, waving a hand dismissively as Dale leaned over her.

‘I prefer saying mail carrier,’ replied Dale. ‘Girls deliver mail all the time. It’s just good ethics to use gender-neutral terms when you’re able to.’

‘Really? You’re talking about ethics right now?’ Talia scoffed, and motioned to the computer. ‘You’re literally showing me how to set up online scams.’

‘But I’ve got good work ethics while doing it!’ Dale defended proudly. ‘Such as making sure you sit with your back straight, wearing nice presentable clothes, and providing you with the tools you need to complete the job easily and in a timely manner—’

‘Shut up, or I’ll smack you.’

Dale let out a bark of a laugh and flopped back into his chair. ‘Alright, you’re basically done with the survey code, now we just want to host it on a hired server and put up some advertisements.’

‘I’ll let you handle that,’ said Talia. ‘Gavin’s going to be home soon. I want to surprise him with an early dinner.’

‘Feeling good enough to cook, huh?’

‘A day off will do that,’ Talia laughed, pushing herself out of her chair and rubbing her eyes. She’d never felt this itchy in the face before; but then, she’d never looked at a screen for so long before, either. ‘It’s so strange to just sit around all day. Not looking forward to having the night shift tonight, though.’

‘I get you.... What’re you making?’ asked Dale. He followed Talia to the now-repaired kitchen and watched her pull out a large frying pan.

‘Well, Trish raided her campus fridge yesterday and gave us some leftovers,’ Talia said. ‘That’s where the yoghurt came from, by the way. You’re eating stolen yoghurt.’

Dale looked to his food, then shrugged and ate another spoonful. ‘It’s like volunteering at the school cafeteria all over again.’

‘You stole food from your school’s cafeteria?’ Talia frowned. ‘Why am I not surprised?’

‘Hey, if you knew anything about Kladstone Primary, you’d understand.’

For a moment, Talia was quiet, then she let out a long sigh and threw the pan on the stove with a loud clang. ‘I went there.’

‘Really?’ Dale raised his brow in surprise. ‘I mean, I suppose that makes sense? It was the closest school to Kladstone Towers— I still can’t believe you lived there, by the way.’

‘Same building, same school,’ Talia chuckled. ‘No wonder we recognised each other.’

‘No wonder we wanted to kill each other!’ Dale added.

A sound, somewhat like a chuckle but mostly like a snort, grunted out of Talia’s nose and she shook her head. ‘Why don’t I remember who you were? Or why I want to strangle you so badly. What did you do?’

Dale shrugged. ‘I used to play soccer by the weird statue out front of Kladstone Towers.’

‘The one shaped like a broken lamp?’ Talia asked.

Dale snickered childishly. ‘I always thought it looked more like an alien dildo.’

‘Of course you did, you’re a guy,’ Talia retorted with a grin. Then a memory crept into the back of her mind and she felt her smile disappear. ‘By the statue, huh? With a tall orange-haired kid?’

Dale’s face lit up. ‘Yeah! Jazz!’

Oh.

Talia felt her heart drop, and she looked away from Dale; distracting herself from the anxiety that rose in her by playing with the rubber strip that was glued to the bench’s corner.

And, as the anxiety pricked in Talia’s chest, Dale cocked his head and furrowed his brow.

‘Talia?’ he asked, his voice soft with concern.

‘He stole my underwear once,’ she said, quietly. ‘Him and some of his friends held me down and took them. Were you a part of that?’

‘Jesus Christ, no!’ Dale exclaimed, his face draining of colour. ‘I had no idea he did that! I wouldn’t have hung out with him if I did!’

Talia sighed and shook her head. ‘What number were you?’

For a moment Dale hesitated, confused, then he put his empty yoghurt packet on the bench and stuffed his hands in his pockets. ‘You mean those dumb jerseys we made? I was number six.’

Talia laughed at that. Loudly. She didn’t mean to, but it came out of her in a long cackle that nearly made her breathless. ‘That was you? Oh. I remember you! You threw my books in the drain!’

‘I don’t remember that!’ Dale exclaimed. ‘I wouldn’t do that to a girl!’

‘You did!’ Talia gave Dale a shove, laughing when his jaw dropped. ‘I caught you walking home after school one day with twelve—’

‘Roy—’

‘Whatever his name was,’ Talia rolled her eyes and took in a deep breath, trying to stop herself from laughing again. ‘I asked if we could hang out together, and you pushed me over and took my bag —you, not him— and then you emptied it into a storm-water drain and ran off.’

Realisation washed over Dale’s face and he jumped, clapping his hands together and pointing. ‘Oh my god you were Metal Tooth!’

A thousand thoughts ran through Talia’s head and she opened her mouth to respond— But nothing came out. She was too shocked by the nickname to make a quip and instead stood dumbly, staring at Dale with her jaw dropped and her eyes wide.

After a moment Dale seemed to notice what he’d blurted and blushed, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish grin. ‘It was the, uh, braces.’

‘I got that,’ finally finding her words, Talia gave him a sad smile. ‘You know, my dad was so angry about me losing my school books he gave me a black eye?’

‘I remember you used to come to school with bruises,’ Dale looked away. ‘Sorry about the rumours.’

‘Ah, yes, the supposed fights with Nicole,’ Talia grinned. ‘You made that up?’

‘Jess did,’ Dale explained. ‘Number four.’

‘Ah, him I knew,’ said Talia, her face scrunching in a half-scowl of disgust. ‘He went to high school with me. Now that I think about it, I’m not surprised he was friends with Evan.’

‘Who?’

‘We dated for a bit, it wasn’t a big deal,’ Talia shook her head and turned back to the frying pan she’d almost forgotten. She’d regretted bringing Evan up as soon as his name had left her mouth, and she hoped Dale wouldn’t push to know more.

Luckily, instead of asking questions Dale gave an understanding nod as Talia lit the stove. ‘I’m sorry about everything I did. I... I remember I put you through a lot, didn’t I?’ he winced as Talia nodded. ‘I promise I’m a better person now.’

‘You mugged me,’ Talia pointed out, her voice flat.

‘Yeeeeah,’ Dale drawled. Then, he gave an awkward smile. ‘But at least I didn’t call you fat!’

It was just silly enough to earn a snicker, as Talia turned to go through the fridge. ‘Ah. Whatever, it’s fine,’ she told him. ‘We were kids. Besides... remember the dog poo in the letterbox?’

‘That was you?’ this time it was Dale’s eyes that went wide. ‘I always thought that was Sam!’

‘Nope,’ Talia couldn’t stop herself from grinning proudly. ‘You guys sprayed me with water while I was trying to get home one day and I just got so mad I had to get revenge!’

Dale laughed, leaning back against the kitchen bench. ‘You got it on my birthday cards!’

‘Oh no,’ biting her lip to hold back a laugh, Talia pulled out a sealed packet of bacon and began fumbling with the plastic. ‘I’m so sorry.’

Dale shook his head and helped her open the meat. ‘It’s fine. I never cared much for my birthday, even as a kid. I only really liked the cards because of the money part.’

‘Really? That’s a shame,’ Talia mumbled, throwing the bacon into the pan. ‘I always have a bit of a party; best time of the year for me. Trish and Anna come over and we pool our money for a cake and a bottle of wine.’

‘See, I don’t get that,’ Dale shrugged. ‘Why wait for just one day of the year to have a good time? Just go out and get a cake whenever you feel like cake, I say.’

‘It takes us that long to save up the money,’ Talia retorted, her voice becoming as harsh as the sizzling bacon. She didn’t mean to sound so rough, but her voice came out as a hiss. ‘Believe me, if I could have cake every day, I would. Chocolate. That’s the best sort. And Gavin likes it too.’

‘I think if I’ve learnt anything, it’s that Gavin likes food regardless of flavour,’ Dale joked. ‘I think he’d eat clay if you let him.’

‘He used to,’ Talia replied, the edge gone from her voice. ‘He didn’t grow out of it until he was eight. Eight years old and he was eating dirt.’

‘To be fair, I think I can recall you doing the same!’

‘Oh please; it was the worms I was interested in, not the dirt.’

Dale snorted a laugh and handed Talia more bacon. ‘Fair enough. By the way, is it cool if I buy Gavin treats? Chocolate and stuff?’

‘Sparingly, yes,’ Talia told him. ‘Not too much, though. Most foods are alright; it’s just the sugar you need to be careful of. Too much sugar without anything else will make him sick. No more than... one chocolate bar per two sandwiches, I suppose. And only if he’s got lots of water to drink, too.’

‘Cool, cool,’ Dale grinned. ‘You know, I’m glad he likes me so much. He’s a good kid.’

‘You played soccer with him, of course he likes you,’ Talia laughed, and scooped her dinner into a bowl. ‘I have to ask about that, though. What is it with you and kids? Last week when we went out for lunch with Richard I saw you cooing over a baby like it was a litter of kittens.’

‘I just like kids,’ Dale responded, shrugging. ‘As I keep saying, I want to have some, eventually. Hopefully be a better father than my own. But hey. Low bar to step over.’

‘That’s so cute,’ Talia snickered. ‘I know what you mean, though. When I had Gavin I was absolutely terrified I’d be as bad as my mother. Turns out it wasn’t as likely as I thought and being a decent person isn’t actually that hard.’

Dale let out a laugh. ‘It’s not always easy though, you have to admit.’

Talia gave a humoured snort and handed Dale the overflowing bowl of bacon. ‘Put this on the table, would you? Before Gavin gets—’

The apartment door slammed loud enough to make the pair jump, and Talia frowned.

‘I hope you don’t always slam the door like that!’ she called.

She was met with a gasp and the sound of a bag being dropped. ‘Mum you’re... home?’

‘Yes! And I hope that slam was a one-off!’ Talia retorted, grabbing the bowl back from Dale and marching into the lounge. ‘Because if I find out you’ve been slamming doors like that you’re going to be in a lot of trouble!’

Gavin looked guiltily at the ground and shuffled in place, obviously not wanting to tell his mother the truth. It took him a long while to look up, and when he did he gasped again, this time in joy. ‘Bacon!’

‘Yes,’ said Talia, flatly. Then she grinned as her son raced to the table and smacked his hands against it excitedly. ‘Anna and Trish gave it to us, so make sure you thank them tonight when they come over— They’re looking after you for a little bit.’

‘Really?’ Gavin’s voice dropped. ‘Where will you be?’

‘I’m on night shift for the rest of the week,’ Talia told him. ‘You’ll be at school most of the time I’ll be at home, so the girls’ will be looking after you.’

Gavin seemed to deflate, then; the spark in his eyes leaving him alongside his breath as he sigh and slumped against the table. ‘Ugh.’

‘Ugh?’ Talia echoed; guilt poking softly at her. If she could have avoided it, she would have. But she couldn’t just leave Big Double U— Not immediately after what she’d done. That would be too suspicious... she had to continue work as normal, for just a little longer, so she didn’t raise suspicion.... ‘I thought you liked when Anna and Trish looked after you.’

‘Yeah, but not for a week!’ Gavin groaned. ‘They don’t get me!’

‘What do you mean, they don’t get you?’ Talia shook her head. ‘They love you!’

‘Yeah but they’re girls,’ Gavin groaned— Much to Dale’s amusement, as the man smothered a chuckle. ‘I don’t want to spend a week living with girls!’

‘Your mother’s a girl, champ,’ Dale commented. ‘You don’t like living with her?’

‘She’s a different kind of girl! You’ll learnt that soon enough,’ Gavin retorted, before lifting himself up and casting his mother a pleading look. ‘Can I stay with Dale, instead? He’s a guy. He gets me.’

‘I can’t ask him to do that,’ Talia said, crossing her arms.

‘Then I’ll ask for you!’ Gavin said, a hint of cheeky sarcasm in his voice as a grin twitched to his lips. ‘Dale? Can I stay at yours?’

For a moment, Dale was quiet as he swallowed down his giggles. Then he cast a glance to Talia and gave a shrug; as if asking for her permission to answer.

Talia gave a more exasperated shrug in return.

Which Dale returned with another shrug— This one even more playful than the last.

And Talia’s next shrug was even more exasperated, as she threw up her hands and slapped them down heavily against her sides.

Dale turned back to Gavin, and offered the boy a grin. ‘Sure, Gav. I don’t mind.’

Part 13:

The couch wasn’t the most comfortable place to sleep, but Dale didn’t mind. He was glad to have stayed over while Talia went to work; Gavin had been so depressed while she was gone, so Dale had taken him out for ice cream to cheer him up. It seemed to have worked, too. Just getting out of the apartment seemed to perked the kid up. Plus, Gavin had a blast picking the music for the drive. Then after getting home he’d read a book on Dale’s phone.

He was in bed now, and Dale had taken the opportunity to text a few friends about maybe being too busy for their usual hangouts. He wanted to be available while Talia wasn’t, just in case.... Though he hoped he wasn’t overstepping. He wasn’t trying to be weird. He just wanted to help when he knew Talia needed it. Even if they didn’t know each other that well, yet....

He wanted to make things up to her.

‘Dale?’ squeaked Gavin.

‘Hmm?’ Dale slowly blinked open his eyes, and took in a deep breath. He’d nearly been asleep. ‘What’s up?’

‘I had a nightmare. Can I sit with you?’

‘Sure, mate,’ Dale said, yawning and pushing himself up so Gavin could sit next to him. ‘What was the dream about?’

Quietly, Gavin patted down a spot on the couch before sitting. He looked at the floor for a while before swallowing, and muttering, ‘I dreamt that we got kicked out of the apartment.’

‘Oh, Gav—’

‘We had to live on the streets, and Mum got really sick, and she couldn’t— She went to hospital and....’

‘Gavin, deep breath,’ Dale wrapped an arm around the boy and gave him a squeeze. ‘It’s alright. It was just a dream. It’s not going to happen.’

‘But— We don’t have any money,’ his voice trembled as he curled into Dale. ‘Mum spends it all on my medicine.’

‘No, not all of it, I’m sure a lot of it goes to the rent—’

‘It doesn’t,’ Gavin interrupted, his voice too serious to be coming from a boy his age. ‘I saw the mail. I’m not supposed to read it, but Mum left it on the table and I... wanted to know. Our landlord’s not happy because the rent hasn’t been paid in a long time, and he can’t keep letting us live here for free. We have to pay or we can’t stay here anymore. That’s what he wrote.’

Dale’s mouth felt dry. ‘She’s... behind on the rent? She can’t cut anything out? No morning coffee or weekends out?’

‘She doesn’t do any of that!’ Gavin sobbed, burying his face in Dale’s shirt. ‘She doesn’t even eat every day! She tells me she does, but I know she doesn’t.’

Dale hesitated, unable to find his words. A heavy, anxious feeling poked at him and all he could do was pull Gavin close and squeeze his shoulders in hopes of comforting him.

‘I hope when Richard pays her it’s better than what she gets from her work at the shops,’ Gavin sniffed. ‘Then she can leave that other stupid job and not be so tired all the time.’

‘Yeah, well... Richard’s a good guy,’ Dale managed. ‘He’ll make sure Talia gets paid right.’

Gavin sniffed and curled up on the couch. He didn’t say anything else as Dale threw the blanket over him. He just wiped his eyes and buried his face into the cushion to sleep.

It felt like hours before Dale was able to get his thoughts together. A hit of reality was dawning on him; he’d had it so easy since he’d met Richard that he’d just kind of assumed everyone was able to cope. That people who were failing just hadn’t worked hard enough.... And now meeting Talia was forcing him to look at it from another perspective. He’d been denying it but... today had made it impossible to ignore. How much one day off had meant to Talia. How stressed Gavin always was.... How little they had was so obvious; he could barely believe he’d been denying it so long.

He let out a sigh and pushed himself off the couch. He didn’t think they’d notice if he poked around. He wouldn’t move anything. Just look. Starting with the kitchen.

The very... very bare kitchen which still had scorch-marks poking through the thin coat of paint that attempted to hide it. Dale shook his head and opened the fridge; there was bacon, butter, and half a bowl of rice. Nothing else.

‘Wow,’ Dale sighed. ‘No wonder Talia didn’t let me go through fridge before. That’s... depressing.’

He closed the fridge quietly, letting its dull light fade until the room went dark. Then he quietly made his way across the room to the bedrooms and bathroom.

The bedroom doors were a little more cheery than the rest of the house; they were covered from top to bottom in photos and drawings. The first drawing Dale saw was an orange cat obviously made by Gavin. Then he glanced down to what would be Talia’s eye-level and grinned at the photo of her and Gavin sitting around a birthday setting.

Gavin’s door was a little different; it was mostly his own drawings and signs with a few photos of him and his friend. His name hung at the top of the door in big, bold letters written on loose sheets of paper.

For a moment Dale hesitated. He knew he shouldn’t go into the bedrooms. He knew it but... somehow, he couldn’t stop himself from turning the handle and peeking in.

It was bare.

There was a bed, a soccer ball, and a basket of clothes with no wardrobe to put them in. A few stuffed toys littered the floor, but they were old and tattered.

Dale swallowed and carefully stepped through the door, though entering the room didn’t seem to change how empty it was. Shivering, he rubbed his arm and took everything in.

The last time he’d been in a building that felt this unhomely he was in the holding cell at Kladstone’s police station. Though, the holding cells didn’t have rubber padding on every corner. Somehow the little black strips made the room feel tighter than the cell had.

The tiny window didn’t help make the room feel any less like a prison, either. Especially when it faced a brick wall that was so close to this building he’d probably be able to reach out and touch it. And the drawings on the wall did little to help make the room feel more like a home— They were drooping in a depressing way, as if there wasn’t enough tape to hold them up.

He sighed and nudged the washing basket with his foot. It was barely full, containing three or four torn shirts he recognised too well. He’d just thought they were Gavin’s favourite clothes; now it was clear they were his only clothes.

‘What kind of ten-year-old doesn’t have a computer?’ Dale said to himself sadly, half-joking to try and make himself feel better. He couldn’t bear the bedroom much longer and stepped out, instead making his way to the bathroom.

It was just as depressing, with toilet paper obviously stolen from a public toilet, shredded rags that were supposed to be towels, and a bar of soap that was made of seven smaller bars of soap squashed together. It all made him want to stop looking.... But at the same time he couldn’t pull himself away as he found a rusted shower chair and an old brush that was more hair than bristles. He cringed at the thought of having to use it, and distracted himself by turning and examining the stains on the walls instead. His eyes drifted back to the hall and he saw Talia’s bedroom door.

He knew he shouldn’t. He knew he really, really shouldn’t— But suddenly he was standing in the middle of her bedroom, staring at the broken bed and the bedside table which was overflowing with letters that had menacing red and yellow lettering stamped across their fronts. The only thing on her bedside table aside from the bills was her retainer; sitting out with no case and looking old and worn.

Dale looked away and realised, as his eyes trailed the floor, Talia didn’t even have a clothes basket like Gavin did. Her clothes were just sat in a folded pile on the floor. All three outfits.

‘Two shirts,’ Dale muttered, crouching down and checking the label. He sighed when he saw they were from a clothing brand that had been discontinued almost six years ago.

Was this really all she owned? It didn’t seem possible that this was all she had.

Licking his lips anxiously, Dale pushed himself back to his feet and glanced around. Drawings practically wallpapered the room, all of them looking like Gavin’s work from various ages. It was a... surreal feeling. There was nothing, and the room felt like a jail, but no matter which way he looked all he could see were bright pink hearts and pictures of “me and mum who I love” and he couldn’t place the uncomfortable itch it gave him.

The only way he could avoid looking at the walls was to look at the floor— And then his eyes fell to a shoe-box that poked out from under Talia’s bed.

Don’t do it Dale, he thought to himself. Don’t look in the box.

He immediately crouched down and grabbed the box, taking off the lid and peering inside.

It was the least-empty thing in the house, and even then it was mostly old hair ties and bracelets, worn bookmarks, old letters, and a tiny, badly carved wooden bird.

Dale nodded, pursing his lips, and went to put the lid back on. As he did, however, he noticed an old photograph, which had been torn up and taped back together, buried among the contents. He carefully pulled it out and saw it featured a teenage Talia on a school bus, forming a heart with her hands as a teenage boy had his arm around her and grinned widely at the camera.

Dale’s stomach did a flip. The boy looked exactly like Gavin. He had the same thick blonde hair and deep blue eyes as Gavin, and Dale knew right away who it was.... He could barely handle flipping over the photo to read the back.

Evan & Talia forever

He almost threw up. He jammed the photo back in the box, and slid the box back under Talia’s bed.

He really shouldn’t have looked.

He really, really shouldn’t have looked.

Hurriedly Dale rushed out of Talia’s room and into the bathroom. He splashed water in his face and let out a loud breath, trying to keep himself from freaking out.

What the hell did he think he was doing, going through her personal things?! What was wrong with him?

‘Dale?’ Gavin’s voice whispered from the door.

Dale looked up from the sink and quickly wiped the excess water from his face with a swipe of his hand. ‘What’s up?’

‘I need the toilet,’ said Gavin.

‘Yeah, sure,’ quickly ducking out the door, Dale let Gavin into the bathroom. ‘When you’re done I’d like to have a chat.’

Gavin nodded and quietly shut the door behind him, leaving Dale standing awkwardly in the hall.

After a second of hesitation Dale rushed back into Talia’s room and sifted through her bills. He grabbed three important-looking ones —the rent, a very overdue debt with a pawnbroker, and her mobile phone bill— and stuffed them into his pocket.

As he came out of Talia’s room again Gavin opened the bathroom door and frowned.

‘Why were you in Mum’s room? She doesn’t like people going in there. Even Trish isn’t allowed.’

‘I was just grabbing something for her,’ Dale smiled. Then he beckoned Gavin over and crouched down to talk to him. ‘You said you were scared of your mum getting in trouble because of money?’

Slowly, Gavin nodded.

‘Well, would you feel better if I helped pay some of the rent for her?’

Gavin nodded, faster this time. ‘But you can’t tell her until after you do it or she won’t let you, because she’s stubborn!’

Dale chuckled at that. ‘Yeah, I know.... And hey, what would you say if I took you food shopping? I want to get you two so much food you can’t fit it all in the pantry. Would you like that?’

‘YES!’ Gavin shouted, then quickly covered his mouth. ‘When?’

‘Well, if we’re both having trouble sleeping, now would be as good a time as any,’ said Dale, grinning. ‘That way your mum’ll get a good surprise when she gets home.’

‘Okay, we can’t go to Kladstone North or she might see us and get mad,’ Gavin warned. ‘But I know there’s a Kyles nearby that’s open all night because it’s next to a petrol station! We could go there!’

‘Sounds like a plan,’ Dale chuckled. ‘And after we’re done shopping we can leave a note here with all the food and you can come to my place and sleep over. That way your mum won’t yell at us when she finds out we stayed up late— She’ll have to walk all the way to my house if she wants to yell at us, and I don’t think she’s that dedicated to being angry.’

Gavin’s eyes sparkled impishly. ‘Hah! You don’t know Mum very well at all, do you?’

Part 14:

‘Dale from Moore for More investments, how can I help you?’ Dale muttered into his phone. He held back a yawn as he rubbed his eyes and wound down his car window to get some fresh air. Gavin would be out of school soon, and he wanted to be there to pick him up. ‘Yes, we do allow scheduled withdrawals. Would you like me to forward your call to one of our financial advisers? Ah. Well, if you’d prefer you could always come into our Northern Branch and talk to them in person. Oh no, you don’t have to make an appointment, you can just walk in anytime between nine and five. Alright, have a good day.’

The phone beeped as the client hung up, and Dale chucked it onto the passenger’s seat and leant back against his chair.

He was usually fine to stay up late, but he’d made the mistake of watching another one of Wolfdog Animation’s movies. He’d told himself he’d just put it on and fall asleep during it, but three hours later he was staring at the credits, more energised than ever.... Which of course meant he’d crashed in the middle of the day and gotten a slap around the head from Richard, who’d told him to go home and get some rest.

He managed about ten minutes before he’d gotten a phone call from Talia, who’d not even noticed the pile of food in her living room until after she’d woken up from what was most likely a work-induced coma. She’d been frantic, switching between sobbing grateful tears and stubbornly yelling at him because she “didn’t need help!”

Luckily for Dale, she’d ended the call with grateful sobbing. He was pretty sure that was what she was going to go with; though he’d have to be careful next time he saw her in case she decided to deck him.

‘Hi, I don’t think we’ve met?’ a voice spoke beside Dale and he jumped in his seat; turning to the well-groomed man outside his car. ‘Robert Salinas, I’m the school’s principal. I don’t believe I recognise you.... Who are you waiting for?’

‘I’m Dale Anderson,’ Dale gave a smile and offered his hand through the open window. ‘I’m a friend of Talia Wilson, she’s got me looking after Gavin for the week. She said she called you to let you know?’

‘Ah, yes, she did,’ said Salinas. ‘Good, good. I just wanted to be sure.’

‘Yeah, no, I get it,’ Dale gave an understanding click of his tongue. ‘Last thing you want is a stranger hanging around a school, right?’

Salinas gave a nod, but didn’t otherwise respond. Instead he crossed his arms and glanced at the school as a bell rung loudly over the loudspeaker. Then he turned back and lowered his voice. ‘Is everything alright with Talia?’

‘What do you mean?’ Dale blinked.

‘Gavin’s usually a good kid,’ said Salinas. ‘But the past month he’s been... well, troubled I suppose. He’s never had detention before —not once— but somehow he managed to get himself sent out of every class he had last week. You can understand why I’m worried?’

‘He’s stressed,’ Dale confirmed. ‘I didn’t realise it was that bad, though. Does Talia know?’

Salinas sighed, glancing to his side as kids sprinted around him and climbed into cars. ‘We’ve talked about it, but she’s... private about it. I know she’s had a hard time, and I think she might be embarrassed to talk about it, but I need to know these things so I know how to handle—’

‘DALE!’ Gavin’s excited shout caught both men’s attention and they stopped their conversation to look to the school, just in time to see Gavin leap a fence and fall face-first into the concrete street.

‘Fuck—’ Dale muttered, almost falling onto the path himself in his haste to get out of his car. ‘Gav! You alright, mate?’

Gavin let Dale help him to his feet, his grin still firmly plastered on his face as if he hadn’t just skinned his knees and elbows and nose. ‘You’re here!’

‘Of course I’m here!’ Dale chuckled, pulling a tissue out of his pocket and carefully wiping the dirt off Gavin’s face. ‘Your mum told me to look after you, so where did you think I’d be?’

‘Well, usually I walk home,’ said Gavin. ‘I basically never get picked up from school! Can I sit in the front seat? Can we get food on the way home? And can we go back to your house? I really like your dogs!’

‘Calm down and let me answer at least one of those questions before asking another,’ laughing, Dale ruffled Gavin’s hair; though the boy batted his hand away. ‘I figured you’d want to stay over again, so I asked your mum about it and she said it was fine.’

‘Awesome!’ Gavin exclaimed, rushing to Dale’s car and clambering into the front seat. ‘Can we get Ms Danielle’s on the way home? I want a Burger Basher meal!’

Salinas gave a chuckle and smirked at Dale. ‘I don’t think he’d be able to eat that on his own.’

‘I don’t know,’ Dale responded. ‘I saw the kid eat an entire Big Bert’s pizza once.’

Salinas looked impressed. ‘Those things can feed a family.’

‘And he managed it in one sitting,’ Dale laughed as Gavin began to slam his hands against the dashboard. ‘Ah, Christ, I better get him something before he sets off the airbag. Gav, mate! Gentle with the dash!’

Part 15:

Dale still couldn’t believe how much Gavin had eaten. He’d practically inhaled his first meal, and then begged for another. And then another, which Dale couldn’t believe he’d finished. He’d half-expected Gavin to feel sick on the way home; but as soon as the car had parked the black-hole of a child had sprinted up the path and began calling to the dogs through the front door.

And then the snacks— Dear god, the snacks!

The amount of food Gavin had eaten since they’d gotten home was incredible. At least four bags of chips and an entire loaf of bread. Dale started to wonder if the reason Talia never had food wasn’t because they were poor, but because Gavin was a mutant with an endless stomach who could never be satisfied.

He’d finally had to put his foot down and told Gavin he’d had enough after his second litre of juice. And to his credit, Gavin had handled it well. He didn’t complain or try and sneak more food. He just thanked Dale for letting him have so much and asked if they could go outside and play soccer, which they had done until it got dark.

They were just finishing packing up when a car pulled up in front of Dale’s house. With a jolt of horror, Dale realised he’d forgotten about Laura.

‘Oh, shit! Laura!’ he exclaimed, tripping on the pavement and stumbling to the car as a beautiful young girl climbed out. ‘Oh my god, Laura! I’m so sorry!’

‘Sorry for what?’ Laura blinked. Then she looked Dale over, rolled her eyes, and grinned. ‘You forgot about our date, didn’t you?’

‘I meant to text you—’

‘Who’s that!’ Gavin called from the front door, running out and circling Laura excitedly. ‘WOW! Dale, is she another one of your friends? She looks awesome!’

‘Is... your profile didn’t say you had a kid,’ Laura stammered.

‘Oh no! No!’ Dale quickly shook his head, and tried to shoo Gavin towards the house. ‘I’m watching him for a friend— Gavin, go back inside! It’s a school night. .’

‘You let me stay up all night last night!’ Gavin retorted, continuing to circle Dale’s date.

‘That was different! We had things to do!’ Dale responded breathlessly. When he realised he couldn’t control the boy he just sighed and glanced to Laura. ‘I’m really sorry. I meant to text you I just... got distracted.’

‘It’s fine,’ giving a weak smile, Laura looked down to Gavin. ‘I can see why you forgot.’

‘Who are you?’ Gavin asked. ‘How do you know Dale?’

‘I’m Laura, I met Dale online,’ Laura answered gently. ‘We were supposed to be going on a date tonight, but I think he might have forgotten about me.’

‘A date?’ Gavin echoed slowly before a huge smile found its way to his face. ‘I can help with that! Dale! Can I help you with your date? C’mon! You obviously need help if you forgot about it!’

‘Gavin, I—’

‘You should stay for dinner!’ Gavin exclaimed, running back to the house and shaking the railing along the side of the porch. ‘DALE! You have to let her stay for dinner! Otherwise you’ve stood her up, and you know that’s not on!’

‘He’s... energetic,’ Laura muttered, watching as he disappeared into the house.

‘Would you believe he spent the last four hours running around in circles?’ asked Dale.

‘Bloody hell,’ Laura mumbled under her breath, a grin working its way to the corners of her mouth. ‘I feel for his parents.’

Dale chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. ‘Sorry about the date. Would you like to stay for dinner? We’re having some takeaway delivered. Chinese. It should be here soon.’

‘Sure,’ Laura replied, letting Dale lead her into the house. ‘Did you get enough for three people?’

‘I got enough for seven,’ Dale admitted, nodding to Gavin as he sprinted past. ‘That thing right there is some sort of gremlin. I want to fill him up before midnight.’

Laura snorted so hard she had to cover her mouth to stop herself from choking on her laugh.

‘Oh, good timing!’ Dale turned as he heard the rumbling of another car and hurried outside to collect their dinner.

He was grateful when Laura followed him out to help carry the food. And he made a point to tip the deliverer... they were a lot earlier than he’d expected, and the food was properly packed and hot.

It was going to be a great dinner.

‘YES!’ Gavin screeched as the food was put on the kitchen bench. ‘Pass it here!’

‘Your mum told me to make sure you ate at the table,’ Dale scolded. ‘Go sit down and I’ll grab some bowls— You too, Laura, you’re a guest.... Plus, I have to make up for forgetting about tonight.’

‘Yeah, he totally has to make up for that!’ said Gavin, rushing to the other room. There was a loud bang as he leapt into —and presumably over— his seat. ‘I’M OKAY!’

‘You better be!’ Dale called back, rolling his eyes playfully at Laura and motioning for her to join Gavin. ‘Otherwise your mum’s going to kill me!’

He heard Laura laugh as Gavin began chattering away, and quickly scooped the food into several bowls before joining them.

‘—And sometimes Mum looks at flowers and makeup when we go shopping,’ said Gavin, bouncing up and down as Dale gave him his dinner. ‘I think she wants to dress up nice, like you’re dressed up now. But... she can’t really afford it. I feel bad about it sometimes.’

‘It’s not your fault,’ Dale said gently, petting Gavin on the head. ‘Don’t feel bad about that.’

‘But it is my fault!’ Gavin exclaimed, wide-eyed. ‘If she didn’t have to buy me my medicine she’d have heaps more money and could get herself really nice things all the time! Have you seen how much my medicine costs? It’s so much money! If she didn’t have to buy it we’d be able to pay the rent on time!’

‘Gav, relax—’

‘Sometimes I wonder if Mum would have been better off if I hadn’t been born,’ said Gavin, jamming an entire dumpling in his mouth; he didn’t seem to realise how serious a topic he’d brought up, as he continued. ‘But then there’d be nobody to look after her. I gotta look after her, because you know she won’t do it herself!’

‘Ga-Gavin—’ Dale couldn’t believe how casually Gavin was talking about this. Not when he felt like his own soul was descending from his body into the ground as Gavin continued chattering about his mother. He glanced at Laura, who looked uncomfortable and was rubbing her cheek anxiously, and knew he had to try and change the topic before—

‘And it’s not like grandma and grandpa are gonna look after her!’ Gavin continued loudly. ‘They think God’s punishing her because she wasn’t married to my dad when she had me— They say I’m an abomination and my seizures are to punish us for going against God’s will!’

‘Gavin!’

‘Mum just says they’re crazy and old and need to die soon—’

‘GAVIN!’ Dale exclaimed, louder than he intended.

The room went silent as Gavin was cut off mid-sentence. Then, he slowly put down his food and rubbed his arm. ‘Sorry.’

‘No— I didn’t mean to shout,’ Dale gave Gavin’s shoulder a squeeze. ‘You’re not in trouble. It’s just... I couldn’t get a word in, and I don’t think this is appropriate to talk about right now.’

Gavin gave a nod and picked up his food again. ‘You know, you could be my dad.’

‘I don’t know about that,’ Dale chuckled. He cast a glance to his date, who shrugged. ‘Your mum and I just work together.’

‘She likes you,’ Gavin told him. ‘She doesn’t know it yet, but she does.’

Laura let out a nervous chuckle and shook her head. ‘What makes you think that?’

‘She lets him look after me!’ replied Gavin. ‘And bring me to his house. She never lets anyone besides Anna and Trish look after me! She’s even nervous about Jacob’s parents! So she must like Dale a whole lot. But she pretends she doesn’t like him at all, which means she like-likes him, like in the movies.’

‘Gavin, that’s just in movies,’ Dale sighed. ‘I don’t think that’s how your mum feels.’

‘How would you know?’ asked Gavin, sticking his nose in the air proudly. ‘She’s my mum! I know her better than you! And she likes you a lot! You should marry her, and be my dad!’

‘Gavin, I’m not going to marry your mum,’ said Dale, shaking his head.

‘Yet,’ Gavin mumbled in reply. Then he stuffed the rest of his dinner in his mouth and stacked his dishes as he swallowed. ‘Can I play on your computer after the dishes are done?’

‘You can go play now,’ Dale sighed, quickly taking the plates from Gavin and putting them back on the table. ‘I’ll handle cleaning up. That’s not your job.’

‘See! You and Mum are exactly the same!’ Gavin exclaimed. ‘Control freaks who won’t let me help with the chores!’

‘Hey!’ Dale exclaimed, half-following Gavin as he sprinted out of the room. ‘You have an hour before bed!’

‘Can I sleep in your room again?’ Gavin asked across the house. ‘Your bed is super comfy!’

‘I assumed I’d lost it till you went home!’ Dale called back. He felt himself laugh at the idea of spending another night in the guest room, while his guest took his own. Then he turned back to Laura and shrugged. ‘He’s a good kid. Sorry he kept going on about his mum.’

‘Ruined the mood a bit, yeah,’ Laura giggled, then she let out a breath and rubbed her hands together anxiously. ‘Look, Dale.... You look like you really like kids, and I’m not really.... I don’t want them, and I can tell you do. I don’t think this will work.’

‘Ah,’ Dale gave a nod. ‘Yeah. That’s a deal breaker.’

‘Sorry for wasting your time.’

‘No! Not at all!’ laughed Dale. ‘I had a nice time. And hey— You have my number, we can meet up sometime as friends?’

‘Sure,’ sheepishly, Laura put down her fork and stood up. ‘I’m actually free next weekend if you want to hang out. I’ll text you about it— Though I should probably be going. Dinner was... interesting.’

‘Thanks for showing up— And sorry I forgot,’ Dale quickly gathered Laura’s bag and coat. ‘Do you need a lift home?’

‘I drove here.’

‘Right! Forgot that, too,’ Dale chuckled. ‘Still, I’ll walk you out.’

Part 16:

Talia paced restlessly around the apartment. She was anxious to see Gavin again. The night shift had been even more exhausting than she’d thought it would be and she hadn’t managed to as much catch a glimpse of him the entire week she’d been working. Which, given all that was happening to the store, she really needed the comfort of seeing her son, right now.

The money had finally been taken from Big Double U’s account and the owners were forced to close the branch while they investigated Randell’s boundless incompetence. Talia had breathed a sigh of relief when she heard that they didn’t suspect anyone in the store; it had been discovered that Randell bad put several photos of himself on his social media with his monitor —and thus, the bank details— visible behind him, and the blame was being put completely on his idiocy, as it was assumed that was where the theft had come from.

Nobody had even thought to cast her a single glance during the explanation, and when she’d realised that she really was going to get away with it, she’d almost leapt in the air with glee.

It wasn’t even taking the money that made her happy— It was the look on Randell’s face. That fucking look, as all the years of collecting vile karma caught up to him.

The vindication of revenge, after he’d made her life actual hell and harassed her for years, was one of the sweetest and sickest joys she’d ever felt.

And now she had some time off until she started her work at Moore for More; time that she could spend with her son.

Still, despite all the good she felt, she couldn’t help worrying about Gavin.

Dale kept texting to tell her everything was fine but... she couldn’t bring herself to believe it. She couldn’t relax until she saw he was okay for herself.

And even then, she’d probably have to check him over to make sure he had no bumps or bruises.

‘Mum!’ Gavin’s voice called through the door, which began to shake excitedly as he banged on it heavily. ‘Mum! Open up! Let me in! C’mon!’

‘Gavin!’ Talia exclaimed, unable to stop herself from running to the door and tugging it open so she could throw her arms around her son. ‘Oh, Gavin! I missed you so much!’

‘Mum! Dale is amazing!’ exclaimed Gavin, briefly hugging her back. ‘He showed me his dogs and his house and his car! And he let me sleep in his bed! And best of all— He let me help him with his date!’

‘His date?’ Talia asked, pulling away from her son and looking up at Dale. ‘He went on a date while looking after you?’

‘He forgot about her!’ Gavin explained happily. ‘She showed up at his house and ate dinner with us! But then I think I messed up, because I told Dale he should marry you, and now she doesn’t want to go on a second date.’

‘Gavin!’ Talia scolded. ‘I’m not going to marry Dale!’

‘But you like him!’

‘No, I don’t,’ sighing, Talia kissed Gavin on the cheek before turning to Dale. ‘Sorry, you’re just not my type.’

Dale snickered and gave the two a shrug. ‘It’s fine, plenty of girls think that.’

‘Give Mum the money!’ Gavin exclaimed, flapping his arms excitedly. ‘Mum! Richard came over, and he gave Dale your first cheque. He said you weren’t home, but he’s not going to be available for a while, and so Dale had to give it to you instead when he dropped me home.’

‘Did he?’ Talia glanced at Dale, giving an impish grin. ‘Was Dale intending to give it to me, or was he going to be sneaky and keep it for himself?’

‘Hey, I wouldn’t do that,’ retorted Dale, pulling the letter out of his suit and handing it to Talia. As she leant forward to take it, he leant in and whispered, ‘I totally would.’

Talia punched him in the shoulder and rolled her eyes. She carelessly ripped open the envelope, pulled out the cheque, and then checked how much— TEN-THOUSAND DOLLARS?!

‘WHAT!’ she shouted, her voice breaking. ‘That’s too much— What— No! You messed up! Richard wrote the wrong amount!’

‘Did he?’ Dale asked, plucking the cheque out of her hand and glancing at the number. ‘Huh, no. That seems about right.’

‘How much is it?’ Gavin asked, grabbing Dale’s arm and swinging off it. ‘How! Much! Is! It! Show me!’

Dale gave his arm a shake, freeing it from Gavin’s tight grip, and nudged the boy away. ‘You’re a bit young for this. Go play with your Three-Screen.’

‘His what?’ Talia asked, feeling faint.

Shrugging, Dale handed her back the cheque and shooed Gavin away. ‘I brought him some video games—’

‘We can’t afford that!’ Talia exclaimed.

‘What part of “I brought him” was unclear?’ scoffed Dale, grabbing Talia’s shoulder and pulling her into a side-hug. ‘They’re a gift from me!’

Talia forced herself to relax and leant against Dale to support herself. ‘Uh.... Thanks for that? And for the groceries. And the towels.... And everything else.’

‘Not a problem, my dearest and newest coworker!’ Dale ruffled her hair, and she pulled away with a frustrated snort.

Talia fixed her hair as she looked back at the cheque. She stared for a long moment before giving a tired smile. ‘I don’t even know what to spend this on, now. I guess I’ll just put it aside for when we need it—’

‘Or get some new bedding,’ Dale suggested. ‘Gavin was going on about how much he loved my blankets. He’d probably like some for himself, here.’

‘You’re too good,’ Talia shook her head and chuckled. ‘I guess I could.... And I could take Anna and Trish out to dinner.’

‘Yeah! That sounds great!’ Dale grinned. ‘You deserve a night out with your friends!’

‘I’ll get Gavin a new uniform first—’

‘Already did that,’ Dale told her. ‘It’s in his bag.’

Talia stared at him.

‘Yeah. His old shirt was so worn my washing machine just —crrk!— ripped it in half. So we went clothes shopping.’

Talia rolled her eyes; trying not to let herself feel like Dale had overstepped. If Gavin had needed it, he’d needed it, right...? ‘Any more surprises I should know about?’

For a minute, Dale bit his lip and thought. Then he clicked his fingers and let out an excited exclamation, ‘Right! Richard wants me to teach you how to use a gun!’

‘WHAT?! WHY?!’

‘Well, it’s a long story,’ Dale rubbed the back of his neck. ‘But to cut it short, I’m the reason he limps.’

Talia put her face in her hands. ‘So let me get this straight: you shot Richard—’

‘Yep—’

‘And he wants you to be the one to teach me how to use a gun?’ Talia let out a long sigh as Dale gave her a confident nod. ‘Is he sure about that? Or is he actually wanting to end up in a wheelchair?’

Part 17:

‘A onesie?’ Talia asked, rolling her eyes as Trish leapt off the bus. ‘Haven’t you been at school all day?

‘It’s university,’ Trish responded. ‘Basically everyone in my class wears their worst clothes. And we’re heading to a twenty-four-seven Ms Danielles; I’ll bet you all my money—’ she fished in her pockets for a moment before pulling out a handful of lint, ‘—Which is apparently zero dollars.... I’ll bet you the sandwich I found in the campus fridge that at least one other person is in their PJs.’

Anna bit her lip and tried not to laugh as her girlfriend waved a half-stale sandwich in Talia’s face.

‘Well, I didn’t want to ruin the surprise,’ Talia gave an exaggerated sigh. ‘But we’re not going to Ms Danielles.’

‘What?’ Trish stared in shock. ‘You said we were going to dinner! We can’t afford anywhere else. Need I remind you of my lint?’

‘Yes we can afford it,’ though she tried not to, Talia couldn’t help but grin as she batted Trish’s handful of lint out of her face. ‘I got a new job!’

‘What!’ Anna let out a squeal that barely sounded human. ‘Oh my GOD Talia! That’s so great! Where?’

‘You are looking at the new secretary for Moore for More Investment’s CEO!’ Talia felt her voice rise, and she had to swallow her excited shout as the girls gasped. ‘I actually got accepted for the job a while ago, and I only officially start full-time next month, but I’ve been doing some casual stuff for them and my first pay-cheque cleared with the bank today! And I just really want to take you both out to dinner. You girls have always been so good to me and I want to do something for you, for once!’

‘Oh my god,’ Anna put her hand over her smile and let out an unbelieving breath. ‘How did you get the job?’

‘I met this guy—’

‘The one who looked after Gavin?’ Trish interrupted. ‘And brought like a billion doughnuts? Which were delicious, by the way.’

‘Yes, but don’t interrupt me,’ Talia laughed, pointing a finger at Trish before turning back to Anna. ‘I met this guy the other month while I was out shopping. We spoke for a bit and I mentioned I wanted a new job, so he introduced me to his boss! We had an interview and he must have really liked me because he asked me to be his personal secretary!’

It was only half the truth, and though Talia hated to lie to her friends, she knew she couldn’t tell them what had actually happened.

Anna clapped her hands together and jumped up and down. ‘Oh my god! Talia, that’s fantastic! I don’t want to pry but —I guess I’m going to— how much do you get paid? It has to be better than Big Double U’s pay, right?’

Talia felt her grin grow wider and she whipped out her phone —the new one she’d gotten for work— and held it up to the girls; showing them her bank balance.

‘Oh.’

‘My.’

‘God.’

The girls stared at Talia’s phone for a long, long while before looking back to Talia, their eyes wide.

‘Monthly,’ Talia’s voice broke with joy.

‘MONTHLY?’ Anna screamed, causing the crowd to turn and stare. ‘OH MY GOD TALIA! TALIA! MONTHLY?’

‘MONTHLY!’ Talia shouted back. ‘YES! And— And I was thinking maybe— After everything you’ve done for me I could pay you back? Food and rent and clothes!’

‘We— Couldn’t—’ Anna choked.

‘Yes you could!’ responded Talia.

Trish straightened up, and pointed a finger at Talia, ‘Listen here, Wilson—’

‘Don’t you Wilson me, Goldberg!’ Talia interrupted. ‘You’re not getting a choice in this! I’m sharing this with you whether you like it or not, so suck it up and tell me something you’ve been wanting to get so I can give it to you!’

Trish and Anna looked at each other for a while before Anna turned back to Talia, sniffing and wiping her eyes.

‘Are you serious?’ she asked.

Talia nodded, ‘Just name it!’

For a second, Anna hesitated. Then she opened her mouth to speak— And was interrupted by Trish.

‘How about we start with your first promise?’ Trish quipped. ‘And you buy us dinner?’

Part 18:

Talia rolled over in bed and groaned. Her stomach felt like it was collapsing in on itself. Ten years of cheap dollar meals and noodles and she’d never once gotten food poisoning; but the first time she’d treated herself to a dinner out she’d spent an entire week in bed, throwing up into an old kitchen pot.

And no. Richard buying her dinner that one time didn’t count. She hadn’t paid for that.

Anna put a hand to Talia’s head and sighed. ‘Sorry, Talia. Should have picked somewhere else for dinner.’

‘Should have listened to Trish,’ chuckled Talia. ‘Eating Ms Danielles again wouldn’t have been so bad.’

‘Maybe not for you, but it’s all we’d eaten for a week!’ said Anna. ‘I was dreading going out again! I couldn’t handle another Beef Buster.’

‘At least you didn’t get the lamb,’ Talia sighed. ‘I can’t even imagine how bad it would have been if all three of us got sick.’

‘It’s good that Dale’s been free,’ Anna said with a grin. ‘It was really nice of him to look after Gavin for you again.’

‘Honestly, I think he’d give me money to let him babysit,’ Talia laughed for a minute— Then felt faint.

‘In here!’ Anna exclaimed, grabbing the kitchen pot and thrusting it under Talia.

For a minute, Talia felt like she was going to be sick. But then the feeling faded and the colour returned to her cheeks.

‘Well, that’s an improvement over yesterday,’ Anna comforted. She squeezed Talia’s shoulder and dropped the pot back on the floor before pushing herself to her feet. ‘I can’t believe I still haven’t managed to meet Dale yet!’

‘I know,’ Talia gave a weak grin. ‘You’re always just missing him! You’d love him.’

‘When he’s not being an absolute prat, you mean?’ Anna winked. ‘You’ve told me enough about him that I know he’ll be as difficult to deal with as Trish is!’

‘Oh my god, he’s infuriating!’ Talia exclaimed. ‘Sometimes I just want to punch him!’

‘I’ve got to go grab some stuff from the shops,’ Anna made her way towards the door. ‘Will you be alright if I leave you here for a bit? I’ll send Trish in.’

‘How’s she doing?’ asked Talia.

‘Almost completely better,’ said Anna. ‘Funny, considering she ate more than you.’

‘She’s used to eating garbage,’ Talia replied. ‘Half the stuff she takes from her campus is out of date. Remember when she came home with that two-year-old chocolate?’

‘Of course I do!’ Anna snorted, making her way to the door. ‘She had diarrhoea for a week!’

‘Are we talking about me?’ Trish’s voice called through the wall. ‘Because I have NO! REGRETS!’

‘You should!’ Anna retorted, now out of Talia’s view. ‘I swear, Trish! If your diet doesn’t kill you, it’s going to kill me!’

Trish let out a laugh before a loud crash sounded through the apartment.

‘I’ve told you not to lean back in your chair!’ Anna let out an exasperated sigh, then dropped her voice so Talia had to strain to hear. ‘Can you keep an eye on Talia while I’m gone? I have to go to the chemist, Gavin’s running out of tablets and I want to make sure he’s got enough for the week. The last thing we want right now is for him to end up sick, too.’

‘Only if you kiss me!’ Trish responded, causing Anna to let out a loud laugh.

Then they went quiet and Talia sighed; she’d been the third wheel to enough of their dates to imagine how longingly they were staring into each other’s eyes.

She didn’t want to eavesdrop anymore, so she rolled out of bed and made her way into the lounge; dragging the old, clunky fan behind her and plugging it into the wall with another sigh. She switched on the TV as the fan began to spin, and flicked through the channels. Or tried to. She accidentally changed the volume at first, and then had to examine the worn remote to try and figure out which controls she needed.

She pulled off her glasses to get a better look, then put them back on. Then took them back off.

‘The plus and minus to the left of the big circle are the volume,’ Trish told her as she shut the apartment door. ‘The arrows on the right are the channels.’

‘Thanks,’ Talia muttered, slipping her glasses back on. ‘Anything you feel like?’

‘Put it on seven, there’s a documentary on this huge online scam that’s been happening,’ Trish suggested. ‘They’re stealing personal information through online surveys. Pretty interesting stuff.’

Talia felt herself pale. And not from her food poisoning.

A documentary on... online surveys stealing personal information?

‘Talia, you alright?’ Trish asked, casually lifting her shirt up at the fan’s breeze and wiping the sweat off her brow. ‘You need me to go get a bucket?’

‘No— No,’ Talia swallowed, and quickly switched the channel over. ‘I’m alright. It’s just the heat. Um... hey, TV with a remote! That’s pretty nifty! I remember when I was a kid my parent’s TV just had these little knobs and, uh....’

‘Technology scaring the old lady?’ joked Trish.

‘Oh, don’t you start! I’m only five years older than you!’ said Talia. ‘Twenty-eight isn’t that old.’

Trish cackled and flopped onto the couch next to Talia. ‘Keep telling yourself that, grandma.’

‘I’m not—’

‘MUM, I’M HOME!’ Gavin’s voice called over the reporter’s droning voice, and he slammed into the door. ‘Open up! Let me in! Let me in!’

‘He lost his key again...’ Talia cast a pleading glance at Trish, who gave a dramatic sigh and pushed herself to her feet.

‘Alright, arthritis, I’ll let your grandson in.’

Gavin almost bowled Trish over as he ran into the house, his friend Jacob trailing behind him. The two boys disappeared into his room within seconds and started talking loudly about sports.

‘Gavin! Keep it down! You don’t want to disturb Mr McLaren again!’ Talia called, thinking of her downstairs neighbour; a grumpy old man with too much free time.

‘Hey, Talia!’ Dale greeted, welcoming himself into the apartment. ‘Hot today, isn’t it? How’s the food poisoning going? Feeling any better or do I get to keep your son for another week?’

‘Oh, no, I’m hiring him out,’ Talia joked. ‘Seven-hundred for a month.’

‘Bargain,’ Dale chuckled. He glanced at the television and nodded. ‘You actually brought that old thing? I told you, you should have gotten one new instead of secondhand! Or if you needed it to be secondhand you could have taken one of mine; I’m replacing them all so I have three wide-screens that I’m trying to ditch.’

‘Jesus Christ, Dale!’ Talia snapped. ‘You don’t need three TVs!’

‘Yes I do!’ he whined. ‘One for the lounge, one for the bedroom, and one for the games room!’

‘That’s how I see it, too!’ Trish agreed, snorting into her hand. ‘If Dale weren’t a man, you know? Can I grab one of those tellies?’

A grin found its way to Dale’s face, ‘See, Trish gets it! I’ll bring it over tomorrow if you like?’

‘Trish isn’t exactly sensible with electronics, either,’ Talia retorted. ‘She’s obsessed with them! You two are honestly so alike, you know!’

‘No we’re not,’ Trish laughed.

‘Oh, go steal some more sandwiches!’ Talia quipped playfully.

Trish coughed loudly, and motioned for Talia to be quiet, but Dale just laughed and punched her in the shoulder.

‘You steal food?’ he chuckled. ‘Don’t look so nervous. I used to do that all the time! Hey! You’re studying IT aren’t you?’

Trish nodded, ‘Yeah?’

‘You’re a cookie grabber.’

For a minute there was silence; then Trish let out a loud, ugly snort and doubled over laughing. She laughed and snorted. Then laughed and snorted again. Then she dropped to her knees and let out a surprisingly long snort and choked.

Talia didn’t get it.

‘What’s a cookie grabber?’ she asked. ‘Is it some sort of... computer term I don’t know about?’

‘It’s an outdated term for someone who steals your browser information,’ Trish explained.

‘Browser?’

‘Like passwords and stuff,’ Dale told her, a cheeky grin on his face.

Like they were doing?

‘Oh, right,’ Talia gave a nod, and tried to convey a knowing look back at him.

‘So, I should head home! I’ve got a date tonight!’ Dale seemed to catch the glance and stood up a little straighter. Then he turned to the television and let out a loud laugh, pointing to the documentary. ‘Oh man, I know that scam!’

That confirmed it for Talia. This documentary was literally about Dale— And, she supposed, also about her now.

She waved politely to Dale as he left, and then turned the TV off. She couldn’t bear to watch it. Not right now, anyway. Trish would just have to deal with it.

Luckily, Trish didn’t seem to remember she’d been interested in the documentary at all. Instead, she headed to the kitchen and came back with a tub of ice-cream and a 2-litre bottle of Coola Cola.

‘Is that a good idea?’ Talia asked. ‘You just recovered from food poisoning. You’re going to make yourself sick again.’

‘Maybe so—’ Trish exclaimed, shovelling the ice-cream into her mouth. ‘—But that just means I get more attention from Anna—’ she undid the bottle’s lid and drank for what felt like a full minute. ‘—So who’s the real winner here!’

‘I doubt it’s you,’ Talia chuckled as foam sprayed out Trish’s nose.

She watched as her friend doubled over onto the floor and coughed up a spray of bubbles. A second passed before she sat back in her chair and continued eating.

‘Really?’ Talia scoffed.

‘What?’ Trish responded.

‘Girls, I’m back!’ Anna exclaimed, pushing open the apartment door. ‘Trish! Put one of those two things back, you get ice-cream or soft drink! Not both!’

‘You missed Dale again!’ Trish responded.

‘Dammit!’ Anna exclaimed. ‘Am I never going to meet this man?!’

‘He literally just left,’ said Talia. ‘You didn’t see him on the stairs?’

‘Nobody,’ Anna shook her head and put Gavin’s medicine on the dining table. ‘He must have used the car park stairwell.’

‘Damn,’ Trish chuckled through a mouthful of ice-cream.

‘MUM!’ Gavin called from his room. ‘MUM, CAN YOU HELP ME?’

‘I’ll help,’ said Anna. She made her way to Gavin’s room, then hurried back in. ‘Apparently not. He needs you specifically, Tally.’

Sighing, Talia pushed herself off the couch and made her way to her son’s bedroom. She found him showing Jacob the new soccer ball he’d gotten on a shopping trip with Dale.

‘Hi, Mum!’ Gavin grinned.

‘Hey honey, what did you need help with?’

‘Nothing,’ responded Gavin, his grin growing wider. ‘I just wanted to see if I could make you come in.’

‘Gavin!’ Talia snapped. She tried to sound angry, but Gavin’s impish expression tickled her and she couldn’t help but smile back. ‘Gavin, I’m sick. I need to rest.’

‘You can rest on my bed!’ Gavin suggested. ‘Then you can spend some time with me? I miss you.’

Talia let out a deep breath and sat next to her son. ‘Fine. But in return you have to promise me you’ll stop being so cheeky.’

Gavin nodded. ‘Do you want a drink? I’ll get you a drink!’

Before Talia could respond, Gavin leapt off the bed and ran out of the room. He started chattering happily to Anna and Trish in the lounge, and Talia felt herself giggle as the TV was turned on again.

‘Hi, Miss Wilson,’ Jacob squeaked from the other side of the bed.

‘Hey, Jacob,’ Talia pulled Jacob into a hug and ruffled his hair. ‘How’s school been?’

‘It’s been okay,’ said Jacob. ‘We have a new librarian. She looks like a cartoon character.’

‘Is that in a good or a bad way?’

‘You know when you get the bad guys in movies that have pointed noses?’ Jacob asked. He didn’t wait for an answer before continuing, ‘She looks like that.’

‘I’m sure she’s not anything like them,’ Talia reassured. ‘Sometimes people just look different. Remember that movies aren’t always right.’

‘I know. I actually think she’s really nice,’ Jacob said. ‘She’s starting a book club and trying to get some comics, and she lets us in during lunch and helps with our homework—’

‘I’m back!’ Gavin exclaimed, rushing into the room with a cup of water. He gave it to his mother and then grabbed the soccer ball and waved it at Jacob.

‘Is that a challenge?’ grinning widely, Jacob jumped off the bed and tried to smack the ball out of his friend’s hands.

They wrestled with the ball for a moment, as Talia watched on with a tired smile and sipped at her water.

Then, she spied an unfamiliar bag by the leg of Gavin’s bed —it was a shopping bag, decorated with a photo of penguins and labelled with the name of the local aquarium— and leant over to poke at it.

‘Where’d this come from?’ she asked.

‘Oh, that?’ Gavin pushed back a lock of his hair, letting Jacob take the ball from his other hand as he did. ‘I told Dale, when he was looking after me, that I hadn’t been to the aquarium before, and he said I should and took me. He let me get some stuff from the gift shop while we were there.’

An awful, heavy feeling fell over Talia as she hesitated; her hand hovering over the bag.

‘The aquarium, huh?’ she asked, trying not to let her son hear the quiver in her voice.

‘Yeah,’ Gavin gave a chuckle. ‘He said I should have been able to go years ago, and that it was a bummer that I hadn’t gone before, but I said—‘

The cup in Talia’s other hand shattered as she gripped it too hard, and she slammed her fist into the frame of Gavin’s bed as she tried to push down the anger she felt at what Dale had said. She hadn’t cut herself, but she half-wished she had as she looked down at the broken plastic chunks that fell to the bare wooden floor.

Gavin swallowed as he watched his mother, and carefully continued; clearly realising she’d become upset. ‘But I said it wasn’t such a big deal. There are lots of things lots of people want to do that they can’t. That’s just life....’

Somehow, Gavin’s response made Talia feel even worse.

That her son had become so accustomed to not doing the things he wanted to do —that she couldn’t provide him with things that every other kid his age seemed to be able to do— made her sick to her stomach.

And on top of the guilt was anger; so hot and furious she could barely contain it. She’d worked so, so hard to provide everything she could for Gavin, and now that she was finally in a position to give him the experiences he deserved— Dale had robbed her of the opportunity to do so!

She couldn’t stand it!

‘Mum?’ Gavin squeaked as his mother rose to her feet.

She didn’t even realise she was halfway to the stairwell until Trish and Anna were shouting after her, asking where she was going.

‘Look after the boys!’ she called over her shoulder. ‘I’m going to belt the living daylights out of a movie-star wannabe!’

Part 19:

It was all Dale could do, not to heave a sigh of boredom as he sat on the couch, his date beside him with her eyes locked on the movie she’d picked out.

It was rare for Dale to feel so bored with a woman at his side— But, somehow, this girl Mia had made the two-hour date feel like seven and a half.

Everything he’d done or suggested had been met with an expression of dislike. From what to have for dinner, to where to go after eating. She’d turned up her nose at his furniture, and even had the audacity to rearrange the cushions on his couch before sitting down.

And worst of all? She hadn’t liked his dogs.

They were absolutely not compatible.

The only issue was that she hadn’t seemed to realise how incompatible they were, and Dale couldn’t bring himself to ask her to leave.

Not forwardly, anyway; he had tried to imply the end of the date after they’d had their dinner, but she’d either not picked up on it or ignored him, and now she was in his house.

The sensation of his brain melting away into a gluggy puddle behind his eyes was like torture, and he wished something interesting would happen. And not the same kind of interesting Mia seemed to be hoping for, as she ran a hand along his leg in a flirtatious way.

He wondered, for a moment, how exactly to remove her hand from his leg without being rude; before he heard a loud banging on his front door and leapt to his feet.

He knew he should have probably been concerned, given how aggressive that knock was— But he was desperate for an excuse to call the night to an end.

Any excuse.

Hell, he’d even take Steven trying to arrest him again, at this point!

So against his better judgement, Dale made his way to his front door and opened it.

‘Talia!’ Dale greeted, cheerfully. ‘Hey! What are you— Whoa!’

He barely dodged the palm she aimed at his cheek, and stumbled backwards through his front hall.

‘How dare you!’ she growled, advancing on him. ‘How dare you!’

‘How dare I what?’ he asked, backing up further as Talia grabbed one of his decorative vases and threw it at him— He caught it, and hurriedly retreated into the lounge as she made to grab another.

‘Mia! Bedroom! Now!’ he exclaimed, grabbing his date’s arm and tugging her out off the couch.

‘DALE!’ Talia shrieked. ‘GET BACK HERE!’

He didn’t turn around, of course, and quickly dragged Mia into his bedroom and slammed the door; he’d just gotten a chair under the handle when it started jiggling and Talia snapped at him angrily again.

‘DALE!’ she hissed. ‘Get out here right now!’

‘Not if you’re going to throw shit at me!’ he replied. ‘Calm down, and then we’ll talk—’

Dale was cut off by Talia loudly slamming into the door and screeching something that he didn’t quite catch.

His dogs started barking, and for a moment he was scared they would try to have a go at Talia and someone would get hurt— But then he remembered he’d put them outside for his date and sighed with relief. He looked out his bedroom window, just to make sure he could see his dogs in the yard, and met eyes with his very concerned-looking neighbour, Penny, who he shrugged and made a confused face at before turning back to Mia.

‘She’s not usually like this,’ he said calmly. ‘She’s been sick and I think it’s gotten into her head a bit. She’s actually really nice.’

‘What— What did you do to her?’ Mia managed, her eyes wide.

‘Nothing!’ Dale responded as the banging on his door continued. ‘I have no idea what she’s upset about! We’ve barely seen each other all week!’

‘COME OUT HERE AND FIGHT ME LIKE A MAN, DALE!’

‘Christ, give me a minute...’ Dale let out a heavy breath and searched his pockets until he found his phone. ‘I’m going to call a friend, he’ll know what to do.’

Mia nodded as Dale flicked through his contacts until he found Richard’s contact. He turned back to Penny as he rung Richard’s home phone; shaking his head as she made a zero-zero-zero motion with her hand and held up her own phone. She got the message he didn’t want the police involved, and put her phone down as Dale motioned to his own.

Richard’s home phone rang out, so Dale tried his mobile.

‘Dale, mate!’ Richard greeted, even more cheery than usual. ‘Hey, what’s going on? I’m glad you called, I’m actually pretty near your house and—’

Talia let out an annoyed shout and something in another room shattered.

‘HEY!’ Dale called through the wall. ‘Stop breaking my stuff!’

‘Is that Talia?’ Richard asked. ‘What did you do to her this time?’

‘Nothing!’ Dale whined. There was a pause where he could hear Richard sighing through the phone, so he pressed: ‘I genuinely don’t know what I did! She’s madder than when I—‘ he hesitated, almost having mentioned robbing her, and quickly glanced to Mia before muttering to his phone, ‘Then when I tackled her.’

‘You tackled her?!’ Mia asked, incredulously.

‘Talia and I have a complicated relationship,’ Dale noted as several more things in the other room were thrown noisily to the floor. ‘I don’t make a habit of tackling women —I love women!— but she’s different.’

Mia just shook her head, looking vexed as she furrowed her brow and opened her mouth without actually speaking.

Richard chuckled into his phone; clearly making no attempt to hide how humorous he’d found Dale’s explanation. ‘Alright, I’m already on my way. Just hang on a few more minutes and I’ll be there.’

Dale didn’t get a chance to respond before Richard hung up; not that he would have known what to say, anyway. He was too distracted by the sounds of Talia rummaging through his guest room.

‘Hey! Get out of there!’ he called out to her. ‘Stop going through my shit!’

‘You go through mine all the time!’ she retorted angrily. ‘If you can go through my stuff I can go through yours!’

‘I didn’t—’

‘Gavin told me you were in my room!’ she interrupted. ‘And I’ve seen you snooping through the cupboards! And need I remind you about the handbag incident?’

‘Oh my god,’ Dale muttered under his breath, then turned to Mia. ‘She’s ridiculous!’

‘You went through her bag?’ Mia asked, grimacing.

‘It’s a long story. And besides, she—‘ Dale slammed a hand on the wall that separated the rooms. ‘You went through my bag, too!’

‘You went through mine first!’ Talia retorted, sounding even more furious as something slammed against the wall. ‘You just love stealing from me, don’t you?! You take any opportunity you can! You just take and take and take, with no regard for what’s actually important!’

‘Wh—‘ Dale knew Talia couldn’t see him, but it didn’t stop him from throwing his hands up in exasperated confusion. ‘I haven’t stolen from you! At least— Not recently! WHAT do you think I took?!’

‘Milestones!’ was the furious answer, as something else hit the wall.

‘What the hell does that mean?!’ Dale shouted back. ‘What do you mean I took milestones from you— Is this about Gavin?! What do you think I did to him?!’

‘YOU TOOK HIM TO THE AQUARIUM!’

‘YOU’RE MAD THAT I TOOK HIM TO THE FUCKING AQUARIUM?!’ Dale didn’t mean to raise his voice, but he couldn’t help it. Talia was so confusing and frustrating, he couldn’t stop himself from matching her volume; and he heard his voice break in a high-pitch squeak as he did. ‘YOU’RE MAD THAT I TOOK HIM TO SEE THE FUCKING FISH?! YOU’RE BREAKING MY SHIT OVER SOME GODDAMN PENGUINS?!’

Something that sounded like a lamp shattered against the wall, and Talia let out a furious, wordless scream.

‘Talia!’ Richard’s voice floated from the front door, and Dale let out a sigh of relief. ‘Stop threatening Dale!’

‘I’m not threatening him!’ Talia called back. ‘I’m warning him: the minute he steps out that door, he’s dead!’

‘That’s a bit much, don’t you think?’ Richard asked, the click of his cane making its way towards Dale’s room.

Talia’s footsteps met Richard’s in front of Dale’s bedroom door, and they muttered a conversation that Dale couldn’t make out.

‘Alright! Fine!’ she exclaimed. ‘FINE!’

A short knock sounded on Dale’s door, and Richard called through it, ‘Alright Dale, you can come out.’

After a moment of hesitation, Dale dared to tug the chair away from the door.

‘Let’s see if we can’t settle this like sensible adults,’ Richard said as Mia hurried past him. ‘Ah, jeez. And she was pretty, too.’

‘Nah, she’s wasn’t my type,’ replied Dale, heaving a long, heavy sigh to try and keep his voice even. ‘No harm done.’

‘Doesn’t like dogs?’ Richard joked, motioning in the direction of the back door, where the dogs yipped excitedly.

‘Among other things,’ Dale muttered. Then his shoulders dropped and he offered his hand to Talia. ‘Look, I’m sorry. I— I don’t get why you’re upset at me, but I swear I didn’t mean to upset you. I was just trying to take Gav out for some fun. I didn’t realise it was such a bit deal.’

For a moment, Talia just glared at him. Then she closed her eyes, looking faint. ‘I think I’m going to be sick....’

‘It’s not that bad,’ Richard slapped her on the back.

‘No, I think she means literally sick!’ Dale exclaimed as Talia paled. He grabbed the vase Talia had thrown earlier and thrust it into her arms just in time to save his floor from the bile that came out of her. ‘You alright? Let it all out.’

She retched again, and he ran a comforting hand over her back as she groaned.

‘Come lie down,’ he said gently, leading her into his room.

Talia didn’t argue with him, which was surprising. Instead, she flopped onto his bed and went silent.

‘Talia?’ Dale muttered, nudging her arm. ‘Christ, she’s gone.’

‘Let her sleep,’ said Richard. ‘She looks like she needs it.... Sucks about your date, though. Looks like you’re going to spend another six months looking for a new girlfriend.’

‘Six mo— I can get a girl in a day!’ Dale defended. ‘I’ve had way more girlfriends than you!’

‘Yeah, no shit,’ laughing, Richard began searching through his backpack. After a moment of rifling, he pulled out a handgun. ‘You left this in the office like an idiot. Honestly, what were you thinking?’

‘Oh, shit!’ Dale quickly grabbed the gun from Richard and stuffed it in his top drawer. ‘I’ve been looking for that all day! Where the hell was it?’

‘The cleaning staff found it in the toilet,’ Richard sighed. ‘I’ve told you before not to bring it to work.’

‘Sorry, I just—’

‘No “sorry”s, Dale,’ Richard interrupted. ‘No guns in the office. Last chance. Bring it again and I’ll take it away.’

‘You can’t just take my stuff!’ Dale whined.

‘Yes, I can,’ Richard retorted. ‘You said it yourself: I’m your father.’

‘Don’t punish me, daddy,’ Dale snickered. He coughed and bit his lip when Richard glared at him. ‘I mean— Sorry. Yes. No guns at the office.’

Part 20:

‘Are you sure you’ll be alright?’ Dale asked, leaning against the wall and groaning. ‘These stairs knocked it out of me, and I’m not the one who’s sick.’

‘I’ll be fine,’ Talia panted. ‘I’m used to it.... I.... I’m sorry, again, Dale. I don’t know what got into me.’

‘Hey, no harm no foul. I was trying to find a way to get her out of my house, anyway,’ Dale replied. He pushed himself up as Talia caught her breath, and continued down the hall with her.

‘So where did Richard head off to?’ Talia asked. ‘He didn’t come over just because of me, did he?’

‘Nah, I left some stuff at the office and he was bringing it to me on the way to meet a friend at some club,’ Dale clicked his fingers and looked to the roof with a frown, trying to think. ‘I remember being surprised I’d never been there before? It was called something like... uh... Red Lounge or something.’

‘Red Ledge?’ Talia corrected, recalling the bright neon lights shaped like a cliff’s ledge. ‘Anna and Trish have taken me a few times. It’s actually a pretty nice place. Not surprised you haven’t been there though. Not your scene.’

‘What makes you think that?’ Dale scoffed, obviously offended. ‘All club scenes are my scene! Why would this one be any different?’

‘It’s a gay bar,’ Talia said flatly.

‘Oh,’ Dale hesitated, then nodded. ‘Yeah, you’re probably right. Not my thing.... What were you three doing there?’

‘What do you think?’ Talia laughed and rolled her eyes. ‘As I said: Anna and Trish took me! Not that I minded. There were some pretty nice girls. Probably would have brought a few home if I didn’t have Gavin to worry about.’

Again, Dale hesitated. ‘You’re into girls?’

‘Yeah,’ Talia shrugged. ‘Though I think I prefer guys.’

‘Oh, bi?’ Dale chuckled. ‘That’s pretty neat. Gives you a lot more options!’

Talia laughed as she came to her apartment’s door. ‘You’d think so, but not really. It’s just too hard when I’ve got Gavin and work to deal with.’

She wasn’t even finished pulling out her key before Gavin yanked open the door and threw his arms around her.

‘I thought you’d died or something!’ he exclaimed. ‘You were gone so long!’

‘I’m not dead,’ said Talia, petting her son on the head and shuffling him back into the apartment. ‘Is Jacob still here?’

‘Yeah, he’s still here,’ Gavin nodded, motioning to the kitchen table, where Trish and Jacob were eating. ‘Can he stay the night? Please? Please please please?’

‘Call his parents,’ Talia told him. ‘If they say it’s alright then I’m not going to argue.’

Jacob practically vaulted off his chair in his hurry to get his phone, and Gavin raced after him. They disappeared into Gavin’s room for about three seconds before running out again, dialling as they leapt onto the couch.

‘I see you’re back,’ Trish mumbled through her leftovers. ‘And you didn’t kill Dale! Aw, that’s nice.’

‘Yeah,’ Talia chuckled. ‘Anna can finally meet him.’

‘She had to go,’ Trish snorted a laugh, accidentally spilling food down her chin. She quickly wiped it off with her sleeve and shrugged. ‘Her dad’s being himself again. You know how he is with refusing to listen to health and safety warnings and setting his garage on fire.’

‘He alright?’ Dale asked.

‘Oh, yeah, fine,’ Trish chuckled. ‘Her mum, on the other hand— She sounded like she was having an aneurysm over it or something. Anna went to go calm her down.’

‘They said it’s fine!’ Gavin exclaimed, making his mother jump as he appeared at her side. ‘On the condition we to all our homework right now, but, uh—‘ he lowered his voice, looking sheepish. ‘It’s from the class we missed.’

‘You mean the one you wagged?’ Trish laughed. ‘I’ll help with it!’

‘No,’ Gavin said firmly. ‘You’re bad at maths! Mum?’

‘Your mother’s a bit too sick,’ Dale answered gently. ‘But I can help. My whole job is math!’

‘Really?’ Jacob squeaked. ‘What do you do?’

‘He works with money!’ Gavin exclaimed, grabbing Dale’s arm and dragging him away. ‘So he’s got to get it right every time or he’ll go to jail! He’s perfect!’

‘Say thank you!’ Talia called after her son as the boys disappeared. She turned to Trish as Gavin’s door slammed shut. ‘He’s either silent or screaming, I swear. It’s like there’s no in between.’

‘He’s been a lot louder since you got your new job,’ Trish pointed out. ‘Definitely cheered up since you got paid.’

‘He’s stopped getting detention, at least,’ Talia sighed and flopped onto a chair. ‘Though, I got a call from Salinas saying he snapped at his English teacher.’

‘Oh, god, what did he say?’

‘She told him not to talk in class,’ Talia couldn’t stop herself from grinning as she recalled the story. ‘And he retorted that he was surprised someone as old as her could still hear him from across the room!’

Trish let out an explosion of a laugh and choked on her food. She took a minute to swallow, pumping a fist to her chest to help it down, before shaking her head and smiling. ‘He gets it from you, you know. You’ve said some pretty nasty stuff before.’

‘I have not!’ Talia retorted.

‘Yeah you have!’ responded Trish. ‘Like, just today you said you were going to, quote, “belt the living daylights out of a movie-star wannabe.” How did that go, by the way?’

‘I broke a plate and scared off his date,’ Talia felt embarrassment creep to her cheeks. ‘It was really.... I was in the wrong. It’s just that since leaving work I’ve been having.... I don’t know, outbursts? I thought I’d be happy leaving Big Double U, but I just.... It’s hard to deal with. I’d worked there almost a third of my life. It’s a big change.’

‘You should see a therapist!’ Trish declared, downing the last of her food. ‘I know a good one; my sister used to have anger issues, too.’

‘I don’t have anger issues!’ Talia snapped, slamming a hand on the table. Then, when all Trish did was pull a knowing face at her, she rolled her eyes and let out a long sigh. ‘Fine. Give me their number.’

Part 21:

The walk to Dale’s house had been exhausting. Talia could barely breathe by the time she got there and had to lean on his fence for a moment. She knew she couldn’t go inside before catching her breath; she’d never hear the end of it from Dale if she did.... His offers to drive her everywhere were nice, but they made her feel.... She couldn’t place the feeling. Small? Pathetic? Useless?

She shook her head. She probably should have called him, considering she’d had to bring Gavin with her.

She glanced to her son, worried that he was as tired as she was, but sighed with relief as he bolted energetically up the path and slammed into Dale’s front door.

‘DALE! LET US IN!’ he shouted over the dogs’ barks. ‘IT’S US!’

Talia groaned, and quickly stepped to her son’s side and stopped him from banging on the door again. ‘Gavin, be polite.’

‘Dale doesn’t mind,’ Gavin replied.

‘But I do,’ she retorted. ‘I don’t want you getting into any bad habits—’

She was cut short as Richard answered the door; Dale’s cat held firmly against his chest. He watched as Gavin bolted inside and then nodded to Talia as she passed.

‘You look nice,’ he commented. ‘You got your hair done? And is that makeup?’

‘Yeah. Thanks,’ Talia blushed and slipped inside. ‘I just wanted to feel pretty for a day, you know?’

‘You’re always pretty though!’ Dale’s voice called from the kitchen, and Talia felt herself blush warmer as he joined them in the lounge. ‘Oh, wow, you look amazing! That dress really suits you!’

‘I know, right!’ Gavin squeaked happily. ‘We went shopping and she got clothes and makeup and flowers and new glasses! And I got shoes and a big box of DVDs!’

‘What DVDs?’ Richard asked.

‘All of the Park Monsters movies!’ excited, Gavin began bouncing on the couch. ‘I’ve already watched the first two! I would have seen more, but Mum didn’t let me stay up any later.’

‘You were up until eleven!’ Talia chuckled. ‘Most kids your age aren’t allowed to be up past eight!’

‘I know,’ Gavin snickered. Then he picked up one of Dale’s dogs and hugged him tightly. ‘Can I use your computer, Dale? It’ll give me something to do while you work, so I won’t be bored and annoying!’

‘Gavin!’ Talia scoffed, trying to hide her laugh. ‘Don’t be rude!’

‘It’s true though,’ Gavin retorted, his cheeky grin widening. ‘If I use Dale’s computer it will keep me occupied, and I won’t be vying for your attention while you’re trying to work!’

‘Aren’t you a little brat,’ Richard chuckled, ruffling Gavin’s hair. ‘What about your three-screen?’

‘I’ve finished all my games,’ Gavin admitted. ‘I’m waiting for a new one to come out!’

‘Alright, that’s fair enough,’ laughed Dale, retrieving his laptop from a nearby shelf. ‘You remember my rules, right? Don’t go in my downloads folder, and don’t touch the web browser.’

Gavin nodded, and settled down in a nearby armchair; both of Dale’s dogs leapt up to join him as he did, and Talia felt her chest flutter as he giggled and pet them.

‘And remember to filter the games to PG when you open Storm!’ Dale chuckled. ‘Or your mother will kill me!’

‘Boy, would I,’ Talia laughed— Then she noticed the biscuits on the coffee table and grabbed the plate. ‘May I?’

‘Go nuts,’ shrugging, Dale gave a half-hearted chuckle. ‘I made them yesterday for a date, but... I ended up cancelling. I haven’t felt much like dating lately.’

‘That sucks,’ Talia muttered, biting into the soft chocolate biscuit. She felt the flavour wash over her and gave a half-moan. ‘These are amazing. You made these?’

‘Yeah, they’re not too hard to cook! I can make them again sometime if you like?’

‘Please,’ Talia mumbled through her mouthful. ‘I could live off these!’

‘I think we should try and focus,’ Richard commented with a chuckle. ‘Talia, you have a lot of paperwork to deal with. And Dale, one of your clients called today; they want their high-priced stock sold and used to buy cheaper stock? I tried to talk to them but they were adamant they wanted you to do the work, so I grabbed their details and told them I’d pass it on to you.’

‘Oh! It’s Mrs Yamada,’ said Dale, picking up the paperwork. ‘She’s a little old and a little... well, old. If that makes sense? I used to work with her husband so she trusts me; she’s convinced the government’s out to get her and has spies in all the major businesses. So, you know. I handle things privately for her.’

‘Oh, her,’ Richard gave a knowing nod. ‘I remember her.’

‘Do you.... Uh, do we, get many clients like this?’ Talia asked, glancing over Dale’s shoulder at Yamada’s paperwork.

‘All the time!’ laughed Dale, quickly moving the documents out of Talia’s view. ‘Mrs Yamada is one of the more extreme, though. Also, you’re not allowed to look at my client files; sorry. Should have mentioned. I know you’re in on a lot of the confidential stuff but.... This is a different kind of confidential.’

‘Oh,’ Talia blushed and quickly bit into another biscuit. She chewed slowly, to try and avoid another embarrassing conversation, but as soon as she swallowed Dale nudged her and grinned widely.

‘So you have a big day tomorrow! First day in the office is the hardest.’

Talia gave a weak smile. ‘Honestly, I’m terrified.’

‘Don’t worry about it,’ said Dale. ‘Mostly you’ll sit around next to our offices, getting us coffee and filing documents. Probably deal with people who demand to speak to the manager, which I’m sure you’re used to by now. If you need help with anything just say.’

Talia nodded, though she hoped she wouldn’t need to ask for help.

‘And we don’t do any of our other work in Moore for More’s offices,’ Richard commented. He leant in close and whispered so quietly Talia almost missed it. ‘If you want to call someone pretending to be a phone company to get their bank details, you do it on your own time, with your own burner.’

‘Right,’ Talia tried not to seem too nervous. ‘Anything else I should know? Uh, any of the workers a little handsy or something?’

‘Well there’s Remmy,’ Dale commented. ‘He’s handsy, but not in the way you think. He has extra fingers. They’re pretty cool. I’ll get him to show you if you like—’

‘No, I’m good,’ interrupted Talia. ‘So nobody I have to worry about?’

‘If there was they’re already fired,’ Richard commented. ‘Moore for More has standards. I expect you to follow them, too.’

‘Right.’

‘So I’ll pick you up at seven?’ Dale’s question took Talia by surprise and she didn’t have time to respond before he continued, ‘Drop Gavin off at school, stop off for breakfast, then to work?’

‘W.... We never discussed you picking me up,’ Talia muttered, the feeling of being small and worthless creeping up on her again. ‘I made plans with Anna to get Gavin to school already, and I was going to take the bus.’

‘Oh, I just assumed because it was on the way that I would swing by. No big deal, right?’

‘Yes, it’s a big deal,’ Talia frowned, heat creeping to her cheeks as she spoke. ‘You can’t just assume I want your help! I can handle myself fine!’

‘I— Uh,’ Dale swallowed what he was saying and grabbed another pile of paperwork. He flicked through it nervously for a few moments before giving a loud cough and hurrying into the kitchen. ‘I’ll make some more biscuits!’

Talia let out a long, hard sigh as Dale avoided apologising to her. But she didn’t say anything. She didn’t want to fight with Dale the day before work. Especially not over him trying to do something nice— Even if he was an idiot. And she didn’t want to cause a scene in front of Gavin. Not when he seemed to look up to Dale so much.... Her heart sunk at the idea of it.

She dared a glance at her son and saw him peeking out from behind the laptop with a worried expression.

‘Mum?’ he asked quietly.

‘It’s fine,’ she told him.

Gavin nodded, though he didn’t look convinced. ‘It’d be nice to get a lift to school.’

Talia opened her mouth to respond, but Richard beat her to it.

‘DALE! I think you owe Talia an apology!’

Dale poked his head out of the kitchen and pouted. ‘For what? Offering to help?’

‘For being rude and not asking people before planning their day for them,’ Richard told him, motioning towards Gavin with a flick of his head. ‘It’s not. A good. Example.’

Talia could barely describe the look that passed over Dale’s face and he glanced from Richard to Gavin and back. It was a mix of guilt, and embarrassment, and realisation— But also almost prideful. Like he knew just how much influence he had on the young boy. And like he took that responsibility seriously.

After a moment he gave a cough and straightened up. ‘Talia, Richard’s right. I’ve been rude and immature, and I’m sorry. I should have talked to you about it before just assuming you’d say yes and making plans. I hope I haven’t made things difficult for you. My offer to drive you and Gavin is still there, but I understand if I’ve offered too late and you’ve already made plans.’

‘I’ll have to talk to Anna about it first,’ Talia told him, pushing away her frustration and trying to take on a similar tone. For Gavin’s sake. ‘I can speak with her and call you tonight?’

‘I’ll make sure to keep my phone on me,’ Dale nodded, his obviously-fake politeness turning into a more genuine chuckle as he continued, ‘Hey, finally out of training! Tonight you’re going to sign your first official document.’

Talia couldn’t help but grin at that. ‘Can’t wait.’

Part 22:

Four hours.

That’s what the clock said.

Dale wasn’t sure how much more reading he could take.

He rubbed his eyes and sighed, wandering back to the lounge and carefully putting a bottle of water by Talia’s work. He couldn’t help admire her when he did; she looked gorgeous. She’d done herself up well.

Talia jumped when she noticed him, but quickly thanked him and took a long drink as he headed to the front door. The heat hit him as he opened it and he shuddered a little, glad that summer would be ending soon.

‘Gav? You thirsty?’ Dale asked, poking his head outside.

‘Yeah!’ Gavin squeaked, abandoning his soccer ball and rushing onto the porch. ‘Can I have juice?’

‘Sure,’ Dale opened the door a crack wider so Gavin could slip in. ‘Hey, thanks for being so patient with us. Not the best way to spend a Sunday. You must be bored out of your mind!’

‘I’m alright,’ practically dancing to the kitchen, Gavin looked up at Dale and grinned. ‘I like your house! You’re got a big yard, with no holes in it! And Spike and Angel are cool! And you let me use your computer! And you have lots of good food and your chairs are really comfy! Honestly? I love it here!’

‘Glad to hear it,’ Dale laughed, grabbing a bottle of juice from the fridge and passing it to the boy. ‘Don’t worry about a cup, it’s almost empty.’

‘Mum would kill you if she knew,’ Gavin gave a cheeky grin and took a sip— Almost choking when Talia’s voice called from the other room.

‘If I knew about what!’

‘Nothing!’ Dale replied. ‘Just not bothering to dirty a cup when there’s only a few mouthfuls of drink left in the bottle!’

For a second Talia was quiet, and Dale held his breath. Then she let out a laugh and both he and Gavin let out sighs of relief.

‘Alright! Just this once, though!’

‘Close call,’ Dale winked as he turned to Gavin. ‘Thought she was going to lose it again.’

‘She’s been working on that really hard,’ Gavin grinned. ‘She’s going to a doctor about it!’

‘A doctor?’ Dale blinked. Talia was going to a doctor because she.... ‘Oh, you mean a therapist?’

Gavin nodded. ‘Trish gave Mum his number after she went to your house to yell at you.’

‘GAVIN!’ Talia’s sigh was so loud both boys flinched. ‘Don’t go telling people about my doctor appointments! That’s private!’

‘It’s just Dale!’ Gavin called back. ‘Dale’s cool!’

Richard’s laugh sounded from somewhere upstairs, short and sharp, and Dale rolled his eyes.

‘I’m cooler than you!’ he shouted. ‘You’re just jealous that I get all the girls!’

Richard laughed again. Even louder this time.

Dale shook his head and let himself laugh, too. He knew Richard was just teasing him, so he wiped his nose on his sleeve and headed back to the lounge. After a long day like this he was glad to be having a laugh. Even if it was at his own expense.

Dale watched as Gavin leapt onto his mother and curled into her side, yawning and scratching what looked like a mosquito bite on his arm.

Talia let out her own yawn and slid the last of her paperwork into its folder. ‘Thank god it’s finally done. There’s nothing else you have hidden from me, is there?’

‘Not here, no,’ Dale replied. ‘There’s another folder or two at the office, though. But that’s for tomorrow.’

Talia nodded. For a minute she looked conflicted, then she yawned again —so sudden she forgot to cover her mouth— and Dale saw tears form in the corners of her eyes as her yawn turned into a squeak.

‘You look exhausted,’ he commented. ‘You can stay the night if you like. I know Richard’s not going home. It’d be like a high-school sleepover. We can braid each other’s hair and have a pillow fight.’

Talia shook her head. ‘I need to get home. The slow cooker’s on and I need to talk to Anna about tomorrow.’

‘What you cooking?’

‘Beef and gravy in one of the pots,’ Talia replied. ‘And a tomato and eggplant mix in the other.’

‘Ooh,’ Dale’s mouth watered at the thought of the tender meat. ‘If I drive you home can I steal a bowl?’

A relieved expression found its way to Talia’s face and Dale wasn’t sure she knew she was making it.... It was sort of cute, though he’d never tell her that.

‘That’d be great,’ she said. ‘I wasn’t looking forward to walking home and, honestly, I was feeling too awkward to ask you for a lift after snapping at you earlier.’

‘Hey, no,’ Dale chuckled and held up his hands in a playful defence. ‘We could be in the middle of the biggest fight in history and I’d still want to make sure you got home safe. Never hesitate to ask me for sh— Tuff. Shtuff.’

The corner of Talia’s mouth twitched as Dale caught himself, and Gavin giggled into his mother’s side.

‘He was going to swear,’ Gavin whispered.

‘He sure was,’ the twitch turned into a tired grin, and she nudged her son. ‘Luckily he didn’t though, because I would have had to tell him off.’

‘So, uh, dinner?’ Dale asked with a laugh.

‘Sure,’ Talia yawned and pushed herself off the couch. She helped Gavin up before rubbing her eyes and stretching. ‘Richard can come, too. And Trish’ll show up as soon as I unlock the door; she’s been texting me about it all day.’

‘And I can finally meet Anna?’ Dale asked, unable to hide the excitement he felt at finally meeting Talia’s other friend.

Talia shook her head. ‘She won’t be back until eleven.’

Disappointment washed over Dale. ‘Aw, seriously?’

‘It’s a shame. But she’s got class,’ Talia shrugged. ‘Are we going to invite Richard?’

‘Yeah, I’ll ask,’ Dale turned in the rough direction of the stairs and took in as large a breath as he could. ‘OI! DICK! WE’RE GOING TO TALIA’S FOR DINNER! GET IN THE CAR!’

He turned back to Talia’s raised brow and exasperated expression.

‘That’s not what I meant by “invite him,” but sure,’ she muttered, her voice cracking. ‘Gavin, Dale’s not a role model. Do we understand that?’

Gavin giggled, and gave a nod which clearly showed he didn’t agree with his mother.

‘She’s right, you know,’ Dale joked. ‘I’m a rude bugger. A perfect example of what not to be!’

‘You’re real nice, though,’ responded Gavin. ‘You’re always trying to help. Even if you’re not smart about it.’

‘He’s not smart about anything!’ Richard’s voice called from the stairs; followed by heavy clunking as he limped his way down to join the others. ‘Trust me, I’ve known him for almost twenty years now. Math’s all he’s good for.’

‘I don’t know about that,’ chuckled Talia. ‘He’s a pretty useful chauffeur.’

‘Hey now, I’m also a good cook,’ Dale grinned proudly as his friends all laughed. Then he posed dramatically and flexed his arms. ‘I mean, just look at these bad boys! Do you know how easy it is to open jars?’

‘Man, I wanna be that strong!’ Gavin exclaimed, poking at Dale’s arm. ‘But in my legs! So I can kick into the net from all the way across the field!’

‘Sounds like a goal,’ Dale winked at Gavin. When nobody laughed at the pun, he sighed and shrugged. ‘Goal? You don’t get it?’

‘Oh, no, we got it,’ Richard scoffed, his hand meeting the back of Dale’s head as he passed.

Dale grunted as Talia did the same, and smoothed his hair back into place. ‘Come on! That was a good one! Gav?’

Gavin shook his head and gave Dale a thumbs down. ‘Bad.’

Part 23:

Talia sniffed, rolling over and pulling her face off the couch cushion as the clinking of cutlery filled her ears and the smell of cooked meat wafted her into the waking world.

‘Why is the pillow sticky?’ she muttered. She shook her head as she realised it was her makeup, not the fabric, and frowned. ‘When did I get home?’

‘About five minutes after you fell asleep,’ Dale’s voice laughed from the dining table.

Talia snapped her head up and looked at the group of people sitting in her apartment. She stared at them for a moment, taking them in. Dale. Gavin. Richard. Trish.

‘Anna’s not back yet?’ Talia yawned.

‘It’s only nine,’ Trish commented, taking a bite out of some very wet-looking, off-coloured bread. ‘Good beef. Try it as a sandwich. Tastes like heaven.’

‘I like it with the potatoes!’ said Gavin.

‘Potatoes?’ Talia asked. ‘I didn’t think I made potatoes?’

‘Dale did,’ Richard commented. ‘We were waiting for you to wake up, so we made some extras to pass the time. Then Patricia came in and started eating, so we figured it wouldn’t be too rude to begin without you.’

‘Of course she did!’ laughed Talia. Then she sat up and stretched. ‘How’d I get upstairs? Oh— No. Dale? You didn’t—’

‘HE DID!’ Gavin yelled. ‘He carried you! All the way up!’

‘It’s three flights!’ Talia exclaimed.

‘You’re not too heavy,’ said Dale, sipping his drink. ‘Though I almost dropped you at one point. I don’t envy the me from the universe where I did.’

‘Yeah, nah. He’s dead and you know it,’ Talia snickered. ‘So, what else did I miss?’

‘Gavin took his meds,’ Dale commented. ‘And a bird flew into the kitchen window while we cooked. Scared me so much I accidentally threw a carton of juice into Richard’s face.’

‘It went everywhere!’ squeaked Gavin.

‘Kind of like your lipstick,’ Trish commented, pointing to her own mouth and wiggling her finger. ‘Might want to go wash your face.’

‘Christ,’ Talia muttered, slipping off the couch and hurrying into the bathroom. She dared a look in the mirror and was met with the ugliest version of herself she’d ever seen. ‘Frick!’

She quickly splashed water onto her face and tried to wash off her makeup. She only smeared it worse, though, and let out a frustrated shout.

She turned at a gentle knock on the open bathroom door and felt embarrassment flow through her entire body as Dale slipped in.

‘Need a hand?’ he chuckled. ‘I’ve helped girls with makeup before. And —not being weird or anything— but I’ve woken up smeared in lipstick more than once. I can get this off in a jiffy.’

‘Thanks,’ Talia sighed. ‘Though I’m not interested in hearing stories about you making out with girls.’

‘Oh, no,’ Dale laughed as he started to inspect Talia’s newly-stocked shelf of moisturisers and makeup. ‘I mean I’ve woken up wearing it. Don’t know how it happened, just that I got drunk with friends and woke up looking like a Picasso hooker.’

Talia felt a little less stupid. ‘Good to know I’m not the only one.’

‘Yeah, this is nothing,’ he said gently. ‘Just a bit of cleanser, a damp cloth, and some patience.’

Talia sighed and held up her head for Dale. ‘Patience. Not sure how much of that I have left these days.’

‘You’ve got loads of it,’ Dale comforted, gently starting to rub cream into her cheeks. ‘Unless it comes to me. You have no patience for my dumb shit.’

Though she laughed, Talia still felt her cheeks burn hot. ‘Sorry. I’m trying to work on that.’

‘Gavin said,’ Dale grinned. ‘So, you have some anger management issues, huh?’

The heat crept from her cheeks all the way down her neck to her shoulders and she could feel her heart pounding. Embarrassed, she pulled away from Dale and looked at the floor. ‘I just... have too much energy now. I’m not used to not doing things. Physical things I mean. It’s hard to deal with. I don’t know what to do about it.’

‘You could always come to the gym with me,’ Dale suggested. ‘I can get you a membership if you like.’

She... wasn’t sure how to respond to that. Did she want to go to the gym with Dale? It seemed... embarrassing. The idea of exercising in front of strangers made her chest tight enough but— In front of Dale seemed so much more.... More....

‘I usually go Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays after work,’ he continued, gently turning Talia’s face back so he could continue with her makeup. ‘So I could drop you off home afterwards and everything. No big deal.’

Talia shrugged. ‘I’m not sure.’

‘Why don’t you come with me tomorrow and check out the place? It’s pretty good; they let people come in a few times before making them buy a membership.’

‘I don’t have gym clothes,’ blushing, Talia fought the urge to pull away again. She could only imagine what she’d look like in one of the stupid, skin-tight outfits she always saw girls wearing in magazines. She couldn’t bear the thought of being seen like that.

‘You don’t need them,’ Dale chuckled. ‘At least not the first few times. Just come and hang out, have something to eat, get to know the people. Basically just get comfortable with the idea of being in a gym; it’s not as bad as you’re thinking.’

‘I’m not—’

‘Yeah you are,’ Dale interrupted. ‘I can tell. I promise it’s not like on TV. Nobody’s going to judge you for never going to a gym before.’

Talia scoffed. ‘You really want me to come, huh?’

‘Yeah!’ Dale’s voice rose a pitch, and he coughed to clear his throat. ‘I mean, yeah. It’ll be fun!’

Talia let herself smile. ‘Alright. If I’m not too tired after work tomorrow I’ll come to the gym with you.’

‘Perfect!’ Dale exclaimed. ‘Both you coming, and the makeup removal I just did. Check yourself out!’

Talia turned to the mirror and let out a relieved breath. She looked like herself again; not as pretty as she had with her makeup, she didn’t think, but better than she had five minutes ago.

She grinned at Dale and followed him as he headed out of the bathroom.

‘Hey! Look! She’s normal again!’ Trish clapped her hands and laughed. ‘Man, I should have gotten a photo for Anna. She would have died to see you like that!’

‘I doubt it will be the last time she embarrasses herself,’ said Richard. ‘She’s a bit like Dale in that regard.’

‘I am nothing like Dale!’ Talia scoffed. Then Dale nudged her and she laughed. ‘Alright. Maybe I’m a bit like Dale.’

‘I think we’ve got a lot in common,’ commented Dale. ‘I can write a list if you like.’

‘I bet you can’t even think of three things!’ Talia mocked.

‘Alright, let’s see,’ Dale tapped his chin. He was obviously trying to make a serious face, but he was failing miserably and Talia couldn’t help grinning at the adorable expression he made as he put a finger to his lips and smirked. ‘Kids, for one. We both love kids. And we both hate police—’

‘Yeah, screw the police!’ Trish exclaimed, throwing pieces of bread in the air like confetti.

‘Thanks, Trish,’ Dale chuckled as crumbs showered into his hair. He brushed them out and then clicked his fingers with excitement, ‘Parents! We both hate our parents! And uh.... We both love Lemonade.... Cheese.... Dogs.... Same primary school. Both impulsive—’

‘WHAT?’ Trish exclaimed. ‘Same WHAT?’

‘Talia didn’t tell you?’ Dale asked. ‘We used to see each other a bunch as kids!’

Trish shook her head and turned to Talia, who felt herself blush. ‘TALLY! How could you not tell me that!’

‘I forgot,’ Talia shrugged. ‘It’s not a big deal, though. We used to beat each other up. That’s all.’

‘I have a scar from this one time she bit me!’ Dale laughed, lifting his leg awkwardly onto the table and pulling up his pants to reveal his ankle. ‘I mean, fair enough, I kicked a soccer ball into her face and then laughed at her. But I didn’t expect her to leap at me like some sort of rabid animal. Her bracers sliced right through and I needed ten stitches!’

Talia shrugged again, and quickly moved the dinner away from his foot. ‘I’d had a bad day.’

‘Wow, sounds like you two haven’t changed a bit!’ Trish snorted, shovelling in another mouthful of food. ‘Honestly, though. I agree with Gavin. You two are perfect for each other!’

‘We— No!’ Talia exclaimed, hot blush shooting back into her cheeks and neck and shoulders. ‘We’re not— I mean— No!’

Dale chuckled and nudged Talia. ‘You don’t sound so sure about that. Am I growing on you?’

‘You’re a growing pain in my you-know-what,’ she tried to frown and make herself serious, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t deny that every time she saw Dale she felt more comfortable around him— She’d go so far to say he made her feel strangely safe.... But she wasn’t in love with him! He was her friend. A really good friend. A friend she didn’t want to admit she liked as much as she did. ‘You’re a good friend. That’s all.’

‘I’ll take it!’ Dale exclaimed, throwing his arm around Talia and giving her a happy squeeze. ‘Friends with another cute girl! I’m just winning every day! Does this mean I get to be a part of your birthday parties now, or am I still excluded?’

‘Aaaaalriiiiight,’ she droned, long and deliberate. ‘I’ll make sure you get an invite to my next birthday.’

‘AND MINE!’ Gavin exclaimed, banging his hands on the table to get everyone’s attention. ‘It’s next month! I’m gonna be eleven!’

‘You’re practically a teenager now!’ Dale chuckled. ‘And me not getting you a single gift! I’ll have to talk with your mother about what I’m allowed to get you!’

‘Anything’s fine as long as it’s age-appropriate,’ Talia shrugged.

‘How about a computer, then?’

‘YES!’ Gavin screeched, not giving Talia the chance to say no. ‘YES YES YES!’

Talia sighed. She wasn’t sure a computer was a good gift for someone Gavin’s age.... But if he’d been using Dale’s she supposed it couldn’t be too terrible? He’d have to watch out with his epilepsy....

‘I’ll get you one that handles games better than my laptop,’ Dale promised. ‘That way you can show off to everyone at your party.’

‘Oh, it’s only going to be Jacob,’ Gavin told him.

‘What?’ Talia blinked. ‘What about the rest of the invitations I gave you?’

‘I put them in the bin!’ Gavin declared. ‘Because I don’t like anyone at school and I don’t want them ruining my birthday.’

Both Dale and Trish let out loud, explosive laughs— And both tried to smother them as soon as they saw Talia’s glare.

‘I think that’s fair,’ Richard chuckled. ‘Better to have one good friend than a hundred bad ones.’

Gavin gave a proud nod and turned to his mother. ‘If it’s only me and Jacob and you and Dale, can we go to Ms Danielles for the party? Please?’

‘I...’ Talia opened her mouth to argue, but couldn’t find the energy. She gave up. ‘Alright.’

Part 24:

Talia hadn’t expected to have so much free time. She’d gotten herself so prepared for another day of hard work, like last night, that she’d been almost disappointed when she’d finished the last of her paperwork. It had taken, what? Ten minutes?

She sighed and let her head drop onto her desk. The phone hadn’t rung since that one call in the morning. And Richard had spent most of his time making outgoing calls. And Dale—

Fucking Dale!

Talia lifted her head just so she could drop it onto the table again.

He had been the sweetest, most considerate coworker she’d ever had. Introducing her to everyone. Showing her around. Getting her drinks and snacks and— And—

And she hated it. Because it was all she had been able to think of all day!

That, and Trish’s comment about how perfect they were for each other.

Talia closed her eyes tightly, and let out a long sigh. She wasn’t in love with Dale.

She wasn’t.

It was just Trish’s dumb jokes getting to her, and her over-thinking it.

‘Alright, Ash, I’ll see you then! Have a good one!’

Speak of the devil....

Talia pushed herself into a proper sitting position as Dale stepped out of the elevator and stuffed his phone in his pocket.

‘Hey, Talia!’ Dale beamed. ‘How’s the day been treating you?’

Talia shrugged. ‘I walked into the men’s bathroom by mistake. Some guy named Spencer was crying in one of the stalls. That cleaner guy— Aiden, I think his name was? He was trying to comfort him.’

‘Oh, yeah, Spencer,’ Dale nodded. ‘Emotional guy. Dealing with a lot. Just met him downstairs and told him to take the week off.... Manage to find the girl’s room?’

‘Didn’t bother looking,’ Talia replied. ‘Figured the men’s room was just as good. Closer, at least. Expect me in there often.’

Dale snorted in amusement. ‘I was going to have my lunch break now. Want to join me?’

‘Anything’s better than sitting on my butt until closing,’ said Talia. ‘Just let me tell Richard we’re going.’

Dale nodded as Talia quickly gathered some documents and made her way to Richard’s office.

She opened the door without knocking and walked straight in, dumping the papers on his desk and blurting, ‘I’ll be back in an hour.’

Richard stared at her, and slowly pulled the pen out of his mouth.

She nearly kicked herself when she realised what she’d done. ‘Uh, I mean— I’m having my lunch break. I’ll be back in an hour.’

Richard let out a loud laugh and nodded. ‘Grab a book or something for yourself while you’re out. I don’t think today’s going to get any more interesting.’

Talia nodded, and quickly rejoined Dale outside the office.

‘So, where are we going?’ she asked. ‘Can we avoid fast food? I’m still sick of burgers.’

Dale agreed with her as he slid into the elevator. ‘There’s this really nice Japanese place I go; you’d probably like their beef noodles.’

‘Sounds fun,’ said Talia. ‘How far?’

‘Five-minute drive,’ Dale replied. ‘Remind me to get food for Dick when we leave. He loves the place. He’d kill me if he knew I went and didn’t grab him some takoyaki or something.’

‘I’ll try,’ Talia promised.

Part 25:

It had been a good day. Dale couldn’t believe how easy it had been to get Talia to join him for lunch. He’d expected her to decline at least twice before having Richard stick his head out the office door to tell her to eat.

But he was happy she’d gone with him; they’d gotten there before the worst of the lunchtime rush, and gotten a good table by the air conditioning.

Talia had devoured her food and Dale could see where Gavin got his appetite. He was glad he’d ordered extra to share, because Talia was obviously too embarrassed to order more on her own—

Hello!

As they entered the gym, Dale let his eyes wander down the curves of an exiting trainer. He didn’t recognise her; she must be new. A welcome addition.

‘Hey,’ Talia punched him in the shoulder. ‘None of that.’

‘None of what?’ Dale asked, his voice high in a laugh. ‘I was just looking!’

‘Yeah, at her handbag!’ Talia joked, her mouth turning in a cheeky smirk.

Dale gasped, feigning offence. ‘Oh, how could you! I would never steal her bag! She’s not pretty enough.’

‘Ahah!’ Talia mocked. ‘Your true motives come to light! I knew it!’

‘Yeah, it was all a detailed conspiracy,’ said Dale. ‘I saw you and was like, “what’s the worst possible pickup line?” and, well, you know the rest.’

Dale watched as a blush crept up Talia’s cheeks and she dismissed him with a giggle and a wave of her hand. He grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her away from the front desk and towards the gym.

‘Hey, Mark!’ Dale waved to the clerk as he dragged Talia past. ‘She’s with me!’

Mark sighed. ‘So you mean she’s not signing in like she’s supposed to?’

‘Oh please, I’m not a Neanderthal!’ Talia scoffed, elbowing Dale in the ribs and heading back to Mark’s desk.

‘Ah, nice to see a friend of Dale who’s not as big a cock as he is,’ grinned Mark. ‘Thought it was just me and Richard with common sense. I’m Mark.’

‘Come on, Mark, give her a laugh!’ Dale snorted. ‘Tell her your full name!’

‘She doesn’t need to know my—’

‘It’s Spunt,’ Dale interrupted, grinning widely when Talia covered her laugh. ‘Mark Joe Spunt.’

‘Yes, yes, my name’s hilarious, I know,’ Mark made a show of rolling his eyes at Dale before turning back to Talia. ‘And you?’

‘Talia,’ she replied. ‘Wilson.’

‘Oh, you’re Gavin’s mum!’ Mark exclaimed. ‘Hah! Dale’s brought him in a few times!’

‘How’d that go?’

‘Everyone here loves him,’ Mark said. ‘Very active. Don’t know how you handle him! You must have the patience of a saint.’

‘Unless it comes to me,’ Dale chimed in. ‘Or, as I discovered today, vending machines.’

‘It stole my change!’ Talia defended, her blush reappearing as her cheeks turned an endearing pink. ‘What are you grinning at?’

‘You’re cute when you’re flustered,’ feeling himself smirk, Dale leant in close and bumped his nose against Talia’s. ‘Boop! Should lock you up in my room. I’ve got the handcuffs for it.’

‘Oh-hoo I’m sure you do!’ Talia scoffed. She tried to play it off, but Dale saw her blush more as her breathing deepened.

‘Like the idea of that, do we?’ he joked.

Talia rolled her eyes and turned away from Dale, obviously trying to ignore him. She grabbed the pen from the front desk and took the clipboard from Mark a little too quick to be polite; though he seemed to understand.

‘You get five free sessions to try the gym out,’ Mark explained. ‘Non-consecutive, so you can come today, tomorrow, in a month’s time, or even next year. Just whenever you get the time. Then, once you’ve used your five times you’ll have to buy a membership to keep using the facilities.’

‘Sounds interesting,’ said Talia, barely looking up as she filled in the document. Her cheeks were a darkening crimson now, and she cleared her throat before handing the clipboard back. ‘I might have to come in on days Dale’s not here.’

‘Hey!’ Dale mocked offence.

‘Good luck with him,’ snickered Mark. ‘He’s something special.’

‘Oh, you don’t have to tell me that,’ Talia smirked back.

‘Alright, enough teasing, Spunt,’ Dale said, blowing a raspberry and hooking his arm around Talia. ‘Me and Tal are going to go get fit!’

Dale guided Talia away from the desk and through the main entrance into the gym. He saw her mouth drop as they came through the door, and he gave her a second to take in the room.

‘You were right,’ she managed. ‘This is nothing like what I was expecting.... Where do we start?’

‘Whatever you want to do,’ Dale replied. ‘If you don’t feel like working out you can just hang out with me and watch.’

‘Okay—’

‘Dale! Hey!’

A huge smile spread across Dale’s face as he saw Laura sitting by the bikes.

‘Hey Laura!’ he exclaimed, giving a wave and hurrying over. ‘Still on for the weekend?’

‘Duh!’ she replied, then nodded to Talia. ‘Who’s your friend?’

‘Nice!’ Dale pumped his fist. ‘Talia this is Laura, we went on a date once. Laura, this is Talia; Gavin’s mum.’

‘Gavin!’ Laura laughed. ‘That boy. How do you manage him? No offence. He’s lovely. Just... active.’

For a minute Talia was stunned, then she gave a warm smile and shrugged. ‘You just do.’

‘Hah! Ah. Yeah.... Sooo Dale,’ Laura turned back to Dale and gave him a wink. ‘Got a girlfriend yet?’

‘Nah, I’m actually thinking of taking a break from dating for a while,’ Dale replied. He felt himself blush a little and tried not to side-eye Talia as he spoke. ‘I’ve got a bit of a crush, actually. But I don’t think she likes me back. Just letting myself get over her before I start searching again. You know; to be fair on the other girls.’

‘Such a gentleman,’ Laura joked. ‘It’s not me, is it? Because I’m still down for something more casual.’

‘No, no, it’s fine,’ said Dale. ‘I want something serious. But I’m not sure I’ll get that with this girl, either, so I’m hesitant to say anything.’

‘It’s made him flirty as hell,’ Talia scoffed. ‘Dale, seriously. You need to get it out of your system. Just ask her out before you kill me.’

Laura let out a laugh as Dale coughed. He wasn’t sure if Talia was playing around or not. Had he really been flirty? Was he making her uncomfortable?

‘Or actually, maybe don’t,’ Talia shrugged. ‘If being horny makes you offer to drive me places I’m not going to complain.’

‘I’m not— I’m not horny!’ exclaimed Dale. ‘You’re horny!’

‘Mature,’ Laura gave a giggle and quickly grabbed her bag. ‘Anyway, I have to go. Get the bus before peak hour starts? You know how it is at this time.’

‘Yeah, sucks that buses get caught in traffic like that,’ said Dale. ‘HEY! You know what would be cool and useful? Sky buses.’

‘You mean... planes?’ Talia asked.

‘No, I mean like— Like buses! But in the sky.’

‘Planes,’ Talia repeated flatly.

‘No— Like— Never mind,’ sighing, Dale turned back to Laura. ‘I’ll see you Saturday?’

‘If you don’t get hit by a sky bus,’ she ruffled his hair as she passed and gave him a wink. ‘But yeah, Saturday! We can watch that Microscopic Equines movie or whatever it is.’

‘Sounds like a date!’ Dale exclaimed. ‘I mean, not a date date—’

‘If you didn’t point it out I wouldn’t have thought of it that way!’ Laura interrupted. ‘Just pick me up anytime past five.’

‘Cool cool,’ said Dale. He waved to Laura as she left, then turned to Talia. ‘So... I’ve been flirty? Really? It hasn’t been making you uncomfortable has it?’

‘A little,’ Talia blushed. ‘But it’s not a big deal.’

‘Sorry. I’ll try and reel it in.’

Talia shrugged and wiped her red-hot cheeks before turning back to her friend. ‘So what do we do now? At the gym I mean. Is there anywhere I have to sit or....’

‘Nah, just hang out wherever,’ Dale motioned to the weights on the other side of the room. ‘You’re welcome to watch me workout if you like. But you could also just head to the cafeteria and relax. Or there’s a steam room. But I wouldn’t sit in there too long. Dehydration and all that.’

‘Dehydration? It’s steam?’ Talia questioned. ‘I thought steam was water?’

‘So’s sweat,’ replied Dale. ‘And steam makes you sweat a ridiculous amount, so, yeah.’

Dale watched as Talia made a face. She obviously didn’t understand, but she shrugged it off instead of arguing and headed over to the weights and sat on one of the stools.

‘How much do you lift?’ she asked.

‘Just fifty-odd. Sometimes I go closer to sixty.’

Talia’s eyes widened. ‘Kilos, you mean?’

‘Yeah?’

‘That’s as much as I weigh,’ she gave a sigh and shook her head. ‘Jesus Christ.’

‘Huh, no wonder you were so easy to get up the stairs!’ Dale laughed as he checked over the weights. ‘Tell you what; I’ll lie down and you can jump into my arms and I’ll bench-press you instead of the weights. That way you won’t feel embarrassed sitting there doing nothing.’

‘Because being hefted into the air like a duffle bag isn’t embarrassing?’ Talia raised her brow. ‘I’ll pass.’

‘Fair. You can spot me then,’ Dale grinned. ‘Let’s go get changed.’

‘How do I do that?’

‘Get changed? It’s easy enough,’ joked Dale. ‘You slip an arm out of your jacket sleeve—’

‘You know exactly what I meant you bastard,’ Talia interrupted with a huff. ‘Spotting. What is it?’

‘You help me lift—’

‘Forget it,’ Talia scoffed and crossed her ankles. ‘You go get changed. I’ll sit here and let you do all the work.’

The laugh that came out of Dale was too much of a giggle for his liking, so he quickly nodded and hurried to the change rooms. He hoped Talia hadn’t heard it. Or that she at least didn’t think it was unmanly.

He couldn’t help coughing a few times as he changed. Deep coughs to try and drop his voice.

‘Dude, relax. Are you trying to impress a girl or something?’ asked a humoured voice from the other side of the lockers.

‘Yeah actually, you caught me,’ Dale replied, slipping on his shirt and carefully placing his suit in his locker. ‘That’s exactly what I’m about to try and do.’

‘Well then,’ the voice chuckled. ‘Good luck with that.’

‘Thanks,’ Dale couldn’t help grinning as he headed back out of the changing room. ‘Have a good one!’

He hurried back to Talia, who hadn’t moved from her seat but had pulled out her phone and was casually playing a game he didn’t recognise.

‘What’s that one?’ he asked. ‘Looks fun.’

‘Twelve Quests,’ Talia responded, quickly slipping her phone back into her pocket. ‘I’m up to quest twenty.’

‘Math doesn’t quite add up there!’ Dale replied.

He waited for Talia’s response but she just stared at him. It took him a minute to read her expression but when he did he gave her a nudge.

‘Yep! This is what’s under the suit! Wild, I know.’

‘You should wear normal shirts more often,’ Talia breathed. Then she coughed and looked away.

‘Wish you’d taken me up on the offer to bench-press you?’ Dale asked.

Talia snickered and shook her head. She still didn’t meet Dale’s eye as he settled himself onto the bench.

‘Just forty kilos today,’ he mentioned. ‘I can’t see too many of the regulars around and I don’t think you could lift fifty off me if I dropped it!’

‘Good luck, because there’s no way I’ll be able to lift forty, either,’ Talia rolled her eyes.

‘Yeah, but Anthony can.’

‘Anthony?’

‘He’s by the treadmills,’ Dale pointed him out, waving when Anthony saw him. ‘We spot each other sometimes. He’s a good guy. If I drop the weight on myself just give a shout and he’ll come over.’

‘Alright, if you’re sure,’ Talia said slowly. ‘And that’s it? That’s all I do?’

‘Yep,’ Dale almost knocked the wind out of himself as he flopped back down harder than he meant to. He adjusted himself properly before heaving the weight off the bar and beginning his set. ‘So how’s planning for Gavin’s birthday going?’

‘It’s alright,’ Talia half-laughed. ‘He still wants to go to Ms Danielles. I tried talking him out of it but he won’t budge on that.... And I don’t know what to get him. Ten years I’ve spent looking into shop windows and wishing I had enough to spoil him. Now finally I have the money, but he seems to have everything he wants already, and there’s not a single thing I can think to buy him.’

‘What about a desk setup?’ Dale suggested. ‘I’m getting him a computer. He’s going to need somewhere to put it.’

‘How the hell can you talk and lift at the same time?’ Talia muttered. Then she sighed and shook her head. ‘It doesn’t seem like enough. You’re getting him something great; I don’t want my gift to just be something for that thing to sit on.’

‘Sorry,’ Dale felt himself blush, and was glad he could pretend it was from lifting. ‘I didn’t mean to upstage you with that.’

‘It’s fine,’ Talia gave a tired smile. ‘You were thinking of him. It’s actually really sweet.’

‘I know I am,’ Dale grinned at Talia, and felt his cheeks grow hotter as she returned it. ‘You sure you don’t want to give the weights a go? Look at how easy they are!’

‘No, I’m good,’ she laughed. ‘Tell you what though, I’m craving chips.’

‘What sort of chips?’ Dale asked, putting the weights back onto the bar and pushing himself up.

‘Potato.’

‘All chips are potato,’ he responded.

‘Oh my god,’ Talia put her face in her hands. ‘Bagged. Chicken. Crinkle cut.’

‘We can head to the cafeteria if you want,’ said Dale.

For a moment Talia hesitated. Then she blushed and looked away. ‘You’ve barely had a chance to workout though.’

‘Today’s all about taking it easy and getting comfortable,’ Dale pushed himself up and offered his hand to Talia. ‘So if you want to go get chips, we’ll go get chips. Then we can chat in the food court for half an hour before I drive you home.’

‘I suppose,’ Talia replied. She let Dale help her up before rubbing her arm nervously. ‘If you’re sure.’

‘It’ll be fun! I can introduce you to Zoey. She works at the cafeteria most days. I dated her once.’

‘Do you have any female friends you didn’t use to date?’ Talia’s question was broken by her giggling and she put a hand over her mouth to stop herself laughing louder. ‘How often do you get dumped?’

‘Well there’s you. And Trish,’ Dale responded, ignoring her last comment. ‘And hopefully —one day soon— I’ll be able to add Anna to that list!’

‘Oh my god, Anna!’ exclaimed Talia. ‘How have you not met her yet!’

‘I don’t know! It’s ridiculous! Is she hiding from me or something? I want to meet her so badly!’

‘She’ll be at Gavin’s birthday,’ Talia told him. ‘Hopefully. Unless something comes up.’

‘She better be,’ Dale responded. ‘Otherwise I’ll have to camp out in her lounge for a week.’

‘What about work?’

‘Work can suck it!’ Dale laughed. ‘I have new friends now! Who needs Dick when you have girls like you and Anna?’

‘Wow, you sound just like Trish,’ Talia snickered. ‘Can’t count how many times I’ve heard her say that.’

‘Doesn’t she like Richard?’ Dale asked. ‘I thought she did?’

‘N-No she does,’ Talia bit her lip. ‘She’s.... I was just cracking wise. Don’t worry about it.’

Dale shrugged. ‘Alright? But if she’s got a problem with Dick you can tell me.’

He wasn’t sure why Talia laughed, but she shook her head and waved a hand to dismiss him as he led her to the cafeteria, so he didn’t ask about it. Though maybe he—

‘Zoey!’ he called, immediately distracted by the girl serving at the counter. ‘Hey! How’ve you been?’

‘Great!’ Zoey responded, pulling off her gloves and wiping her brow. ‘Who’s this?’

‘Gavin’s mum, Talia,’ answered Dale.

‘Oh, should I cook twelve hamburgers for her then?’ snickering, Zoey lent over the counter and gave Talia a wink. ‘You do know Dale’s been feeding him way too much, right?’

‘I’m aware,’ Talia replied. Her grin grew wider as she lent on the counter herself, so close to Zoey their noses almost touched. Zoey looked unsure as Talia’s eyes glinted with an energy that Dale could only describe as wicked. ‘I’ve seen you in photos before. You know Trish?’

‘Goldberg?’ Zoey let out a laugh, and any anxiety she’d had before vanished completely. ‘Oh my god, you’re that Talia?’

‘Whoa, you know Trish too?’ Dale felt himself grinning as widely as the two girls as he tapped a hand on the counter. ‘How?’

‘We went to uni together!’ Zoey responded. ‘I mean— Different classes, but we used to sit together during breaks sometimes. Now it’s mostly online chatting. We were planning on meeting up next week, actually. She’s introducing me to a girl over lunch.’

‘A girl?’ Dale asked.

‘Oh, right, I’m pan now,’ Zoey shrugged. ‘Did a whole lotta soul searching. Figured out I’m not entirely straight.’

‘Pan?’

‘Similar to bi,’ Talia responded, not looking back at Dale as she continued talking with Zoey. ‘Speaking of introducing you to girls! She tried to set us up on a date once, did you know?’

Zoey gasped, deep and loud. ‘No!’

‘Yes!’ Talia laughed.

‘Oh that cheeky little—’

Part 26:

Going to the gym had been the worst thing Talia had ever done— Because Dale had been right. And she’d had to admit he was right. Right to his face.

She didn’t care how much fun she’d had. She’d accidentally flirted with Dale.

Which meant Trish was right as well.

Fuck Trish and her stupid being-right-all-the-time, Talia thought to herself with a sigh. And fuck Dale and his stupid, revealing singlet.

The tap turned off in the kitchen and Talia rolled her eyes and tapped her painted nail on Dale’s laptop.

She was frustrated.

And she was going to slut-shame Dale for deciding to drive home shirtless.

‘Find something you like yet?’ Dale called over the heavy clank of spoon against mug.

‘If you break my cups I’ll kill you!’ Talia hissed back. Then she grunted and turned back to the too-white screen. ‘This is stupid. I don’t need a computer.’

‘Yes you do,’ Dale replied nonchalantly. ‘You don’t have to use it for personal stuff if you don’t want to, but you need to be able to update the digital calendar for Dick.’

‘Can’t I do that on my phone?’ Talia groaned.

‘You can, but you’ll be throwing your phone out the office window after a week of it,’ Dale replied. ‘The app’s editing function is awful. Viewing? Fine. But making new appointments? Makes you want to flip tables.’

‘I already want to flip tables.’

Dale’s giggle was a little too high-pitched for Talia’s liking as he came back into the lounge and put a pair of coffees down between them. ‘And vending machines.’

‘It took my change!’ Talia defended.

‘And you did over four thousand dollars worth of damage,’ Dale gave a nod that would have been severe had he not been grinning. ‘Dick said nobody’s going to be able to go into the cafeteria for at least two days until the glass is all cleaned up.’

‘Well, he should have invested in a better machine, shouldn’t he?’ Talia snorted.

Dale giggled again. ‘Guess he’s not very good at his job, huh?’

‘What?’

‘Investing.’

‘Oh, shut up,’ Talia felt the corners of her lips turn up, and even though she tried desperately to hold back her smile, she felt her voice rise as high as her brow. ‘Okay, though. I’ve narrowed it down to five computers. But I don’t know which one to get. This one has eight RAM, this one has sixteen— Which is better?’

‘Depends on what you want to do,’ Dale chuckled, sliding his laptop around and flicking through the open tabs. ‘Oh, same operating system as our primary school computers? You really do hate change.’

‘Look— Shut up and tell me which one I want.’

‘Well, uh, this system is good for typing and stuff but you can’t play many games on it or anything. You okay with no games?’ Dale shrugged when Talia nodded. ‘Alright. I’d say if you’re not getting games.... This one here. It’ll run everything it needs to smoothly, but it’s not as big as the more powerful models and it’ll be easier to carry around.’

‘Okay then,’ Talia sighed. Happy that was finally over with.

‘And it’s ordered!’ Dale announced, slamming a finger down on his ENTER key a little too hard.

‘That fast?’

‘Yeah, I use this site a lot and have my ordering details saved.’

‘How many... computers do you buy?’ Talia frowned.

‘Oh, no, it’s not just computers. I get most of my electronics from here,’ Dale laughed, closing his laptop lid and holding it out to Talia. ‘Can you put this in my bag for me? With minimal huffing?’

‘I don’t huff,’ Talia huffed, snatching Dale’s laptop and marching over to his bag as he laughed. She almost swore when she realised what she’d done. She tried to play it off as she unzipped Dale’s bag and took a deep breath.

Slow breaths, she reminded herself of her therapist’s instructions. In. Out. In. Ou—

‘Really, Dale?’ all of Talia’s anger was replaced with surprise as she yanked a pair of pink, feathery handcuffs out of the bottom of Dale’s bag. ‘All those jokes you made! I didn’t realise you actually owned a pair!’

About five different expressions passed over Dale’s face —which Talia could almost swear matched perfectly with the five stages of grief— until he settled on acceptance.

‘I forgot those were in there.’

‘But why?’ Talia laughed. ‘Why would you need these in your work bag?’

‘It’s.... I.... An indescribably weird no-questions-asked favour for Richard?’ Dale gave a cough and took the handcuffs from Talia. He played with the safety latch for a minute before clicking them open and holding them out. ‘Do you... want to try them on?’

For a minute Talia stared at him. Then she sighed and figured... why not?

She held out her wrists and let Dale clip the handcuff around one of them. ‘Oh, please officer. I have a son! I have a son!’

‘Well, that’s too bad!’ Dale responded. ‘My name is Sergeant Awesome, and I’m arresting you for being too pretty.’

‘Please! No! I won’t do it again!’ Talia mock-cried as Dale tugged her towards the couch.

He sat her down and clipped the other side of the handcuffs to the coffee table’s leg, then snatched the remote off the floor. ‘We both know that’s a lie! Repeat offence means you’re sentenced to watching TV with a friend! Sorry, I don’t make the rules.’

‘Oh, no! Not TV! Anything but TV!’

‘Resisting arrest?’ Dale scoffed. ‘Well, we’ll see how much you resist arrest after this!’

Talia almost squealed as Dale grabbed her by an ankle and flipped her over on the couch. She felt herself blush as he settled down beside her, and was too embarrassed by her moan-like sigh to protest as he began massaging her feet. She hoped Dale hadn’t heard it. He didn’t comment.... But his face was visibly pinker than it had been before as he used one hand to rub her foot and the other to switch on the television.

‘Rediscovery Channel?’ he asked. ‘Or Chef’s Network?’

‘What about some murder mysteries?’ Talia suggested.

With a nod, Dale flicked through the channels until he found what he was looking for. ‘Ah— Nice! How do you fancy some good old Homestead Homicides?’

‘God, that show is the worst!’ Talia laughed. ‘Oh! A sex scene already? No, don’t cut— Classic Homestead Homicides. Gets you excited and then cuts outside the door right at the best bit! Cowards!’

‘But you still get to hear it!’ retorted Dale. ‘I’ve seen this episode before, by the way. That’s his sister. They killed their mother because she walked in on them doing the nasty.’

‘No!’ Talia exclaimed, feigning shock. ‘What? Incest in Homestead Homicide being the reason for the murder? That’s just unheard of!’

‘Come on, Cindy!’ Dale cheered, abandoning Talia’s leg so he could clap his hands. ‘Bang that brother of yours—’

‘Do I want to know what I’ve just walked into?’

Dale and Talia both jumped as Trish snorted a laugh and kicked the apartment door shut.

Talia felt the tug of the forgotten handcuff pull her back down and nearly ended up on the floor. ‘Trish— Oh my god— I swear there is an explanation for this!’

‘Uh, yeah, and I’m desperate for it!’ Trish replied. ‘Handcuffs? Really? I knew you had some weird fantasies, Tally, but I’d never have guessed you’d be a sub!’

‘I’m not— I mean— I—’ Talia could barely find the words she needed to defend herself against Trish’s impish tongue-flick. ‘We were just messing around!’

‘What do you mean by weird fantasies?’ Dale snickered into his hand.

‘Well, she—’

‘You tell him, you die!’ Talia exclaimed, trying to move but only managing to tug the coffee table toward herself. She quickly undid the cuff’s latch and sat up. She knew her face was bright red as she tried to meet her friend’s eye. ‘I will kill you!’

Trish snorted another laugh and joined the pair on the couch. She playfully punched Dale in the shoulder and put her feet up on the table. ‘Is this the episode with the horse?’

‘The one that eats half the body?’

Trish nodded as Dale put an arm around her— And laughed as he threw the other around Talia.

Talia almost protested as Dale pulled her against his chest and ruffled her hair. But then she heard his heart beating even and strong and didn’t want to pull away, as much as she hated admitting it to herself... and would never admit to anyone else. She forced herself to sit up when Dale let her go, though, and quickly fixed her hair.

‘So, about what we talked about last night?’ Trish gave Talia wink and her usual shit-eating grin. ‘Was I right?’

Talia let out a heavy sigh and rolled her eyes. She could feel her cheeks burning as she lied, ‘No.’

Part 27:

It was unbelievable how much flour Gavin had managed to get everywhere. Dale had left the room for, what? Two minutes to put the bins out? And come back to what looked like a gruesome bakery murder scene. He’d had to send the kid to shower after putting the cake in the oven. His clothes wouldn’t be clean and dry until tomorrow— Which was fine, because he was staying the night and had his pyjamas. Talia didn’t have to know he’d almost ruined his new shirt.

‘Spike! Angel! Come on boys! Come here!’ Dale began to bang the empty dog food can with the spoon and stuck his head out the back door. ‘Dinner time!’

‘Don’t your neighbours ever get sick of you?’ Richard asked with a chuckle.

‘Well, Penny’s been asking a few questions lately,’ Dale snorted his own laugh and closed the door behind his dogs. ‘Like, “Whose kid is that?” and, “Why were you arrested?” and, “Who’s that woman who screamed at you?”’

‘Talia?’ Richard guessed as he let Sahara escape his hold.

‘Yeah,’ replied Dale. ‘By the way, I like your badge. It looks familiar? Is it from a TV show or something? I can’t place it.’

‘It’s the gay flag,’ Richard snorted. ‘Christ, Dale. Are you that dense?’

‘Wh— No! I knew it was something, didn’t I?’ Dale lifted his hands in a submissive gesture and shrugged. ‘I forgot that event was on in the city. I would have gone with you if I’d remembered!’

‘You should have come,’ Richard’s eye roll turned into a grin as he tapped his cane on the floor. ‘You would have met Anna. Her and Trish were there.’

‘Aw, man! Anna was there?’ Dale gave a disappointed groan. He should have figured Anna and Trish would have gone, with Talia being bi. They were the sort of supportive friends to do that type of thing!

‘Yeah, and Aiden.’

‘Who?’

‘You know Aiden,’ Richard scoffed.

‘No? Genuinely. No.’

‘Jesus Christ, Dale!’ slamming his cane into the floor, Richard pointed an accusing finger and scowled as the dogs started barking. ‘He only cleans your damn office every night! You can’t tell me you don’t even know his name!’

‘Oh. That cleaner guy? Knowing his name never seemed that important—’

‘Not important?’ Richard gave a snort. ‘Well, I’ll tell him to skip your office and leave you to clean up your own garbage, will I?’

‘No— That’s— I didn’t mean it that way—’ Dale stammered. ‘I just meant that— I mean he’s— He’s—’

‘Why are we yelling at Dale?’ Gavin’s voice asked from behind the men, and they both turned to find the young boy, clothed and dry, watching them from the hall. ‘Did he do something stupid again?’

‘Disrespectful, more like,’ Richard replied. He raised his brow in an exaggerated manner and pointed to Dale again. ‘He doesn’t even know the cleaner’s name!’

‘That’s bad,’ Gavin grimaced. ‘Our janitor’s called Dave. I like him. He got my ball off the roof last week.’

‘Hey, so what was Aiden even doing at pride?’ Dale gave a weak chuckle. ‘Is he gay?’

‘He was there to support a friend,’ Richard shook his head— Then something dawned on him and he turned to Gavin. ‘Actually, he was there with Jacob’s family.’

‘Oh! Yeah! They go every year, cos his aunt’s queer!’ Gavin nodded. Then he glanced to the kitchen and shuffled in place. ‘Can I have some chocolate?’

‘Sure, but only a little bit,’ Dale laughed as Gavin sprinted off. ‘And don’t tell your mother! Ah, jeez. He’s going to eat the whole block, isn’t he?’

Richard gave a nod.

‘I better go stop him,’ Dale sighed and quickly hurried after the boy. ‘Gav! No more than a row, alright?’

‘I broke off two!’ Gavin replied. ‘Is that okay?’

‘Your mum would kill me,’ said Dale. ‘One row.’

‘One and a half?’

‘Don’t push your luck!’

‘Alright, one,’ Gavin replied, snapping his chunk into messy halves and sliding the obviously-smaller half back into the box.

Dale had to bite his lip to stop himself from grinning. ‘I saw that.’

‘But Mum didn’t,’ Gavin’s face broke into an impish grin before he devoured his treat. ‘And now she never will!’

‘Well aren’t you a twerp today?’ Richard limped into the kitchen and leant against the counter. ‘What’s sparked this bad behaviour?’

‘Mum’s not here,’ said Gavin. ‘I only behave because it makes her happy. Otherwise, I can do what I want!’

‘Oh-ho, you’re a little shit aren’t you— Snot!’ Dale quickly corrected himself. ‘Fuck— I mean damn— I mean dang!’

‘I think I can have more chocolate,’ without waiting for approval, Gavin turned around and retrieved the other half of his chocolate.

‘I said one row,’ Dale sighed.

‘And Mum said no swearing,’ Gavin replied nonchalantly.

Richard let out an explosion of a laugh and jabbed Dale in the side. ‘Oh, he’s got you there, Dale. Which would you rather Talia yell at you about?’

‘Well I’d prefer neither, honestly,’ Dale scoffed. He rolled his eyes as Gavin ate and quickly moved the last of it from the bench to a high cupboard. ‘I like being alive, thanks.’

‘Just like you like my mum,’ Gavin mumbled.

‘Hey now,’ Dale shook his head. ‘Don’t say things like that.’

‘Well, I’m not supposed to lie,’ Gavin retorted. ‘You like my mum! It’s really obvious!’

‘It’s not—’

‘Oh, it is,’ Richard cut in. ‘You two need to stop being stubborn and face the facts.’

‘The facts are we’re friends,’ Dale lied. ‘I don’t like her, and even if I did I’m ninety-nine percent sure she doesn’t like me back.’

‘You were also ninety-nine percent sure that you could eat two kilos of steak,’ Richard replied. ‘And I haven’t forgotten how that went!’

‘Hey, that was a long time ago—’

‘It was last year.’

‘I could eat that much steak!’ Gavin bragged. ‘Bet you!’

‘You can’t eat two kilos of steak,’ Dale laughed. ‘Not in one sitting, at least.’

‘Bet you I can!’ Gavin pressed. ‘And if I can, you have to ask Mum out on a date!’

Dale snorted. ‘Do you even know how much two kilos is?’

‘Yeah, like half a cat,’ Gavin crossed his arms and frowned. ‘I could eat half a cat!’

‘But you— You shouldn’t!’ Dale choked on his laugh as Gavin marched to the fridge and began going through the drawers.

He pulled out a half-defrosted pork roast and checked the label. ‘This is two kilos!’

‘No!’ Dale snatched the roast back and put it away. ‘Your mum will kill me if you’re sick tomorrow!’

Gavin rolled his eyes as Dale quickly shooed him out of the kitchen and onto the couch.

‘Come on,’ Dale sighed. ‘Why don’t you watch TV while I make dinner? What do you want?’

‘Two kilos of steak,’ Gavin said stubbornly.

‘How about a regular amount of steak?’ Dale suggested. ‘Or tacos?’

Gavin sighed, seeming to realise Dale had him beat. ‘I like tacos.’

‘Hard or soft shell?’

‘Both!’ Gavin declared. ‘I want to put a soft shell inside a hard shell!’

‘Shell-ception,’ Richard commented. ‘Clever idea. Did you come up with it?’

Gavin shook his head. ‘Jacob did. He’s awesome! He’s the best person in the world.’

‘Is he now?’

‘Yeah,’ Gavin’s smile disappeared, and he glanced to the floor. For a minute he fiddled with his shirt, then looked from the floor to the adults and back. ‘I love him.’

‘Best friends are like that,’ Dale replied, putting a hand on the boy’s back. ‘Don’t look so down about it. There’s nothing wrong with loving your friends.’

Gavin gave a sigh, though Dale wasn’t sure why.

‘Gav? Is something wrong—’

‘Dale, why don’t you go make dinner?’ Richard interrupted. ‘I’ll take Gavin outside and we can talk.’

‘You sure?’ Dale wasn’t sure he wanted to leave Gavin alone when he seemed so down.

‘Yeah, I’ll fall over and cheer him up,’ Richard pinched Gavin’s cheek, and Gavin gave a weak smile. ‘And he can tell me about whatever it is that’s bothering him.’

‘He can tell me anything too—’

‘Not if you’re going to become his step-dad, he can’t!’ Richard retorted. ‘This might be something super-secret that parents can’t know about! And then if you become his step-dad you’ll know! Which is totally not-on, right Gavin?’

Gavin giggled, his eyes lighting up with their usual cheeky sparkle. ‘You mean when he becomes my step-dad!’

‘I’m not— I’m not going to be your step-dad!’ Dale exclaimed. He turned to Richard as Gavin sprinted out the front, giving a defeated sigh. ‘Dick. It’s not going to happen.’

Richard gave a snort. ‘I’ve seen the way you look at Talia!’

‘No— Dick,’ for a moment Dale hesitated. Then he let his shoulders sag and shook his head. ‘Yeah. Okay. Maybe I do like her.’

‘So then, what’s the problem?’

‘She doesn’t like me.’

Richard laughed as if Dale had told a joke. Then he met Dale’s eye and his smile disappeared, and he raised his brow with a disbelieving scoff. ‘For Christ’s sake, Dale! You’re the most oblivious man I’ve ever met!’

Part 28:

She couldn’t get him off her mind.

All day she’d been thinking about him, and how she felt about him.

It wasn’t fair that he’d left her behind.

She shifted in bed and sniffed as a tear escaped her eye, rolling down and catching on the bridge of her nose.

She’d been so invested. She’d been willing to drop everything for him.... And he’d abandoned her. He’d abandoned her, just like everyone else.... The one person she thought would never hurt her had just up and gone the moment things got hard.

Eleven years and she still couldn’t wrap her head around it.

She was glad that Gavin was at Dale’s house tonight. This year had hit her particularly hard and she wasn’t sure she’d have been able to make it through the day with her son without crying.

Cursing, she sat up and rubbed her eyes.

Why was she so weak? Why couldn’t she just forget everything that had happened and move on? How was any of this fair?

She let out a long, heavy sigh.

It wasn’t fair.

It wasn’t—

Her train of thought was interrupted by her phone buzzing and she quickly checked the text.

It was from Dale, telling her Gavin was in bed.... A relief. She’d been worried he’d get too worked up about his birthday to sleep.

Though it was late. At least, later than usual. Almost ten at night.... But that was alright. He was old enough to stay up, wasn’t he?

Talia sniffed, feeling the horrible bubble of emotion in her chest tug her heart down.

Christ. It had been eleven years since she’d had Gavin.

Talia took a deep breath and tried to keep the sob inside her as another text came through.

“Convinced him to use the guest room. My bed is MINE tonight. Yay!”

She let out a small laugh, which only helped the sob find its way out. She tried to smother it but it was too late. Tears were running down her face and she was crying again.

Damn it, she almost swore out loud. Why couldn’t she just be over him already?

She was so stupid! She was—

“What are you doing?”

She sniffed back the tears and sent back her own text: “Simmering.”

“Oh. Do you need to talk?”

She wasn’t sure. Did she need to talk?

Ugh, why had she said simmering? Why hadn’t she just said she was trying to sleep or preparing for tomorrow?

She dropped her phone on the bed beside her and pushed her face into her pillow, wiping her nose and her eyes and smearing her tears and snot everywhere.... As she deserved, being as disgusting as she was.

Her phone buzzed again, and she ignored it, not even bothering to read the text.

Then her phone lit up with the familiar photo of Dale, overlayed by a large green phone symbol, and she couldn’t muster up the will to ignore him.

‘Hey,’ she muttered, barely lifting her face from the pillow as she answered.

‘Hey,’ Dale said gently. ‘Tell me everything.’

‘It’s nothing.’

‘It doesn’t sound like nothing,’ he replied. ‘It sounds like you’ve been crying.’

‘I—’ she paused. She didn’t want to lie to him, but she didn’t want him to know how stupid she was being. So she just sighed and hoped he’d take that as an answer.

‘What is it?’ he asked.

‘I, uh....’

‘Talia?’

She wanted to say it was fine —that she was fine— but as she opened her mouth she felt another sob come out, followed by a waterfall of tears.

‘It’s not fair!’ she cried. ‘Why did he leave me? Why did he— I would have done anything for him! All I wanted was for him to— To love me! I just— Wanted him to stay— Is that too much? I didn’t— I didn’t want a baby! Why— I didn’t want this! I didn’t— I didn’t—’

‘Talia! Talia, it’s okay,’ Dale’s voice crackled into Talia’s ear. ‘Take a deep breath. Deep breath.’

She wasn’t sure she remembered how. ‘I just— It’s not— I didn’t—’

‘Breathe,’ Dale told her. ‘In... and out. Okay. Listen— It’s okay. Breathe in... and out.’

She tried. It wasn’t easy. But she tried to slow her breathing to match Dale’s own as he instructed her.

‘I didn’t want this,’ she managed.

‘I know,’ Dale replied. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘I didn’t want Gavin,’ the words just came out, and she felt the cold chill of guilt grip her as she heard what she was saying... but she couldn’t stop as she continued, ‘I wanted— I tried— My parents didn’t let me get an abortion! And then— When Evan— When he broke up with me they said— They didn’t— Want— An unmarried mother in their— Their house—’

‘Breathe, Talia,’ Dale reminded her.

‘I’m a terrible mother!’ she blurted.

‘No, you’re not,’ said Dale.

‘I almost gave him away!’ Talia sobbed. ‘I was— I was going to give him away! But then I saw— I saw his face and I— I couldn’t! I couldn’t....’

‘Breathe,’ his voice was so soft Talia wasn’t sure he’d actually said anything. ‘You’re okay. You’ve done a good job.’

‘I haven’t.’

‘You have.’

‘But I—’

‘Talia, listen to me,’ Dale interrupted firmly. ‘You’re a good mother.’

She didn’t believe him. ‘But I was going to give him up.’

‘That doesn’t make you a bad mother,’ Dale replied. ‘Even if you had given him up. It wouldn’t have made you a bad mother.’

She swallowed, and rubbed her eyes. ‘I just.... After Evan left I didn’t know what to do.’

‘And you still did a great job,’ Dale comforted. ‘You’re the best mother I’ve ever met. You should be proud of yourself.’

She wasn’t so sure about that....

‘Do you want my honest opinion?’ Dale asked.

‘Yeah, sure....’

‘Evan’s an arsehole.’

Talia was expecting more. For him to continue and say Evan was just a kid when it happened, and it was unfair to expect him to give up his life and his future.... To say what everyone else always said, over and over and over.

But then he didn’t. He didn’t say another word, and they both sat in silence until Talia sniffed and swallowed and finally managed, ‘Is that... it?’

‘Yeah,’ Dale confirmed. ‘My whole opinion. Evan sounds like an arsehole.’

‘Y.... Yeah,’ Talia agreed. ‘Yeah. He was.’

‘And you deserve better than that,’ replied Dale. ‘So, if you know where he lives, I’m more than happy to break into his house and shred all his socks.’

A laugh escaped Talia, and she shook her head for a moment before remembering Dale couldn’t see her. ‘It’s fine. I don’t need you to defend me.’

‘I know,’ Dale gave a chuckle. ‘But I’m still going to do it.’

‘Defend me, or shred Evan’s socks?’

‘Both,’ he responded. The impish spark in his voice made Talia giggle— Which only grew louder as Dale gave his own laugh.

They laughed for a while, and Talia could feel her nose clearing and the wet streaks on her face dry as she did. And as her laughter slowed to a stop, she felt a little dizzy. But not in a bad way.... Like she’d been carrying something heavy, and now it was suddenly lighter.

With a relieved sigh she realised that was almost true. She’d never dared say it out loud before now; that she didn’t want Gavin. Not to Trish. Not to Anna. Not even to herself.... But after saying it, it felt a little less horrible. A little less like something a monster would say, and a little more human.

She could hear Dale breathing as he waited patiently for her to say something, and she took a deep breath and wiped her nose on her sleeve.

‘Thanks for talking,’ she said. ‘I feel better. It... means a lot that you listened.’

‘That’s what I’m here for,’ Dale replied. ‘Do you need me to come over? Dick’s here. He’d watch Gav for us if you need company?’

‘No it’s— I’m fine,’ Talia let out a long breath. She meant it this time. ‘I think I just need some sleep.... Goodnight, Dale. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘Night.’

She hung up, and everything seemed to escape her as she rolled over and looked to the roof.

Evan was an arsehole.

She’d never looked at it that way.... It seemed so obvious, now that Dale had said it.

Evan was an arsehole. He’d abandoned her when she needed him.

And that.... That wasn’t her fault.

She took in another deep breath and rolled out of bed and onto the floor. Reaching under the bed she pulled out the old, tattered shoe-box of trinkets that she kept hidden away and took off the lid.

There was the photo. On top? She thought she’d put it on the bottom. But she must have been wrong.... It was fitting that Evan’s face was the first thing she saw.

She carefully pulled out the tape-covered photo and stared at it.

She felt... nothing. So she put the photo back in the box and stood up, carrying it into the lounge. And then into the hall. All the way to the garbage chute beside the stairwell. And then she watched as the box slid all the way down into darkness.

The thing that shocked her most was the relief. It was gone.

That was it.

Eleven years.

And it was that easy.

Why hadn’t she done that sooner?

‘Talia?’

Talia gave a start and turned to the stairs to see Anna and Trish, home from their studies and looking as tired as she felt.

‘You alright?’ Trish asked, pointing to her own face. ‘You look like you’ve been....’

‘Crying,’ Talia confirmed.

‘Evan?’ Anna asked.

‘Yeah.’

‘Talia—’

‘I threw it out,’ she blurted. ‘The photo. The bird he made me. The whole box! It’s gone. I just.... It felt like the right time.’

Trish’s face broke into a wide grin. ‘Wow, Tally. I’m proud of you. That’s big.’

Talia smiled back. ‘I spoke with Dale. He helped.’

‘Ah,’ Trish replied. Much to Talia’s surprise, she didn’t offer any joking commentary as she put an arm around her friend. ‘Come on. Let’s get you to bed.’

Part 29:

‘Jeez, it’s busy today,’ Dale commented, plopping down next to Talia with his food. ‘Usually this place is only half this crowded. Though, I only really come here at night.... Is this what a Ms Danielle’s is like during the day?’

Talia nodded, poking at her fries with a sigh before picking up her half-melted sundae and slurping at it like soup. ‘I tried to talk him out of it, but he really wanted to come.’

‘Well, it is his birthday,’ Dale shrugged. ‘Where’d Dick go?’

‘He made a friend,’ Trish gave an impish snort and pointed to the other side of the restaurant. ‘Probably not going to see him for the rest of the party.’

Dale glanced over and saw Richard in the restaurant’s cafe, sitting oddly close to another man as they chatted. ‘Guess I’m not good enough for him.’

There was a giggle from Dale’s other side, and stood up so Jacob’s mother, Emma, could sit next to Talia. Dale didn’t sit beside her; taking his place on the other side of the booth, next to Jacob’s father.

Dale almost sighed as Talia and Jacob’s mother began to talk. He wished he’d sat on Talia’s other side. But that was now taken by Anna and Trish, who sat huddled together in the tight space between Talia and the wall. They didn’t seem to mind having to practically sit on each other, at least. He half-wished he was able to do that with his friends.

He watched as Trish leant over Anna to put Talia in a headlock, practically squishing the poor girls as she knocked over her own drink.

Shaking his head, Dale decided to go out to the playground to keep an eye on the boys. He grabbed his food and headed out, taking a seat with Jacob’s aunt and....

‘Aiden, right?’ Dale asked.

‘Yeah,’ Aiden nodded. ‘Nice that you remember who I am without the name-tag.’

‘Well, it’s only polite,’ Dale chuckled, grateful that Richard had scolded him the night before. He held out a hand to Jacob’s aunt and gave a warm smile. ‘And I think you were passed over when everyone was being introduced?’

‘Oh, Meg,’ she quickly leant over and shook his hand. ‘Dan’s sister.... So you’re the Dale? I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m surprised we haven’t met before now, actually, what with you knowing both Aiden and Trish.’

Dale just shrugged. ‘To be fair, I’m not really close with either of them.’

‘Well, thanks for the TV either way,’ she grinned, then waved to someone inside. ‘I’m going to go in for a bit. You two behave yourselves.’

Dale waved politely as Meg headed inside. Then he looked over to Aiden and immediately regretted not saying something as an awkward silence yawned between them.

‘So...’ Dale started.

‘Hmmm,’ Aiden mumbled into his coffee.

‘Awkward.’

‘Yep.’

‘Uhuh...’ Aiden glanced inside, as if hoping for a reason to excuse himself, then let out a sigh and put his coffee down. ‘You and Talia like each other, yeah? When are you going to ask her out?’

‘Wh-What?’ Dale felt himself blushing as he raised his hands and shook his head. ‘No. No. We don’t.’

‘I’ve seen you two at the office,’ Aiden’s face broke into a grin, and he raised his coffee to his face again to hide it. ‘And Mark said you, quote, “practically kissed her” at the gym the other week.’

‘You know Spunt?’ Dale was equally amazed and embarrassed as Aiden nodded.

‘He’s my roommate. We have a betting pool going on about how long it’ll take you two to get together.’

‘Aw, come on—’

‘He reckons it’ll be before Winter,’ Aiden continued. ‘Trish said the same.... I don’t know, though. Talia seems really stubborn. I don’t envy you.’

Dale was so shocked he wasn’t sure what to say, so he tried to deflect the conversation. ‘W.... Well, what about you and Meg?’

‘What about us?’

‘You look like you’re into her! Why don’t you ask her out?’

‘I already did,’ Aiden replied with a shrug. ‘We went out a couple of times but, uh.... Yeah. She didn’t seem too into it.’

‘Oh... sorry,’ he regretted bringing it up. ‘I uh, know how that feels.’

Aiden just shrugged. ‘I mean, if I don’t make her happy then I guess I’m not the one. Glad we’re still friends, though.’

‘Oh, yeah!’ Dale laughed. ‘I’m friends with loads of my exes!’

Aiden snorted into his drink, spilling it over himself and choking as he laughed, ‘Why am I not surprised!’

‘Hey, sorry I took so long,’ Meg reappeared at the table and sat with the boys, followed closely by Emma. ‘You two look like you’re getting along.’

‘Laughing at my love-life,’ Dale admitted.

‘Oh, the crush on Talia!’ replied Meg. ‘Oof. That’s all I can say. Big oof. Talia’s lovely and all, but she’s not exactly the sort of girl who’d be easy to date.’

‘I imagine it’s worth it,’ Dale gave a shrug. ‘I’m... considering it.’

‘Go for it,’ Meg picked up her bag and pulled out her lipstick, which she handed to her sister-in-law before turning back to Dale with a sympathetic look. ‘Poor thing’s always so lonely, and you two seem like you’d work well together.’

‘You think?’

‘Yeah,’ Meg responded. ‘What do you think, Em?’

‘Gavin’s been happier,’ Emma replied, passing Meg’s lipstick back. ‘And I haven’t seen Talia smile this much in years. You’ve been good for them.’

Dale couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride at hearing that.

‘It’s a relief to see they’re finally in a better place,’ Emma continued. ‘Talia never actually told us about her situation, of course, but it was really obvious she was in a bad way. Poor thing looked half-dead, sometimes. And when Jacob told us Gavin didn’t always have lunch at school.... We tried to be subtle about packing enough in Jacob’s bag to share, but I think they both knew what we were doing.’

Dale gave a solemn nod. He wasn’t sure what to say to that.

Luckily he didn’t have to think of a response as Gavin and Jacob came running over and pounced on him and Emma.

‘Okay, we’re done!’ Gavin exclaimed.

‘Really? Already?’ Dale heard his voice break. ‘I thought kids were meant to play until their parents forced them to stop!’

‘Yeah, but it’s getting late and Mum gets tired,’ Gavin replied matter-of-factly. ‘Besides, if we go home early I can set up the computer you got me!’

‘Ah, I see! You have an ulterior motive!’ Dale retorted, shooing Gavin towards the restaurant door. ‘What about you, Jacob?’

‘I’d like to stay longer, if that’s okay?’ Jacob squeaked, looking up at his mother with pleading eyes. ‘I really want another ice cream.’

‘I’m okay with it if your dad is,’ Emma replied. ‘Go ask him.’

Dale pushed himself up to follow the boys into the restaurant. He grinned when he saw Talia, and felt Meg elbow him in the side as she passed him to sit with her brother.

‘Hey,’ Talia gave Dale a wave. ‘Richard left. Can I get a lift home?’

‘Sure,’ Dale felt his chest swell at the idea of finally spending some time with Talia tonight— But he pushed it down with a cough and turned to the rest of the party. ‘Anyone else need a lift? Trish? Anna?’

‘We’re good!’ Trish replied, almost dropping her burger in the flourish of a motion she made. ‘Talia —wonderful person, don’t know if you’ve met her— gave me and Anna some money, and the two of us are headed off to see a movie.’

Talia blushed as Trish began loudly praising her and grabbed Dale by the arm. ‘Let’s get out of here.’

‘Alright,’ Dale chuckled, leading the way into the car park. ‘Come on Gav! You can have the front seat!’

‘Banished to the back!’ Talia mock-gasped. ‘I see your priorities! Giving Gavin the front seat on his birthday! Ridiculous!’

‘Oh, absolutely,’ Dale scoffed. ‘And you know what else? He gets to pick the music, too!’

‘You monster!’ Talia exclaimed, much to both boy’s amusement. ‘Gavin, are you hearing this?’

Gavin nodded and tugged open the car door for his mother. ‘He’s not a gentleman like me.’

Dale felt a giggle escape him, and coughed to hide it— But he saw that Talia had heard it by the glint in her eye.

Part 30:

Gavin had been chatty the entire drive home.

To be expected, Dale thought, with the day he’s had.

Glancing into the back of the car as he pulled into the apartment’s car park, he couldn’t help but sigh. Talia looked too peaceful to wake up. He wasn’t sure he’d have the heart to do it.

‘Told you she gets tired,’ Gavin gloated. ‘Are you going to carry her up the stairs again?’

‘Don’t think I have a choice,’ Dale laughed his response, clambering out of the car and walking to the back seat to retrieve Talia.

She didn’t seem to notice as she was hefted into the air, and simply lay heavy and limp in his arms. She didn’t even give a mumble of protest as Dale used her head to push the car door shut.

‘She’d be so mad if she knew you did that!’ Gavin snickered.

‘Well then, don’t tell her,’ Dale replied. ‘Come on. Upstairs, and I’ll set up your computer for you.’

‘Okay, but I think I’ll play it tomorrow,’ Gavin decided, practically dancing up the stairs. ‘I don’t have headphones, and I don’t want to wake Mum up.’

‘I don’t think anything could wake her up right now,’ Dale joked as he followed Gavin to the stairs. He trudged up the apartment building— Scoffing when the boy opened the stairwell door and smirked at him. ‘What?’

‘You like Mum,’ Gavin grinned. ‘Otherwise you wouldn’t’ve carried her up all those stairs!’

‘She’s my friend!’ defended Dale. ‘I’d carry any of my friends up stairs!’

‘Even Richard?’

‘Especially Richard!’ he confirmed. ‘Dick needs the most help, with his bad leg!’

‘Okay, that’s fair,’ Gavin decided. ‘But you still love my mum. I can tell.’

He almost denied it— But then, as they came to the apartment door and Gavin went fishing in his mother’s pocket for her keys, he found himself laughing instead. ‘You know, she’s a really wonderful woman. I don’t know how a little brat like you came out of her!’

‘So you admit it?’

‘Sure,’ Dale sighed with relief as Gavin opened the door, and headed straight to Talia’s room to put her in bed. ‘I admit it.’

‘YE—’

‘SHH!’ Dale held up a hand to silence the boy. ‘Don’t wake her!’

‘Sorry,’ Gavin whispered, watching as Dale tucked his mother under her blanket. ‘Are you going to ask her out?’

‘Maybe. I’m not sure. What do you think I should do?’

‘I think you should!’ Gavin said. ‘She gets really happy when you’re around, even if she pretends she’s not! And it’d be nice to have you come over more so she could be happier more often!’

Dale laughed. ‘You’d be alright sharing her with me?’

‘Yeah!’ Gavin gave a nod. ‘You can make up for it by giving me your attention!’

‘Okay,’ Dale grinned at the boy. ‘Well. Don’t tell your mum about it just yet, but I’ll ask her out sometime, okay?’

‘When?’

‘How about.... Next time she’s in a good mood?’

Gavin’s eyes lit up with an impish sparkle as he snickered, ‘So you mean never?’

Dale ruffled Gavin’s hair playfully and headed into the hall. He shut Talia’s door before following Gavin into his own room. ‘So,’ he started as he rearranged Gavin’s bed; prepping it for the boy to sleep in. ‘Are you excited for Christmas? That’s coming up in a month or two, isn’t it?’

‘Christmas is okay,’ Gavin shrugged, climbing into bed and settling down. ‘Mum and I usually go to the park in the mornings, but I think this year’s gonna be different.’

‘Yeah?’ Dale chuckled, making his way over to the boxed-up desk that lay in the corner of Gavin’s room. He started opening the box, and laying out the pieces of the desk. He was determined to get Gavin’s computer set up before he went home; he didn’t want to leave that burden on Talia. ‘Are you looking forward to seeing what you get from Santa?’

‘Santa?’ Gavin echoed.

‘Yeah, Santa!’ Dale confirmed, grinning and turning to Gavin— Who had a very concerned look on his face. ‘Uh... Gav? What’s up? Why are you looking at me like that?’

There was a long moment of quiet between the pair before Gavin finally spoke, sounding very careful with his words in a way that Dale couldn’t tell if he was joking or not: ‘Dale? I’m sorry. But Santa’s not real,’ he said. ‘I thought you knew that.’

Dale was caught very off-guard by Gavin’s serious tone and for a moment he found himself stammering in disbelief.

‘Wh— Y— Of course I knew that!’ he exclaimed. ‘I thought you didn’t know!’

‘Sure you did,’ Gavin rolled his eyes, and Dale realised he still couldn’t tell if he was joking or serious.

‘Gav, why would I, as an adult, think Santa Clause is real?’ Dale asked.

‘I dunno. You think a lot of stupid things,’ Gavin shrugged.

‘Aw,’ Dale gave a playfully-offended huff and turned back to the desk he was building. ‘Well, Gav, I’m glad to see you think so highly of me!’

Part 31:

The holidays had been more hectic than ever. After Gavin’s birthday, Talia had started preparing for Christmas. She’d been looking forward to being able to treat everyone; Anna and Trish especially. After all they’d done for her over the years, she’d planned to get them everything they could have ever wanted....

And then, she’d discovered how Dale celebrated Christmas.

He may not have cared for his birthday, but that son of a bitch was not shy about Christmas.

Talia couldn’t believe Richard had pulled the “it’s your job” card and made her help him wrap the three hundred gifts he’d gotten for his friends— Excluding herself, of course, who he’d surprised with a set of camel-fur blankets.

Talia had looked them up in private that night and almost thrown her laptop out the window when she’d seen the two thousand dollar price tag.

At least now that Christmas was over she could breathe a sigh of relief. She’d felt a lot better since the heatwave had ended; Autumn was a lot safer for Gavin than Summer, and he hadn’t had a seizure since the beginning of February.

Though, she still hated having to send him back to school. It broke her heart just as much every year. And now she was anxious with his excursion to the museum— And on top of that, the money from Big Double U had officially come back to Moore for More through their overseas partner, and that was a terrifying reminder of how much her life had been changing lately.

‘Dale, could you pass me my notebook?’ Richard asked, pulling Talia’s attention away from her thoughts. ‘The one next to Talia?’

‘It’s only, what, three steps away?’ Dale snorted. ‘You feeling lazy?’

‘Not lazy enough to not beat you to death,’ Richard pointed his cane at Dale. ‘My leg hurts. And it’s your fault, so you can be the one to get up and get me my stuff.’

‘You’re really never letting that go, huh?’ Dale pushed himself from his seat with a sigh, and trudged over to the table.

Talia passed him the book, trying not to let herself be distracted from her work, but she was finding it hard to focus already, so there wasn’t much hope for her concentration.

‘You shot me,’ Richard replied. ‘Of course I’m never going to let it go!’

‘Hey! It’s not my fault you kept a loaded gun in your pocket!’ Dale’s voice broke in a squeak and he gave a deep cough to clear his throat. ‘If you’d been smart, I would have just taken your wallet and been done with it!’

‘What happened, exactly?’ Talia asked, resting her chin on a hand and side-eyeing the boys. ‘I’ve heard enough to know it’s Dale’s fault, but not enough to actually understand what happened.’

‘My fault?’

‘Dale tried to pickpocket me and squeezed the trigger of my gun instead,’ Richard explained. ‘He was... thirteen? So he was lucky I was able to get him off with a warning after the police got there. I doubt I could have convinced them it was an accident if he was older.’

‘Got us in contact, though,’ Dale snorted a laugh. ‘I asked him to shoot my dad. He said no, of course. But he thought I was a cute kid so we’ve been stealing handbags together ever since!’

‘I’ve never stolen a handbag in my life,’ said Richard. ‘I’ve disposed of almost a thousand of them, though, because this moron keeps getting himself into trouble! First month knowing him he came to me in tears because he got caught shoplifting from a Kyles and thought his parents were going to kill him. It’s like he can’t help himself!’

Dale cast Talia an embarrassed glance as she snickered, and he rubbed the back of his head. ‘So.... The money from Big Double U. What are you planning on doing with your share?’

‘Donating most of it,’ Talia replied.

‘Really? We went through all that effort to steal it, and you’re just giving it way?’

‘I made my point, I’m satisfied with the outcome,’ Talia rolled her eyes. ‘But I don’t need half a million dollars. You know who does, though? The women in the shelter I stayed at while I was pregnant.’

‘Fair enough,’ Dale gave a nod. ‘Seems like a good place to put it, huh?’

‘Better than letting it rot in a bank.’

‘I couldn’t agree more,’ Richard chimed in. ‘I always make a point to send money back home.’

‘Home?’ Talia asked.

‘I grew up in Sunbright Coast,’ Richard explained. ‘It was a poorer neighbourhood, but the people looked out for each other. If you needed anything you could just knock on a door and ask. So, you know. I try and give back now that I can afford it. Funded a new community centre, actually! Beautiful building. Has a basketball court and a garden. Heard the kids are loving it.’

‘Why’d you come to Kladstone?’

‘For love,’ Richard laughed. ‘High school sweetheart was going to uni here and I wanted to follow. Got cheated on first semester though, so I left school and opened Kladstone Towers.’

Talia blew a raspberry and flopped over her paperwork dramatically. ‘Never give up anything for high school boyfriends. That’s what I’ve learnt.’

‘That was my ex’s attitude,’ Dale put a hand on Talia’s back, sending a shiver through her that made her cheeks burn. ‘I don’t blame her though. She got an apprenticeship in a science lab and moved to the other side of the country. If I was smart enough to build a spaceship I wouldn’t date me, either!’

‘That was Penelope, right? How’s she doing?’ Richard asked.

‘Great! She’s running tests on how low gravity affects mice breeding in space, or something like that. I don’t really get it, but it sounds important.’

Dale’s hand disappeared from Talia’s back and she almost asked him to put it back, but caught herself as she was opening her mouth. ‘Yeah, she sounds too good for you.’

‘I know, right?’ Dale laughed as he sat beside Richard. ‘She’s on her fourth kid, actually. Human kid. Not mouse kid. She’s got hundreds of those.’

‘As you would, if you were breeding them,’ said Richard. He flicked through the notebook Dale had given him and let out a heavy sigh before discarding it to his side. ‘I’m having trouble thinking straight.’

‘More than usual?’ Talia gave a wicked grin. ‘How’s Derek?’

‘Who?’ Dale asked.

‘Met him at Gavin’s birthday,’ Richard shrugged. ‘He’s doing good. We’re going to a bar later this week. Actually, could you clear my schedule on Friday?’

‘Don’t think you had anything on anyway.... But it sounds like you’re going to have a good night,’ Talia gave him a nod and stood up. ‘And I can’t focus, either. I think it’s a good time for a break. Coffee?’

‘Sure, I’ll make us some,’ Dale followed her to the kitchen.

‘Oh, I was offering to do it,’ Talia reassured, putting a hand up to shoo Dale back to the lounge.

‘My house, my responsibility,’ Dale replied, making the same hand motion back and slipping past Talia to the cupboard.

‘It’s my job,’ Talia retorted. ‘What I get paid for?’

‘And I’m your boss—’

‘No you’re not,’ she interrupted Dale as he opened the cupboard and snatched the jar of coffee away before he could open it. ‘Richard’s my boss. And he hates how you make coffee.’

Dale gasped. ‘No he doesn’t!’

‘Yes I do!’ Richard called from the other room. ‘Talia makes the coffee! But if you want to be useful you can order us some lunch!’

Still with an offended look on his face, Dale raised his hands in defeat and made his way back into the lounge, where he and Richard started arguing about what food they were going to get.

Talia didn’t bother to chime in as she started filling the coffee maker. Everything they listed sounded good and she was hungry. If she joined the arguing it would only take longer for them to decide. So instead she settled for not under-filling the coffee filter (like Dale would have) and patting Sahara as she leapt onto the bench-side cat tower.

‘Pretty girl,’ Talia mumbled, scratching the unusual-looking cat’s ear. Her affection was returned by a loud, low meow that was almost humorous.

‘Hey, she likes you,’ Dale laughed as he returned to the kitchen. ‘She’s usually pretty anti-social with strangers. She must be getting used to you always coming over!’

‘What breed is she?’ Talia asked. ‘I don’t recognise it. Some sort of oriental?’

‘Yeah, some sort,’ Dale replied. ‘Aren’t you, squishy-beans?’

Talia almost laughed as Dale put on a baby-voice and playfully squeezed his cat’s face and nuzzled her. After a moment he seemed to notice Talia biting her lip and stood up straight, avoiding eye contact as a deep red spread over his cheeks. She got the feeling he wanted to say something, and she could only guess what as he pulled out his phone and began hurriedly typing.

‘Uh, we were thinking of getting Korean chicken?’ he mumbled, still refusing to meet Talia’s eye. ‘Thoughts?’

‘Sounds good,’ Talia confirmed. ‘Nothing too spicy for me, though.’

‘Original pieces, then?’

‘Sure.’

‘And... it’s done!’ Dale slipped his phone back in his pocket, then pointed behind Talia. ‘And it looks like that’s done, too.’

Part 32:

Dale hoped the food arrived soon. Talia was obviously hungry. Not that she would admit it. She’d refused the snacks she’d been offered multiple times, saying she’d rather wait for lunch. But she was getting more and more agitated as they waited, and she hadn’t been able to focus on her work at all since they ordered.

Hell, Richard had started to ask for a drink while they waited and Talia had snapped at him to shut up. It was actually pretty funny, Dale thought, especially when she’d realised what she’d done and quickly excused herself and retreated to the bathroom for a little longer then she actually needed.... But neither man held her bad mood against her. They just hoped the food would help her relax a little.

‘Alright, now, you remember how to upload the survey?’

‘Yeah, yeah, just the same as last time,’ Talia huffed. ‘You can stop leaning over me, you know! You’re always getting in my personal space.’

‘Alright,’ Dale backed off and raised his hands submissively as Talia let out a loud, exasperated sigh. ‘You feeling okay?’

‘I’m fine.’

‘It’s just that you seem a little—’

‘I said I’m fine!’ Talia slammed a hand on the table, almost knocking her laptop off. Then she put her other hand on her face and let out another sigh. ‘Sorry.’

‘It’s fine,’ Dale comforted. He had to resist the urge to pat Talia on the back as she began typing again, and was grateful when there was a knock at the door. ‘That’s probably the food. I’ll go grab it.’

‘Whatever.’

Dale hurried through the hall to the front door, pulling his wallet out of his pants pocket as the knock sounded again, harder than was polite, and he hesitated as his hand met the handle and hushed, annoyed voices spoke from behind the door.

He wasn’t fully sure he wanted to answer it, with the arguing he could hear, but before he got the chance to lock the door it swung open and Gavin attempted to run inside.

‘No!’ cried a very frustrated-looking woman as she grabbed the boy and looked up to Dale. ‘I’m so sorry, sir! I couldn’t stop him.’

‘No, it’s cool,’ Dale laughed. ‘Gav, mate, what are you doing?’

‘Proving a point!’ Gavin replied, wiggling out of the woman’s grip and standing proudly with his hands on his hips. ‘We were at the museum earlier, and we were walking to the market to get lunch, and nobody believed me when I told them I knew someone who lived here, because this is a really rich street full of rich people. So I had to show them that I wasn’t lying!’

‘Right,’ Dale nodded. ‘Well, yeah. I know you. Verified.’

‘See!’ Gavin turned to the yard to address a group of children. ‘I told you my mum’s boyfriend lived here!’

‘Whoa, there, brat,’ Dale raised a hand. ‘I’m not her boyfriend.’

‘Yet!’ Gavin exclaimed. ‘You said you were gonna ask her, so you’re going to be!’

Dale felt himself blush and motioned for Gavin to be quiet, glancing back to make sure the boy’s mother hadn’t heard him. ‘Shush! She’s over, Gav!’

‘Then ask her now!’

‘We’re working.’

‘Coward,’ Gavin crossed his arms. ‘Just ask her!’

‘Not in the mood she’s in, I won’t,’ Dale retorted, quietly. ‘She’ll rip my head off.’

‘Um, look, I’m really sorry,’ Gavin’s teacher put a hand on Gavin’s shoulder and tried to lead him away. ‘But we have to go. We’re going to be late for lunch.’

‘Lunch, huh?’ Dale passed his wallet from hand-to-hand. ‘Waiting on that, ourselves.... How much you got for food, mate?’

‘Mum gave me twenty.’

‘Just twenty?’ Dale asked. ‘Can you even get food for twenty dollars? Is that a thing?’

The teacher sighed and shook her head, though Dale didn’t understand why.

‘Tell you what,’ Dale opened his wallet and pulled out two fifty dollar notes, causing a gasp to echo through the class as he did. ‘Here. Just don’t tell your mother that I gave it to you, alright?’

‘Sweet!’ Gavin exclaimed. ‘I won’t— Uh, hm.... Hi, Mum.’

Dale whirled around as Gavin looked to his feet, and was met with a very frustrated, tired-looking Talia.

‘Gavin?’ she asked, shoving past Dale. ‘What are you— Dale! Did you give him that?’

‘Um.... Yeah, I did,’ Dale shrugged. ‘Kids need pocket money.’

‘He doesn’t need a hundred dollars!’ she exclaimed. ‘What is wrong with you!’

‘Hey, no, look I—’

‘I am sick of you thinking you know better than me!’ Talia yelled, stepping up to Dale and glaring at him. ‘You’re not his father!’

‘I mean, I’ll happily buy him off you, how much you want for him?’ Dale joked. He wasn’t sure why he said it, but he regretted it immediately as Talia pointed a finger so close to his nose he could feel the tip of her nail brush against it.

Oh, god. Why had he let that come out?!

She looked at him furiously and pursed her lips, but didn’t say anything. She just breathed heavily, and deeply, and was obviously holding onto a few very angry, very vulgar words.

Thankfully, before she could let them out, a car pulled up. It had a fast-food logo on the side and Dale glanced over as an awkward-looking man stepped out and surveyed the scene.

‘Order... for Dale?’

‘That’s me,’ Dale replied, calmly turning away from Talia and making his way down the front steps and through the children to the man with the food.

‘Dale! I’m not done with you!’

‘Yeah, I know! I’ll be back in a second!’ he called back casually. He already had his wallet out, so he grabbed another hundred as a tip for the driver. ‘Sorry about the scene, and thanks for the food.’

‘Uh... yeah,’ the driver took the money and stared down at it, stunned, before slowly making his way back to his car.

‘Have a good one!’ Dale waved to the driver. Then he headed back to Talia, who glared at him with her hands on her hips.

‘Don’t you dare ignore me Da—’ Talia was cut off as Dale put a piece of chicken in her mouth. She frowned as she spat it into her hand and Dale slipped past her into the house. ‘I hate you.’

‘You’re just hungry,’ he replied nonchalantly.

‘I am not—’ Talia cut off as Dale stopped in the hall and turned to her, making an exaggerated breathing motion. She got the hint and took a deep breath, which she let out slowly. Then she took another. And another, mouthing numbers as she did. And then she shook her head and spoke calmly, ‘I’m still mad at you.’

‘But you’re not yelling,’ Dale replied, playfully poking a finger at her. ‘A good example for the kids.’

Talia groaned, and looked back to Gavin. ‘Gavin, hon? Sorry you had to see that.’

‘That’s okay,’ Gavin replied. ‘Can I come in and stay with you?’

‘Gavin— I’m working. And I’m really stressed out today,’ she bent down and kissed him on the cheek. ‘I love you though, okay? More than anything in the world. I’m just really busy. Maybe— Look. How about you keep that money Dale gave you, and tomorrow after you’re done with school you and I can go out?’

‘Okay,’ Gavin agreed. He hugged his mother, then peered around her to Dale. ‘Bye, Dale! Don’t forget what you’re supposed to do! Don’t. Forget.’

‘I haven’t forgotten,’ Dale said through gritted teeth, motioning for Gavin to be quiet by pretending to pinch his lips. ‘I’ll do it when I’m good and ready.’

Gavin gave him a thumbs up in return, and hurried back to the class. He waved again to his mother, who waved back before closing the front door and giving a heavy sigh.

She leant against it for a moment before side-eyeing Dale. ‘What’s Gavin talked you into this time?’

‘Just a thing,’ Dale replied, feeling himself blush. What a brat, trying to out him like that! ‘Nothing too important. Come on, let’s eat. You’ll feel better.’

Talia just grunted and put her hands in her pockets as she followed Dale to the dining room. ‘I’m fine.’

‘Yeah, I know,’ Dale said as he plopped the food down in front of Richard. ‘Eat anyway.’

He was almost scared she was going to yell at him again, with the look she gave him. But she begrudgingly settled in the chair closest to the window and took the food she was given with a half-hearted thank you.

Dale had planned to eat in silence so Talia could have a break and settle down, but when Richard put his cup down and cleared his throat Dale knew that wasn’t going to happen.

‘So, Talia,’ Richard started. ‘I remember asking Dale to teach you how to use a gun. How’s that been going?’

‘Alright,’ Talia grunted. Then she coughed and sat up straighter. ‘I mean, it’s going alright. Actually, it’s a lot of fun to take things out on the firing range. Though, I still don’t understand why I need to know how to use a gun.’

‘Precaution, in our line of business,’ Richard replied. ‘The confidential stuff. Not the company. Not that anything tends to happen. But it’s always good to be safe.’

‘Right,’ Talia took a deep breath, and Dale thought he caught a hint of fear in her eyes before she swallowed it down. ‘Well, I hope it never comes up.’

‘It shouldn’t,’ Dale comforted, reaching across the table and taking Talia’s hand. ‘I’ve never needed it before. And I piss off a lot of people!’

Talia’s eyes lit up at that. ‘Don’t I know!’

Grinning back, Dale began to clear the now-empty plates from the table and headed to the kitchen.

‘Hey, uh, Dale?’

‘Yeah?’ Dale paused at the door, turning to look back at Talia.

‘Sorry,’ she muttered. ‘About before. I think you were right, and I was just annoyed because I was hungry.’

‘It’s fine!’ Dale responded, resuming cleaning. ‘I shouldn’t have given Gavin money without asking you first. That’s on me.’

‘I was rude before that,’ Talia sighed. Then she chuckled. ‘I swear, though, I was about ready to send you to the hospital when I saw that. If there hadn’t been witnesses I very well might have!’

‘Wouldn’t be the first time a cute girl’s sent him to the E.R!’ Richard laughed as he banged a hand against the table, causing Talia to jump in her seat.

Dale just rolled his eyes. ‘Come on, Dick. You’d think after six years it’d be just a little old.’

‘That story will never get old,’ Richard retorted, wiping the tears that were forming in his eyes. ‘Talia. Do not let him kick you out before he tells you the Ashleigh story.’

‘She doesn’t need to know the Ashleigh story!’ Dale exclaimed, feeling his cheeks start to burn. ‘Nobody needs to know the Ashleigh story!’

‘You told Laura,’ Richard retorted.

‘Ashleigh told Laura,’ Dale sighed, dropping into his chair and putting his face in his hand. ‘I knew I never should have introduced them.’

‘You’re still friends with the girl who sent you to hospital?’ Talia asked.

‘Well, she didn’t mean to send me to hospital. And it was mostly my fault.’

‘Now I have to know what happened,’ Talia declared, deliberately making a show of settling into her seat. ‘I’m not going home until I hear it!’

Richard laughed, and Dale just sighed as the older man stood and gave a wave. ‘Well, kids, I have to go. Dale. Tell her. She’ll love it.’

‘Ugh, fine,’ Dale huffed, slamming a hand against the table and pushing himself out of his chair. ‘Talia. Come upstairs and I’ll show you exactly what happened.’

‘She didn’t trip and accidentally knock you down the stairs, did she?’

‘If only!’ sighing, Dale motioned for Talia to follow him through the house just as the front door shut. ‘See you later, Dick!’

There was no reply, which only made Dale roll his eyes again.

‘You’d think he’d want to hear it again, with how funny he finds it,’ Dale joked as he made his way up the stairs. ‘Anyway. You have to promise you won’t laugh when I tell you. It’s embarrassing.’

‘Oh, I can not promise that,’ Talia gave Dale a wink, which turned into a grimace as they arrived at his bedroom door. ‘Oh, god. No. This is a bedroom story?’

‘Yep,’ Dale’s exasperated sigh said it all as he pushed the door open and ushered Talia inside. ‘You still want to hear it?’

‘Most definitely.’

He sighed again.

‘Alright. So. My bed used to be up against this window, right?’ he motioned to the large window with a wave of his hand.

‘Mhmm,’ Talia gave a nod. ‘Don’t like where this is heading. But go on.’

‘Well, I was having sex with Ashleigh— She’s a nice girl, still pretty close, actually. I should introduce you to her—‘

‘The story?’

‘Right. Right,’ Dale turned back to the window and shut the curtains. ‘So I was about here. Curtains were shut because, well, obviously we weren’t going to have them open. And, uh, I was on top of her. It was good, but I was having troubling getting... a grip? I needed something to hold onto because my old bed didn’t have that bed-head my new one does.’

‘Yeah....’

‘So I put my hands on the window, like this,’ Dale placed both his hands firmly on the window. ‘Only, because the curtains were shut I didn’t realise it was open. And I leant all my weight into it.’

‘Oh. Oh no.’

‘Oh yes. I fell off my date, out the window, and right onto the stone patio,’ he laughed. ‘Landed on my head, too. Doctor said I was lucky I didn’t break my neck!’

‘Your thick skull cushioned your fall,’ Talia joked. ‘I’m glad you weren’t hurt.’

‘Just my pride,’ Dale replied. Then he opened the curtains and pointed to the house next door, where they could clearly see a young woman reading in her lounge. ‘Worst part of the story was that was the day Penny was moving in. Her and her sister saw it. And I mean, there’s only so much you can do to fix a first impression like that.’

As Dale spoke, Penny looked up and met Talia’s eye. The two shared an awkward wave before Dale shut his curtains again.

‘I mean. We’re friends,’ he clarified. ‘But I can see it when she looks at me... I’ll always be that naked guy who fell out a window.’

‘Understandable,’ Talia replied. ‘That’s the Ashleigh story?’

‘The short version, yeah,’ Dale replied.

‘Short version?’ Talia’s brow raised almost as high as her voice, and her face broke into a wicked grin. ‘There’s more?’

‘Well, I was naked and concussed,’ Dale could feel himself blushing as Talia marched over to his bed and sat down. ‘And somehow not unconscious. So, yeah. There’s a lot more to the Ashleigh story.’

‘Tell me,’ Talia demanded.

Part 33:

‘Do you really think he’ll be alright with Gavin?’ Talia muttered.

She’d already asked three —or was it four?— times. But as she pulled on her seatbelt and shuffled anxiously in her seat, Dale thought it was obvious that she needed it hear the answer again. So he just smiled as he replied, ‘Dick’ll be fine!’

‘It’s just that Richard’s... you know. And Gavin’s... you know,’ she tugged her belt again and glanced out the window, her eyes following a man and his dog down the street. ‘Especially with today being... well, you know.’

‘Yeah, I know,’ Dale couldn’t help but chuckle. ‘It’s my birthday, after all! I didn’t forget about it or anything.’

‘Gavin wasn’t happy about not being allowed to come,’ said Talia. ‘What if he doesn’t behave for Richard? What if he— Maybe I should go home.’

‘Come on, Tally!’ Trish’s foot met the back of Talia’s chair, jolting the poor woman as she gripped her belt and blushed. ‘Chill. It’s not like Gavin’s gonna hurt the guy. I mean, at most he’ll just outrun him and get an extra half-hour before bed!’

‘That’s exactly the sort of thing I’m worried about,’ Talia sighed. ‘Richard’s not exactly strict with him.’

‘Hey, no, Dick can be strict!’ Dale replied. ‘Example: I kept telling Gav not to put his stuff in the walkway. I told him so many times, and still there it was, in the middle of the hall! Then Dick comes over and poof! Gone as if by magic! I don’t know what he said to the kid, but it worked.’

‘Probably “please”,’ Anna piped up. ‘Usually works for me.’

Talia shook her head as a loud slurp followed, and Dale peeked into the rear view mirror to catch a glimpse of Anna meeting his eye as she drank her frozen cola. He couldn’t understand how she could drink it, honestly! It may have only been early winter (technically it was still autumn), but it was only ten degrees out. It was way too cold for an ice drink and sleeveless top!

‘You’re special though,’ he retorted. ‘Gav knows you won’t hesitate to tell on him if he misbehaves.’

‘What, and you wouldn’t?’ Talia scoffed.

‘I mean,’ Dale tapped his fingers against his steering wheel and snickered. ‘It depends on what he was doing and if he blackmails me! That kid knows how to dig up dirt.’

‘Ooh, boy, does he!’ Trish cackled. ‘Big mood, though. I don’t report anything back unless I have to. I’m not a cop!’

‘I can’t believe I let you two watch him!’ Talia gave a loud sigh and rolled her eyes. ‘Well, congratulations. I certainly feel better about leaving him with Richard, now! Not so much about ever letting either of you two look after him again!’

Anna’s next slurp was comically loud, and her over-confident grin told Dale it was deliberately so. He almost called her out on it— But then her eyes widened and she choked. ‘Oh, wow, Dale! That’s your house?!’

‘I see why Tally’s been hanging out with you so much,’ Trish teased, letting out an impressed whistle. ‘Oh, shit, is that Zoey’s car? You know Zoey?’

‘It was her idea to invite you,’ Dale chuckled. ‘I mean, I probably would have anyway. But Zoey’s been dying to see you again and she knows I know you, so.... Yeah. Thought it’d be fun!’

‘Sweet!’

Talia let out a groan as Trish kicked the back of her chair again. Then, without waiting for Dale to park, she unclipped her seatbelt and clambered out of the car.

Dale’s heart almost leapt out his throat as he slammed on the breaks. ‘Talia! Jesus Christ!’

The freezing, wet air hit Dale and made him shiver as Talia slammed the door shut behind her, and he let out a groan.

God, he hated winter.

‘Yeah, she’s like that,’ Trish replied. ‘She stands up on the bus before it pulls over and is at the door before it opens. Impatient, isn’t she?’

‘She might’ve been more patient if you stopped kicking her,’ Dale snorted, taking his foot off the break and putting his car in reverse.

‘Mmmhmmm,’ Anna took another loud slurp of her drink, which sounded almost empty, before unclicking her own belt and stepping out onto the road after Talia.

‘ANNA!’ Dale heard his voice break as the car jolted still again. ‘Oh my god, Anna! Anna! Why, Anna?!’

‘Because we can,’ Trish let out a snort of a laugh and clambered out after the others.

‘Trish! At least shut the door, Trish!’ Dale called after her. ‘Come on!’

Unsurprisingly, Trish ignored Dale and instead blew a loud raspberry as she hurried into his house— And all Dale could do was let out a sigh and roll his eyes as he reversed into his driveway.

He shivered as he hurried around the car to close Trish’s door, and then made his way through the yard to his house.

It was locked.

‘You’re kidding me?!’ he called through the door, shaking his head and grinning when he heard the chorus of laughter from his lounge room. He knocked, then called out to the group, ‘Parcel delivery!’

‘Ooh, I’ll get it!’ a familiar voice moved from the lounge to the hall and the door was yanked open by a tall, blonde woman. ‘Hello hello, then! Where’s this parcel?’

‘Ashleigh, it’s nice to see you again,’ Dale gave a nod, feeling the warm air from the house flow out to greet him. He held out his hands as if passing her something. ‘Sign here, please.’

‘Oh, of course!’ Ashleigh took the air that Dale had offered her, and pretended to write on it. As she handed it back Dale couldn’t help but notice she looked tired. ‘Now, the parcel?’

‘Right here,’ Dale pointed at himself.

‘Aw, dang,’ she gave a dramatic sigh and rolled her eyes. ‘They got my order wrong! I ordered a completely different model!’

‘I’m afraid you’ll have to take that up with customer service. Their number redirects overseas, and it can take over two hours to get through to them.’

‘Ugh, fine, I suppose you’ll have to do, then!’ Ashleigh stepped away from the door and threw her hands up in mock defeat. ‘I’m sorry, girls! We got the wrong product! No hot macho-man tonight, it’s just Dale! Disappointment all around!’

Playful groans filled the air as Ashleigh closed the door behind Dale. As she turned back, he nudged her.

‘You alright?’ he asked, quietly. ‘You look tired.’

‘Yeah, I’m good,’ she grinned, though it didn’t hide her exhaustion. ‘Just work. You know how modelling is. Older you get the harder it is to get contracts.... They want the young and the fresh!’

‘You’re still young and fresh,’ Dale reassured.

‘Not by industry standards, I’m not,’ Ashleigh shrugged, then headed for the lounge. ‘Don’t worry about it. It’s cutthroat, but I’ll manage.’

Dale quickly hurried after her and was greeted by a cheer. There were less people than he’d expected there to be, but it wasn’t a bad turnout for something so last-minute.

‘Seven of us, huh?’ he counted, glancing over the group as he sat with them in the pile of blankets they’d pulled out of his cupboard. ‘All just chilling on the floor?’

‘Yeah, seems like it,’ said Zoey. ‘Oh, right. Spunt was gonna get a lift with me after work but he was too tired. Told me to give you a kiss from him, though!’

Before Dale could respond, Zoey had shifted forward and planted a kiss on his cheek. It took him a few more moments to realise what she’d done and, after a second of hesitation, he mock-gagged and wiped his face.

‘Aw, ew! Spunt germs! Why would you do this to me, Zoey?’ he teased. Then, as the girls’ laughter died down, he shrugged. ‘By the way, I swear I invited more guys. I wasn’t being weird and only asking girls to come.’

‘No, we figured,’ Ashleigh laughed. ‘Not everyone can do next-day parties. Some of us have lives!’

‘So what are you doing here, then?’ Dale retorted.

‘Well, I didn’t say I had a life, did I?!’ she quipped back. ‘And speaking of girls with no lives, who’re these lovely ladies?’

‘Oh, don’t put it like that! They have lives!’ Dale exclaimed. ‘Right, girls? You have lives!’

‘On weekdays, sure. But weekends are pretty boring lately,’ Trish joked. ‘I’m Trish. This is Anna, and Talia. You?’

‘Ashleigh,’ said Ashleigh. And Dale thought he caught a cheeky look from Talia as she continued, ‘I used to date Dale, like, years ago. That’s his neighbour, Penny. And this is... Zoey, was it?’

‘We know Zoey,’ Anna chimed in. ‘Trish and her went to uni together.’

‘Oh, perfect!’ Ashleigh put an arm around Penny and grinned. ‘So nobody is without a buddy!’

‘Some of us are a bit more than buddies,’ Trish elbowed Anna in the side before wrapping an arm around her and pulling her into a tight hug.

Dale’s heart skipped a beat.

Was Trish talking about him and Talia? No. She couldn’t be. There was no way for her to know he was going to ask her to— Unless Gavin had told her? But... Gavin had promised he hadn’t told anyone. And Dale trusted him with that. Besides, he was almost completely sure that if Trish found out about his crush, Talia would know within the hour. Trish couldn’t keep that sort of thing a secret... no way.

Maybe she just meant that her and Anna were roommates? Or— Ah! It was probably because they were best friends!

‘Hey! Earth to Dale!’

A pillow slammed into Dale’s face and he was tugged back to reality. ‘What?’

‘I said “Happy Birthday”!’ Zoey threw another pillow, though Dale caught this one. ‘Twenty-eight! You’re so old!’

‘Twenty-eight isn’t old!’ Talia huffed and rolled her eyes, though Dale could see her grin. ‘I’m twenty-eight!’

‘Exactly. You’re old,’ Trish replied. ‘Pretty sure you’re the oldest one here!’

‘Actually, Penny’s thirty,’ Ashleigh corrected.

‘WHAT! No way!’

‘Y-Yeah, I am,’ Penny managed, pulling one of the thick, heavy blankets over herself. She glanced around the other girls before shrugging. ‘I have a good skin-care routine, that’s all.’

Ashleigh grinned, and pointed to a wrinkle by her eye. ‘You’ll have to teach me. These little fucks have started showing up and I need them gone ASAP.’

‘Sure, I’ll lend you some of my stuff if you like,’ Penny said. Then she shuffled. ‘So... party games?’

‘Party games!’ Ashleigh echoed, clapping her hands together loudly. ‘Yes! What do we start with?’

‘I’d suggest paper, scissors, rock, but I always end up picking scissors because, well,’ Trish winked at Anna. ‘You know.’

‘Nasty!’ Zoey threw another pillow, this time hitting Trish so hard she toppled backwards out of the nest of blankets she’d made. ‘Dis-GUST-ing!’

‘Hey, come on,’ Dale raised a hand. ‘There’s nothing wrong with having a preference! I always pick rock. I know it’s a losing strategy but that’s just part of the fun.’

Zoey hesitated. Then glanced to Anna and mouthed something Dale couldn’t make out. Then, when Anna shook her head, Zoey let out a laugh that was even louder than Trish’s and flopped onto her side.

‘Am I missing something?’ Dale asked. ‘Because it feels like I’m missing something.’

‘Nobody tell him,’ said Trish. ‘He’s gotta figure it out himself.’

‘Figure what out?’ Dale asked, much to the amusement of the party. ‘What am I missing?’

‘You’ll get it one day,’ Ashleigh pet Dale’s shoulder and grinned before turning back to the others. ‘What about truth or dare?’

‘Oh, FUCK yes!’ Trish exclaimed. ‘I LOVE truth or dare! Zoe, pass us that bottle!’

The girls all began to shuffle into a circle, clearing the blankets from the centre of the floor, and Dale was left sitting in stunned silence.

What was he supposed to be figuring out himself?

‘Come on, Dale!’ Zoey pet the spot between her and Talia. ‘Sit your butt down over here with the ladies!’

Oh, whatever. He’d think about it later.

‘So, gotta be honest,’ Dale heaved himself across the floor to join the girls. ‘I’ve never actually played this game before.’

‘Oh, thank god! I thought it was just me,’ Talia blurted, her hand finding its way to her chest as she let out a deep breath. ‘I was too embarrassed to say anything, but I have no idea what we’re doing.’

‘Eh, just go along with it,’ Trish nudged Talia playfully. ‘It’s easy to figure out. It’s pretty much in the name. We go around in a circle, and everyone gets to pick if they tell the truth to a question, or do a dare.’

‘Right. And what’s the bottle for?’

‘We spin the bottle to pick who gets to ask the question or dare.’

Ashleigh let out a laugh. ‘Jeez. That’s not how I used to play it. We used to spin the bottle to figure out who got dared.’

‘You say “dare” like truth wasn’t an option,’ said Zoey.

‘Oh, believe me, with the friends I used to have, it wasn’t!’ Ashleigh brushed the hair from her face. ‘Anyway, if we’re going in circle order, I vote that the birthday boy goes first.’

‘Sure,’ Dale felt himself grinning. ‘Hit me with a truth!’

‘Ah, drinks first!’ Ashleigh exclaimed, leaning over to retrieve a bottle of wine from her bag.

She held it out to Dale, but he shook his head. ‘I’m driving Talia home.’

‘And we both have work in the morning,’ Talia added.

‘Fine, be wet blankets! But you’re missing out!’ Ashleigh gave an over-dramatic roll of her eyes as she cracked open the bottle and took a long drink.

‘Yeah, on a hangover,’ Talia retorted.

‘Tally. Chill out,’ Trish gave Talia a shove and a wink before setting her empty bottle down and spinning it. She watched it eagerly as it spiralled slower and slower, coming to a stop on Zoey. ‘Alright, what que-’

‘Sex fact!’ Zoey blurted, causing a groan to echo through the other girls. ‘Hey— No! I get the question, and I say to give us a sex fact!’

‘That’s not even a question!’ Penny exclaimed.

‘Alright, fine then!’ Zoey put her hands on her hips and mock-sighed. ‘What is a sex fact about yourself?’

‘Coherent,’ Anna chuckled.

‘It was close enough!’ Zoey lifted a pillow as if threatening to throw it, then turned back to Dale. ‘Come on, you have to answer!’

Dale was having a hard time controlling his laughter. He could barely think of an answer as he took a deep breath and cleared his throat to try and turn his giggle into something deeper. ‘Okay. Give me- Give me a moment! I thought we were meant to build into the personal questions.’

‘But I mean, why?’ Ashleigh held up her drink. ‘Mundane is mundane. I agree with Zoe. Straight into the awkward stuff! That’s what a party is all about!’

‘Jesus Christ,’ Talia’s mutter was so quiet Dale almost missed it as she put her face in a hand and shook her head. ‘Just answer the question, Dale. Get it over with.’

‘Right, well... I’ve never had sex without a condom.’

‘What, ever?’ Trish blurted.

‘Not once! And believe me when I say that there were opportunities,’ he turned to Zoey and jabbed her in the side. ‘Like with this horny piece of meat, for example!’

‘Hah! Alright, alright, well,’ Zoey raised her hands and gave a wicked smile. ‘I don’t have secrets, so I have to go with a dare now, don’t I? Spin it!’

Dale lent forward and gave the bottle a hard twirl. It came to a stop on Talia, who pursed her lips and looked torn.

‘Whatever you’re thinking, Tally, go with the meaner one,’ Trish said, earning a side-eye and a smile from her friend.

‘Right, uh...’ Talia shuffled in place and let out a breath. ‘The meaner one.... Shirt. Your shirt. Take it... off?’

‘That’s what you consider mean? I’d do it without the dare!’ Zoey scoffed, yanking her shirt over her head and revealing her bra, which Dale couldn’t help but think was... oddly familiar, but not on her. ‘Jeez, you’re vanilla. You just want to see some tits, don’t you?’

‘What— No!’ Talia responded, a rosy blush making its way to her cheeks. ‘It was— It was the meanest thing I could think of on the spot!’

‘Sure it was!’ Trish elbowed Talia. ‘I knew I should have set you two up!’

‘Shut up!’

The argument faded into the background as Dale tried to remember where he’d seen that bra.... It wasn’t Zoey’s bra. He knew that much. It didn’t fit her properly, and he’d definitely seen it on another girl before.

‘I’m sorry, can I just—’ before he could stop himself, Dale had moved behind Zoey and was pulling on the bra’s tag.

‘Whoa, Dale, you good?’ Zoey cackled. ‘The dare was just for the shirt, mate!’

‘Isn’t that Leah’s bra?’ the realisation hit Dale, and he let out a scoff. ‘Did you fuck Leah?’

‘Now, now. I already did my dare,’ Zoey pulled the bra’s strap up and let it go with a loud snap that made the other girls cringe. ‘You’ll have to wait until next turn to find that out!’

‘You did! You fucked Leah!’ Dale exclaimed. ‘Oh my god, I didn’t even know you knew Leah!’

‘Trish introduced us,’ Zoey shrugged. ‘No big deal.’

‘Jesus,’ Dale couldn’t help but shake his head as he settled back into his place on the floor. He couldn’t believe it. Were all his exes turning gay?

‘I’ll take a dare,’ Ashleigh cut in, spinning the bottle.

It landed on Anna, who flopped onto Trish’s legs and began to tap her fingers on her chin. ‘Hmm.... Is suggesting you sit in Zoey’s lap too much?’

‘Nope!’ Ashleigh practically leapt on top of Zoey, who gave a loud grunt, and then lent back so their cheeks were pressed together. ‘Hey there.’

‘Hey there,’ Zoey responded, sounding winded.

‘Oh, I like the air in this room,’ Trish cackled. ‘Can’t believe we haven’t met before, Ashleigh. You seem like an absolute scream!’

‘I guarantee you I am,’ Ashleigh brushed the hair from her face and grinned wickedly, settling into place with a wiggle that made Zoey groan.... Or was it a moan?

Dale couldn’t tell, and instead decided to continue the game. ‘Truth for you, Penny?’

‘I was going to. But now it’s just embarrassing to be that predictable.... So I guess I’ll do a dare,’ Penny adjusted her blanket again as the bottle was spun. ‘Ah. Is that Zoey or Ashleigh who gets to ask? Because either way that’s terrible for me.’

‘Let’s say Zoey,’ Dale decided. ‘Because it’s Zoey’s spot. If it points to the empty air where Ashleigh’s supposed to be we can say that’s her turn.’

‘Makes sense,’ Zoey managed, shifting under Ashleigh awkwardly and trying to catch her breath.

‘Do you need me to move?’ Ashleigh asked, a hint of something Dale didn’t quite catch in her voice as she went to pull away, but Zoey pulled her back. ‘Ooh, okay. I see how it is.’

‘You’re not getting out of your dare that easily,’ Zoey panted as Ashleigh began to shift again. ‘Right, Penny. I have to think of a dare. Uh.... Fuck.’

‘I’m not doing that,’ Penny joked.

‘Ashleigh can you please get your elbow out of my cooch?’ Zoey breathed. ‘You’re destroying me!’

‘Heh, cooch,’ Trish snickered. ‘Thought you would have liked that, Zoe!’

‘Not when her whole weight’s leaning into it, I don’t!’ Zoey gasped in a breath of air as Ashleigh shifted again. ‘Oh my god. You know how to make a girl uncomfortable!’

Ashleigh just winked and pressed back harder into Zoey, who grunted painfully.

‘Can you two maybe stop flirting long enough to give me my dare?’ Penny rolled her eyes.

Flirting? Dale hesitated. Was that what they were doing?

‘I don’t know, I’m enjoying the show,’ Trish cackled. ‘If Zoey doesn’t want to give you a dare though, we can spin again—’

‘NO!’ Zoey gasped as Ashleigh bounced in a mock-attempt to get comfortable. ‘Penny! Drink! The entire bottle! Now!’

‘This one?’ Penny asked, picking up Ashleigh’s abandoned drink. ‘I... guess? Okay?’

It was gone quicker than Dale expected, and for a second Dale wondered if Penny had done something like this before— But then she lurched sideways and barely caught herself, and instead he was left wondering the same thing for the opposite reason.

‘Truth,’ Anna blurted before spinning the bottle. ‘Ashleigh?’

‘Pads or tampons?’ Ashleigh asked, jamming herself into Zoey again.

‘Neither,’ she responded. ‘I use a cup.’

‘A what?’

‘A menstrual cup,’ Anna replied. ‘It’s a reusable silicon insert that catches the blood. It’s sort of like a tampon, but you don’t need to change it as often.’

As Anna explained, Trish reached into her bag and pulled out a little plastic egg —Dale recognised it as one from a chocolate surprise— and popped it open to reveal a small, suction-cup looking object. She held it out to the girls and grinned.

‘It’s clean, and you girls are welcome to hold it, just know that it’s been inside me.’

Ashleigh didn’t hesitate. She climbed off Zoey and grabbed the cup, examining it closely before passing it to Penny— Who passed it to Zoey, who offered it to Dale.

‘Uh, it’s cool if I touch it right?’ Dale asked.

‘Of course it is!’ Trish snorted a laugh. ‘What, you scared of it?’

‘What— No, it’s just that I’m a guy,’ Dale shrugged, and took the cup. It was... squishier, then he had expected. ‘I wanted to make sure it was alright with you, first. That’s all.’

‘Dale’s never been squeamish about periods,’ Zoey chuckled. ‘Unlike my last boyfriend! Like. I bleed. Get over it! Ugh.’

‘They save a lot of money,’ Talia muttered, blushing when she met Dale’s eye.

‘And there’s like, practically no leaking!’ Trish grinned.

‘Holy fuck, seriously? I want one!’ Ashleigh blurted. ‘Where do I get them?’

‘Online. There’s a few different brands,’ Anna pulled out her phone. ‘Give me your email and I’ll send you some links.’

‘And while you do that! Truth!’ Trish grabbed the bottle and gave it a hard spin. It landed on herself, so she spun it again. And again. ‘Dale! Ask me a question!’

‘Right, uh...’ Dale had to pull himself away from Anna and Ashleigh’s conversation to finally hand Trish her cup back. ‘How... did you and Talia meet?’

‘Oh, wow, nothing saucy?’

‘Nah, nothing saucy,’ Dale shook his head. ‘Just something I’ve been meaning to ask for a while.’

‘Well, it’s sort of boring, sort of sad,’ Trish shrugged. ‘It took us two months after moving in to meet her. Not that we didn’t try. We knocked on her door and she ignored us, even when we knew she was home. She made every effort to avoid us that she could. Then, I was coming home from class one night and there was a blackout. I couldn’t see shit, and I tripped over her on the stairs. She was just like, lying face down in the stairwell, sobbing into her purse. I had to literally drag her up the stairs to her room, and she was super uncooperative about it!’

‘I was too tired to make it home,’ Talia blushed. ‘When the lights went out I just... gave up and decided I was done with the day. Didn’t really care where I was.’

‘Oh, jeez,’ Dale sucked a breath of air in. ‘Sorry.’

‘Don’t be. It was years ago.... Anyway, I uh,’ Talia paused, looking around the room, before grabbing the bottle. ‘My turn, isn’t it? I guess I’ll go with a dare.’

‘Oh, fuck yeah!’ Ashleigh clapped her hands as the bottle fell on her. ‘Kiss Dale. On the lips. As a birthday gift!’

Talia glanced to Dale, and Dale felt his heart leap as he caught the look in her eyes before she looked to the floor.

‘I’m not doing that,’ she responded.

‘Come on! It’s a dare!’ Ashleigh said. ‘You have to!’

‘Oh, no, Talia—‘ Trish hesitated, and Dale could tell there was something she knew that he didn’t. ‘Uh....’

The look Talia gave Dale as she shuffled closer made his heart clench. It was like she was feeling all the same, weird mix of emotions he was. And then, as he glanced from Talia to Trish and back, he realised it:

Talia liked him, too.

All their conversations, and bickering, and stupid jokes all came back and, finally, Dale saw it. It all made sense. Everything did.

It had been obvious. Right in his face. Right in everyone’s faces! And he’d been too stupid to notice.

He wished he’d said something about his own feelings sooner.

All the time he’d wasted, not saying anything....

He could only imagine what he’d missed. The moments. The opportunities. Everything....

He really wished he’d said something sooner.

‘Dale?’ Zoey asked tentatively.

‘Huh?’ was all Dale could manage as he forced himself to come back to reality. ‘Sorry I— I zoned out. Talia, you don’t have to kiss me. It’s fine.’

‘Uh, it’s a little late for that,’ Trish gave a scoff and crossed her arms. ‘Did you not notice?’

‘Notice what?’ he asked. Then he tasted the strawberry on his lips and realised that while focused on the pounding of his heart in his ears, he’d missed the kiss. ‘Oh, shit, wait— You did it already? I was distracted!’

‘By what!’

‘I was just thinking about—‘ he knew he couldn’t say it.

‘About what?’

‘Work? Tomorrow. My paperwork. I just realised I have something for a client that’s overdue,’ he glanced to Talia, who blushed, and Dale wondered if she knew he was lying. And then he glanced to Trish, and could tell by the look in her eyes that she knew it was bullshit. ‘So. My turn again, huh? Well... how about a dare?’

Part 34:

It had been a long night. Talia could barely keep her eyes open as she rocked in the passenger seat of Dale’s car.

It was calming, looking out the window at the dark, wet road. It reminded her of when she was young, and things were simpler. Easier.

She almost wished it didn’t. She didn’t want to remember her parents talking in the front seat as they drove around the block in an effort to lull her to sleep. Like they actually cared about her, or something....

She glanced into the rear view mirror with weary eyes and couldn’t help but smile when she saw Trish brush the hair away from Anna’s face before stealing a kiss.... And Dale missed it as he glanced into his blind spot to turn.

Of course he would miss it, Talia felt herself laugh. It was weak, and tired, but it found its way from her chest to her nose and she felt the urge to cover her mouth as Dale pulled into the apartment’s car park.

‘Something funny?’ Dale asked.

‘Just... nothing,’ Talia muttered, resting her head against the window again.

Gavin would be in bed by now. That was a relief. She didn’t think she’d be able to get him in bed herself if he wasn’t.... But as Dale had said before, he always seemed to listen to Richard.

Talia was snapped back awake by the sound of Dale pulling on the hand-break. She didn’t think she’d fallen asleep, but she must have. Just for a moment or two as Dale had parked the car.... Had she?

God, she was tired.

‘Hey, wake up, hon,’ Trish gently shook Anna until she let out a yawn and mumbled herself conscious again. ‘We’re home. Come on, I’ll tuck you in with the heated blanket and rub your feet.’

The girls climbed out of the car and wearily stumbled through the lot to the stairwell door.

‘Trish seems like a great friend,’ Dale commented as the girls started up the stairs.

Talia was too tired to think of something mean to say. She could barely muster up the energy to think about how stupid he was.

Stupid and charming.

It scared her, how much she liked him.... How much she’d enjoyed the kiss. She had loved it. And although she’d spent all night trying, she couldn’t seem to convince herself otherwise.

She’d had the perfect excuse for it, too. And Dale never had to know that it had been something she’d been wanting to do. That it was a type of intimacy she’d been craving for so long she hadn’t even realised just how much she’d needed it before it was over.

Maybe he’d enjoyed it too?

Wishful thinking, she told herself.

Though.... He’d licked his lips all night. Long after the lipstick mark had disappeared. Like he was hoping for the feeling to come back, just like she was.

Maybe she should say something....

No. She couldn’t.

Why not?

Because—

Because....

Because she had to go to bed.

Yeah.

She had to go to bed.

Bed....

And she realised she was already in bed, and Dale was halfway out her bedroom door.

‘Dale?’ she muttered. Had he carried her up the stairs again?

‘Yeah?’ he paused to let her speak, his form silhouetted by the hallway light that spilt into the room and cast yellow-black shadows along the walls.

A hundred thoughts tried to find their way out of her head. But in the end, a weak, ‘Stay?’ was all she could manage.

Dale let go of the door and made his way across the room, each step letting more of the light in— But his shadow never pulled away from her face. Even when he sat beside her, he shielded her eyes from the harsh yellow light.

Talia lifted herself onto an elbow and took a deep breath.

She had to say something.

About her feelings. About her fears.

She had to tell him how much she wanted him.

She had to.

Tell him.

Tell him!

‘I’m sorry,’ she muttered. ‘I’m sorry I’m always so... so me. I’m trying not to be. I want to be a better person, but... it’s hard.’

Dale’s hand met hers, and she felt a shiver crawl from her toes to her ears as their eyes met.

He didn’t say anything as he lifted her blanket and slipped underneath it.

She felt warm, and wasn’t sure if it was her blush or if it was Dale’s arms around her as his fingers ran through her hair and his lips slowly... so, so slowly... pressed against hers for the second time that night.

It was so perfect.

So wonderful.

Nothing could ever....

Nothing could ever disturb this....

Could it?

Talia closed her eyes and took in a deep breath.

Then she jolted awake as a shape with the size and weight of an eleven-year-old boy leapt onto her legs and shouted that it was late for school.

School?

Oh no— Gavin!

She’d slept in!

Talia tried to clamber out of bed, but tripped on Dale.

Dale?

She half-processed the thought before she heard her son’s feet hit the floor and her brain started to bounce between the two boys in her bedroom.

Gavin—

School—

Dale—

Kiss—

Gavin—

Dale—

Gavin—

‘Talia?’

‘School!’

She climbed over the top of Dale to reach her bedside table, and fumbled with Gavin’s medicine.

‘School?’ Dale echoed. ‘Oh, shit— Gavin!’

He fell out of bed after Talia and bolted into the kitchen with enough force to almost demolish it. Talia grabbed his keys as they fell to the floor behind him and practically threw Gavin’s medicine into his mouth.

‘Keys!’ she exclaimed. ‘Medicine!’

‘Lunch!’ Dale responded. ‘Car!’

‘Downstairs! Hurry! Go! Go! Now!’

The door closed behind the trio with a loud bang, and their footsteps echoed down the stairwell as their voices faded and the apartment was left to fall quiet.

Part 35:

Talia had seemed surprised to find Dale in her bed that morning. But he understood. He was just as surprised to have woken up in her bed with her. He barely remembered joining her the night before.

He thought, though, as Talia quickly fixed her makeup in the rear view mirror and he straightened his shirt collar, it was a nice surprise.... Except for Gavin almost being late to school. That part hadn’t been quite so nice. They’d gotten there before first period started, at least. Even if he had missed homeroom.

‘So...’ Dale felt himself swallowing as he glanced to Talia again. ‘Last night.’

‘Mhm.’

‘Should we talk about it?’

‘Work first,’ Talia replied, refusing to meet his eye. ‘We have a long day. And we’re already late.’

‘Right...’ Dale trailed off, and glanced around the empty car park. They were early, actually. But he wasn’t going to correct her. He knew that wasn’t the point. And that she knew they weren’t late. He wasn’t going to put her on the spot like that. ‘So. You ready to go in?’

‘Am I ever?’ Talia shrugged and threw her makeup back into her bag. Then, to Dale’s relief, she smiled. ‘Come on. Let’s go before too many people stink up the elevator.’

A laugh found its way out of Dale as he climbed out of the car and headed into the reception room. He threw a quick greeting to the front-door receptionist (Steph? Beth? He’d have to ask her name again, or Richard would kill him!) before following Talia into the elevator.

Then it went quiet again as Talia pushed the buttons and faced the doors as they closed.

Dale felt himself shuffle awkwardly as Talia stood, just a little too stiffly, beside him.... And when he dared a glance, he caught her doing the same— And both of them coughed and turned away again.

The doors couldn’t open fast enough, and Talia slipped out before Dale could have fit his shoulders through. Not that it changed much. About three seconds later they were standing awkwardly together again in front of Talia’s desk as she eyed the paperwork Richard had left for her.

‘So...’ Dale glanced to his office. He didn’t want to go in. He didn’t want to spend the day with a wall between them, when there was so much to say instead. ‘Work, huh?’

‘Mm,’ Talia tapped her foot anxiously, her eyes still on her paperwork as her hands found their way behind her back and her glasses slipped forward to the end of her nose. ‘Work.’

‘Work,’ Dale repeated. Then he gave a shrug and turned to his office. ‘Well, then. I guess I’ll just....’

He’d barely taken two steps before Talia’s hand found his arm and he turned back, just in time for her to lift herself onto her toes and peck him on the lips. He felt his entire body tense as she dropped back down and looked away again.

‘We’ll talk after work,’ she muttered. ‘I just need some time to think about things.’

‘Yeah,’ Dale gave her a nod. His knees were so weak he thought he might collapse as he swallowed and licked his lips— Tasting that lipstick again. ‘I understand. Just... after work, right?’

‘Right.’

‘Right,’ it took all of Dale’s effort to turn back to his office. And his heart stopped when he saw Aiden standing awkwardly in his doorway, half-filled bag of garbage in one hand, broom in the other.

‘Oh.... Uh,’ Aiden looked past Dale, and Dale could only guess that Talia was glaring daggers at him as he blushed and rushed to the elevator. He pressed the button too many times, both while waiting for it to arrive and while waiting for the doors to close.... And then, as they were closing, Dale saw him drop his things and pull out his phone.

Probably to gossip to Meg. Who would tell Trish. Who would call Talia.... And who knew how that would go?

Dale certainly didn’t— So he hurried into his office and closed the door.

Part 36:

Talia was furious at Aiden. The bastard had slunk off home after telling Meg about the kiss, and Talia hadn’t been able to strangle him to death in the break room like she’d been hoping to after she’d gotten off the phone with Trish.

Smart idea he had, fucking off after a stunt like that.... But he had to come back to work sometime, and when he did... she was going to kill him.

Dale pulled up into the pickup bay of Gavin’s school and Talia let out a heavy sigh. She knew it was coming. He hadn’t said anything the whole drive, and they knew they had to talk about it before they picked up Gavin.... He’d ask questions about what he’d seen that morning. And Talia had no idea how to answer any of them.

Dale’s fingers rapped against the steering wheel for a moment before he leant back in his seat and let out a sigh of his own.

‘So,’ he started.

‘So....’

‘You want to talk about what happened?’

‘I don’t know,’ said Talia. ‘I guess we have to, don’t we?’

‘I suppose we do,’ Dale replied. ‘Well.... First things first; do you like me?’

Talia looked away, focusing her gaze on the school yard and scanning the building for signs of students. ‘Yes.’

‘Do you want to date me?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘You don’t know?’ Dale asked, his fingers tapping on the wheel again.

‘I’ve been trying to decide all day,’ Talia admitted. ‘That’s why I didn’t want to talk about it sooner. Because I’m just not sure. It’s... overwhelming. And I’m sorry. I wish I had an answer.’

‘Hey, it’s alright,’ Dale replied, and Talia felt his hand rest on hers. When she turned to him his gaze was soft, and kind, and full of love, and it made her heart wrench sideways and upside down. ‘You don’t have to be sure, yet. You can think about it.’

‘You’d wait for an answer?’ Talia almost scoffed. ‘That’s.... I don’t know how long it’ll take me. What if it takes me a week to decide?’

Dale shrugged. ‘Then I’ll wait a week for the answer.... Though, I’m going to ask you about it every day.’

‘God, I want to strangle you! Stop being so sweet!’ Talia groaned. She caught a glimpse of Dale’s grin as she turned and dropped her head against the window with a huff. They both sat for a while, staring at the nearby buildings, before Talia let out an exasperated breath and turned back. ‘Dale?’

‘Yeah?’

‘Thanks,’ she managed. ‘For being patient with me. I appreciate it.’

‘It’s alright,’ he replied.

Then the bell rang, and less than a minute later students were pouring out the doors into the yard.

‘Here they come,’ Dale said.

‘Oh, no, is that Jacob?’ Talia groaned— And then felt herself relax as Jacob waved goodbye and veered off in another direction. ‘Oh thank god. I did not want him being involved in this conversion.’

‘Yeah, talk about awkward,’ Dale gave a half-hearted laugh, which became much more genuine as Gavin pulled open the car door and leapt in. ‘Hey, Gav, how was school?’

‘Was alright,’ Gavin replied, throwing his bag in the foot-well and pulling on his belt. ‘What were you doing in Mum’s bed last night?’

For god’s sake, Gavin! Talia almost screamed as she watched her son through the rear-view mirror. Have some tact!

Thankfully, Dale chuckled. Though it was awkward. ‘Just chilling.’

Gavin’s brow furrowed, and he looked confused as he stared at Dale. ‘Chilling?’

‘Yeah, chilling!’ Dale repeated. ‘Nothing wrong with two people just, you know, hanging out!’

‘In bed together?’

‘Yeah!’ said Dale, his voice cracking as he blushed. ‘Just two good friends. Hanging out.’

Gavin looked at his mother. Then to Dale. Then back and forth again before he rolled his eyes. ‘You asked her out, didn’t you?’

‘Yes,’ Dale admitted.

‘Like you said you would.’

‘Yes.’

‘Wait, you knew he was going to ask me out?’ Talia turned in her seat. ‘Since when?’

‘I dunno. A while,’ Gavin shrugged. ‘He asked me if it was alright. Because if you said yes we’d have to start sharing your time. He wanted to make sure that I’d be okay with that. And I told him it was cool.’

‘He really asked you that?’ Talia’s gaze moved to Dale, and she felt a wave of emotions hit her as he smiled and shrugged. Like it had been no big deal.

But it was a big deal. For him to care enough about Gavin to ask first— And that Gavin trusted him enough to be okay with it.... Her heart almost ached from it.

Why was he so sweet?

‘So, did you say yes?’ Gavin asked. ‘He’s not dead. So it can’t have gone too badly.’

Talia laughed at that —louder and longer than she meant to— and she had to sit up straight and take a deep breath before she was able to answer. ‘I told him I’m not sure. That I would think about it for a while, until I was.’

‘You can do that?’ Gavin’s eyes widened. ‘Huh! I figured you had to choose straight away!’

‘Nah!’ Dale responded cheerfully as the car gave a rumble and began to move. ‘It’s a big choice that changes a lot of things, so it’s okay to want to think about it first!’

‘Huh,’ Gavin leant back against the car seat. ‘Guess there’s a lot about dating I don’t know yet.’

‘Well, you’re only eleven,’ Dale comforted. ‘Give it some time, you’ll figure it out. No reason to rush.’

‘Right, and you’ve had a lot of practice, haven’t you?’

‘Yep.’

‘Good,’ said Gavin. ‘You can teach Mum, then! She’s never dated anyone! At least, not since she had me. So she’s not the best at it, and is gonna need a lot of help.’

‘Gavin—’ Talia cut off with a sigh and eyed her son through the rear-view mirror. ‘Honey. Please. I’m not completely useless.’

‘Mmm,’ Gavin pulled a face, and Talia wasn’t sure whether or not she should have been offended. ‘When it comes to dating you kinda are.’

‘Gavin—’

‘I think you’re just bad at talking to people,’ Gavin continued. ‘Like. In general? It’s not something you’re very good at. Even with Trish and Anna you can get kinda weird and mean.’

‘Hey, Gav, keep the roasts for dinner,’ Dale cut in. Then he eyed Talia and gave her a cheeky grin. ‘Just because something’s true doesn’t mean you need to say it.’

‘Dale!’ Talia snapped, feeling her cheeks burn hot. ‘You boys, I swear to god! I will get out of this car right now and walk home if you don’t watch your mouths!’

‘We’re on the highway,’ Dale commented. ‘I’m going eighty.’

‘You think that’ll stop me?’ Talia put her hand on her seatbelt buckle and raised her brow. ‘You think I’m afraid to prove a point?’

Dale didn’t reply. Instead, he reached for the dashboard— And Talia heard the car doors lock as he pressed one of the buttons under the radio.

‘Smart choice,’ Talia commented, resting her hands on her knees.

‘Well, I want you alive,’ Dale chuckled. ‘You know. On account of the whole “loving you” thing.’

Talia blew a raspberry and rolled her eyes. She tried to look severe... but she couldn’t stop the grin that was forcing its way to her face as the car slowed at a red light and Gavin craned his neck to see the cars ahead.

‘Have cars always had those red lights?’

‘The brake lights?’ Dale asked with a laugh. ‘Pretty sure all cars have brake lights, mate.’

‘No, not the ones by the wheels,’ Gavin pointed. ‘The ones above the back window.’

Talia followed Gavin’s finger to the car ahead and frowned.

Had cars always had those lights? She never recalled seeing them before.

She glanced to the car beside the car in front— Which also had the light.

Another car over.... Yes! It also had the light.

‘See? One, two, three,’ Gavin pointed from the bottom two lights to the top, which promptly disappeared as the car began moving again. ‘Is that really a brake light?’

‘Yeah? They’ve been around since forever,’ said Dale. ‘Pretty sure it’s illegal for new cars not to have them.’

‘I never noticed them before,’ Gavin gave a shrug.

‘Me either,’ Talia admitted.

‘I guess you two just haven’t spent much time around cars,’ Dale laughed. ‘Not surprising.’

‘Can you tell me more about cars?’ Gavin asked.

‘Eh, I don’t know too much about them, really,’ Dale shrugged. ‘That’s more Dick’s thing. All I can do is parrot stuff he’s told me.... Anyway, almost home. Any plans on what you’re gonna do?’

‘Yeah, I’m gonna play Old Scrolls,’ Gavin grinned. ‘I’ve been trying to finish all the side quests before I do the main quest, and I got a new companion. He’s a rat-man who casts fireballs!’

Talia shook her head as Gavin continued explaining his game to Dale; she didn’t get it. She tried to understand, but she just couldn’t wrap her brain around the kinds of games he played. They all seemed a little weird, and a little violent....

But, well... they weren’t too bad. And at least he was showing her what he was doing, she supposed. She had that over most of the other parents she’d known.... Even Jacob didn’t show his parents stuff like that, from what the Conners had told her. So she guessed she was lucky. And it wasn’t like she didn’t have fun watching her son do something that made him so happy....

It was good to hear him laugh so much.

And just as she thought about it, she heard him start snickering, and wondered what joke she’d missed as Dale turned into the apartment’s car park and slotted into one of the spots.

She’d only half-undone her seatbelt before Gavin leant over the seat and planted a kiss on her cheek.

‘I’ll meet you inside!’ he decided, reaching into Talia’s pocket for her keys. She didn’t have time to argue otherwise before he was out of the car and halfway into the stairwell.

‘Gavin wai— Ugh,’ Talia leant back in her seat as her son disappeared.

‘There he goes,’ Dale’s voice floated into the car as he pulled open Talia’s door for her. ‘Fast little bugger, isn’t he? Nyoom.’

‘Nyoom,’ Talia repeated, though a little flatter than Dale had said it. ‘Sometimes I wish he’d slow down. Just a little bit.’

‘Aw, but then he wouldn’t be Gavin, would he?’ joked Dale. Then he offered Talia his hand. ‘Come on. You alright?’

‘Yeah, I...’ Talia hesitated, then took his hand and let him pull her up. ‘I’m fine. I just....’

She lost her train of thought.

And when Dale waited patiently for her to continue she felt her cheeks start to burn, and she looked away and pulled her hand back.

‘Talia?’ Dale’s voice was soft as his hand took hers again and gave it a squeeze that trapped butterflies in her stomach. ‘Hey.... Look at me?’

She dared to turn back, and as she met his soft, kind eyes she felt the butterflies trying to push out of her throat.

‘Talia,’ Dale managed, his voice cracking with the same emotions that had paralysed Talia. ‘Please be my girlfriend?’

And the butterflies escaped her as a laugh.

She didn’t mean them to.

But they escaped her, and she found herself choking on giggle after giggle as she collapsed back into the car and covered her mouth with her hands.

She had known that the question was coming, but she hadn’t expected it to sound like that out loud. And she hadn’t thought he would word it like that.

So simple.

So straightforward.

So completely stupid.

“Please be my girlfriend.”

Why had he said it like that?!

God, why!

She could barely breathe— It was too much! The way he’d asked her had just been too much and now she couldn’t stop laughing as tears welled in her eyes and she choked on a happy sob.

‘Talia?’ Dale took her hands. ‘Are you alright?’

She tried to answer, but instead of words she let out a horrid-sounding wheeze, throaty and deep, which was followed by a breathless cackle.

‘Talia?’

‘Please be my girlfriend!’ Talia finally managed as tears streamed down her cheeks. ‘Please— Be my—‘

She let out another cackle and wheeze, which turned into a coughing fit as she desperately tried to catch her breath.

‘Are you okay?’ Dale asked, pulling her close.

‘Why’d you ask it like that?! You could have asked literally any other way!’ Talia managed, hoarsely. Then she snickered, and gave a loud sniff, and buried her face in Dale’s chest. ‘For Christ’s sake, Dale. Alright! Yes! I’ll be your girlfriend!’

Part 37:

Things had been going so perfectly since his birthday that Dale could barely believe it. He couldn’t believe Talia had said yes. Especially when he’d only asked her twice, and on the same day.

But that second time... it had just felt right to him. And he supposed it had to her, as well.

She’d cried on the way up the stairs that day.

It was strange, how things had turned out. Everything was so different— But also, so much the same.

The biggest difference, really, was that Talia had been happier.

Their relationship hadn’t been a magical fix, and she was clearly still having a lot of trouble being open with him.... But she was definitely happier. And right now, that was all he could ask for.

This was only the third time she’d let him stay over in the month since they’d gotten together. He’d have stayed over every night, if she’d let him. Or, even better; he’d have had her stay at his house. Though... she still wasn’t comfortable enough for that, yet. And it was clear it would be a while before she was. So, as much as he would have loved to wrap her up in his softest bed sheets and kiss her to sleep every night, he instead settled for the not-quite-weekly stays in her room.

Dale was distracted from his thoughts as Talia stretched and stole the blanket, and he had to bite back his laugh as he stole it back. He tugged her close against his chest, catching a glimpse of the clock on her bedside table and quietly cursing that he only had another ten minutes with her before the alarm went off.

Though, as he heard Gavin’s feet hit the floor in the other room, he realised he wasn’t going to get it.

Dale had barely let out his sigh before Talia’s door creaked open and the light from the hall shone in.

‘Gav, it’s not seven yet,’ Dale muttered. ‘Don’t you want to sleep a little longer?’

‘No, I’m awake,’ Gavin replied. ‘I.... I want to talk to you about something, Dale. It’s important.’

‘Alright,’ Dale took a deep, throaty breath, and forced himself out of bed. He stretched, then stumbled down the hall after Gavin. ‘Guess I’ll make breakfast for everyone, huh?’

‘That’d be nice,’ Gavin said, pulling a chair from the table to the kitchen. ‘And we can talk while you do?’

‘Yeah, of course,’ Dale yawned as he went through the cupboards. ‘Bacon and eggs?’

‘Yes please. Scrambled?’

‘Sure,’ Dale pulled out what he needed and, with another yawn, started cooking. ‘So, what did you want to talk to me about?’

‘Well... it’s about...’ Gavin hesitated. Then sighed. And then he went quiet.

‘Gav?’ Dale said gently.

‘Mm...’ a blush crept over Gavin’s cheeks as he looked to his feet and kicked out at the wall. But he didn’t say anything. Instead, the only noise was the sizzle of their breakfast.

Dale waited for Gavin to continue. He tried to look patient, though he wasn’t sure he was fully hiding his concern as he eyed the boy; whatever it was seemed to be a big deal. A big, stressful deal.... He hoped Gavin wasn’t in trouble. But he couldn’t push him; Gavin had come to him, so he had to wait.

Dale was almost done cooking when Gavin finally spoke.

‘Dale, you had a lot of girlfriends before my mum, right?’

‘Yeah, a few,’ Dale replied. ‘Why?’

‘Well... I want to know.... How do you ask someone out?’

Dale felt the knot in his chest unravel into relief. ‘You have a crush?’

Gavin gave a nod, though he kept his eyes to the wall. ‘I’ve been watching you and Mum, and I think how I feel is the same.’

‘Ah,’ Dale gave his own nod. ‘I see.... That’s cool. What’s her name?’

‘No— Not a girl,’ Gavin admitted. ‘It’s Jacob.’

‘Jacob?’ Dale paused.

Gavin gave another nod, though he still didn’t meet Dale’s eye.

Oh.

That was why he’d been so nervous.

Dale watched Gavin kick at the wall again and felt the knot in his chest come back as he realised just how nervous the boy looked.

The fact he was anxious about liking a boy.... Dale supposed he had probably seen some homophobia before, with Talia being bi.

That wasn’t fair. Gavin was too young to be scared of something like this.

‘Oh, Jacob! From school! Yeah!’ Dale forced his own anxiety down and gave a laugh. He quickly scraped the food out of the pan and onto a plate before he headed to the table, ruffling Gavin’s hair as he passed. ‘Jacob’s pretty cool, isn’t he?’

‘Yeah,’ Gavin gave a smile, and finally looked to Dale as he dragged his chair back to where it belonged and started serving himself breakfast. ‘Yeah he’s cool.... Do you think I should ask him out?’

‘Why not?’ Dale turned to the hall as he heard Talia’s alarm go off. ‘He’s nice, so what have you got to lose— Hey, save some eggs for your mum, right? She’s mean when she’s hungry.’

‘She’s mean anyway,’ Gavin teased.

‘Yeah, but not to you!’ Dale retorted, gently smacking the boy’s hand away from the food. ‘Eat what you’ve got already, you little brat!’

‘Okay, okay,’ giggling, Gavin began to poke at his food. ‘Should we wait for Mum?’

‘Nah,’ Dale waved his fork playfully. ‘The sooner you eat the sooner you can get dressed. And the sooner you’re dressed, the sooner we can get rid of you!’

Gavin’s giggle grew at that, and he shovelled far too much of his food into his mouth at once as Talia stumbled into the room. Her nightgown was pulled up at an awkward angle and her hair stood up on one side, and as she made her way to the boys and collapsed into her spot at the table face-down, Dale couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

‘You don’t look much better,’ Talia muttered into the tablecloth. Then, Dale watched as she opened her mouth and let her retainer simply fall out onto the table, spit dripping after it before she closed her mouth again and made a very uncomfortable wet sound.

‘Probably not,’ Dale agreed as he smoothed down his hair. ‘I think the only presentable one here is Gavin.’

Talia looked up at her son. She stared at him for a moment before reaching across the table for the tissue box, which she pushed towards Gavin. ‘Wipe your mouth, honey.’

‘Hey, so,’ Dale nudged Talia. ‘You remember how I hung out with Anna and Trish yesterday?’

‘Mhm?’ Talia gave a tired nod and poked at her food.

‘Well, we walked past one of those pop-up wedding boutiques and they took an interest.’

‘Yeah!’ Gavin lifted himself halfway out of his chair, his eyes lighting up. ‘They want to get married!’

‘Sit down, Gavin,’ Talia mumbled.

Gavin settled down and began cramming the second half of his breakfast into his mouth.

Dale chuckled. ‘That’s really sweet—’

‘Eat slower, Gavin!’

‘—I didn’t know they had boyfriends.’

Gavin stopped, his mouth half-full, and gave Dale a confused look. Then he looked to his mother. ‘Hmmhm?’

Talia shook her head.

Then Gavin’s confused look turned to a frown and he swallowed. ‘Dale, you’re kinda stupid.’

‘Wh—’

‘Gavin, don’t call Dale stupid!’ Talia exclaimed.

‘It’s true, though!’

‘I don’t care how true it is, don’t call him stupid!’

‘Why not?’ Gavin asked, far too much humour in his voice as he grinned at his mother.

Talia opened her mouth to argue, but Dale put up a hand.

‘Gav, stop working her up,’ he warned. ‘Go get dressed, let her eat in peace.’

‘But—’

‘Gav, she’s tired.’

Gavin paused. Then he slid out of his chair and slipped around the table to Talia, who shifted so he could kiss her on the cheek.

‘Sorry, Mum,’ he mumbled. ‘I was just mucking about.’

‘I know,’ she gave a half-sigh, half-laugh, and planted her own kiss on Gavin’s forehead. ‘But you have to be nice to Dale, alright? I want to keep him, you know. You can’t chase him off on me now.’

‘Right,’ Gavin chuckled back. Then he glanced to Dale. ‘But I don’t think Dale’s going anywhere.’

‘I don’t know about that,’ Dale teased, leaning back in his chair and waving his hand dramatically. ‘I very well might, if you keep bullying me! I mean—’

Dale was cut off by his own shout as the chair gave out underneath him. He fell to the floor in a heap as the flimsy plastic chair legs were flung in different directions across the room— One narrowly missing Gavin as he leapt aside, and the other skidding towards the kitchen.

‘Oh my god!’ Talia exclaimed, leaping from her own chair. ‘Dale! Are you alright?!’

‘I’m fine!’ Dale felt a laugh escape him as he rolled to his feet. ‘Your chairs are terrible, Talia!’

‘They’re fine if you sit on them properly!’ Talia scolded as she looked Dale over. ‘Are you hurt?’

Dale shook his head and laughed again as Talia placed a hand on his cheek and looked up at him with worry. ‘I’m fine. But I think you’re going to need a new chair.’

‘No, you can just sit on the floor,’ Talia joked as she gave a relieved sigh. Then she shook her head and leant against Dale, who wrapped an arm around her. ‘Jesus, Dale. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?’

‘Yeah, that way I get to have Gavin all to myself.’

‘Jokes on you, Trish is his godmother,’ said Talia.

‘Darn,’ Dale gave a chuckle, then motioned to Gavin. ‘Right. You. Stop giggling! Go get dressed and grab your meds.’

‘Okay, okay,’ Gavin gave one last snicker before turning and hurrying to his room.

Dale and Talia watched for a moment before Talia let out a heavy sigh and pulled away from Dale.

‘We should get ready, too,’ she said.

‘Probably,’ Dale agreed. ‘After you’ve eaten, though.’

‘I’ve had enough—‘

‘You’ve had one bite of egg,’ Dale interrupted, guiding Talia back to her seat and sitting her down. ‘You finish your breakfast, young lady.’

‘Hah! Haven’t been called that in a while,’ Talia gave a snort and picked up her fork, which she waved around in a joking manner. ‘What do you think you’re trying to do, hmm? Flirt with me?’

‘Oh, absolutely not,’ Dale gave a mock-gasp. ‘You’re way out of my league! You’d never go out with me! I’d be silly to even try!’

‘I don’t know, I hear you have money,’ said Talia. ‘I might consider it, if you’re rich enough.’

‘Well, then!’ Dale reached into his pocket and slammed down a fifty dollar note. ‘Will this do?’

Talia hesitated.

‘What?’

‘Fifty dollars?’ Talia observed. ‘In your pyjamas pocket?’

‘Yeah?’ Dale gave a shrug. ‘Is that... not normal?’

‘No, it is certainly not,’ she replied. ‘Most people don’t keep money in their pyjamas, let alone that much.’

‘They don’t?!’

‘No, Dale, they don’t,’ Talia confirmed.

‘Huh,’ Dale stuck his hands in his pockets and chuckled. ‘Well, I blame the fact I’m not used to pyjamas, yet.’

‘Not used to them?’

‘I only brought this pair so I could stay over,’ Dale explained. ‘Usually, I don’t wear anything to bed.’

‘Oh for— Dale!’ Talia let out a loud sigh. Then she looked up, past Dale, and frowned. ‘Gavin, I thought we told you to get ready.’

Dale spun around to see Gavin in the hall, dressed, but not in his uniform.

‘I am ready!’ Gavin complained.

‘Where’s your uniform, mate?’ Dale chuckled. ‘Pretty sure that’s a part of being ready.’

Gavin gave a dramatic sigh and rolled his eyes. ‘Did you forget?’

‘Forget what? asked Talia.

‘Ugh! You did! Come on, you only signed the form last week!’ Gavin whined. ‘They’re doing that “take your kids to work day” thing!’

Dale’s palm met his forehead. ‘Ah, shit!’

Part 38:

The burst pipe had, in the words of Moore for More’s IT manager, “completely fucked” the server room. So when Richard had left for his meeting he’d left Talia in charge of organising the rest of the staff until the systems came back online.

Now Dale wasn’t a bitter man, but Richard’s decision to leave Talia in charge made him, in his own words, quite a bit annoyed. He’d been working in the company for over ten years as Richard’s second-in-command, but Richard had barely cast him a glance before pointing to Talia and rattling off instructions.

It probably wouldn’t have stung so much if Talia had actually wanted to be put in charge. But she hadn’t, and it had put her in a bad mood— Which had put the entire office on edge.

Dale supposed he was lucky that Gavin was with them; he thought if the boy hadn’t been there when Talia’s desk-lamp broke, she might have thrown it through the window.

It was honestly a terrible time for Richard to have to leave; nobody could get anything done and for the first half-hour of the day they had been standing around the break room like a flock of confused penguins. At least Talia had let Dale help organise things. He knew the rest of the staff better than her and could point them in the right direction.

And now that everything upstairs had been sorted out Dale had moved himself, Talia, and Gavin down into the server room with the IT team to sort out the last of the damage to the company’s computers. Though, all that was left of the team was Natalie, the manager, as the rest of the department had all left to get replacement parts and tools.... Talia had commented that Natalie and Trish would get along, if they ever had the chance to meet, and Dale had found himself agreeing.

There was a heavy sigh from Dale’s side and he turned to watch Talia push herself out of her chair.

‘I think I’m going to get some lunch,’ Talia said as she tugged on her blazer. ‘Gavin, honey? Do you want to come, or do you want me to bring you something back?’

‘Bring me something back,’ Gavin answered, his gaze not shifting from the inside of the laptop Natalie was working on. ‘Please.’

‘Alright,’ Talia gave her son a kiss on the cheek, and made for the door. ‘Burger?’

‘And chips,’ Gavin replied, distracted. Dale gave the boy a nudge and he glanced up at his mother. ‘Please.’

‘Same here,’ Dale answered.

‘Nothing for me, thanks,’ Natalie commented. ‘I have food in the fridge.’

Talia gave a nod (which Dale returned with a warm smile) and slipped out the door.

Gavin tapped his hands against his knees as the elevator outside made an audible ding, and after a moment of quiet he turned to Natalie. ‘Okay, so, now that Mum’s gone I can ask the real questions!’ he blurted. ‘Are you pregnant, or fat?’

‘Gavin! Fuck!’ Dale exclaimed, spinning the boy’s chair around so he could scold him. ‘Don’t ask that!’

‘Mum said you’re not allowed to swear in front of me.’

‘And I doubt you’re allowed to call people fat!’

‘I won’t tell if you don’t,’ Gavin gave a wide grin and glanced back at Natalie who had, luckily, burst into a fit of laughter.

‘Oh, boy, Richard sure wasn’t kidding about you!’ Natalie wiped a tear from her eye before ruffling Gavin’s hair. ‘You’re a right brat, you are!’

Gavin giggled. Then turned to face Natalie. ‘So?’

‘So?’

‘Are you pregnant?’

‘Yes, I am.’

‘Cool! So you’ve had sex?’

Dale almost screamed. ‘G— What?! Where did that— Gavin what?!’

‘We’re learning about it in class,’ Gavin said simply, spinning around to talk to Dale again. ‘We started sex ed this week and it’s weird. I didn’t realise it was so easy to have a baby! No wonder Mum ended up with me.’

Dale wasn’t sure how to respond to that.

He wished Talia hadn’t left.... That he’d thought to offer to go get food for everyone, instead. Facing the rain outside would have been worlds better than this—

‘Can I have a brother?’ Gavin asked, much to Natalie’s amusement.

‘That’s— That’s up to your mother,’ Dale was too stunned to think of another answer. ‘Ask her?’

‘Alright, I will,’ Gavin replied. Then he turned back to Natalie. ‘Are you having a boy or a girl?’

‘We’re not sure, yet,’ Natalie replied. She said something else, but Dale barely heard it as he sat in shock.

No amount of forums or parenting advice books could have possibly prepared him for dealing with Gavin.

Dale could barely believe the comments the kid made when his mother wasn’t around— Not that the ones he made when she was around were that much better, but at least he seemed to have some sort of filter switched on when Talia was in earshot.

God, how did a boy like this manage to come out of Talia?

‘So, when are you gonna ask Mum to marry you?’

‘What?’ Dale was pulled back to earth by the question— And by the explosion of laughter that escaped Natalie.

When Dale didn’t answer, Gavin leant forward and spoke slowly, ‘When are you going to ask Mum to marry you?’

‘Gav, it’s been a month,’ Dale said, flatly.

‘Yeah, but at breakfast Mum said she wanted to keep you,’ Gavin retorted. Then, he banged his hands on Natalie’s desk and spoke even slower; raising his voice over the woman’s laughter. ‘You. Have. An. Opening!’

‘That’s not an opening, Gav,’ said Dale. ‘That’s.... That’s.... Not breaking up is the most basic thing to want in a relationship!’

Gavin let out a huff, and crossed his arms. ‘She’s not getting any younger, you know.’

‘Gavin!’ Dale exclaimed, letting out a heavy sigh when the boy snickered. ‘You’re a brat, you know that?’

‘Yes,’ Gavin replied, spinning in his seat. ‘Mum tells me all the time!’

Dale just sighed, and shook his head. He couldn’t believe this boy, sometimes!

‘You know it’s Mum’s birthday, soon?’ Gavin stopped spinning, and leant so far forward in his chair Dale was scared he’d fall. ‘She’s turning twenty-nine! That’s at least ten years older than I am!’

‘At least,’ Dale agreed, unable to stop himself from grinning at Gavin’s joking tone. ‘And yeah, I know it’s... well, I wouldn’t call three months soon.’

‘You will when you try and find her a gift,’ Gavin retorted.

‘Why, is she picky?’

‘Not with my gifts,’ Gavin bragged. ‘But she will be with yours, so you better start looking now so you don’t mess up and get her something stupid like you did for Christmas.’

‘W.... Wow, Gavin,’ all Dale could do was shake his head. He glanced up at Natalie, who bit her lip and shrugged, before he stood up and stretched. ‘I thought she liked the blankets.’

‘She doesn’t use them,’ Gavin shrugged. ‘She only takes them out when you come over because she doesn’t want you to feel bad.’

‘Oof,’ Natalie tried to smother her laugh, and finished screwing the laptop she’d been working on back together. ‘Okay... I think I should maybe— You know what— This computer’s done, and I’m going to head upstairs and give it to Alan. You boys.... You two have fun.’

‘Right,’ Dale had to hold back his own laugh as he gave her a nod. ‘You go do that. I’ll keep this one in check.’

Natalie gave a wave, and then disappeared into the hall. Gavin and Dale looked out after her as the elevator gave a ding, and then Dale turned back to Gavin.

‘Alright, so,’ he sniffed. ‘If you’re so smart, what should I get her?’

‘Something practical,’ said Gavin.

‘I thought the blankets were pretty practical,’ Dale gave a shrug.

‘No, they cost two thousand dollars,’ Gavin retorted. ‘Each! That’s not practical. That’s stupid.’

‘Hey—’

‘That’s what Mum said! To Trish! I heard her.’

‘What? Aw, man,’ Dale flopped back into his chair and sighed. ‘Okay. So... hmm.... Something practical.... What’s practical....’

‘Last year Trish got her a Kyles gift card,’ Gavin offered.

‘Groceries?’ Dale asked. ‘That’s not a very fun birthday gift.’

‘How did Mum ever fall in love with you?’ Gavin gave an exaggerated eye-roll, and motioned widely with his hands. ‘You know she doesn’t like fun!’

‘She likes a little bit of fun—’

‘Wrong!’ Gavin interrupted. ‘She doesn’t. Name one fun thing she likes!’

Dale took in a sharp breath. ‘Ooh-kay. Uh....’

‘See?’ Gavin poked at Dale, who batted his hand away.

‘Don’t rush me!’ Dale chuckled. ‘Give me a moment. She likes... cheese?’

‘For her birthday?’

‘Shhhhhush!’ Dale waved a hand. ‘She likes movies! I could take her to a movie.’

‘Nothing good’s coming out, though.’

‘Ah, fair point,’ Dale tapped his chin. ‘Hmm. This is a tough one.’

‘Yeah, see why I said you should start looking now?’ Gavin sat up straight and gave Dale a severe look. ‘She’s impossible!’

‘Who’s impossible?’ Talia’s voice came from Dale’s side, and he almost fell out of his chair as the woman quietly shut the door behind her. ‘What are you two talking about?’

‘Oh nothing, just—’

‘Dale wants to get you a birthday gift but all his ideas are stupid,’ Gavin declared. ‘His was thinking of getting you cheese.’

‘No— I said she liked cheese!’ Dale quickly corrected, feeling himself blush. ‘Not that I was going to get her cheese!’

‘Hm, I do like cheese,’ Talia gave a half-chuckle; though Dale thought she didn’t look very happy.

‘But not for your birthday!’ Gavin’s snicker seemed much more genuine than his mother’s laugh, and he leant forward in his chair again. ‘Oh yeah! Mum? Can I have a brother?’

‘No,’ Talia replied nonchalantly as she put down the paper bag she was carrying. It was soaked —just like she was— and Dale felt himself frown as she began to go through it.

‘Did you walk to Ms Danielle’s?’

‘Yep,’ Talia replied, brushing her wet hair out of her face.

‘You should have gotten a taxi!’ Dale exclaimed. He pushed himself up and pulled off his jacket, which he made to put around Talia’s shoulders— But she shrugged him off.

‘That would have cost more than the food,’ said Talia. ‘It’s not a big deal.’

‘It’s ice cold outside!’

‘So?’

‘You’ll get sick!’

‘No I won’t,’ Talia retorted. ‘I don’t get sick!’

‘Last year you got so sick I had to look after Gavin for you!’

‘That was food poisoning! It was different.’

‘No it wasn’t!’

‘Yes it was.’

‘No, it wasn’t!’

‘Yes! It was!’

‘You know what?! Gavin’s right!’ Dale gave an exasperated groan, and threw his hands up. ‘You are impossible!’

‘Good,’ Talia said flatly, and pulled out Dale’s meal. She held it out to him and frowned. ‘Now shut up and eat your lunch.’

Dale took the food with a heavy sigh and threw it down on the table. ‘At least take your wet blazer off?’

Talia echoed Dale’s sigh, but complied.

‘That’s called a blazer?’ Gavin piped up. ‘I thought it was a jacket.’

‘So did I,’ Talia said. Then, for the first time since getting back, she grinned. ‘But apparently, according to someone, those terms aren’t interchangeable.’

‘That’s dumb,’ Gavin muttered, unwrapping his burger and stuffing it into his mouth. ‘Dale, you’re dumb.’

‘Don’t call Dale dumb,’ Talia said, biting back her grin. It was obvious she was struggling not to laugh as her son spun himself around in his chair and stuffed his face.

‘Why not?’ Gavin asked through is food. ‘Now that you’re dating I can say whatever I want to him!’

‘Incorrect,’ replied Talia. ‘Now that we’re dating you have to be three times as nice to him. Or I’ll ground you.’

Gavin blew a raspberry at his mother, and Dale covered his mouth to try and hide his snicker.

He failed and Talia rounded on him, and he found her wet blazer flung from her chair to his face. He would have toppled to the floor if he hadn’t been lucky enough to land in his chair; and he was grateful that he’d already put his food down.

Dale peeled the blazer off and gently hung it on the back of his own chair, chuckling to himself as Talia finally started unpacking her own meal.

‘What was that you were just saying, about being nice to me?’ Dale asked. ‘Maybe you’re the one who needs to be grounded. Or maybe I’ll make you sit in the naughty corner and think about what you’ve done. How’d you like that?’

Talia turned back to Dale to respond, but cut off with a laugh and motioned to the top of her head. Then she hurried forward and ran her hands over Dale’s own, smoothing down his hair. ‘I’m so sorry, Dale.’

Dale could only guess what he must have looked like as Talia slicked his hair back down into place.... And as much as he wanted to stop her so he could pull out his phone and check it out, he found himself leaning into her hands; the feeling of her fingers running through his hair was magical. And she continued even after he knew his hair would have been fixed....

He didn’t want it to stop; but then the elevator dinged and Talia pulled away, greeting Natalie pleasantly, and Dale leant back in his chair with a disappointed sigh.

Oh well. He needed to eat, anyway.

Part 39:

It had been an interesting three months, Talia thought. Since her and Dale had gotten together. She hadn’t expected the relationship to affect her as much as it had.

Things were supposed to be better now, weren’t they?

She had money.

Her family had food.

She’d replaced the old tattered towels, and bought new clothes, and paid her rent on time.

So why was she still so stressed?

Tapping her fingers on her desk, Talia went over it all in her mind.

She was a criminal now, she supposed. That was definitely stressful.... And even though the fear of being caught was currently nowhere near as strong as it had been those first few months she worked for Richard, it was still always in the back of her mind. Wearing her thin....

And... then there was Dale.

She loved Dale a lot. And he loved her back. But he didn’t understand her.

There was a deep trench running between their life experiences; a very strong class divide that Talia couldn’t just will away now that she suddenly wasn’t poor anymore.

It was gnawing at her in a way she hadn’t expected it to, and spiking up her anxiety whenever she saw the frivolous way that Dale would spend.

And today, more than any other, it seemed to be getting to her.

Maybe it was her upcoming birthday that was stressing her out so much? She knew, after all, that Dale was trying to plan something for her. He hadn’t been subtle about it. And she knew from Christmas that when Dale planned something it was usually expensive....

Even if his own birthday hadn’t been much, Talia had a feeling that he wanted to spoil her. And she just wasn’t sure she was ready for that sort of affection, yet. She just wanted to spend her birthday with her friends, watching television and making jokes....

But she couldn’t just... say that to Dale, could she? It would break his heart.

So she would just have to grin and bear it—

Brrrrr! Brrrrr!

Talia jumped in surprise as her mobile phone went off, and she quickly pulled it out of her pocket to check it.

It was a private number calling....

‘Richard! I’m going to take a personal call!’ she called out, standing and making her way to the elevator as Richard acknowledged her. She answered her mobile as the doors closed, pulling it up to her ear and greeting; ‘Hello, Talia speaking.’

‘Talia, thank god it’s you— I’ve been trying to reach you all week!’

A wave of horror coursed through Talia, and she froze like an animal in a car’s headlights. ‘M... Mum? How... did you get this number?’

‘It wasn’t easy, I’ve been asking around everywhere about you—‘

‘I told you not to contact me!’ Talia snapped, all but snarling into her phone.

‘I know, I know but— Honey—‘

‘Don’t you “honey” me!’

‘Please, Talia. Listen to me! It’s your father, he...’ there was a crack in the woman’s voice as she spoke. A trembling note that made Talia’s entire body tense. ‘He’s dead, Talia.’

Talia felt her blood running cold as the elevator dinged and its doors opened, revealing Aiden and his trolley of cleaning supplies.

‘There was an accident and he— He—‘

Talia barely heard the explanation as Aiden’s trolley loudly found its way beside her.

She didn’t think to move for him as he awkwardly manoeuvred the trolley; though, as he stared at her, he looked more sympathetic than frustrated.

Are you alright? he mouthed in silence.

And Talia felt her lip curl in a furious snarl of an expression as her mother gave a crocodile sob.

‘Ah,’ the sound that escaped Aiden as he turned to face the wall was barely a breath, but it made it very clear he understood something was wrong. And it was clear he understood that whatever that something was, it was none of his business.

‘I’m alone, Talia,’ the woman on the other end of the phone cried. ‘I don’t have anyone else left!’

‘Good to know I’m your last resort,’ Talia’s tone was slow and even. A bitter drawl as she trembled head-to-toe and swallowed down the mess of emotions that were threatening to force their way out of her— As sobbing or as screaming, she wasn’t sure, but she knew she couldn’t let her mother hear either of those things from her. So, instead, she said the only thing she could think to say in the moment: ‘Maybe you should have thought about how alone you were going to be, before you chose your religion over your family.’

‘Please,’ she sniffled. ‘I’m sorry. Please, Talia! Let me back in—’

‘I did let you back in!’ Talia snapped. ‘And look at how that went for me! How it went for my son!’

‘I made a mistake! Please, I—‘

‘No, I made a mistake when I listened to you the first time!’ Talia interrupted, trying to keep her voice from rising. ‘Your gaslighting won’t work on me, again! You’re not coming anywhere near me or Gavin!’

‘Talia, please, I need help! I-I’m your mother, doesn’t that mean anything to you—‘

‘Don’t you fucking dare!’ her feelings finally bubbling over, Talia felt herself starting to shout. ‘You lost the right to pull the “motherhood means something” card when you threw me into the fucking street! It sure is convenient for you to spout that bullshit now, but what did it mean to you when I was the one in need?!’

‘Talia, please, just listen—‘

‘NO! YOU LISTEN TO ME FOR ONCE!’ Talia pulled her phone from her ear so she could scream into it. ‘YOU’RE GETTING ALL YOU DESERVE! THIS IS THE BED YOU MADE! NOW YOU FUCKING LIE IN IT AND ROT, YOU SELFISH BITCH!’

She meant to hang up her phone —press the big red button and be done with the conversion— but instead, she found herself throwing it into the side of the elevator with enough force to dent the metal panelling.

The phone’s screen shattered as it bounced off the wall— And its back all but came flying off as it smacked into the floor. And then, as it hit the wall opposite the one it had been thrown into, the phone’s inside components came loose and scattered.

Aiden leapt aside as the pieces bounced around the crowded space.

‘Jesus Christ!’ he exclaimed, turning to Talia with a horrified look on his face.

‘What?’ Talia growled.

‘Are you... like... good?’ he asked.

‘Do I look “good”?!’ she shot back.

‘Hoooooo-kay,’ Aiden mumbled, averting his gaze. ‘You know what? It’s none of my business.’

‘Damn fucking straight it’s not!’ Talia growled.

Then, the elevator door dinged again, and opened into the lobby where Dale stood, lunch in hand.

The smile fell from his face as he saw Talia.

‘Talia?’ his voice was soft as he stepped onto the elevator. He glanced down, careful to avoid stepping on Talia’s shattered phone, before he shifted his things into one hand so he could wrap the other around her shoulders. ‘What’s wrong? What’s happened? Are you alright?’

‘It’s nothing,’ she growled, refusing to meet Dale’s eye.

She couldn’t tell him about the phone call. About her parents. About her dad dying.

They’d only just gotten together; what kind of burden was that to put on him?

Besides. She hated her father. Even more than she hated her mother— At least her mother’s beatings had never drawn blood like his had!

So why did she feel so awful, knowing he was dead?

‘I don’t think it’s nothing,’ Dale grimaced. ‘It looks like you smashed your phone.’

‘It’s nothing,’ Talia repeated through her teeth, her tone laced with venom as she tried to stop herself from trembling. ‘I’m fine.’

Dale definitely didn’t believe her. But he clearly didn’t know what to say as Aiden leant forward, clearing his throat awkwardly and mashing at the “close door” button.

‘Talia, what’s wrong?’ Dale asked, his hand brushing her arm with affection and worry.

But Talia didn’t know how to answer; so she simply pulled her arm back and snorted, looking away from Dale as he gave an anxious coo. She saw his blurry reflection in the elevator wall look to Aiden, and Aiden’s reflection simply shrugged and made a phone motion before pointing at her.

In response, she turned and glared at both boys; who hurriedly pretended they hadn’t just been having a silent conversation about her.

Then, as she glared, the elevator gave another ding and the doors opened; allowing four more of their coworkers to step into the crowded compartment with them.

‘Whoa,’ hummed the familiar voice of Natalie as she carefully avoided the pieces of Talia’s shattered mobile. ‘Someone did something in here, huh?’

‘Hah! Yeah,’ Spencer replied; completely missing Aiden’s signal to be quiet as he stood in the space next to Natalie. ‘Looks like they had a tantrum!’

Oh, that was it! She was going to take the fucking stairs!

‘Talia!’

Talia ignored Dale’s concerned call as she shoved past the people in front of her, slipping out the elevator before it closed.

Dale tried to follow, but was unable to get past Aiden’s cart in time to stop the closing door. ‘Talia, wait! Talia—’

Talia turned, watching the number on the elevator go up, and up, and up, as it rose from floor to floor....

And she heaved a sigh, before pushing her way through the door to the stairwell and making her way down to the ground floor.

She didn’t know where, exactly, she was going. But wherever it was, she needed to be alone.

Part 40:

Dale had spent the last three hours searching, somewhat desperately, for even a hint of where Talia had vanished to. He’d driven around the block at least four times, even visiting both of their houses and the Conners’ place. And when that hadn’t come up with anything, he’d abandoned his car in the general vicinity of nothing in particular and made the rest of his search on foot; checking any store, ally, or venue he thought she might have slipped into.

He could tell he looked frantic from the worried glances he was receiving. But he was so worried about Talia he didn’t care what people thought of his dishevelled hair and red cheeks and out-of-breath panting.

He needed to find her.

After being locked in the elevator, unable to follow her, he’d turned to Aiden and asked what, exactly, had upset her. And Aiden —sheepishly in front of their coworkers— had admitted he wasn’t quite sure. Just that she’d gotten a call from what he could only assume was her mother, and that it hadn’t gone well.

Dale’s anxiety had only gotten worse, after that. Though Talia rarely talked about the relationship with her mother, he knew about her from the things she and Gavin had said about her.... And he thought he might have remembered her, from when they all lived in Kladstone Towers. And if his memory of her was correct, he knew a call from her was not something Talia would ever want.

What was making him most anxious was that he couldn’t even call Talia to check that she was safe, because her phone was shattered in a thousand pieces on the elevator floor.

All he could do was stop passerbys and show them her photo, asking if they’d seen her.

Nobody had.

So even though he knew she couldn’t have gone too much farther (she was on foot, after all), he spread out his search, taking the extra ten minute walk down the side of the highway to the park by the lake and asking the people he passed if they’d seen her.

Then, finally— Something!

Someone thought they might have seen her, on the other side of the lake near the picnic area.

So he hurried around the lake, ignoring the sweat that formed on his brow as he jogged down the path and narrowly avoided running into a group of people out on a walk.

He slowed when came to the flat, grassy space with its widely-spaced trees. He scanned the area as he caught his breath, searching desperately for any sign of—

‘Talia!’ Dale’s voice broke as he called out to her. There she was! By the fence!

She lifted her head, giving him a blank-faced stare, before she flopped back over and heaved a visible sigh.

He stumbled over to her and collapsed to his knees at her side. ‘Talia! Oh, thank god,’ he panted; ignoring the sideways glances he got from the other park-goers. ‘I was so worried about you! Are you alright? Aiden told me about the phone call— What was it about? What did she say to you?’

Talia didn’t answer, as she stared straight ahead at nothing.

‘Talia, what did she say?’

She didn’t say anything, or answer any of Dale’s questions. All she did was swallow loudly and curl up into herself, and Dale heard her breath escape her as a sob as she buried her face in her arms and shuddered.

‘Oh, god.... Hey, hey. Shh, it’s going to be alright,’ he said as lay beside her. He rubbed her back, hoping to comfort her, but winced as she cried louder. ‘Talia, what did she—’

‘I don’t want to talk about it!’ Talia sniffled.

A long sigh escaped Dale, and he wrapped his arms around her. ‘Talia....’

‘Please,’ her voice trembled as she breathed the word. ‘Please, just leave it.’

A long, painful moment of hesitation hung between the couple before Dale gave another sigh and squeezed Talia gently. ‘Okay, I’ll drop it....’

As he squeezed her, she rolled over and buried her face in his chest.... And his hold on her tightened again as she took in a wheezing, broken breath and loudly sniffed back snot and tears.

Though it was clear she was trying to keep herself from it, she was soon weeping in his arms; her breaths shaking and gasping as her tears soaked into his suit and left dark, wet patches on his chest.

He didn’t know what to do to comfort her. He wish he knew what had happened —what her mother had said to her— so he could figure out how to fix it.

But he couldn’t do anything if she wouldn’t tell him; all he could do was hold her close and tight while she cried, and hope that his presence helped her feel even just a little bit better.

Part 41:

It had been a few days since Dale had found Talia crying at the park.

She still hadn’t said a word about the conversation with her mother. Dale had tried to figure out what had happened, even asking Trish about it —Talia told her friend so much!— but Trish had just shaken her head and muttered that Talia hadn’t told her anything, either.

No. Instead, Talia had tried to pretend everything was fine. Even though it was clear to everyone around her that it wasn’t.

Word spread quickly through Moore for More about Talia’s broken phone and the call from her mother, and there were quite a few rumours as to what they could have possibly have talked about; though from what Dale could tell, none of them were correct.

He’d tried to kill the rumours before they reached Talia’s ears. And, to his coworker’s credit, they seemed understanding of Dale’s request to leave the topic alone.... That was, until Talia had been heard crying in the bathroom, and a second round of gossip had spread through the building.

Dale wished he knew what to say— But without knowing what was wrong, there seemed no hope of helping her.

She’d been so determined to hide her pain. To push all the bad feelings down and keep them to herself.... Gavin had even compared her to a sick cat, when Dale had picked him up after school.

There was nothing that Dale could do, except to try and give Talia some sense of normality.

So, when she’d insisted she wanted to go to the gym with him after work, instead of being taken home, Dale hadn’t argued.

At least she’d seemed to relax a little, after a half-hour on the treadmill. Enough to agree to get something to eat with Dale— Though, she was still quiet, and didn’t make her usual quips, and it made Dale’s heart wrench as they sat an ate in silence.

Then, Talia finished her drink and gave a heavy sigh as she made to stand up, her refillable cup in hand.

‘Oh—‘ Dale rose to his own feet, motioning for Talia to sit back down. ‘I’ll get it for you. What do you want?’

‘I can get my own drink,’ she commented, flatly. ‘I don’t need you to do everything for me. I’m perfectly capable of ordering for myself.’

‘At least let me pay for it,’ he offered. He was desperate for any way to look after her, right now. Any way to show her he cared, and that he was there for her, and that he would do whatever she needed him to do.

But it was apparently the wrong thing to say, as whatever frustration Talia was feeling bubbled over and she gave a wordless shout and flipped the table sideways. The last of their food scattered across the floor, and he heard Zoey give a surprised shout from the counter as she dropped the tray she had been halfway through handing to another customer.

Her shout was echoed by several other patrons, who all turned and looked at Talia as she stood, breathing so heavily it rasped out of her as a growl and her entire body moved with each exhale, glaring at Dale with a furious, uncontrolled look.

‘Okay...’ Dale said, softly, as she glowered at him. He opened his mouth to say something else, but her expression turned into even more of a snarl as he did, so he simply closed his mouth, pursing his lips, and clamped his hands together with a clapping sound.

A moment passed before Talia turned away and stormed out; leaving Dale standing, somewhat stunned, in the cafeteria.

He cast Zoey a look, and she made an awkward face back.

‘Sorry,’ he said.

‘She alright?’ Zoey asked.

Dale just shrugged. ‘I uh... I think I should go after her. Sorry about the mess.’

‘Eh,’ Zoey waved a dismissive hand as Dale took several steps towards the door. ‘It’s fine. I’ll get it. You go.’

‘Thanks!’

Dale hurried out after Talia; giving poor, stunned Spunt at the front desk a wave (clearly, he had seen Talia on her way out and tried to talk to her).

For a moment, Dale worried she might have vanished again.... But then he saw her sitting in the passenger seat of his car and breathed a sigh of relief. She glanced to him through the window, before that furious look came back and she slammed her fist into the dash; giving a muffled shout of anger before she flopped limply against the door and pouted, taking in a shaky breath and giving a visible sob.

The only thing Dale could think to do was climb into the driver’s seat and sit half-turned to her as she trembled and curled into herself.

‘Talia...?’ he spoke softly, worried he might say the wrong thing and upset her more, but knowing he needed to say something. ‘What’s wrong?’

She didn’t look at him as she shook her head.

‘Talia?’

‘I’m sorry,’ it was barely a whisper.

‘It’s alright,’ Dale cooed, reaching out to Talia, but stopping short of stroking the hair from her face as she flinched. He pulled back his hand when she sighed at him. ‘Do you want to talk about it?’

She shook her head, not lifting it from the window as she did. ‘It’s just....’

Dale waited, but she didn’t continue. He could see her thinking, though. Clearly looking for something to say, so she could avoid talking about what was actually bothering her....

In the end she gave a short, tired scoff, and began to wring her hands in her lap, worrying at her shirt’s hem with her thumbs. ‘I don’t think you understand what money means to me,’ she settled on.

Dale could tell she was fishing to change the subject. And he could also tell, with a sinking feeling in his chest, that she was trying to do it by starting a fight.

‘I’m trying to understand,’ he offered, hoping she’d be happy with the response. ‘I’m trying to give you what you need—‘

‘I don’t need your charity!’ Talia exclaimed, and Dale winced as tears escaped her eyes and she slammed her hand into the dash again. ‘You don’t know how this feels! I’ve worked so hard my whole life just to scrape by, then you come in and just...!’

She trailed off, flopping back against the window, and Dale gave an anxious hum before leaning over to peck a kiss on her cheek.

She pulled away, so he moved back; not sure what else to do to show her he was listening.

‘It’s like you’re taking everything I’ve worked to achieve and spitting on it,’ she said, bitterly.

‘That’s not what I’m trying to do,’ Dale told her, trying to keep his tone soft and even; trying to hold back the upset squeak that threatened to escape him instead of his words. ‘I’m trying to make things easier for you. Because I love you.’

‘I know,’ Talia sniffed, her voice barely a whisper as it shuddered out of her. ‘But it just makes me feel so useless. Like you’ve taken my authority away from me.’

‘It’s just money.’

‘It’s not to me,’ Talia told him. ‘To me money is.... It’s power. Everyone who’s ever had power over me has had it because of money.’

Dale’s heart felt like it was sinking to his knees, and he reached out (carefully, slowly, like he was trying to pet a scared animal) to take her hand. She let him, though she simply let her fingers hang limply between his own as she didn’t reciprocate the squeeze.

‘It’s almost like money is a threat,’ she said bitterly. ‘And you flashing it around.... I know I only have it because of you. Do you understand? You could take everything away from me again.’

‘I wouldn’t.’

‘But you could,’ Talia said simply. Something seemed to dawn on her, then, as she sat up straighter and her eyes widened. ‘This was a mistake.’

‘What—‘

‘I can’t do this!’

Before Dale could stop her, she’d yanked her hand from his grip and stumbled out of the car.

‘Talia!’ Dale exclaimed, climbing through the car and all but falling out after her as she started down the street. ‘Talia, stop! I don’t understand! Please! Just— Wait a minute!’

Talia stopped, and turned to looked at him, her eyes wide and wild.

Dale knew he couldn’t outrun her, and he wasn’t sure if he should even try; if he did, it was sure to upset her more. She obviously didn’t want to be with him at the moment; but in this state he knew he couldn’t leave her alone in the street. So he raised his hands submissively, and spoke as softly as his anxiety would let him.

‘At least let me take you home,’ he offered. ‘Please. We don’t have to talk on the way. I just need to know you’re safe. I could never forgive myself if you got hurt.’

Talia glanced around the street, at nothing in particular, and Dale could tell she was considering running. But then, as he clasped his hands together in a pleading gesture, her shoulders slacked in a defeated way, and her wild look was replaced with an exhausted one.

Dragging her feet and rubbing her eyes with her palms, she slowly stumbled back to Dale and fell into him; resting her head against his chest as her arms wrapped tight around him and she sniffled.

He pulled her close, burying his face into her hair and rubbing his hands up and down her back in a comforting way.

For a long moment, they stood in silence.

Then, Talia gave a shaky breath and spoke:

‘My dad died.’

It was less than a whisper, but it made every hair on the back of Dale’s neck rise.

‘Oh,’ he breathed, giving her a squeeze. ‘Oh, Talia....’

‘My mother... she was so upset about it. She said she needed me. That she had nobody else.... But I couldn’t...’ she was trembling now, as she swallowed. ‘I just couldn’t! I... I told her.... I told her to....’

‘To go to hell?’ Dale guessed.

Talia sniffed loudly, nodding and burying her face tighter against him. ‘Am I a bad person?’

‘No,’ Dale answered, gently, brushing the hair from her face as she shuddered. ‘She turned you away, when you needed her most. And you were just a kid— You were her kid. And she refused to look after you. It’s not your responsibly to look after her, now.’

Another sniff.

And another long silence, broken only by Talia’s sniffling and Dale’s comforting coos as he kissed the top of her head and held her tight.

Then, another sound made its way through the quiet— A loud, hungry gurgle bubbled from Talia’s stomach, and she sobbed a laugh and pulled away from the hug.

‘Told on,’ Dale joked, gently running a finger over her cheek to wipe away a tear. ‘You want to go back inside and get something?’

Talia shook her head. ‘I just want to go home,’ she muttered.

‘Alright, I’ll make you something there, yeah?’ he offered, pecking another kiss on her forehead as she nodded, before carefully turning her towards the open car door. ‘Come on. Let’s get you settled somewhere comfortable.’

Part 42:

The drive home had been in silence, though Talia was grateful for it. It had given her time to relax. And to think.

She felt bad for the things she’d said to Dale. And she felt humiliated by her outburst at the gym. Though, Dale hadn’t seem bothered by any of it; there was no embarrassment or shame in his eyes, as he’d settled her down on the couch and headed to the kitchen to make her something to eat. Just love and concern.

God, why was he so nice to her? She definitely didn’t deserve it.

She picked at the sandwich she’d been given with her fingers, pulling out each individual grain to grind to pieces in her teeth.

They hadn’t said a single thing to each other since getting in the car. And Talia wasn’t sure she was ready to be the one to break the silence....

Luckily for her, it was that moment Dale heaved a sigh and rested his head against hers.

‘You know,’ he mumbled. ‘For a moment, I thought you were going to break up with me.’

‘For a moment, so did I,’ Talia muttered, putting another single grain in her mouth.

Dale hummed, and rested a hand on her knee.

‘It... it wasn’t you I was upset at,’ she told him. ‘Though....’

‘Though?’

‘It wasn’t a lie, either,’ she managed. ‘Sometimes I really do feel like you don’t take money seriously enough. That you don’t understand how hard I’ve had it....’

‘Mm,’ this hum was agreeable. ‘That’s.... Yeah. Maybe I really don’t understand how you feel about money. It’s never been something that I’ve had to think about. But I promise, I’m trying my best to understand. I want to understand.’

Talia leant into him, now, and let him put his arm around her. ‘I know,’ she said. Then, after chewing up another grain, she put her hand on his. ‘I think... maybe... everything’s moving too fast.’

‘Okay, then we’ll slow down,’ Dale turned his hand over so he could squeeze hers. ‘To whatever pace you choose. You just tell me what you need from me, alright?’

‘I didn’t mean we were moving to fast, but.... Thank you.’

‘And I promise I’ll try and be more conscious of how I spend when I’m with you.’

Talia sighed, taking her first real bite of her food. ‘Sorry.’

‘It’s okay,’ Dale reassured. ‘I’m glad you told me.’

‘I.... Look, this is my problem,’ Talia pulled away so she could sit up straighter, and tried her best to swallow down the anxiety in her throat. ‘You shouldn’t have to worry about it.’

‘We’re dating, it’s my job to worry about your problems,’ Dale commented, pulling her close again so he could kiss her cheek. ‘Besides. I’d rather know what’s going on, than be left stressing and trying to guess what’s bothering you.’

Talia gave a weak smile. ‘Okay. Just... promise it won’t stop you from spoiling Gavin? He thinks the world of you.’

‘I won’t let it stop me from spoiling either of you!’ Dale gave a chuckle and kissed her again; more vigorously this time. ‘I’ll just make sure it’s when you want to be spoilt.’

Talia echoed his chuckle, though weakly. Then looked back to her food. Her mind was racing with a hundred different thoughts as she took another bite and chewed slowly. ‘He was in an accident. My dad, I mean. I.... That’s all I know.’

She felt Dale give her a soft squeeze. ‘Why didn’t you tell me sooner?’

‘I thought I’d be okay with it,’ she sniffed. ‘I hated him. I hated him so much! He made my life hell. I don’t think I have a single positive memory of him, but I.... I still.... After all he did to me, I don’t know why it hurts so much to know he’s gone.’

‘He was your dad,’ Dale replied. ‘Trust me. I know. You can hate them and still miss them. It’s normal.’

Talia wiped her eyes. ‘I hate him so much! I shouldn’t be upset that he’s gone. I mean— If I saw him, I’d probably have put him in the ground, myself! So why am I so upset?! It doesn’t make any sense!’

‘You’re human,’ Dale answered, simply. ‘You’re allowed to be upset over things that don’t make sense.’

She just sighed, the tension leaving her body as she went limp against Dale’s side and dropped her sandwich in her lap. ‘I still don’t want to see to my mother ever again.’

‘That’s fair,’ Dale agreed.

‘Do you think I’ll be this upset when she dies, too?’

She wasn’t sure why she asked, or what sort of answer she was expecting, and she wasn’t surprised when all Dale did was let out an anxious breath and give a nervous and unsure mumble.

‘I feel like I will be,’ she answered for herself. ‘But that doesn’t make me want to see her any more....’

‘You don’t have to see her,’ Dale reassured, sounding like he was choosing his words very carefully. ‘You don’t have to forgive her for anything she did to you. She made her choices. And... you’re allowed to make your own. I’ll support whatever you decide to do.’

‘I don’t regret not seeing my dad,’ again, she wasn’t completely sure why she said it. ‘That’s the one thing I don’t regret. And I doubt I’ll regret never talking to my mother again.’

‘Well, that’s good, at least,’ the laugh that came from Dale was nervous, but Talia was still glad to hear it.

She lay her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat; it was faster than usual, though Talia wasn’t surprised, given the stresses she was putting him through....

She was glad he was here to help. She wasn’t sure how she could have gotten through this on her own.

Without thinking, she rolled to her feet; her sandwich falling to the floor as she stumbled to the little bowl she kept on the dining table and sifted through it.

‘Talia?’ Dale asked, following her. He gave a confused squeak as she suddenly turned to him and thrust a small key into his hand. ‘Oh?’

‘It’s the spare key,’ she blurted. ‘I think you should have it. For emergencies.’

Dale gave a playful scoff, raising a brow. ‘So much for moving slowly, hm?’

‘Don’t let it get to your head,’ Talia felt another weak laugh escape her. ‘I just think it’s for the best, while I’m feeling so... bleh, for you to be able to come and go as needed.’

Dale nodded, his hand closing around the key tightly. ‘It means a lot that you trust me with this.’

Talia offered him a smile, before her shoulders fell slack and she closed her eyes; stumbling a little as everything from the week hit her at once. ‘God, I think I need to lie down.’

Part 43:

It was Talia’s first day back at work after a little over a week off, and Dale was determined to make sure everything went as smoothly as possible.

He’d arranged with the Conners for Gavin to stay the night at their house, so that Talia didn’t have to worry about getting him to school in the morning. And though she’d been hesitant for her son to be out of her reach, Dale knew she needed the break.

As did Richard; after hearing about what had happened with Talia’s parents, he’d tried to encourage Talia to take some personal time off.... But Talia, being Talia, had argued and fussed, eventually only agreeing to the shortest possible amount of off time that Richard would give in to.

Perhaps he was a little early picking her up, today; but he figured she’d appreciate being on the move, rather than sitting and waiting for him. So as he climbed the last of the apartment stairs and paused caught his breath, he didn’t bother to put his keys away. Instead, he flicked through them for Talia’s apartment key.

He didn’t think she’d mind him coming in. And, honestly, if she was still asleep, he didn’t want to risk waking her and ruining her morning. He needed to tread carefully, with the state she was in.

But as he closed the door behind him he heard the shower running in the other room and gave a grin; she must have been as eager to get back to work, as Dale was to see her there.

‘Talia?’ he asked gently, knocking on the bathroom door. ‘Hey, sorry, I’m a bit early to pick you up— Can I come in?’

‘Dale? Y-Yeah!’ Talia stammered, nervously. ‘You can.’

Dale’s heart fluttered as he opened the door and, as he closed it, Talia stuck her head out from behind the shower curtain. He grinned at her as she gave him a sheepish look, and made sure to keep his eyes locked respectfully on hers as he greeted her (even though he really, really wanted to see what she was hiding as she lifted the curtain over herself). It was the first time she’d been without clothes in the same room as him, and he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable in any way; his nightmare was ruining this moment of trust. So, he simply just smiled and resisted the urge to trail his eyes over her.

‘What’s the time?’ she asked.

‘A little after six,’ Dale replied, checking his phone to be sure. ‘You have plenty of time to get ready. I just wanted to make sure I got here with time to spare, in case you needed anything.’

Slowly, Talia licked her lips. She looked Dale up and down, fiddling with the edge of the shower curtain with her thumb and forefinger... and then went bright red. ‘You can...’ she paused, before clearing her throat. ‘You can join me, if you like?’

It was clear what she actually wanted to say was “please join me,” so Dale wordlessly began removing his suit jacket.

Perhaps it was a bad idea, to climb in the shower after he’d already gotten ready for the day.... But as Talia gave him an awkwardly excited grin, he couldn’t help himself.

His heart beat fast as he unbuttoned his shirt, his excitement building as Talia quickly retreated back into the shower and closed the curtain.

Dale didn’t hesitate to slip off his clothes —shirt, tie, shoes, pants; everything!— and join her. It was a cramped, rather small space... but he was glad for it, because it meant he got to press closer to her.

For a moment, Dale’s eyes locked on hers again.... But then, as she glanced down to slowly look over his naked form, he found himself doing the same.

He was taken aback by her beauty; everything about her made him feel even more in love with her than before.

The tan line from her shirt. The acne-scars along her shoulders. The little bumps in her nose where her glasses usually sat. It was all so perfect. So alluring.... He couldn’t believe that he was finally able to see every single little part of her.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her, especially when she giggled and covered her chest with her arms.

‘You’re beautiful,’ he told her; shifting closer so he could place a gentle hand against her hip. He ran his fingers down over the stretch marks that ran along the curves of her stomach, and felt his breath hitch in his throat as he was reminded of hilly valleys and long, winding rivers. Even the little line of uneven hairs that striped down her belly made him think of a sunset’s rays shining over a field. ‘Oh my god. You’re beautiful!’

She blushed and turned away as Dale leant towards her, her grin still firmly on her as she shyly dodged his kiss.

Dale could see her eyes dart over him again, and her blush grew darker and her breathing deepened as she bit her lip.

‘Help me wash my back?’ she asked, turning towards the wall.

Dale was more than happy for an excuse to touch her, and didn’t hesitate to pick up her soap and face washer, so that he could gently scrub between her shoulders and down to the dip in her back above her hips.

It quickly became more of a massage, than a wash. And Dale felt a shiver run up his body as Talia leant against the wall and gave a very moan-like sigh. He felt more in this moment than he had ever felt with any other woman.

No girl he’d been with had ever made him ache for their touch the way Talia did, and he couldn’t help but to press against her from behind and slip his arms around her to pull her closer.

‘Dale!’ she giggled, squirming in his grip. ‘What are you doing?’

‘I love you so much,’ he whispered. ‘I never want to leave this moment.’

Talia’s laugh was nervous, though the way her hand closed around his own was affectionate. ‘We’re going to be late for work,’ she reminded him.

‘Richard won’t care,’ Dale cooed, pressing his lips into her neck and eliciting another moan-like sigh. ‘This is okay, isn’t it?’ he asked. ‘I just.... I want to be close to you.’

‘It’s nice,’ Talia confirmed. She pressed back into him, her body moving against his, and he felt like he could melt into her. ‘I forgot what it was like to be this close to someone.’

He kissed her neck again, and this time the moan that escaped her couldn’t be mistaken for a sigh.

She pushed back against him again, and Dale’s hands hooked the curve of her hips... but they slipped away again as she turned to face him; her cheeks deep red in a blush as a droplet of water hung from her nose.

Dale tenderly wiped it away before he leant forward to kiss her.

She accepted it with an energy he’d never felt from her, and he found himself pressing against her again, pushing her tight against the wall. He ran his hands up her sides as the steaming water fell against his back and her encouraging moans grew louder and louder, bouncing off the bathroom walls as his lips slipped from her own to trail down her jaw to her neck to her shoulder.

Then, as his kisses began shifting towards her chest, she softly batted him away; giving a sheepish laugh and looking to the floor.

‘I... no more,’ she whispered. ‘Not yet. I’m not.... I’m not ready. And we have work— Oh, god, what’s the time?!’

Dale gave a disappointed sigh as she shut off the water and hurriedly stepped out of the shower.

He didn’t want to get dressed.

He didn’t want to go to work.

All he wanted to do right now was pick Talia up, carry her to her bedroom, and throw her onto the bed so he could mount her.

But he knew she was right; they had work. And they had to get dressed.

So, as much as he didn’t want to, he accepted the towel Talia offered him and began to dry off.

Part 44:

Talia sat at her desk, barely able to focus.

That morning had left her feeling giddy and distracted, and she’d gotten next to nothing done as she’d spent the day thinking about Dale and what lay under that suit of his.

Richard seemed to think that her lack of concentration was because of the drama with her mother (and, perhaps, it still partially was), and she had no intention of correcting him about it. It was inappropriate, for one. And secondly, it was none if his business. Third, she doubted that he would be as forgiving for her slack if it was because of....

She glanced up, catching Dale’s eye through his open office door, and felt herself blush all the way down from her cheeks to her shoulders as he smiled at her.

Her breathing caught as a lump in her throat as she remembered how his skin had felt when he’d pressed against her back. And then he winked, and she couldn’t seem to stop her body from responding as she felt a hot twitch between her legs that made her cross her ankles tight together.

Her chest heaved with her shuddering breath as she looked away, and she heard Dale smother his giggle.

Then he was at her desk; leaning on its edge so he could grin down at her and run a finger under her chin.

‘I’m going down for lunch,’ he said. ‘Would you like to come with me?’

Too flustered to answer aloud, all Talia was able to do in response to Dale’s offer was rise to her feet and nod. He seemed to find this funny, as he wrapped an arm around her and, waving to Richard with his other hand, guided her to the elevator.

She leant into him, taking the quiet moment to let her head lay against his shoulder and sigh out a deep breath. His hold around her tightened lovingly as she did, and she gave a happy chuckle.

Then, the elevator reached the bottom floor and she quickly took a step away from Dale; who only let her half-leave his side as he kept his hand lightly on her hip.

The elevator doors opened wide. As did Aiden’s eyes, as he stood with his cart on the other side of them.

‘Aiden, you alright?’ Dale asked, wrapping his arm tighter around Talia and stepping forward to exit the elevator. ‘You look like you’ve seen a—‘

‘Don’t come out!’ Aiden blurted, all but tackling Talia in his desperation to stuff her back into the elevator before the doors closed.

She let out a shout as she was pulled from Dale’s grasp and shoved into the back of the cramped compartment; slipping down its wall and landing on the floor with a thump that left her too stunned to say anything as Aiden turned and began mashing the button to close the door.

‘Aiden! What the hell are you doing?!’ Dale snapped, rushing in to help Talia up again.

‘Go back upstairs!’ Aiden pleaded as they made to leave. ‘Go back upstairs, now!’

‘Why would we—‘

‘Talia?’

Talia froze at the familiar voice; her skin crawling with discomfort as Dale held the elevator door open so it didn’t close on her.

Then, pushing through the small group that crowded the front reception came a horrible face.

Her mother.

Her mother had found out where she worked and just— Just showed up?!

‘Talia!’ she cried. ‘Talia, I’ve been trying to get ahold of you all week! Please, I know you don’t want to see me, but we need to talk about the funeral!’

Talia simply stared with wide eyes as her mother began to approach her; pleading with her to listen.

Then, anger bubbled up from the depths of Talia’s stomach, and she felt herself scowling. ‘You bitch,’ she muttered.

‘Wh... What?’ her mother paused, just for a moment, before stepping forward again. ‘Talia, please. Don’t do this to me. I just want to talk.’

“Don’t do this” to her?

The FUCK did she mean, “Don’t do this” to her?!

How dare she!

How dare she act like she didn’t have the right to call her what she was!

‘YOU BITCH!’ Talia repeated; the words screeching out of her furiously as she lunged forward, her blood boiling at the sight of the woman in front of her. But she didn’t make it out of the elevator before Dale scooped her up and pressed her firmly against the back wall again to hold her still. ‘DALE! Let me go!’

‘Shut the door!’ he cried, his voice rising in urgency as Talia wrestled against his grip. ‘Shut the door! Aiden! Aiden, shut the fucking door!’

Aiden’s mashing of the button grew more frantic... but it was too late. Talia’s mother had managed to slip a hand between the doors to stop them closing, and she quickly stepped inside.... And Dale immediately hefted Talia off her feet and fled the elevator with her as she kicked and screamed and struggled to escape him.

‘Put me down!’ Talia shouted, hot white rage filling every part of her as Dale tried to carry her out the front door. ‘DALE! Put me down right! Now!’

He didn’t, so Talia did the only thing she could think to do in the moment, and she bit him.

She landed on the floor in a heap, but was on her feet before Dale could grab her again; rushing towards her mother and—

The crack of her fist against the woman’s cheek was echoed by the gasps of her coworkers, who all hurriedly backed away as Talia shook out her hand and watched her mother stumble.

‘Talia!’

She wasn’t sure who, exactly, called her name. She was too focused on the wide-eyed cunt in front of her.

‘How dare you!’ Talia hissed, taking a step forward. ‘How dare you show your face here! How dare you think you have the right to talk to me!’

‘Talia—‘

‘When I said you weren’t coming near me again, I meant it!’ Talia shouted, reaching for the closest loose object to herself —a waiting room chair— and flinging it at her mother. She barely missed the woman as she grabbed for another and swung it like a club. ‘NOW IT’S MY TURN TO BEAT THE FEAR OF GOD INTO YOU!’

‘Talia, stop!’ her mother cried, raising an arm to protect herself as she ducked away from Talia’s blow. ‘Talia! Please— Stop! Violence won’t solve anything!’

‘Oh! Now you say that!’ Talia swung the chair again, and it hit the floor with a loud BANG and a low scraping sound as she hefted it up again. ‘Now that it’s me throwing things at you, violence suddenly isn’t the answer anymore?!’

‘Talia—‘

‘YOU RUINED ME!’

The chair made contact this time, and her mother crumpled to the floor with a terrified shout.

‘YOU WANTED TO TALK ABOUT DAD’S FUNERAL?!’ Talia shrieked, lifting the chair above her head and preparing to slam it down with all her might against her mother. ‘I’M GOING TO PUT YOU IN THE GROUND WITH HIM—‘

Dale slammed into Talia from the side, tackling her to the ground. The chair she had been halfway through swinging clattered loudly to the floor as Dale attempted to grapple her and (though she didn’t make it easy) he soon had her pinned.

Talia screamed furiously as she was held down, kicking out and struggling against Dale as he flipped her over and awkwardly wrestled with her so he could grab her around her waist and heft her up.

He stumbled to his feet as she flailed in his grasp and hurriedly returned to the elevator.

‘CAN SOMEONE CALL THE FUCKING SECURITY?!’ he shouted, struggling to keep ahold on Talia as the doors began to close. ‘AND GET THAT BITCH OUT OF HERE?!’

Part 45:

It was a beautiful spring afternoon. At least, Talia thought it was.

The cloudy sky kept the air cool. And the breeze rustled through the branches of trees on the nature strip by the footpath’s side. And the smell of her neighbours sill-top flowers floated through the open window to perfume her lounge.

But best of all? Her stupid cunt of a mother hadn’t tried to contact her since their altercation in Moore for More’s lobby.

That alone made today a good day— Even without everything else on top!

A hand found Talia’s hip, and she stopped chopping vegetables so that she could lean back and accept Dale’s kiss against her cheek.

‘Happy Birthday,’ he commented.

‘Thanks,’ Talia let out a long, happy breath as the kiss moved to her neck. ‘I didn’t hear you come in. How was work?’

‘Good,’ he answered. ‘Missed you, though.’

‘Mental health leave, my arse,’ Talia scoffed; much to Dale’s amusement. She turned, then, and smiled as she watched him place down a reusable freezer bag. ‘You got the cake?’

‘Yep!’ Dale chirped, unzipping the bag and pulling out a beautiful-looking chocolate cake. ‘Chocolate, the best sort.’

Her heart fluttered; she hadn’t thought he’d remember that was her favourite. She couldn’t even remember mentioning it to him. Though she must have, if he’d known to get it for her.

‘I called Gav, too, just to make sure he got to Jacob’s place alright,’ Dale continued. ‘He’s settled; which means the party should go smoothly.’

‘Party,’ Talia winced, the word sounding foreign on her tongue. ‘I wish you wouldn’t call it that. It’s just a few friends, right? You didn’t invite too many people?’

‘Only people I thought you’d like to see,’ he promised. ‘Though, Richard asked if he could bring a plus one. Well. A plus one, who also has a plus one. I said it should be alright. I didn’t think you’d mind?’

Talia shrugged. ‘Well... it’s Richard, isn’t it? So it can’t be anyone too terrible. Besides, I think I owe it to him, after...’ she made a face as she remembered the frustrating visit from the police at the office, after her mother had been removed.

She wasn’t sure what, exactly, Richard had said to get her out of trouble. But it must have been something, because she doubted many people could get away with what she’d done with without some sort of legal consequence.

A familiar knock rapped on her front door, and Dale lit up.

‘Speak of the devil!’ he exclaimed, slipping the cake into the fridge and making for the door. ‘That sounds like him! Hey, Dick!’

Talia shook her head, taking up the vegetables again as she heard Dale and Richard start to converse alongside another cheery male voice.

‘Hey,’ Dale poked his head back into the kitchen. ‘Talia? Richard wants to talk. I’ll do the veg, if you like?’

Talia hesitated, unsure she was willing to relinquish control... but then Dale stepped to her side and she heaved a sigh and put the knife down. ‘That’d be nice,’ Talia acknowledged. Though she didn’t actually want him to take over, she appreciated the gesture. So she let him kiss her, and made her way out of the kitchen.

‘Ah! Talia!’ Richard gave a warm smile as Talia made her way to him and shook his hand. ‘You look like you’re doing better.’

‘I feel better,’ Talia agreed. Then, she glanced to Richard’s two plus ones.

The first one she could understand; he was an older man, much like Richard. Well dressed, with a high-tied bun streaked with grey, and a smile that shared Richard’s humour. He playfully toed at Richard’s cane as if threatening to knock him down, and Richard simply chuckled, before he lifted his cane and brought it down on the man’s foot. Yes. He was clearly a friend.

The other guest was a little more confusing. A young girl, barely twenty, who didn’t resemble either of the men and looked so nervous Talia worried a sneeze might have her drop dead on the floor from fright. She glanced around the apartment, biting her lip and wringing her hands, before muttering something quietly to Richard’s friend and making to retreat out the door.

‘Nuh-uh!’ the older man scolded, taking her arm and pulling her back. ‘No “waiting outside,” Rose. I want you talking to people.’

‘But William, I—‘

‘No buts, you’re staying.’

The girl’s shoulders sagged in defeat as William crossed his arms, and Talia felt a pang of sympathy for her.

‘Would you like to sit down?’ she offered, opening an arm to guide the young girl.

She wasn’t expecting Rose’s eyes to widen when she turned to her; not in realisation, at least.

‘Oh!’ she exclaimed, looking Talia up and down before taking a surprised step forward. ‘You’re that Talia!’

‘Ah. You know Trish?’ Talia guessed.

Rose nodded, suddenly looking a lot more relaxed. ‘Is she going to be here?’

‘Unless something stops her,’ Talia felt a chuckle escape her, as she led the girl to the couch to sit her down. ‘But I doubt anything could. She knows there’s going to be cake, and I don’t think an army of trained super-soldiers could stop her from getting to it, after the week she’s had.’

Rose echoed Talia’s chuckle, before settling on the thinly-cushioned seat. She gave Talia a smile, and then seemed to lose her nerve and looked to the floor.

Talia gave her an encouraging pet on the shoulder before turning back to Richard.

‘Dale said you wanted to talk?’ she asked.

Richard gave her a warm look, tipping his head slightly towards the door. ‘I have something for you downstairs.’

‘Oh, god, downstairs?’ Talia complained; hearing Dale giggle at her from the kitchen. ‘I don’t want to walk down all those steps! You couldn’t have brought it up here?’

‘Don’t forget I have to go down the stairs with you,’ reminded Richard. He reached out his hand and took Talia by the arm. ‘If I can do it, so can you. Come on.’

Talia rolled her eyes as she let herself be led out into the hall.

Fine, she’d do it.

But she’d grumble the whole way down!

And she did; her exaggerated groans and sighs echoing through the empty stairwell alongside Richard’s chuckles.

Then, they reached the car park and Richard let go of Talia’s arm so he could reach his free hand into his pocket and pull out a pair of keys.

‘This is why I needed a plus one,’ he commented as he held them out for her to take, a sly grin on his face. ‘I needed a way to get home.’

Talia stared for a long, long moment, before what Richard was offering her sunk in. ‘A-A car?!’ she stammered. ‘No, I can’t— That’s too much!’

‘I’m tired of you being late to work,’ said Richard. ‘Or, that’s the reasoning I’m going to give you so you can’t refuse me. Dale’s already offered to help get you used to driving again.’

‘I can’t accept this.’

‘You have to,’ he told her, jangling the keys in front of her. ‘Because otherwise, it’s going to sit in that spot forever and go to waste.’

Talia sighed, hard and long, before snatching the keys from Richard and huffing through her nose. ‘Which one is it?’

‘The red hatchback,’ he commented. ‘I went with red, because it matches your personality.’

‘Loud and heated?’ Talia guessed.

‘Bright and striking,’ corrected Richard.

Talia gave another sigh, though this one was followed by a smile as she shook her head at the man and made for the car he’d gotten her.

It was a good-looking car. Sturdy, with enough space if she needed to take her son or her friends somewhere.

‘Talia!’ a new voice called, and Talia retreated out of the car to see Meg, her head half out of the passenger seat of Aiden’s car, waving to her as they parked. ‘Happy Birthday!’

‘Thanks,’ Talia chuckled, giving both her friend and Aiden a wave as they rose to their feet. ‘It’s good to see you. Both of you.’

‘See,’ Meg gave Aiden a smug grin, and nudged the man beside her. ‘I told you she’d be fine with you coming.’

Aiden gave a nervous chuckle, blushing at Meg’s touch, before brushing back a loose strand of his short hair and glancing to Talia. ‘I’m.... Hey. I’m sorry about shoving you, the other day.’

‘It’s alright. I actually really appreciate it, in hindsight,’ Talia admitted. ‘You were looking out for me and... I’m not really used to that.’

Aiden just smiled, looking sheepish. ‘I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I actually kinda miss seeing you at work.’

‘One more week,’ Richard reassured, his arm finding its way around Talia’s shoulders so he could guide her back to the stairs. ‘And she can get her mental health assessment done.’

‘I don’t need an assessment,’ said Talia. She gave a huff as she reached that first, dreaded step, and offered Richard her arm to hold. ‘I need to my mother to die, so I can bury them both.’

‘Okay, a little tip?’ Richard removed his arm from Talia’s shoulders so he could take her hand and find his balance. He groaned as he pushed himself up one step, and his cane clacked loudly on the concrete floor. ‘Don’t say that to the assessor.’

Talia just rolled her eyes, matching Richard’s place on the stairs so she could help him up to the next.

‘I’m serious, Talia,’ he warned, before his next step. ‘You’re already on your fourth incident report. Usually my policy is three.’

‘Yeah, well, good luck getting rid of me now,’ Talia gave a snort, and hefted Richard up one more time. ‘Ugh. I told you we shouldn’t have come down. Need a rest?’

‘Couple more before I sit,’ he reassured. ‘Though, you should head back up and relax; it’s not your job to help me like this. Not today, anyway.... I’m sure Aiden wouldn’t mind helping me up, would you?’

‘Nah, not at all,’ Aiden gave a wide, genuine smile, and took Talia’s place beside their boss. He batted her hands away from him and let Richard take his arm. ‘You girls go on up. We’ll be fine!’

‘You sure?’ Talia hummed, anxiously; though she cut off as Meg took her by the arm and gave her a friendly tug. ‘Well.... Alright.’

She followed her friend up the stairs, leaving the boys behind, and let herself and Meg into the apartment.

She was greeted by the sight of Dale and William speaking with each other. Then she heard Rose give an anxious squeak, and saw the woman slip off the side of the couch and trip as she tried to stand.

Talia opened her mouth to ask what was wrong, but then heard Meg give a disgruntled tsk and turned to her, instead. ‘You alright?’ she asked.

‘Yeah. I didn’t realise she was going to be here,’ Meg sighed, crossing her arms and shaking her head with a tut.

‘Oh, you know Rose?’

‘Mhm,’ Meg huffed. ‘And her girlfriend.’

‘Ah, you say that like it’s a bad thing,’ William turned to Meg, a curious look on his face.

‘Considering Rose called me a fucking tranny, I’d say yeah, it is a bad thing!’

Talia winced, as did Dale, and they both cast glances to the wide-eyed young woman who stood behind the couch. She looked ready to duck down behind it for protection, as her cheeks went red with embarrassment and she trailed her eyes down to the floor.

‘Ah, yes. We’ve been working on that,’ William sighed through his nose. ‘She’s trying to do better.... I know you don’t have to, but I’d really appreciate if you could give her some grace.’

Meg just rolled her eyes, before huffing and making her way over to talk to Rose.

The young girl flinched as she was approached, but after a moment of conversation, her shoulders relaxed; though she still didn’t meet Meg’s hard gaze as she instead focused on picking at a loose thread on the couch she leant against.

Talia heaved a sigh, as she watched the pair talk. Then, she turned to William and Dale and shrugged. ‘Well,’ she drawled. ‘At least I didn’t have to introduce them?’

It earned a chuckle from the older man, who shook his head and made his way over to the girls at the couch to join their conversation. Though Dale took a moment to linger behind with Talia.

‘I... didn’t realise Meg was...’ Dale made a vague gesture towards Meg. ‘Is she really?’

Talia nodded.

‘Oh.... Huh,’ Dale glanced to her, giving a disbelieving chuckle. ‘I couldn’t tell.’

‘You can’t tell a lot of things,’ Talia noted.

‘True,’ Dale agreed, giving another laugh. This one was a louder then the last, though it cut short as his eye caught movement at the door and he waved. ‘Ah! Ash! Zoe, glad you could both make it! Did you carpool?’

He greeted each girl with a kiss on the cheek, which they returned with playful snickers.

‘Yeah, I drove us,’ Zoey grinned, turning to Talia and leaning forward to give her cheek a kiss, as well. ‘Spunt and Penny saw Aiden on the stairs and stopped to help him and the old guy up. Well. Penny did. Spunt stayed to make fun of Aiden.’

Talia allowed Zoey to peck her on the cheek, though she rolled her eyes as she felt the woman’s lipstick leave a mark. And then bit back a chuckle when she saw Dale also had a visible pink stain on his cheek.

‘I take it, given Talia’s attitude at your birthday, this one’s not going to be as wild?’ Ashleigh nudged Dale, giving him a cheeky look. Then she showed him something inside her jacket pocket that Talia didn’t catch a glimpse of. ‘Though, I brought these, just in case there’s a cute boy I vibe with. Which, don’t tell anyone I said so, but that Mark guy’s kinda cute.’

Dale snorted a laugh, which he quickly smothered as Talia frowned at him. He then offered Talia a hand, as the other girls made their way to the couch to introduce themselves to the rest of the guests, and her eyes softened as she took it.

‘I put the vegetables in the oven,’ he told her, pulling her close so their hips bumped together and he could kiss her nose. ‘And the roast, too. It should be ready by the time everyone gets here.’

‘As long as it’s ready when Trish gets here,’ Talia snickered. ‘She’s going to be starving!’

That was when footsteps sounded by the door, along with a happy laugh, and Talia turned to find Richard, Aiden, Penny, and Mark walking in together, trailed closely behind by another familiar face.

‘Laura!’ Dale welcomed warmly, taking her hands and giving her a peck on the cheek. ‘Always good to see you.’

‘You too! I was worried I wasn’t going to be able to make it!’ Laura chuckled, brushing Dale off before turning to Talia. She pointed to the side, towards the neighbour’s apartment. ‘I didn’t realise you lived here! I know your neighbours.’

‘Who here doesn’t know them?’ Dale joked, before beckoning Penny over so he could give her the same greeting as the other girls.

‘I don’t,’ Mark retorted, giving Talia a friendly pat on the back in greeting. ‘Happy Birthday.’

‘Thanks,’ Talia returned.

‘Hey there, Spunt!’ Dale greeted; taking the man by the shoulders and, just like he had greeted all the girls, kissing him on the cheek.

‘Eugh, Dale!’ Mark groaned, yanking his head away and wiping his face.

Dale turned to Aiden, who held up a defensive hand between them and said, laughter in the edges of his otherwise serious tone, ‘Don’t you dare kiss me!’

‘Aw, not even on the cheek?’ Dale teased, and Talia found herself smacking him playfully on the arm to stop him advancing on the other man.

‘Not even if you paid me!’ he snickered. He stepped back away from Dale, but smiled wide as he did. ‘No offence, but you’re not my type.’

Dale let out an exaggerated whine, like the sound a cartoonish dog might make, before breaking into a grin. ‘Thanks for coming.’

‘Heh, well, I was Meg’s lift, so,’ Aiden waved his hand dismissively, before starting towards the couch. He offered Richard his hand as he did, and helped the man along. ‘I’m gonna see how she’s doing.’

‘Yeah, and I’m gonna sit down,’ Mark commented, giving Talia another pat on the back as she snorted her humour. ‘Hope that’s alright. It’s been a long day on my feet.’

‘You’re fine,’ Talia reassured. ‘Go sit.... What about you two, you girls need us to grab some more chairs?’

‘I’m happy standing,’ Laura said.

‘I prefer the floor,’ commented Penny. Then, she turned to Laura and offered her hand. ‘I’m Penny, by the way.’

‘Laura,’ Laura shook her hand, before watching as Penny wandered to the couch to speak with Ashleigh. She eyed them for a moment before commenting, ‘Well, she’s kinda cute.’

‘Which one?’ Talia asked with a scoff.

‘I dunno, all of them?’ it was clearly a joke, as she stuffed her hands in her pockets and sucked in a hissed breath. ‘So. It’s dawning on me. Trish is your next door neighbour— Which means you’re that Talia.’

‘Yeah, I’m that Talia,’ she huffed. ‘Trish still talks about me, hm?’

‘Oh, all good things!’ Laura raised her hands in a submissive motion.

‘I’d hope so,’ it tickled Talia, hearing it, and she couldn’t help but smile. ‘How’d you meet her?’

‘She helped me out with bus fare, once,’ shrugging, Laura stuffed her hands in her pockets. ‘Clocked me immediately.’

Talia saw Dale’s confusion from the corner of her eye, but didn’t bother explaining as she simply crossed her arms and gave Laura a wicked look. She motioned towards the couch with a flick of her head and clicked her tongue. ‘You know, Zoey knows Trish, too. You two seem like you’d get along.’

‘Zoey?’ Laura’s eyes widened. ‘Oh, I’ve seen her at the gym. She’s...?’

‘Oh yeah.’

‘Ooh,’ Laura’s surprised look turned curious, and she licked her teeth. ‘I had no idea.’

It was then that Zoey seemed to catch Laura and Talia staring, and excused herself from the laughter at the couch to make her way over.

‘Hey! I know you!’ Zoey greeted Laura with a hug, and Talia realised she could now smell alcohol on the woman. ‘You like your coffee with more cream than beans!’

Dale’s arm found its way around Talia as she cast a glance to Ashleigh. The woman was pouring another round from a large wine bottle, but Talia didn’t have any time to think about how she’d snuck it in before she was distracted by Laura asking, extremely bluntly:

‘So, you’re gay?’

‘Yeah!’ Zoey cackled back, nearly taking Laura down as she stumbled sideways. She righted herself quickly, apologising under her breath, before pushing back her hair and snorting. ‘I mean. Pan. But, yeah. I heard you say you know Trish?’

‘Yeah, I know Trish,’ Laura answered. Then, she gave an impish grin and winked. ‘Girls in suits, am I right?’

Zoey almost fell over, she laughed so hard. ‘Oh, but consider: girls in summer dresses.’

‘Girls in leather jackets are pretty great, too.’

‘I have a leather jacket!’ Zoey exclaimed, wrapping her arm around Laura again and tugging her towards the couch. ‘I could totally wear it for you. Are you single?’

‘Not at the moment,’ Laura replied. ‘But I plan to be, if all goes well.’

‘Ouch,’ Zoey smothered her laugh, and Talia didn’t hear the rest of her reply as they rejoined the congregation in her lounge room.

A short chuckle came from beside her, and she looked up at Dale.

‘That was an easy introduction,’ he commented, before offering Talia his hand. ‘Come on. Let’s join in the fun: the birthday girl should be a part of the party.’

Part 46:

The day had been a good one, and the party doubly so.

Dale was glad. He’d done everything in his power to make sure Talia’s birthday had gone smoothly, and it had paid off. Everyone had gotten along— Even Meg and Rose, after their initial awkward conversation, had managed to make nice and laugh together over a few party games. And when Anna and Trish had arrived, any remaining tension was immediately diffused as she gathered everyone together to around the cake and embarrass Talia by singing as loudly as they could.

Now, though, the sun was starting to set and the party was ending, and the guests were all slowly making their ways out.

Dale said one last goodbye to Trish and Anna, watching them make their way towards the stairwell rather then their apartment door, and chuckled as he heard them call out after Zoey and Penny, inviting them to join them and see a movie.

And as Richard, William, and Rose passed him, Dale closed the door and double-checked it had locked properly before dusting his hands.

That was the last of their guests— Or, he assumed it was. He wasn’t entirely sure where Ashleigh had disappeared to, and had no idea when (or if) she had left. He had checked for her, in all the rooms, and it seemed like she’d gone home, but with how drunk she had been, he couldn’t be completely sure she wouldn’t pop out from under a bed or something later in the night.

Or... now that he thought about it, she’d vanished around the same time as Spunt....

He remembered the looks the pair had been sharing during the party and bit his lip in humour when he realised Ashleigh had probably tried to go home with him. He knew nothing would happen, of course. Spunt wasn’t the kind of guy to sleep with a drunk girl— Though, from what Aiden had recently told him, he was the kind to let one stay at his house if he thought she’d get herself in trouble, otherwise.

‘Aw, poor bloke,’ Dale cooed to himself. ‘Hope she’s not giving him too much trouble.’

He chuckled quietly, as he moved from the door and watched Talia collecting the dishes from the table. He followed her into the kitchen and, once she placed the sharp cutlery onto the bench by the sink, pressed into her from behind and wrapped his arms around her hips.

He felt her flinch in surprise as he did, but she quickly relaxed when she cast a look back at him, and they both shared soft, warm smiles before their lips met.

‘Want some company tonight?’ Dale asked. ‘Or, at least, some help cleaning up before I go?’

‘Both would be nice,’ replied Talia, accepting another kiss. Her hands found Dale’s, holding them softly in place so he didn’t remove them from her hips, and she leant eagerly into him.

He pushed his hips against her, savouring the moment before she pulled away and hurried back to the main room.

Dale made after her, and helped to collect the four —no, six— empty alcohol bottles that had been left behind. He deposited them in the bin by the door and grinned at Talia as she heaved a sigh.

‘How did she even sneak that much in here?’ she asked. ‘I watched her come in; I thought I would have seen the lumps in her jacket or something!’

‘Ah, Ashleigh’s clever. She can get anything in anywhere.’

‘I’ll say,’ scoffed Talia. She collected the neatly-stacked takeaway boxes (courtesy of a very drunk Laura who, still hungry after the dinner they’d made, ordered food, forgotten she’d ordered food, and then ordered more food) from beside the couch and deposited them with the bottles. Dale saw, then, that she looked sheepish; she wouldn’t meet his eye as she licked her lips and hummed a sad little huff. ‘She’s beautiful, though.’

Dale could tell, from the way Talia’s hands clasp together, that she wanted to say more. And he could also tell, from the way her gaze flicked from the floor to him and back, that it was to put herself down. So rather than letting her continue, he slipped his hand under her chin, gently lifted her gaze to his, and gave her a warm look. ‘Just like you.’

She blushed, and her nervous look softened as he kissed her. She leant forward, her hands coming to rest against his chest as his own found her hips, and gave a contented sigh as Dale’s kisses moved down to her neck.

He could feel her trembling, against his lips, and felt the urge to tighten his grip around her to keep her steady. Something protective welled up in his chest, and it was threatening to escape as tears as he wrapped his arms around Talia and squeezed her tight against his chest.

‘Dale?’ Talia’s worried voice asked. ‘Are you alright?’

‘I love you so much,’ he mumbled into her hair. ‘I never want to let you go.’

Part 47:

It must have been close to midnight, now. But as Talia lay in bed, her head nestled in the curve of Dale’s arm as he told her (perhaps a little too enthusiastically) about how he’d come to adopt his dogs, she found she wasn’t tired. Not even a little bit.

He continued on with his story, his affection for his beloved pets clear in the way he spoke of them, and Talia felt her gaze falling; her eyes idly wandering over Dale’s suit. His half-undone tie, his open jacket, his shirt buttons, his....

She examined the bulge in his pants, trying to figure out of it was a seam or something else, and felt her tongue slip between her lips to moisten them as she recalled what she’d seen of him in their shared shower the week before.

What she’d felt of him.

‘Dale?’ she spoke without thinking, cutting him off mid-sentence.

He didn’t seem to mind the interruption, as his free hand rested gently on his chest and his other gave her a squeeze. ‘Talia?’

‘I...’ a deep breath, to steel her nerves, and her hand slipped to Dale’s belt, picking at the loop by the buckle. She blushed as she felt his chest move in a laboured, anticipating breath. ‘I think I might be ready.’

‘Ready?’ Dale echoed softly.

Talia felt her breathing hitch in her throat, and it escaped her as a nervous giggle. ‘I want to... you know.’

‘Say it out loud, just to be sure,’ his tone was humoured, as his hand moved down to squeeze her own; pressing it against the lump in his pants in a way that let Talia know it was not just the shape of the seam. ‘I want to hear it.’

Talia laughed and rolled away to sit on the edge of the bed. She kicked out her feet as Dale moved to join her, and he hooked his finger under her chin, turning her gaze back to his, and kissed her.

She let out a soft breath. ‘I want to have sex.’

‘Aw, yeah,’ the humoured note in Dale’s tone became teasing. ‘With who?’

She shoved him, and he fell to the floor with a loud THUMP!

Talia gasped as Dale collided with the ground, but before she could ask if he was alright he was upon her; leaping up to shove her on the bed and bury his face into her stomach as she squealed and instinctively kicked out a leg. He brushed it away easily as he threw her down onto the mattress.

The bed shifted with the force, and the two froze.

‘I think it’s alrigh—’ Dale cut off as one of the bed’s legs gave way and they tumbled to the floor.

They stared at the bed for a short while before the other legs collapsed, one by one, in the most comical way they possibly could have, and Talia gave a snicker and covered her mouth.

‘I’ll uh.... I’ll get you a new one,’ Dale offered, shoving her onto the now-legless bed and rising to his feet. His eyes locked on Talia, as he began to unbutton his pants, though Talia was too focused on the bulge under his belt to hear his amused chuckle and playful teasing.

She couldn’t pull her eyes away from it, as he slowly removed his clothes. It was clear he was putting on a show for her, as her breathing grew heavy and a warm dampness that made her fidget and shift in anticipation flowed between her legs.

He threw his pants on the bedside table and stretched, posing, as Talia giggled into her hands. Her face was a deep hot red as he removed his shirt, and he placed it with his pants as Talia smothered her embarrassed laughter and peeked back up at him.

He moved to her, then; joining her on the bed and kissing her as his hands found the zipper at the back of her dress and pulled it noisily down. She moaned as Dale removed her dress, though the giggle that followed did nothing to hide her nerves as she curled into herself and covered her chest. She cleared her throat, trying to push down the anxiety, and leant forward to coax another kiss from him.

He obliged her, and dropped down over her. Their barely-dressed bodies pressed together, and as Dale’s hips moved against her own she felt the fabric of their underclothes catch with a stimulating friction that brought a whimper, muffled through the kiss, out of her.

Then hands were at her hips, and the fabrics between their skin was pulled away, one piece at a time.

Her heart leapt at the feeling, both in joy and in nerves, and as Dale unhooked her bra she pulled away from his kiss to put up a hand.

‘Wait— Before we...’ she paused, panting. ‘Condom? Do we... have a condom?’

‘There’s some in my bag,’ Dale reassured, pushing himself up and making for the door. ‘I’ll go get them.’

Talia shifted herself up to sit as she was left on the bed, and used the moment alone as an opportunity to try and catch her breath and prepare herself for what was about to happen.

She removed her glasses, but found the room too disorientating without them and returned them to her face with a sigh.

It was probably the least-sexy thing to do....

But she didn’t have time to dwell on the thought, as Dale returned to the room with his bag and fished through it. He pulled out a box, from which he removed a condom, and playfully tapped Talia on the nose with the packet.

It earned a giggle, as he deposited it on the bed beside her, and she found her nerves retreating as Dale looked her over; nothing but love in his eyes as he took in her naked form.

He took her hands with a reassuring squeeze before letting go to hook his own under her hips and lift her down until she lay flat on her back. An involuntary moan escaped her, ending in a happy sigh as she felt Dale’s touch run over her body.

He shifted down, kissing at her thighs, and Talia pushed herself up to look at him.

‘What are you doing?’ she asked, confused.

Dale returned her quizzical look with his own. ‘Getting you ready?’

‘Getting me...?’

‘Ah, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?’ he teased. ‘Ever been eaten out before?’

‘Oh!’ Talia blushed, rubbing a hand on her cheek as Dale’s lips returned to her thigh. ‘Uh, no. No, Evan wasn’t into that sort of thing.’

‘Evan sounds like a coward,’ Dale mumbled into her leg.

Talia couldn’t help but agree, as she lay back down and let herself soften under Dale’s touch. She felt his kisses move over her leg, steadily creeping closer and closer....

She flinched as Dale’s lips met her labia, tensing her entire body in surprise at the feeling, but then let her head fall back on the pillow and tried to relax her legs so she didn’t squeeze him. Not that he seemed to mind the brief moment she had, as he simply chuckled into her and continued.

She wasn’t sure if she liked it or not. The soft pressure of his tongue was unfamiliar, and she didn’t know how she was supposed to feel about it.

It wasn’t terrible.... It didn’t hurt. And when he gingerly ran his tongue over her clitoris she felt herself let out a moan and tensed her thighs, her hips lifting slightly.

Dale responded to this by pressing his tongue down hard and Talia jolted and gasped, feeling like she’d just been stung by a sharp pinch of static. But in a way so good it made her shiver from head-to-toe.

‘There’s your spot!’ he chuckled.

‘Huh?’ Talia felt herself panting, and realised she was out of breath. Why?

She’d barely moved!

‘Every girl likes it a little bit different,’ he said, looking up at her with a grin. ‘At least, in my experience anyway. Just had to find out what felt best for you.... Was it too much?’

‘No,’ she breathed, lifting a leg to wrap around Dale, clearly urging him to continue.

He was more than happy to; leaning down again and giving her a gentle lick, as if testing her reaction, before kissing her.

The soft suckling feeling of the kiss made Talia’s hips buck, which encouraged Dale to repeat the motion as she pressed up into him.

She could hear herself moaning, loud enough that it echoed off the walls of her empty room, and she tried to bite back the next that escaped her.

Dale’s tongue pressed down again and she clamped her mouth shut, holding her breath— It was all she could do to keep from screaming as she gripped the bed-sheets tight and felt her entire body tense and shift as she gave another buck and her next moan came out with a whimper-like note to it.

In response to her whimpering, Dale hooked his arms under her hips and sat up, pulling her up off the bed so he could press his face firmer into her; his previously-gentle kissing growing more intense as a tingling rush made its way through Talia and she thought the pleasure was almost unbearable.

And then it suddenly was unbearable, and her hand moved to the top of Dale’s head; pushing him back as she shifted her hips down and away from him. ‘Stop! Oh, god, wait!’

‘Talia? You okay?’ he asked, lowering her back onto the mattress.

‘Mhm!’ Talia managed, feeling her body give an involuntary twitch as she tried to breathe. It took her a moment to compose herself enough to whisper, ‘Oh my god!’

Dale’s worried expression turned to a cute snicker as he slid up Talia’s side and gave her a peck on the cheek. ‘You enjoying yourself?’

She nodded, panting loud as her body trembled. She lay prone on her back as she caught her breath, unable to muster the thought needed to roll onto her side.

When she finally was able to breathe again, all she could do was glance sideways at Dale and nudge the condom towards him.

He got the hint; grabbing it and quickly sitting up to put it on.

‘Tell me if I do anything you don’t like,’ he said as he spread her legs. ‘Please. I want you to have fun.’

She bit her lip and nodded again as Dale slowly pushed into her. He dropped forward over her, catching himself with an arm either side of her, and leant down to kiss her breasts.

It felt different to how she remembered.

Better.

Surprisingly better.

And it didn’t hurt like it had when she was younger. Not even a pinch.

It felt... amazing!

She felt herself give an open-mouth moan as Dale thrust slowly deeper and a twinge, like butterflies in her stomach, coursed through her.

She couldn’t believe she’d been so nervous to try this again.

‘You alright?’ Dale asked, pausing and pushing himself up so Talia could look him in the eye. ‘You’re tense.’

‘I— It— Wow,’ she let out a breath and sunk into her bed. ‘Wow.’

Dale’s face lit up. He looked a little too proud of himself as he let out a laugh and shifted on top of Talia. ‘Feeling a lot?’

‘Mhm,’ was all she could manage.

‘In a good way?’

‘Mhm.’

‘Should I continue?’

‘Mhm!’

He laughed again and returned to his deep, slow thrusts that made her want to scream with joy.

But a door slammed shut somewhere next door and she heard the neighbours laughing as they stumbled into their bedroom, and Talia let out a gasp as she realised there was nothing but a thin wall between her and her friends as they settled in for the night.

‘Oh god, Talia!’ Dale exclaimed. ‘Yes!’

The neighbours fell silent as Dale buried his face into Talia’s chest, moaning, and Talia blushed even hotter than she had before.

She was about to say something when Dale began to thrust harder and she let out a loud, involuntary cry of pleasure that only encouraged him to call her name again.

‘Stop!’ she managed, breathlessly.

Dale’s thrusting cut off and he pushed himself off her chest; panting so hard he fogged her glasses. He opened his mouth, a confused look on his face, but turned his head as the girls in the apartment over began giggling and snorting.

‘How’s it going, Trish?’ he asked loudly; he was out of breath, but he was calm as the neighbours laughed— Playfully excited, even, at the idea of being overheard. ‘Mind if we get some privacy?’

Trish snorted the loudest, ugliest laugh Talia had ever heard her make. ‘Happy birthday, Talia!’ she called, banging on the wall.

The was the telltale sound of a stumble, and hushed urging to ‘Leave them alone, oh my god!’ and it was clear that Anna had grabbed Trish and was dragging her back into their lounge.

‘See, this isn’t a problem at my place!’ Dale joked. ‘You should stay over with me, sometime.’

Talia rolled her eyes, but cut off with a moan as Dale bent back down to kiss her neck. She didn’t complain as his kisses moved down to her collarbone; instead, she shifted her hips against his to signal for him to continue, and he began to grind deeply into her.

His lips kept shifting down to her breasts, and Talia gave a whine and gripped his short hair tight as his tongue ran over her nipple.

She could feel every movement he made inside her. An unfamiliar pressure was building inside her body, and it was the most amazing thing she’d ever felt.

‘Oh my god,’ she panted. ‘Dale. Harder. Please!’

He grabbed her legs, hefting her up to get a better angle, and thrust firmer and faster into her as she whimpered underneath him.

‘More!’ Talia cried, her tight grip on Dale moving from his hair to his shoulders; she tried not to dig her nails into his skin, but when Dale’s thrusts increased in speed she felt them drag down his back as the butterfly feeling shot across her entire body and she felt the longest, loudest moan escaped her.

The neighbours started howling with laughter from their living room as Dale slowed to a stop, his own orgasm escaping him in a quiet tremble.

‘You alright?’ he panted a laugh and collapsed beside her. ‘I’ve had screamers before, but that was something else.’

Talia shuddered and curled into him; still feeling the blissful waves of her orgasm shooting through her, overpowering her with an exhaustion like she’d never felt before.

She didn’t even care who’d heard her, anymore....

‘Talia?’ Dale asked as she closed her eyes.

She couldn’t find the energy to respond with anything more than a breathless ‘Hold me,’ and she soon felt herself start to drift off as Dale’s warm arms wrapped around her and he whispered softly in her ear.

‘I love you, Talia.’

Part 48:

Dale watched the rise and fall of Talia’s chest, his eyes trailing over her beautiful, nude form as he lay beside her. She looked even more amazing now, in this moment, than she ever had before.

She was sleeping peacefully, as she did every night. Though, she had kicked their blanket to the foot of the bed after Dale had covered her.

He couldn’t stop thinking about the way she’d held him tight. The way she’d trembled under him; her breathless moans echoing through the room as she’d wrapped her legs around him and bucked her hips up to meet him as he thrust into her. And to feel her when she climaxed— How tight she had gripped him as her entire body gave a shudder that didn’t seem to stop even after she’d fallen asleep....

He could still feel where her nails had dragged down his back stinging against the air, and let out a sigh. He was fairly sure she’d drawn blood. Which, if she had, meant he had to make a choice:

Either he couldn’t be shirtless for the time it took them to fade, or... he could be shirtless as much as possible, and make sure everyone he knew saw them; a silent brag about what he’d done.

As he thought about what to do he rose to his feet, adjusted the rotating fan so it pointed at her, moving from her head to her feet as it turned, and switched it on before making his way for the bathroom.

He turned his back to the mirror, craning his neck to try and get a good look at the marks, and found himself chuckling as he confirmed that she had, in fact, drawn blood. Eight individual lines ran over his back, the two closest to his shoulders being the deepest, with each scratch getting shallower until the marks left by her pinkies were simply raised, unbroken skin.

She really did a number on me, huh? he chuckled to himself. I hope it doesn’t scar.... Actually. I hope it does scar. Wouldn’t that be a fun one? A testament to my skills!

Ah, shit.

How was he going to put antiseptic on this?

Should he, perhaps....

He heard the sound of Trish and Anna moving around next door, and tapped his hands on the sink.

Talia would kill him, but... he didn’t want the marks on his back to get infected. And he didn’t want to wake her to help him clean them....

‘Right,’ he laughed quietly to himself as he hurried to retrieve his shirt from Talia’s bedside. He hung it loosely over his back to hide the marks so he could make his way to the neighbour’s door. ‘Maybe you can ask Anna to have some doctor-patient confidentiality, for this one, and not mention it to Trish.’

But he realised that wasn’t going to happen, as the moment Anna laid eyes on his back, she burst into such an uncontrolled fit of laughter that she had to rush to the bathroom to throw up.

Part 49:

Talia awoke to the smell of breakfast sizzling on the stove.

Eggs, bacon, toast— Burnt toast, she realised with a breathless chuckle. Dale must have forgotten that the toaster had a broken timer, and needed to be turned off at the wall switch to pop up the toast.

Oh, she felt amazing.

It was like every bit of tension within her had been eased away, leaving her soul behind without the ache of her body to bother her.

Sinking back into the mattress, Talia let out a contented breath.

It almost felt like she was still cumming.

She had never had that happen, before.

God, she never realised that she’d never actually orgasmed, before. She always assumed that she had in the past but— That— THAT?!

‘Oh my god,’ she breathed.

Her pleasured sigh was echoed by a giggle, and she looked up to meet eyes with Dale; who stood in her doorway with a heavy-looking plate of food.

‘How you holding up?’ he asked.

All Talia could do was moan, long and low, and let her head loll back limply as she closed her eyes again.

Dale responded with another laugh, covering his mouth before making his way over to give her the plate ‘I made you breakfast.’

Forcing herself to sit up when she was so comfortable may very well have been the hardest thing she had ever done.... And she was including giving birth to Gavin in that. But, still, she managed it, and took the plate she was offered with a smile. ‘Have you already eaten?’ she asked.

‘Nah, I uh,’ Dale blushed, rubbing the back of his head as he retrieved his jacket from Talia’s bedside and tugged it on. ‘Richard called. He needs to talk to me about something before work, wants to meet up for breakfast.’

‘Oh,’ Talia felt her heart sink, as Dale popped his lips and gave her an apologetic look. But as she picked at her food, she couldn’t help but feel it fluttering up again. ‘Last night....’

‘Mm,’ it was a half-hum, half-chuckle. ‘You have fun?’

‘Yeah,’ she answered, a low, breathless laugh accompanying the word.

‘Scale of one to ten, how would you rate my performance?’

Talia almost choked, as she took a bite of her breakfast, and had to swallow it down with her giggle. ‘Eleven,’ she answered.

‘Nice,’ a cocky grin found it’s way to Dale’s lips, which he then pressed into Talia’s cheek. ‘If you’re up for it, maybe I can try and bump it up to a twelve, tonight?’

No words escaped Talia’s open mouth, as she blushed all the way from her cheeks to her chest. This clearly humoured Dale, as he pecked another kiss on her and then made for the door.

‘I’ll be back when I get off work,’ he reassured. ‘And I’ll help you deal with the, uh... bed situation.’

Talia had forgotten about her bed collapsing, and she quickly glanced around to realise that —yes!— she was closer to the ground than usual. Her blush grew deeper, even though Dale was no longer there to see it, and she took another bite of her breakfast as she heard Dale close the apartment door behind him.

Then, not even thirty seconds later, she heard someone else barge in, and groaned as familiar footsteps clomped! towards her bedroom.

She wasn’t fast enough, putting down her breakfast, to hide herself in her blanket, and when Trish burst in all she could do was give her an incredulous look and cross her arms.

There was about half a moment of surprise on Trish’s face as she looked at Talia’s unclothed body. But it was quickly overtaken by a wheezing snort as she got a look at the bed and its buckled legs and stumbled backwards so hard she ended up on the floor in the bathroom.

Anna poked her head in, then, and Talia saw her suck in a breath of air and bite her lip. She clearly was struggling to keep her voice even as she asked, ‘Mm! What, uh.... What happened to your —hah!— to your bed?’

‘It collapsed,’ Talia answered, bluntly.

Anna put a fist in her mouth to try and muffle her laugh. ‘Because of— Because you and Dale—‘

‘Yes.’

Anna’s hand was removed from her mouth, and she shook it out while making a high-pitched noise of entertainment. ‘Aaaaaah! I’m gonna need a minute with this one, Tally!’

Talia just sighed as her friend retreated into the lounge room and gave a breathless, choked-back exclamation that sounded more like an animal dying in a vice than any kind of actual laughter.

Trish was still cackling on the bathroom floor as Talia pulled on her clothes.

Another sigh and Talia picked up her food, took a bite of her toast, and stepped to the bathroom to stand peering down at her friend. She gave a haughty sniff as she took another bite of her breakfast, the crunch barely audible over the cackling that filled her apartment. ‘Oh, grow up.’

Part 50:

‘I asked Jacob out last night.’

Gavin was barely in the car before the words were out of his mouth, and Dale gave a quiet oh! of surprise as the boy buckled himself into the passenger side seat and kicked out at the glove box.

A moment of quiet passed in silence, as Dale waited for the boy to continue, before he sucked on his tongue. ‘Uh.... How did it go?’

‘He said yeah,’ Gavin clarified.

‘You should probably lead with that,’ Dale chuckled, pulling off his handbrake. ‘You gave me fright, there. Announcing that then going quiet! Thought you were in mourning or something.’

‘Oh. No,’ Gavin shrugged as the car began moving, and leant his head on the window. ‘Sorry. I’m just tired. School kinda sucked today.’

‘What happened?’

‘Tests, tests, and then more tests,’ Gavin made a face. ‘Plus it rained and we had to do PE inside. Nathan was weird about it. He tried to pick a fight with Jacob at lunch, so I dacked him.’

The car jolted, as Dale’s laugh escaped him so quick and short and sharp that he didn’t even have time to open his mouth and it came out as a half-snort, half-raspberry.

‘The teacher didn’t see,’ said Gavin. ‘So I didn’t get in trouble. But don’t tell Mum.’

‘Fair enough, I won’t snitch,’ Dale promised. He pulled the car out of the pickup zone and started the drive back to Talia’s apartment. ‘What did he try to pick the fight over?’

‘Jacob got him out during dodge-ball,’ Gavin sighed, then, rolling his eyes. ‘So Nathan called him a girl.’

‘Nathan sounds like he has problems,’ wincing, Dale let out his own sigh. ‘Don’t let him get to you.’

Gavin just waved a hand —looking exceptionally like Richard as he did— and gave a grumble that sounded too much like his mother.

‘So...’ Dale wanted to change the subject, but wasn’t entirely sure how. After a quiet moment of thinking on it, he gave a hum and asked, carefully, ‘Are you and Jacob telling people you’re dating?’

‘Why wouldn’t we?’ Gavin retorted.

‘Eh, I dunno, sometimes people don’t like to share that sort of thing,’ Dale answered. ‘And you know, people don’t always like it when two boys date, so....’

Gavin gave a scoff. ‘Anna and Trish are dating, why can’t we?’

‘They’re— Wait—‘ Dale was taken aback. ‘Anna and Trish are dating?’

‘Yeah. They sleep in the same bed and everything.’

‘Wow, I did not know that.’

‘They’re lesbians,’ Gavin said proudly. ‘Mum taught me that word. It means a girl who loves other girls.’

‘I know what a lesbian is, Gavin.’

‘Really? You seemed so shocked by it, I thought you hadn’t heard of it before,’ Gavin gave Dale a grin, and the man couldn’t figure out of the kid was mocking him or not. ‘They’ve been dating since they were in school.’

Dale heaved a sigh. ‘Oh, god. Well. A lot of stuff just started to make sense,’ he commented, stopping at a red light and chuckling as he cast Gavin a sideways glance. ‘I should have realised Trish wasn’t straight.’

Gavin giggled. ‘Richard said the same! He said he can’t believe you haven’t realised he’s gay, yet!’

‘WHAT?’ Dale cried, his voice breaking. ‘DICK’S GAY? Since when?!’

‘Since forever,’ answered Gavin in a flat tone. ‘He talked to me about it a few times. He said I can ask him anything that I need to know.’

‘Aw, man,’ Dale’s voice rose into a high-pitch whine as the light turned green. ‘Now I know why he keeps making all those weird jokes!’

‘Yeah, he’s been trying to make it as obvious as possible for you,’ Gavin told him. ‘He thinks it’s funny that you’re so dumb.’

‘Yeah, I’ll take that title, right about now,’ Dale snickered. Then, he gave a low cough, clearing his throat. ‘So.... I have something to ask you— Well. It’s something that I want to ask your mum, but I want to check with you about it, first.’

‘Do you mean check that I’m okay with it, or check that she’s not going to bite your head off when you ask her?’ brow furrowing in a cautious way, Gavin side-eyed Dale.

‘Little bit of both,’ Dale admitted. When Gavin shrugged at him, he continued, ‘Uh, so, not right now, but in a week or two... I’m thinking of gently suggesting you both come and live with me.’

Gavin grimaced, his entire face scrunching up. ‘You really like to push your luck, don’t you?’

‘You don’t think it’s a good idea?’

For a moment, the boy looked hesitant. Then, he sighed. ‘It’s not a bad idea. Moving in with you would be really cool. But Mum’s impossible.’

‘Heh, you’ve said that before, and I’ve still managed to sway her!’ Dale reassured. ‘Well. I suppose I should ask it more like this: Are you comfortable with me asking you both to move in with me, or would you rather I leave it?’

‘I like your house more than the apartment,’ Gavin admitted. ‘But you gotta be real brave to be asking Mum a question like that. Risking your life, brave.’

‘Too right, that’s why I need at least a week to prepare for it!’ joked Dale. ‘I don’t want to rush her —I know things have been a bit overwhelming for her, lately. But it just... feels right. You know?’

‘Yeah,’ Gavin agreed. ‘Like family.’

A soft chuckle escaped through Dale’s nose, and he nodded his agreement as he turned a corner. He wasn’t sure what else to say as he turned again, this time into the street before Talia’s.

Though, the silence was broken by the sound of Gavin clearing his throat (suspiciously close to the way Dale had done earlier).

‘Dale?’ he asked.

‘What’s up, mate?’

‘Can I... call you Dad?’

Dale felt his breath catch in his throat as a lump at the shock of the question. He hadn’t expected it, and he had to quickly blink back the sudden tears that welled in his eyes so he could focus on the road. ‘Yeah, mate,’ he squeaked, before swallowing and forcing his voice to an even tone. ‘Yeah. You can call me whatever you like.’

Part 51:

Dale lay, arm over his eyes, on Talia’s couch.

It had been a little over a month since he’d talked with Gavin about asking Talia to move in with him, but a good opportunity simply hadn’t come up, yet. Something always seemed to stop it; they’d be busy, people would be over, Talia would be in a bad mood.... Even just today, he’d been planning to ask her during the drive home from work; she’d had a good day, and had been in a fantastic mood as she’d packed up her desk and pulled her blazer from the back of her chair. But then, Richard had stopped her at the elevator, asking if she could stay late to help him with a meeting, and she in turn had asked Dale if he could pick up Gavin from school and watch him until she got home... and Dale couldn’t say no to her.

So he’d picked Gavin up from school and taken him home via his favourite Ms Danielles.

Gavin, of course, had playfully called him several colourful names. The most accurate one being coward.

Now that they were home the boy was playing games on his computer —he could be heard in the other room, laughing in a voice chat with Jacob— so Dale was taking the opportunity to rest on the couch.

The man let out a deep, deep sigh, as his thoughts moved back to Talia. She was so beautiful. So perfect.... God, he wanted to have sex with her, again.

But, much like there hadn’t been an opportunity to ask her about moving in, there hadn’t been an opportunity for them to be alone and intimate together. At least, not in a way where Talia was comfortable enough to accept Dale’s advances. The most they’d managed was a few shared showers, or laying in bed as Dale kissed her neck and ran a hand over her hip.... But nothing further than that, as they were either at a lack of time, or Gavin was home.

A knock rapped on the apartment door as it was opened, and Dale didn’t bother uncovering his eyes as he chuckled out a greeting.

‘Hey, Trish, how’s it going?’

‘Uh...’ the unsure note in her voice gave Dale pause, and he looked up at her.

‘You alright?’

‘Uh, yeah— Is Talia home?’

‘She’s out with Richard for some work event,’ he answered. ‘Can I help?’

‘Yeah, actually,’ Trish blushed sheepishly. ‘I uh— I was meant to meet Anna in like ten minutes, but there’s an emergency with my sister.... It would be a huge help if you could go pick Anna up for me! I left her a message but her phone’s off, so....’

‘Yeah, just let me know where I’m headed,’ said Dale. He rose to his feet, fixing his hair as he did, and then glanced down the hall to Gavin. ‘I doubt Gavin would mind a drive.’

‘Thank you so much!’ Trish heaved a sigh; a wave of visible relief passing over her as she scribbled down an address on a spare piece of paper and handed it to him. ‘I owe you one!’

‘Nah, you don’t,’ Dale gave a dismissive wave as Trish spun on her heels and made for the door. ‘You be safe!’

‘Will do!’

‘Was that Trish?’ Gavin’s voice asked, and Dale turned to the hall to see him standing just outside his door. ‘She sounded upset.’

‘Yeah, I think she was,’ Dale confirmed. He motioned to Gavin with a flick of his hand; showing off the paper he’d been given. ‘She needs us to go grab Anna for her. Hope you don’t mind.’

‘Oh, yeah, sure,’ Gavin retreated back to his room. ‘I just gotta tell Jacob we’re going.’

‘Thanks, mate!’ called Dale. He had barely retrieved his keys from the dining table when Gavin came back out and slipped on his shoes. ‘You ready?’

‘Yep!’ Gavin beamed, following Dale out the door and practically dancing down the stairs. ‘Was Trish alright? What happened?’

‘Not sure, she said something about an emergency with her sister?’

‘Oh, yeah, that sounds about right,’ Gavin commented as he clambered into Dale’s car. ‘Her sister’s always getting into trouble! You know she’s almost been arrested four times this year?’

‘Woof,’ Dale breathed as he settled into the driver’s seat and pulled out his phone. He knew the feeling. ‘You’re navigator, Gav.’

‘Right!’ Gavin chirped as he accepted the phone and the paper with their destination on it. ‘Okay! It’s in.’

The robotic voice of the maps app confirmed it, and Dale made his way out of the car park. He couldn’t help but wonder, as he followed Gavin’s directions, what exactly had happened with Trish’s sister... if it would be appropriate to ask her, of if he would have to ask Talia later, in order to sate his curiosity.

‘We’re here!’ chirped Gavin, pulling Dale from his thoughts.

‘The tattoo parlour?’ Dale’s brow furrowed, as he pulled up into a free spot just outside the shop. ‘You sure that’s right?’

‘Yeah! That’s the one,’ he confirmed.

‘Right, then, we better head in and see if we can find her.’

‘Right!’ Gavin agreed, clambering out of the car and hurrying over to the tattoo parlour’s entrance.

He didn’t wait for Dale (even after Dale called for him to) before making his way inside, and when Dale caught up with him and gave him a stern frown, he simply grinned and looked proud of himself.

‘Gav, I said to wait,’ Dale sighed.

‘Yeah, and?’ Gavin retorted. ‘You caught up!’

‘Gav—‘ his serious look faltered, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. ‘You’re a menace.’

It was then that Anna poked her head out of the privacy of the backroom.

‘Dale? Gavin?’ she chuckled. ‘What are you doing here? I wouldn’t have pinned you as the type to get a tattoo!’

‘Trish sent me,’ he shrugged. ‘Something about her sister. Seemed like a big deal.’

‘Oh, again? I hope she’s alright,’ Anna mumbled, fumbling through her pockets until she found her phone. She turned it on and, after glancing through the messages, gave a little huff before putting it away again. ‘Yeah, she’s fine.’

‘Ah, good,’ Dale nodded; though he secretly wished Anna would elaborate.

Then, as Gavin curiously began to poke around the parlour, there was an awkward quiet that hung over the adults.

‘S... so,’ Dale took a deep breath. ‘I didn’t know you were getting a tattoo!’

‘Yeah, nah!’ Anna rubbed the back of her neck. ‘It’s uh, not a new one. Just an addition to an old one.’

‘Oh! An old one?’ Dale echoed. ‘I honestly didn’t think you’d be the type. No offence, or anything. Nothing wrong with it, either way!’

‘Ah, nah. You’re right. I’m not really the type for tattoos,’ Anna’s awkward grin became a little more genuine, though perhaps more sheepish, as she blushed and gave a short laugh. ‘Trish convinced me to get it when we first started dating. Sort of a, uh, rebellious streak I had to cope with coming out— We were underage at the time and it felt like a huge deal.’

‘You got an illegal tattoo?’ Dale’s voice rose with his laugh, much to the amusement of the artist. ‘Wow, I really misjudged you! What is it? A skull? Demons? A picture of Talia?’

Anna let out a laugh, and shook her head. ’It’s a vine with flowers and leaves and stuff.… I get a butterfly added every anniversary.’

‘Anniversary?’

‘Mine and Trish’s,’ she clarified.

‘That’s cute,’ Dale grinned. ‘How many butterflies?’

Anna shrugged. ‘This is my eighth; though I’m getting it a little early. I want it fully healed before the actual anniversary, so we can go to the beach.’

‘Wow. Going on eight years? Really?’ another laugh escaped Dale. ‘That’s awesome. Can I see it?’

‘Sure,’ Anna chuckled, and turned her back to Dale.

Dale watched eagerly as she pulled up her shirt; revealing a tattoo much larger than he expected spread across the entirety of her back. It was a swirling decoration of flowers and vines, with seven butterflies scattered across it and a small bandage that was clearly covering the newest addition.

‘It used to look like absolute crap— I mean, an artist willing to give a seventeen year old with no ID a tattoo sort of gives you an indication of their skills,’ she laughed. ‘But uh, Ha-neul fixed it up for me.’

‘I can’t even tell that it used to be bad!’ Dale said. ‘Looks absolutely amazing, honestly. How’d you end up ditching your old artist and finding Ha-neul?’

‘I’m her cousin,’ a voice chuckled from Dale’s side, and he turned and shook the artist’s hand. ‘I walked in on her while she was showering to steal some toothpaste and saw it.’

‘Must have been a shock,’ Dale grinned.

‘Hah, yeah,’ Ha-neul nodded. ‘I told her she should have come to me in the first place!’

‘You wouldn’t have done it,’ Anna snorted, dropping her shirt. ‘And you would have told my parents!’

‘And then you wouldn’t have had to sit through over thirty hours of me fixing the mess on your back!’ Ha-neul quipped, before motioning to Dale in a humoured-but-exasperated way. ‘It looked more like a squashed octopus than a plant! It was the most difficult fix I’ve ever done!’

Anna punched her cousin in the shoulder, and he ruffled her hair in response.... And that was when Dale’s phone buzzed, and he checked it to find a text from Talia asking where he and Gavin had gone.

‘Ah, Gav! Your mum’s looking for us!’ he commented, quickly messaging her back to let her know they were both fine. ‘We shouldn’t keep her waiting, should we?’ he glanced up to Anna with a grin, and motioned with a flick of his head. ‘Is everything you need to do, done?’

‘Yeah,’ Anna confirmed, before giving Ha-neul a playful flick on the nose. He made to flick her back but she ducked away and rushed for the door. ‘Okay! Bye! Tell Auntie I love her!’

Part 52:

Talia couldn’t stop checking the clock.

It was only an hour and a half until the Conners dropped Gavin home, and Talia was desperate to be alone with Dale, even just for ten goddamn minutes. But her friends had come by at the worst possible time and she had no idea how to ask them to leave without becoming the subject of another month of moaned-out teasing, questions, and other playful jeers.

She could hear Dale finishing up in the kitchen; the sound of a cup being returned to its cupboard was followed by the sink loudly draining, and Talia heaved a sigh and cut her eyes to her friends.

Despite desperately wanting them gone, she couldn’t help but grin as they sat together, Anna practically lounging on Trish’s lap as the woman playfully tapped out a familiar beat on her thigh.

God, how could Talia get them out without being bombarded with a thousand joking comments?

Just as Talia was wondering how to word herself, Dale came into the room and leant over the back of the couch, his arms resting just behind Trish as he grinned down at her.

‘What’s up?’ Trish snickered as she lolled her head back to look at him.

‘So you know how the other day you said you owed me one?’ Dale asked. ‘And I said you didn’t, but then when you got back you insisted that you did?’

‘Yeah?’

‘I need you to leave,’ he told her, rather bluntly. ‘Gavin gets home in an hour, and I need to talk to Talia about something in private.’

‘Oop!’ Trish lifted herself off the couch, helping Anna up as she did, and gave Dale a playful salute. ‘Off we go, then!’

Talia waved them goodbye, then felt herself blushing as Dale shifted so he was resting behind her.

Finally, a moment alone!

She leant back to look at him, smiling wide, and hooked a hand around the back of his head to encourage him to lean down and kiss her.

He did, though when he pulled away he looked more anxious than he had before; his cheeky grin had vanished into nerves, and he let his eyes dart around the room before taking in a sharp breath.

‘Dale? Are you alright?’ Talia turned in her seat so she could address him properly. She realised, now, that Dale had mentioned wanting to talk to her privately, and felt her own anxiety spike as a thousand terrible thoughts rushed to her. He wanted to talk. He looked nervous. He rarely looked this nervous. Which meant something must have been wrong. What had she done wrong? Why did he want to talk privately? What did he want to say, that couldn’t be said in front of their friends?

‘Talia, I was thinking,’ he started. Then, after a moment of hesitation, he gave a shy chuckle. ‘Your bed’s still broken, isn’t it?’

‘Yeah?’ Talia confirmed, softly. God, please tell me he wants to break it some more. Please let that be what this is.

‘You should... come and stay at my place until you replace it,’ he suggested, with another nervous laugh. ‘Except... you... shouldn’t replace it.’

The thousands of thoughts that had spun through Talia’s mind vanished as she stared at Dale, and she was left empty-headed and stunned, with her mouth hanging open and her eyes wide.

Several moments of silence hung between them before Talia finally blinked and found her voice again. ‘Are you saying you—‘ she was the one who laughed, this time. A short, sharp bark of relief as she realised what Dale was asking. ‘Are you asking me to move in with you?’

Dale was blushing, now; red enough that it made Talia laugh again. ‘If you...’ he cleared his throat. ‘If you’re okay with it.’

‘I... don’t know,’ Talia replied. She liked the idea of it; she loved Dale. She loved Dale more than she thought she’d ever be able to love anyone, ever again. He made her feel comfortable, and safe, and... but... she.... ‘Anna and Trish, they... we....’

‘They’re your support system,’ Dale acknowledged, making his way to the front of the couch to sit next to Talia. It was a small gesture, but it helped; lowering himself to her level, putting himself beside her instead of looming over her, made his question feel less imposing. ‘I know. But… I was hoping, maybe, that I could help support you now. If you let me.’

It was Talia’s turn to blush. All the way down from her cheeks to her chest.

‘Where would Gavin’s room be?’ she asked. ‘The guest room?’

‘That’s what I was thinking, yeah. With the big window.’

Talia looked at the floor and rubbed her hot cheeks. ‘He’d like that. It’d be nicer than the port-hole he has now. It doesn’t even open.’

‘So.... Yes? No?’

Talia chewed her lip. She wasn’t sure. It was such a big change.

She’d have to uproot everything. Leave the life that she’d made for herself behind.... The past twelve years.

But she’d hated those twelve years so, so much... could leaving them behind really be so bad?

But... it was her twelve years. That she’d used to build everything....

She swallowed as Dale placed a hand on hers and gave her a patient-but-hopeful look.

It would mean trusting him, she realised. Trusting him completely. With her entire life. And she hadn’t trusted anyone like that. Not in a long, long time....

And— And it wouldn’t just be her life she was trusting him with, would it? It would be Gavin’s, as well.

Could she trust Dale with Gavin’s life?

She let out a calming breath as she met Dale’s eye and realised that —yes!— she thought she could trust him.

She wanted to trust him.

‘If Gavin wants to move,’ she decided, aloud; taking a deep breath as Dale broke into a beaming grin. ‘But he has to want it, too.’

‘He already said yes!’ said Dale, his voice high with excitement. ‘I talked to him about it a while ago, to make sure he was comfortable with me asking you. And he said he was. I meant to bring it up with you sooner, but... there was never a private moment, and I wanted to make sure you were ready for me to ask. I know you’ve been stressed; I didn’t want to accidentally add to that.’

Oh, god, she had never wanted to mount a man so badly before in her entire life!

Before she realised what she was doing, she was in his lap; her lips against his as she breathlessly gasped in his taste. He accepted it, letting her kiss him, and she felt his tongue flick eagerly into her mouth.

‘Whoa,’ Dale chuckled as Talia pulled away to breathe. Then, when she leant down to kiss his neck, he wrapped his arms around her and squeaked out a joyful, ‘Alright!’

‘Gavin’ll be home in an hour,’ she mumbled into his skin. ‘I don’t know when we’ll have our next opportunity. I need it. I need you!’

Dale’s hands moved down, hooking themselves under Talia’s hips so he could heft her up— And she gave a surprised squeal as he rose to his feet. She wrapped her arms tightly around him as he carried her from the couch, through the hall, and to her bed to lay her softly down.

He leant over her, pressing his hips down against hers as they kissed. And she bucked upwards; the friction sending hot sparks of pleasure shooting through her. Then Dale’s kisses began to move down, and his hands found their way to the buttons of her jeans.

‘You make me feel crazy,’ she whispered, her head falling back as Dale sat up.

‘I think you’re crazy enough without my help,’ he joked back, hooking his hands into her pants’ belt loops and yanking down.

Talia chuckled through her nose as her pants, and then her underwear, were discarded to the floor, though she was cut short by a gasp when Dale dropped forward and plunged his face into her.

Her legs trembled as his tongue pressed against her clit, and she gave a loud moan as he began that wonderful suckling kissing that made her want to scream, ‘Oh, Dale!’

She lay back as he worked her up; her hands running through his short hair as she whimpered and panted.

Then, when she felt that butterfly-pressure starting to build, she gently lifted his head away and breathed out:

‘Condom?’

‘I don’t have my bag,’ Dale answered.

‘Oh,’ a heavy ball of disappointment dropped in her stomach; though it was quickly replaced by a flicker of pleasure as Dale’s fingers brushed her labia. ‘Oh!’

‘Don’t worry, I’m a man of many skills,’ he humoured as he pushed into her; his two middle fingers sliding easily up to the last knuckle.

Talia lifted her hips as Dale rubbed at her insides, pressing up into all her most sensitive parts with a beckoning motion.

And when his lips returned to her clitoris, she fumbled for her pillow, pressing it tight against her face to muffle her pleasured squeal.

She came quickly; her moans turning into a shout, still loud and clear through her bedding, as her body trembled. Her hips bucked; much to Dale’s delight as he chuckled into her before pulling away.

‘When you move in, you can scream as loud as you like,’ he commented, sliding up her side so he could lay beside her. ‘My place has thick walls.’

Talia responded with a flat, exhausted moan and let her arms fall limp. She heard Dale give another laugh before he removed the pillow from her face and pecked a kiss on her lips.

She could taste herself on him, and found herself licking her lips in surprise at how sweet the flavour was. There was a tang to it, too. It was an unusual taste, like nothing that she’d had before.

‘See why I enjoy it so much?’ joked Dale, kissing her again as she snickered. ‘You taste great!’

She wasn’t sure about that, but the compliment still made her blush as Dale pulled her close. She felt the firm bulge in his pants rub against her side and licked her lips again.

‘I bet you taste even better,’ she mumbled without thinking.

He giggled, at that, then cleared his throat to deepen his voice as his blush matched her own. ‘You want to try it?’ he offered.

Talia gave a half-laugh, half-sniff, and pushed herself up into a sit. She bit her lip, nodding, and then covered her mouth and looked away sheepishly as Dale began to undo his pants.

She glanced to him again as he settled back against her headboard and, when he made an inviting gesture, she couldn’t help but slide up to press against him.

‘It’s been a while,’ she warned.

‘Don’t worry,’ Dale reassured, his hand brushing her own. ‘As long as you don’t bite it off, I can’t see much going wrong!’

It earned the laugh he was so clearly hoping for, and Talia felt a little less nervous as she inched backwards and settled down between his legs.

She realised, as Dale adjusted himself and tugged down his pants until his erection sprung up in front of her, that it had been a long time since she’d been this close and personal with anything other than someone’s face.

The first thing she did was smell it; burying her face into the underside of the shaft and ignoring Dale’s hearty laugh as she took a long, deep whiff of him.

Intoxicating!

Dale’s hand ran lovingly over her cheek as the sniff turned to a kiss, and she grinned as she heard him give a quiet, breathless moan.

She shifted, getting a little more comfortable, and saw a drip of precum rolling down from his tip. She licked it up eagerly, but gagged as the taste tickled the back of her throat.

‘You alright?’ Dale asked, the hand in her hair meeting her cheek.

‘Yeah,’ she reassured, before running her tongue over another droplet. The taste was less surprising, this time, and she pressed her tongue down against his tip before slipping downwards to take him into her mouth.

It was like sucking on a solid metal pole, he was so hard. And every time she pressed down, she felt pressure on the back of her throat and had to hold back another gag.

‘Breathe!’ it was mostly a moan, though there was some laughter mixed in with Dale’s reminder as he hooked his hand under her chin and pulled her up for air.

She was determined, though, to take as much of his dick down her throat as she could. So after taking in quick a breath she was on him again, ignoring Dale’s chuckle as he ran his fingers through her hair. He gripped it lightly as she ran her tongue against the underside of his dick, and then tighter as she pushed down as far as she could.

‘Oh, fuck!’ he gasped in pleasure as Talia’s nose pressed against him. ‘Oh yeah! A little less teeth.... Aw, that’s good. Press your tongue up like— GOD, yeah, just like that!’

Talia followed each instruction she was given with vigour, enjoying the sounds of Dale’s moaned praise as she pleasured him.

Then he gave a high-pitch squeak that sounded almost like a whimper, and the hand on the back of Talia’s head gripped her tight to hold her in place as Dale thrust up. She tasted something hot and musky filling her mouth as Dale trembled against her, and she let out a low, happy moan as he came in her.

A moment passed before Dale’s hand slid through her hair and onto her back, and she pulled away and sat up.

Then she hesitated.

What—

What was she supposed to do with this?

‘Are you alright?’ Dale asked.

‘Mm,’ she managed.

‘Oh my god!’ laughed Dale. ‘Either spit it out or swallow it, don’t just hold onto it!’

She glanced around the room, and when she couldn’t find anywhere to spit she turned back to Dale and, taking a deep breath through her nose, tried to swallow.

It didn’t go down.

She felt the thick liquid catch in her throat and she gagged, choking as it came back up and out her nose.

‘Oh, Jesus!’ Dale exclaimed as he was sprayed with snot and semen. ‘Talia! Oh my god, are you alright?’

Her hacking cough made it impossible to answer. Her eyes watered as she tried to breathe and she felt a trickle from her nose into her mouth and tasted blood.

She was only just catching her breath when Dale pressed a tissue to her nose and moved her hair behind her ear.

‘Are you alright?’ Dale asked again. ‘Talia?’

Talia nodded— Or at least, she tried to. She was so lightheaded the movement made her fall forward into Dale and he had to hold her upright.

‘Talia? Oh, Jesus! Talia!’

A crackly cough escaped her as her blood nose found its way to the back of her throat and she felt the pork she’d eaten at lunch coming back up.

She made to turn away, but Dale grabbed her in a panic and turned her back. ‘Talia! Say you’re alright!’

Her stomach contents came up, and then went down again. Directly into Dale’s lap.

‘Talia!’ he exclaimed. ‘Oh my god, Talia! Are you okay?! Say something!’

‘I’m fine!’ she finally managed, wheezing and collapsing onto the bed in a heap. She took a moment to catch her breath, wiping her nose and mouth on the soiled bed sheet before letting out another weak cough, ‘Sorry.’

‘No, oh my god, don’t apologise!’ Dale lay down beside her, and she felt his hand running up and down her back as he gave a concerned sigh. ‘I thought you were dying! I was so worried! Are you alright?!’

‘I’m fine,’ she repeated. ‘I just choked a little.’

‘A little?’ Dale’s voice barely sounded like his own it was so high.

‘A lot,’ Talia corrected. Then, she looked Dale over and felt her cheeks burning hot. ‘Oh my god.... Your clothes. I’m so sorry.’

‘I don’t care about my clothes, right now,’ he reassured. ‘They’ll wash— I’m more worried about you.’

‘I think, next time, I’ll spit,’ it was more of a chuckle than she meant it to be, and she shook her head as Dale sighed and wrapped his arms tight around her. ‘I’m fine,’ she promised, rolling over to bury her face into his neck. She realised her nose was still bleeding, though, and quickly scooted back to retrieve another tissue from her bedside table. ‘Ugh.... God, Gavin’s going to be home soon. I need a shower.’

Dale popped his lips loudly, at that, and looked himself over. ‘I... don’t have a spare change of clothes,’ he commented with a wince. ‘Do you think if I called Richard, he could get here first?’

‘If he doesn’t, I have an extra robe you can use,’ Talia told him. She gave a weak chuckle, then, and grinned. ‘I did not know that was how it was going to go!’

‘I didn’t think so!’ Dale gave a humoured scoff back. Then, he rose to his feet and offered Talia a hand. ‘Come on. We better go wash up.’

Part 53:

It had been a long, hard day of packing and unpacking, and Talia wasn’t sure she had much more effort left in her.

She had, arguably, done the least amount of work out of the three of them; though not to her own fault. Dale hadn’t let her finish half the things she’d started. She’d pack up a box, and then suddenly he would be there to carry it down the stairs... not that she wanted to complain, but she was starting to feel a little bit useless as she stood aimlessly around in the half-empty bedroom, waiting as Dale brought what little she owned into the room one box at a time.

‘Sit on the bed, relax,’ he instructed as he put down the last box —this one was her clothes, the new ones she’d bought for herself— and stepped to her side. He took her hands, guiding her to the soft, comfortable mattress and sitting her down. ‘I know you’re stressed. I’ve got this.’

The acknowledgement of her feelings didn’t really help. Not when she cast a glance to the space that he had made for her and felt her chest squeeze in a confusing way.

He’d rearranged his house, clearing up as much room as he could for her and Gavin to fit into. It was more space than they needed for all their things (though, he’d reassured that it would fill quicker than she thought), especially so for Talia, and she’d felt overwhelmed by the room he’d cleared in the bedroom and attached bathroom.

Nobody had ever given up anything for her, let alone like this.

She wasn’t sure she could take it.

‘How you doing, mate?’ Dale’s voice floated through the wall, now, as he checked on Gavin. ‘Need any help?’

‘Yeah, nah, I’m good!’ Gavin chirped.

‘Beauty. Well, I’ve got two more boxes to get from the car; both yours. You want them in here?’

‘Nah, yeah. In here’s fine. I’ll help you bring them in.’

‘Legend!’

The conversation made Talia chuckle, just a little, and she took a deep breath before worrying the edge of her skirt under her thumb.

Then, just as Dale and Gavin were passing by the open doorway, the doorbell sounded, and all three heads shot up in curiosity.

Rising to her feet as the boys made for the stairs, Talia tailed them down at a more casual pace.

Gavin reached the door, first, and pulled it open with a grin that immediately fell as he stepped back and glanced to Dale.

Talia peered around Dale and saw Laura in the doorway, her face bruised and her eyes red and swollen from crying. She had a plastic bag of clothes in one hand and her phone in the other. ‘I... didn’t know where else to go.’

Talia’s heart wrenched as she saw the state of her friend, and before she even realised what she was doing, she’d shoved her way past Dale to put an arm around Laura so she could lead her inside.

‘What happened?’ she asked as she sat Laura down on the couch. She took the seat next to the woman as Dale hurried into the kitchen, and gave her hands a firm and comforting squeeze. She took the phone and bag as she did and deposited them on the coffee table. ‘I know these kinds of bruises,’ she said, seriously; recalling her own childhood reflection after a beating. ‘Who hit you?’

A deep, shaky breath was sucked into Laura, who breathed it out alongside a tear that rolled down her cheek. ‘My uh.... My.... He didn’t handle the breakup well.’

Talia could easily connect the dots, and as Dale came back in with a cup of water and a plate of chocolate biscuits she pulled Laura into a tight hug.

‘I’m sorry I didn’t call,’ Laura sniffed, wiping her eyes. ‘My phone’s flat and I....’

‘It’s alright,’ Dale comforted as she trailed off. He sat on her other side, his lips tightening in a concerned way, and offered her the food and drink. ‘Here.’

Laura took the plate and cup with a silent hiccup, and quietly ate.

Talia watched her quietly; her chest tight in her barely-controlled rage. She bit her lip to stop herself from saying anything or asking another question. Only as she felt Gavin’s hand brush her arm did she realised she was so angry that she was trembling.

‘Gav, mate,’ Dale started, leaning towards the boy but not taking his eyes of Laura. ‘I need you to head upstairs for us.’

‘But—‘

‘I know,’ Dale interrupted, his voice an equal mix of calm, soft, and firm. ‘I know. But Laura needs some privacy, right?’

‘But she’s...’ Gavin heaved a heavy sigh, as Dale shook his head at him. Then, defeated, he squeezed his mother’s arm before turning for the stairs and quietly hurrying up them.

‘He’s a good kid,’ Laura sniffed, wiping her nose on the back of her wrist.

‘Yeah...’ it came out as a sigh, slow and long, and Talia swallowed the end of it back down. ‘What happened, exactly?’

‘I don’t even know,’ Laura buried her face in her hands, her brow furrowing tight as she groaned. ‘I tried so hard to be careful about how I worded myself, but he just blew up... I mean,’ she sat up straight; looking twice as exhausted as she had before. ‘That’s... that’s why I was breaking up with him, I guess. Ugh— God. I should have waited before moving in with him!’ her face was in her hands again. ‘Why did I rush? I’m so stupid!’

‘No, you’re not,’ Talia comforted, pulling her close again so she could run a hand over her back. ‘He shouldn’t be laying his hands on you. Ever. Full stop.’

The only response was a heavy sigh, as Laura’s hands dropped limply down to her lap.

‘Do you... need us to call someone for you?’ Dale asked. ‘Family? Pol...ice?’

‘I don’t want the cops involved,’ she told them. ‘They’re so fucking useless.’

‘Mm,’ Dale hummed. ‘I understand. Maybe I could talk to Dick—‘

‘No, I-I just want to leave it,’ said Laura. ‘I just want to leave it alone and be done with him.’

Talia gave an understanding tut. ‘You said you’d moved in... you can’t go back to that.’

Laura shook her head in an agreeable way. ‘I can’t,’ she breathed.

‘Where are you going to stay?’

‘I... I don’t know,’ she admitted. She rubbed at her eyes with a groan. ‘I don’t even have my things.... I have to go back for them.’

Talia cast a look to Dale and, seeing the almost-pleading look on his own face, gave him a small nod before squeezing Laura’s arm in comfort. ‘You can stay here, until you find somewhere else.’

‘And I’ll take you to get your things,’ Dale promised. ‘When does he work? We can go in and get everything you need while he’s out.’

Laura gave a long, relieved breath, her entire body seeming to deflate in relief. ‘Thank you. Thank you both so much.’

Part 54:

The gathering in the lounge room had been small, but it was still too big for Talia’s liking.

She’d spent the day hiding away in the bedroom —with Dale coming in to check on her intermittently, while she insisted she was fine— waiting for the majority of Dale’s friends to go home. Which, according to Dale’s last visit, they were getting ready to wrap it up.

It was a lifestyle change that Talia knew she was going to have to get used to. But, in her own time. When she was ready.... For now she was more comfortable upstairs, away from the guests—

A clumsy knock on her door caught her attention, and as she opened her mouth to ask who was there the door swung open and Ashleigh, shirt askew and hair half-down, stumbled into the room and caught her in an tight and unexpected hug.

‘Ash, what—‘

‘I haven’t seen you the entire time I’ve been here!’ Ashleigh squealed; the smell of alcohol floating on her breath as she rocked Talia affectionately back and forth. ‘OUGH! You cannot expect me to not say hello to you at least once before I go!’

‘Mhm,’ Talia half-hummed, half-sighed into Ashleigh’s shoulder. Then, slowly, she raised her arms up to pat the woman on the back and return the hug. ‘Alright, yeah. It’s good to see you, too.’

Dale appeared in the open door, panting, and gave Talia an apologetic look. ‘I tried to catch her,’ he promised, chuckling breathlessly. ‘But she got up the stairs so quick! In heels. How did you do that in heels?’

‘Practice!’ Ashleigh beamed. Then, as Dale stepped over and tried to remove her from Talia, she took on a sooky tone and held on tighter. ‘Noooo! She’s hugging me back! It’s okay, she doesn’t mind! She’s hugging me back!’

The sigh that escaped Dale made Talia laugh aloud.

‘She’s been drinking.’

‘I can tell,’ Talia gave a humoured scoff.

‘Come on, Ash,’ said Dale as he tried, once again, to remove Ashleigh from around Talia. He managed to squeeze an arm between them and Ashleigh clung to him, instead, giving Talia the ability to step back and breathe. ‘If you behave, I’ll buy you chocolate when I stop at the servo.’

‘Ooh!’ seemingly a little too excited about chocolate, Ashleigh pressed into Dale’s side and nuzzled him. ‘You’re so good to me!’

Talia snorted another laugh, shaking her head. ‘Who’s still here?’

‘Just Penny and this thing,’ Dale joked, glancing down to Ashleigh as she giggled into him. ‘Penny’s been drinking too, though. Oh, and Laura, though nowhere near as much as Ash has.’

‘Ah,’ Talia gave a click of her tongue. ‘Thanks for the warning.’

‘Come hang out downstairs!’ Ashleigh begged. She made to reach out to Talia again, but found Dale’s arm was wrapped too firmly around her for her take the step forward, and she looked up to him with a humoured grin. ‘Oh, hello.’

‘Hi,’ Dale responded with a chuckle. ‘Do I have to take you home, early? Or will you be good?’

‘I’m being good!’ Ashleigh whined.

Talia couldn’t help but smile as she stepped past Ashleigh and slipped out the door. ‘Okay, I’ll come downstairs for a bit,’ she decided. ‘I like you girls. Even when you’re drunk.’

The sound Ashleigh made didn’t sound like it could have come from a person. But it apparently had, as she stumbled at Dale’s side and let him guide her down the stairs.

Talia couldn’t help but chuckle when she saw the way Dale held his arm around his friend; he was clearly the main reason she was still upright as they reached the bottom step. And as they made for the couch in the lounge room Talia found her own hands hovering behind Ashleigh in case she fell.

‘You really have been drinking!’ Talia commented, helping Dale settle her on the couch next to Penny (who was curled up, asleep, mumbling under her breath about something Talia couldn’t make out). ‘Alright, down you go.’

‘Yep,’ it was Laura who answered, from her own seat beside Gavin, as she sipped at a cup of water and flicked through her phone. ‘She’s real drunk!’

‘You’d be too, if she didn’t take your drink,’ Gavin piped up, a smug note in his voice as he poked at Laura. He turned to Talia, then, and playfully cocked his head. ‘Girls are so weird. They don’t seem to have any boundaries. Penny and Zoey shared a prawn dumpling— A single prawn dumpling. There was a lipstick mark on it!’

‘Ew,’ Talia made a playfully-disgusted face, and eyed Penny.

‘Yeah, ew’s right!’ Gavin laughed. ‘I don’t even do that kind of thing with Jacob.’

‘Eh, it’s good for the immune system!’ Ashleigh commented, waving a hand in a mock-dismissive way.

Dale simply pet her on the head in response, and made for the kitchen. ‘Talia, you want something? There’s plenty left over.’

‘Yeah, there’s heaps left over!’ Gavin echoed.

‘Nah, I’m not hungry,’ Talia reassured.

‘Right, I’ll put it away, then.’

‘I’ll help!’ Gavin declared, rising from his seat and hurrying after Dale.

Talia took a moment to listen to the conversation that followed; Dale telling Gavin it was fine, and that he could sit down, and Gavin insisting he wanted to help— And when Gavin accused Dale of being “just as stubborn as Mum!” Talia couldn’t help but laugh aloud, covering her mouth as she sat beside Laura.

‘Dale is such a good guy,’ Ashleigh commented.

‘Yeah, wish I’d realised sooner,’ Laura snorted a laugh. ‘If I’d know how good he was I’d not have turned him down so quick over the kid thing. Also, the money. Woof. If I’d known how rich he was? Well, Talia, sorry. But he’d be with me now! I’d have kids for a million dollars!’

Talia returned the humoured snort, scrunching up her face playfully as Laura’s arm found its way around her... and then, another snort escaped her, as Ashleigh stumbled over to hug her from the other side. Neither girl had any idea about what, exactly, had drawn the pair of them together. And that was probably for the best. She wasn’t sure either of them would have been comfortable with Dale’s criminal activities... not like she was.

‘You girls,’ she drawled, putting on a mock-serious tone as her own arms wrapped around each of her friends. ‘Are drunk.’

Part 55:

Dale was glad Talia had been held back for that meeting with Richard.

Of course, at first, he’d been miserable about it. He’d been looking forward to a quiet afternoon at home with her.

But then, as he’d sat in the car park waiting for Gavin... Principal Salinas had approached him, knocking gently on his car window and giving a severe look that told him there was something wrong.

And, there was: Gavin had been caught stealing from another student.

He hadn’t taken anything important, really. Just a packet of pencils. Dale honestly didn’t see what the fuss was about! But that hadn’t made the half-hour conversation with his teacher any less tense, and he’d simply nodded along until it was finally over. It was a relief when he had been able to get away and usher Gavin into the car. And now, as Dale pulled out of the drive-through and handed the boy the takeaway bag to dig through, he heaved a heavy sigh and finally spoke:

‘You know I have to tell your mum about this, right?’

‘Aw, naw—‘

‘I have to tell her, mate.’

‘Why, though?’ it was probably the most whiny tone Gavin had ever taken with him, and it took all of Dale’s self-control not to chuckle about it.

‘Because if she finds out from a teacher, and realises that I knew and didn’t tell her? We’re both dead,’ Dale explained. ‘At least if I tell her, I might be able to convince her to go easy on you.’

‘It’s not a big deal, though,’ Gavin huffed.

‘Eh, I sorta agree,’ Dale shrugged his hands on the wheel. ‘Pencils are pencils. But, I still have to tell her.’

‘Nooo!’ Gavin whined. ‘Don’t!’

‘I gotta, mate.’

‘Don’TAH!’

‘Yes-ah!’ Dale teased. ‘You really shouldn’t be stealing. Even if it is just pencils.’

Gavin scoffed, at that, and slid down in his chair to slouch dramatically. ‘Hypocrite.’

‘Excuse me?’

‘Hyp-o-crite-TAH!’ Gavin repeated, slower. ‘You steal all the time! You stole from Mum’s old job.’

Dale wasn’t sure how to respond to that. So he sat quietly, driving, for a second as he thought. Then, after that second to think had passed, he popped his lips and said: ‘How the fuck do you know about that?’

‘Just because I’m in my room doesn’t mean I’ve gone deaf,’ Gavin rolled his eyes, and stuffed a small handful of chips in his mouth. ‘The apartment had thin walls, and you and Mum talk louder than you think you do. I know everything. And I have for ages.’

‘Jesus Christ.’

Part 56:

‘Gav, close the door behind you!’ Dale called after the boy as he rushed into the house. ‘Gav! Gav, mate! You listening?’

‘Yeah, sorry!’ dumping down the fast food bag on the coffee table, Gavin swiped up the cat as she made a dash for the door and then hurried to meet Dale in the hall. ‘Didn’t think. That’s my bad.’

‘C’mon, mate,’ Dale half-sighed as he closed the door. Then he turned to Gavin and ruffled his hair. ‘You’ve got a good brain in there. Use it.’

‘Right, right. Next time,’ chuckling his response, Gavin let the cat go and shadowed Dale as he made for the kitchen. ‘Do you want me to go find Laura?’

‘If you could, yeah, that’d be great,’ Dale pet Gavin on the back, two gentle thumps, and made his way to the couch. He sat down, rubbing his eyes and giving a tired sigh, before he looked back to the boy and grinned. ‘You got all yours?’

‘Yeah, I finished mine in the car,’ Gavin confirmed, watching as Dale began to unpack the food. ‘So I’m gonna go upstairs and play something. If that’s alright and I’m not grounded or whatever.’

‘Nah, I wouldn’t dare punish you,’ Dale felt a chuckle escape him as Gavin headed for the back door. ‘Not without your mother’s permission, at least.’

‘Okay, then, well— I’m gonna go play something before Mum gets home,’ Gavin decided. He then disappeared into the hall, and the last Dale heard of him was him calling out for Laura through the back door.

Dale guessed she was hanging over the fence again, talking to Penny, as she had almost every day since she’d come to stay. And he thought his guess might have been right, as she came into the lounge giggling to herself under her breath.

She settled down next to him and began to tuck into the meal. ‘Where’s Talia?’ she asked, her mouth full.

‘Caught up in a meeting,’ Dale answered. ‘Should be home soon, though, so leave her something.’

‘Mhm!’

That was when the sound of a car door slamming was heard outside, and Dale perked up and rose to his feet. ‘Oh! That’ll be her!’

He hurried to the front door, pulling it open, and was met not with the wonderful woman he loved— But by a furious-looking man who was storming towards his house.

‘LAURA!’ the man shouted, and Dale immediately shut and locked the door on him.

‘Oh my god,’ Laura gave a fearful squeak from the lounge. ‘Was that Gene?!’

Dale was at her side in a moment, as she dropped her food and stumbled sideways. He held her protectively as he heard the man outside kick his door, and then when there was a second kick and she gave a cry of fear, he quickly guided her towards the stairs.

‘LAURA!’

‘Gav! My room! Now!’ Dale barked, so firm that the boy was out of his bedroom before he and Laura had reached the top of the stairs.

Gavin was quickly followed by Dale’s dogs, who tried to run past the kid but were hurriedly scooped up as another BANG sounded through the house.

‘Who is that?!’ Gavin asked, wrangling the animals as he rushed into Dale’s room and stood next to Laura. He watched with wide eyes as Dale hurried to the dresser at the foot of the bed and dragged it in front of the door. ‘Dad? Who is that?!’

Laura screamed again as they heard the front door swing open and slam into the wall, and Gavin put down the dogs to comfort her as Dale braced himself against the dresser and took a deep, deep breath. He brushed his hand against his pocket, feeling for his phone, and cursed when he realised he’d left it downstairs.... He did, however, feel his gun, and quickly pulled it out— Which caused Laura to give another cry (though, this one was of surprise, as her voice broke).

‘A gun?! You have a gun?! Aren’t those illegal?!’

Dale nodded as he heard Gene make his way upstairs. The man was still shouting for Laura; threatening things that made the hair on Dale’s arms stand on end and the dogs howl and bark and snarl.

He didn’t want to shoot this man, but... if he had to, he would. He would do what he had to do to protect Laura. And Gavin, too.

If this man even looked at Gavin, he’d shoot to kill.

A foot slammed into the other side of the bedroom door, and Dale cocked his gun and aimed it; waiting as Gene shouted and cursed and kicked it again, and again.

When it didn’t break on the fifth kick, the man moved from Dale’s room to Gavin’s, and Dale grimaced as he heard something smash.

‘Fuck,’ Gavin breathed.

‘Yeah,’ Dale agreed. ‘Fuck is right.... Laura, you alright? Come here.’

He held out an arm for the woman, pulling her close as she trembled, and gave her a comforting squeeze.

‘I’m so sorry,’ she managed through the tears that were forming in her eyes as more things were broken. ‘I’m so— I’m so sorry! Aw, Gavin— Your room!’

‘It’s just stuff,’ Gavin replied, simply, as he wrapped his own arm around Laura; clearly mimicking Dale’s own comforting motions. ‘I can get new stuff, no worries. Right, Dad?’

‘Yeah, I’ll get you new stuff,’ Dale confirmed, as the smashing moved from Gavin’s room to the hall, and then down the stairs again. ‘As long as he doesn’t hurt you two, he can do whatever he wants to the house.... Oh, no— Oh no!’

The sound of another car pulling up caught Dale’s ear, and he rushed to the window and watched with horror as Talia climbed out of Richard’s car. She looked to the front door with a frown, then glanced up at Dale and cocked her head. And then a furious look appeared on her face as Gene gave another shout, cursing at her, and Dale felt his heart trying to escape through his throat as he all but fell over himself in his hurry to move the dresser from the bedroom door.

He heard Talia give a furious shriek as he busted out of the room.

‘WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!’

Then, as Dale reached the stairs and started down them, there was a loud THUMP and Gene gave a scream.

Another thump, and Gene screamed again.

And again, and again— And as Dale made it to the bottom of the stairs he realised that Gene’s screams weren’t angry, anymore; but terrified. And when he rushed through the front door into the yard, he saw why:

Talia stood over Gene, now, a large metal lawn ornament (clearly pulled from Penny’s yard, as it’s owner stood on her front verandah, phone in hand and eyes wide) shaped like an emu clasped tight in her hands. She, he, and the emu were covered in blood; the same blood that spattered the pavement and grass beneath Gene, with a clear trail from where he’d attempted to crawl away from Talia before being hit several times more.

‘DO YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST COME HERE AND ACT LIKE THIS?!’ Talia shrieked, raising the emu above her head again, but not swinging it. ‘AT MY HOUSE?! TOWARDS MY FAMILY?! IF YOU HAVE LAID A SINGLE HAND ON MY SON—‘

‘Talia!’ Dale exclaimed. He didn’t mean to call her name; it had simply come out of him without thought. And as her gaze turned to him, her face tight in a scowl and droplets of blood dripping from her chin and hair, he felt like the world had suddenly stopped.

A feeling, deep in his chest, overtook him as he made a single step forward. It was light, and heavy, and fluttery, and fast— So many emotions, all rolled into one, as their eyes met and he watched her entire body heave with the effort of her furious breaths. And in her eyes he saw fear, and knew the anger was actually worry. Worry for her son’s safety. For her friend’s. For his.

Dale’s breath escaped him as his mouth went dry. And he had a stunning realisation.

He wanted to marry her.

He knew it was a ridiculous thought to have in the moment. So, instead of listening to his barely-contained urge to go down on one knee and propose to her on the spot (an action he realised might end with the metal emu being swung at him), he simply pointed behind himself, back towards the house, and told her in a simple tone:

‘Gavin’s safe.’

He saw Talia’s shoulders slack with relief as her anger ebbed and her expression relaxed... but it was only for a moment, as Gene tried to crawl away again and she brought the metal emu down on his leg and another furious scream escaped her as her anger returned.

‘YOU STAY WHERE YOU ARE!’

Dale was at her side, then, scooping her up and stumbling away with her as she struggled and swung the lawn ornament around violently.

‘IF YOU EVER COME NEAR MY FAMILY AGAIN, I WON’T STOP UNTIL YOU’RE JAM, YOU CUNT!’

That was when the first police car pulled up and Richard, Sahara held tight in one arm, hurried over to Dale before he could get himself arrested, too.

Part 57:

Talia had no idea how Richard had stopped her from winding up in jail, but she wasn’t going to question it.

It seemed to be one of his skills; as she’d seen from him bailing Dale out when she’d first met him, and then a second time when she’d fought her mother in Moore for More’s lobby. So, she accepted it with a genuine thanks and didn’t say more on the matter, besides promising to do her best to avoid sending a third personal to hospital... though, she found she couldn’t promise never to do it again. At least Richard had found that comment funny, even if he’d sighed first before he’d laughed.

That said, Talia was glad that the Conners had agreed to let Gavin stay over with them until they got the mess in their house (and the blood staining the footpath in their yard) cleaned up. It had been a huge relief. And Gavin was never unhappy to be allowed to spend time with Jacob.

Laura was still staying at their house, though, as the place she had been staying with her ex had been in his name and she didn’t feel safe enough to try and move back there. Though Talia had heard, as Laura and Dale had used the fact that Gene wasn’t going to be home for at least a few days to quickly go and retrieve the last of her things, that she had told Dale she apparently felt very safe in a house with Talia, now.

Talia was happy to hear it, though she didn’t think it was fully deserved....

A hand lay on Talia’s thigh, pulling her out of her thoughts, and she looked to Dale with a friendly scoff and a smile. His eyes were focused on the road ahead, but it was clear to Talia he was paying attention to her, as he gave a gentle sideways nod in her direction.

‘You alright?’ he asked. ‘We’re almost at the restaurant, but we can go home if you need to.’

‘No, I’m starving,’ Talia confirmed. ‘If we turn around, now, you won’t make it home. Because I’ll eat you.’

‘You can eat me,’ Dale commented with a snicker. ‘Well. There’s a part of me you can eat.’

Another playful scoff escaped Talia, and she shook her head at Dale. ‘That can wait until after I’ve had dinner. Or I’ll bite it off and you’ll lose the whole thing.’

Dale winced, giving a visible cringe at the idea as he pulled his hand back from Talia so he could turn into the next street. ‘Right. Well. Let’s get you fed, then.’

Chuckling through her nose, Talia let her own hand find Dale’s leg, which she gave a firm pat before withdrawing so she could lay against the window and look out at the setting sun. She then felt Dale’s hand return to its place on her as he drove, and she gave a happy sigh and took it, squeezing his fingers lovingly.

They soon came up on the restaurant, and Dale parked outside; squeezing his car into the one spot available two buildings to the left of their destination.

Talia heaved a sigh as he came to a stop.

‘Parallel parking always gives me anxiety,’ she commented.

‘You’re not even the one driving!’ he said in a joking tone. He pecked a kiss on her cheek before clambering out of the car and making his way over to Talia’s side to help her out.

He paused as she stood in the street, taking a moment to look her over in a way that made her blush and give a sheepish chuckle.

‘What?’ she asked.

‘You’re beautiful,’ he told her, his voice cracking with... nerves?

Why was Dale acting so nervous?

Talia met his eye with a curious look, and he cleared his throat and hurriedly turned away, hooking his arm easily into hers as he did so he could guide her to the door of the fancy-looking place they were having dinner.

‘Reservation for Anderson,’ he commented to the woman who met them inside.

‘A reservation!’ Talia breathed out the words. She’d meant it to be humoured, but it sounded more awed than she intended. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever eaten at a place that takes reservations, let alone actually booked a reservation to eat!’

‘Well, there was that one time,’ Dale replied, giving her a playful squeeze as they were lead to their table. It was a comfortable little booth, situated at the back of the dining area; with a beautiful view out the window to a man-made pond. ‘When you cried over bread.’

‘Actually, I cried over lasagne,’ this time, her words came out with the humour she intended. ‘I choked on the bread. And was that a reservation?’

‘You know Richard always calls ahead,’ said Dale.

‘True,’ Talia acknowledged. She sat down, then, and quickly brushed her hair behind an ear as she watched Dale sit opposite. He smiled at her; though she could tell, again, that there was some sort of nervousness behind his glances. ‘After this, do you want to go for a drive? Take advantage of Laura’s babysitting?’

Dale lit up with joy, and he quickly nodded. ‘Yes! If you’re up for it. I’d love that!’

Okay... Talia felt her shoulders relax, and she offered him a grin. He definitely isn’t about to break up with you....

At Talia’s grin, Dale’s hand found its way to his pants pocket, and he thumbed at something. But then he caught Talia’s eye and withdrew from his pocket to pick up the menus. ‘So... uh, you’ve never eaten here before, hm?’

A short shake of her head was Talia’s answer; one that made Dale shift around the table to sit at her side.

‘Alright, so, there’re three symbols you want to pay attention to on the menu,’ he told her, tapping on a small red icon by one of the meal names. ‘Spice level, seafood, and vegan. Most of the vegan stuff on here is tofu, which I know you’re not huge on.’

‘I don’t like seafood or spice all that much, either,’ Talia chuckled. Then, in a joking tone, she nudged Dale and said. ‘Why’d you bring me here, huh?’

‘Because their beef is so tender, you could stuff a pillow with it,’ Dale replied.

Talia snickered and, after leaning into the kiss Dale pressed against her cheek, traced a finger over an image of beef in rice. ‘You know me.’

‘I’d hope so,’ he said; that nervous tone creeping back. Or... Talia thought she’d heard it, but it was only for a moment, before he cleared his throat and motioned to several items on the menu. ‘I’ve had all of these, before. I think you’d like them.’

Talia realised, then, that he’d had his hand in his pocket again. And she felt her brow furrow as she turned to him and made to ask about it, but he missed her look as he caught sight of something by the door and his eyes went wide with surprise.

‘Aiden?!’ Dale squeaked. Then he laughed —loud enough he had to cover his mouth to muffle it as people turned to see what was happening— and Talia looked up to see Meg entering the restaurant behind their coworker.

Aiden blushed deep and red as he met Talia’s eye, though Meg lit up and gave them a wave. When the waitress motioned for them to follow, Meg pointed to Dale and Talia, then to the booth next to where they sat.... Talia realised what she was asking at the same time as Aiden and Dale. Though, unlike the boys, Talia didn’t groan, and instead turned in her seat to greet her friend warmly as she and Aiden sat down.

‘I thought you said she wasn’t into you,’ Dale commented quietly, though not quiet enough that Meg didn’t snicker at him. He didn’t bother keeping his voice down when he realised he’d been heard. ‘You convince her to come out on a pity date?’

Talia elbowed Dale playfully, and Dale nudged her back with a giggle.

‘Actually, I asked him out,’ Meg corrected. ‘I’ve been interested in him for a while but, well, dating’s scary when you’re... you know.’

Dale shook his head, looking confused, and Talia elbowed him again.

‘Oh, that!’ he made a vague motion with his hands that seemed to be an attempt at communicating something, but that was, in reality, completely meaningless. ‘Like you mentioned at Talia’s birthday!’

Meg nodded as Aiden chuckled.

‘Right, right, I can imagine that would make things harder,’ said Dale. Then, he cleared his throat and returned to his own seat. ‘I’ll, uh, well. We’ll leave you two to your meal?’

Talia saw Aiden’s look of relief; but Meg clearly didn’t as she put a hand on Talia’s arm and chirped:

‘It’s fine! You don’t have to act like we’re not here.’

Talia returned the friendly gesture by placing her own hand on Meg’s and nodding to Aiden. ‘I think we should. For the boys’ sakes.’

Meg cast a look back at Aiden before, with a humoured tutting noise, giving Talia a nod and settling down. ‘Alright,’ she said in a hushed tone. ‘We’ll talk later.’

Part 58:

The night hadn’t been going as planned, but that was alright.

Dale had been hoping —praying— that he would be able to muster up the courage to propose to Talia. He’d wanted to. He’d wanted to so badly. He’d gotten a ring, and taken her to a beautiful restaurant, and just been bucking up the courage to take out that box from his pocket and ask her softly to be with him forever... and then Aiden and Meg had shown up, and he realised it wasn’t the right moment. Not in public. Not in front of people she knew. She’d feel too pressured, then. Like she couldn’t say no. And he didn’t want that for her.

So he’d let himself relax for the rest of the meal, and told himself he’d wait. That he was rushing— That she needed him to slow down.

She seemed to have felt the positive shift in his energy, as she’d also relaxed. And their drive around the city was proving to be a beautiful, peaceful moment.

One hand on the wheel, the other on Talia’s thigh, Dale headed straight along the highway. He could see her from the corner of his eye; her head resting against the window as her even breathing moved her chest and shoulders.

Ten minutes, he noted to himself. It was always the same, whenever he timed her. Ten minutes in the car, and she would fall asleep. Though, usually only after dark.

He wondered why that was—

The car next to him suddenly, without warning, became the car in front of him, and he had to slam on his breaks to avoid a collision. The hand from Talia’s thigh met his wheel and his horn sounded; short, sharp, and loud.

Talia jolted awake at the sound and looked around with surprise.

‘Dickhead changed lanes without indicating,’ Dale explained, his hand finding Talia’s leg again so he could give it a comforting squeeze. ‘Sorry.’

‘Should have rammed him,’ Talia commented.

Dale couldn’t tell if she was joking or not, so he simply gave a humoured hum and cast her a smile.

She grinned back and rested her hand on his own, flopping back down against the window as she did. ‘Ugh. Well, that woke me.’

‘Sorry.’

‘Mm. Not your fault,’ it was spoken through a yawn, as Talia rubbed her eyes. ‘This isn’t the way home, is it?’

‘Nah, I was headed for the lake,’ Dale chuckled. ‘Thought we could go for a walk.’

‘In the dark?’

‘I was thinking more: under the stars.’

‘Oh, romantic,’ the teasing tone in Talia’s voice was not lost on Dale. Nor was the drop in her voice as she continued, ‘I haven’t been on a date out “under the stars” since....’

Dale sucked a hiss of air through his teeth. He could guess who she was thinking of. ‘We don’t have to.’

‘Hm.... No, I think I’d like to,’ Talia decided. ‘You’ve done everything else better than him, so far. I’d like to see how much better the stars look with you next to me.’

‘And I’m the romantic one?’ it wasn’t as masculine a giggle as he would have liked; but in the privacy of the car, he didn’t bother to smother it. ‘Ah! There’s the lake!’

‘The gate’s down,’ Talia pointed out as Dale turned in.

‘It’s just a boom gate,’ Dale commented, easily mounting the curb and driving around it. ‘Besides, it’s public property, they can’t do anything.’

‘There’s a gate,’ Talia argued, flatly.

‘It’s more like a safety warning, because of the dark,’ said Dale. ‘It’s fine.’

‘I don’t think that’s it,’ her snort was followed by a dismissive shrug. ‘Eh, whatever. What are they going to do? Arrest us for being outside?’

Dale giggled again, blushing when he heard how high-pitched it had been, and pulled over. He leant across to peck a kiss on Talia’s cheek, and then climbed out of his car and met her on the path.

He took her hand and they walked in soft quiet; slowly making their way over the gravel and dirt trail.

Night-bugs called, and a bird in a nearby tree gave a tired coo, and a bat clicked and swooped somewhere overhead... but all of Dale’s attention was on Talia, as she walked in pace and looked out over the lake and watched the the reflection of the moon shimmer on its surface.

Then, he felt Talia chuckle to herself, and she looked up at him with a twinkle in her eye. ‘It’s too cloudy for stars,’ she commented. ‘But I still like the view better with you, than I ever did with Evan.’

‘I’m enjoying it, too,’ Dale admitted, his gaze not breaking her own.

Not, until, there was a sudden rumble overhead, and droplets of rain began to fall down upon them.

‘Oh, shit—‘ Dale yanked off his suit jacket and held it up over Talia to shield her from the sudden downpour.

And it was a downpour. By the time they had rushed to the nearby gazebo, Dale was soaked through and Talia, even with the added protection of Dale’s jacket, wasn’t fairing much better.

Still, they couldn’t help but laugh as they wrung out their clothes as best they could and caught their breath.

‘Damn summer storms!’ Talia snickered. ‘That came out of nowhere!’

‘At least it’s warm,’ Dale commented, brushing away the hair that stuck Talia’s face. ‘Imagine if this was a sudden winter storm!’

‘Eugh, please, no! I don’t even want to think about those!’

A kiss was planted on Talia’s cheek, and then Dale sat on one of the gazebo’s seats and gave a long, contented sigh.

‘What’s that smile about?’ Talia asked as she joined him.

‘I’m glad to be stuck with you,’ he said, watching as a deep red blush crept down her cheeks to her shoulders. ‘Over anyone else.’

‘Yeah,’ she agreed breathlessly, before edging closer to rest her head on his shoulder. She heaved her own happy sigh, then, and Dale felt her relax into him as he wrapped an arm around her. ‘Yeah, I’m glad, too.’

Part 59:

‘When asked about the data breach, Big Double U’s CEO, Chris Horn, refused further comment—‘

Dale turned the radio off, glancing to Talia as he did. She looked nauseous, like she was going to be sick, and he didn’t think the news was helping her any.

‘You alright?’ he asked as he pulled on the handbrake and shut off the car. ‘I can handle the groceries on my own, if you want to stay in the car.’

Talia shook her head, rubbing at the bridge of her nose as she did. ‘No. No, I have things I need to get. I.... I’m fine, I think it’s just carsickness.’

‘You never get carsick,’ Dale pointed out. ‘I can get whatever you need me to, just let me know what—‘

‘I said I’m fine!’ it was so curt, it almost sounded angry. Though as Talia’s eyes flicked away from him to guiltily trail the dashboard, Dale could tell it hadn’t been her intention.

So he put a hand on her shoulder, and gave her a comforting squeeze as he softly breathed: ‘Okay.’

‘Sorry.’

‘It’s okay,’ another squeeze, and he let his fingers trail down her arm so he could take her hand. ‘You need a moment?’

Talia shook her head, and let out a long breath. ‘No, I’m fine,’ she said. She pulled free from Dale’s hand so she could unbuckle her seat belt, and then stepped out of the car. ‘I’d like to be quick, though.’

‘Right, we’ll be quick then,’ Dale promised, following her out of the car.

He walked by her side, gently placing a hand on her hip and pulling her close as they weaved their way through the car park. She didn’t lean into it, though she allowed it; offering him a short, tired smile when he looked down at her as a way to acknowledge him.

‘You know, I’ve just realised,’ Dale cautiously tried to start conversation. ‘This is the first time since moving in that we’ve done the shopping together.’

‘Mm?’ Talia gave a quiet hum. ‘Oh, it is, isn’t it?’

‘Yeah.’

‘Yeah...’ Talia fiddled with her hands, now, refusing to meet Dale’s eye for a long moment. Then, though, she smiled, and finally leant into him. ‘It’s not just me bumming a lift off you, for once.’

He laughed, at that, and pecked a kiss on her cheek.

When they reached the door Talia stepped away from Dale’s side to walk a pace ahead, and he had to resist sighing in disappointment as his hand fell from her hip to his side. She still struggled so much with being affectionate in public; meanwhile, he just wanted to grab her and hold her in the air and shout about how much he loved her for everyone to see.

But, obviously, he couldn’t do that. So instead he retrieved a trolley from the trolley bay and quietly followed Talia through the aisles; accepting everything she handed him.

He couldn’t help but notice she seemed... nervous. Though he wasn’t sure why, and he wasn’t brave enough to ask. Not when she’d been so defensive in the car. So he left it alone. Though, he kept a close eye on her as she made her way through the store.

He only spoke when she picked up a box of cereal.

‘Oh, nah, get the other brand,’ he commented.

‘This one’s cheaper,’ she said.

‘Yeah, I know,’ Dale replied with a shrug. ‘But I like the other one better.’

For a moment Talia stared at him like he’d grown an extra head... and then a look of realisation hit her, and her eyes went wide and her lips turned in a smile. She grabbed several things out from the trolley, rushing to return them to the shelf. And Dale watched as she retrieved several similar-but-different items, and practically threw them into the trolley with excitement.

‘We can get the name brands!’ she exclaimed, perhaps a little too loudly, as she held up a can of beans. ‘Oh my god, I haven’t had name brand baked beans since I was fifteen!’

Dale’s heart fluttered at her excitement, and he couldn’t help but giggle as Talia retrieved several more items from the store’s shelves. Though, the excitement was short lived, as after putting a bottle of sauce in the trolley Talia paused. She looked faint —pale— and Dale was immediately alert as she swayed in place.

‘Talia?’

She dry heaved, a hand flying up to cover her mouth, and the other gripping the trolley to hold herself stable.

‘Oh my god, are you alright?!’ Dale was at her side in a moment, his hands hovering by her in concern. ‘Talia?’

She swallowed, the colour coming back to her cheeks, and then took a deep breath. ‘Yeah...’ she managed. ‘I just feel a bit nauseous. I’m fine, though.’

‘You don’t look fine.’

‘I’m fine,’ Talia straightened up, and briefly took Dale’s hand so she could squeeze it comfortingly. ‘I might step outside for some air. And, um, I might see if the chemist has something to settle my stomach. Can you get the rest of the shopping?’

‘Uh... yeah?’ Dale really didn’t want to leave Talia alone. Not as she was. But he had the sneaking suspicion that arguing would make it worse.... ‘I can, but... are you sure you’ll be alright?’

She gave him a cagey look, and he bit his lip and sighed through his nose in quiet defeat.

Even though he wanted to argue with her, he didn’t. He simply stuffed a hand in his pocket and retrieved the car keys for her.

She accepted them. Then, her eyes softened and her shoulders slacked, and she rose up on her toes so she could steal a quick kiss from him. ‘Sorry,’ she mumbled. ‘I’ll be fine. I promise. It’s just an upset stomach.’

Something in her tone told Dale she didn’t believe herself; that she thought it was something more. And Dale was sure it was, too. All day she’d felt exhausted, and nauseous, and moody. She’d barely touched her lunch, complaining of feeling bloated.... He’d thought, at first, that maybe she’d been on her period.... But then, he’d seen her cup in its place in their bathroom drawer and knew she wasn’t.

But he didn’t say anything as he returned her kiss and let her wander away. He just watched her make her way to the adjoining chemist, and then heaved another sigh and continued their grocery shopping.

Part 60:

Talia couldn’t stop crying as she sat crumpled on the bathroom floor.

This was awful! Horrible! Terrible! The worst thing that could have possibly happened— The worst!

She felt the panic rising from her chest to choke out of her throat with her blubbering tears and, hands trembling, she held the pregnancy test up again; desperately hoping that she’d read it wrong.

But it still read positive, even the tenth time she looked, and she felt herself double over in grief as she dropped it to the floor and shook with sobs from head to toe.

Not again! Not again. She couldn’t lose her life, again!

Fear gripped her, squeezing tight as she pressed her palms to her closed eyes, and she gave a horrified cry.

They’d done everything right! They’d done— They’d been careful! They’d used birth control! Every time! They’d done everything right! And now— Now she’d ruined it, and Dale was going to be furious at her!

She couldn’t stop herself from trembling, as she wept loudly into the air.

It was ruined. Everything was ruined! Everything was ruined!

‘Talia?’ Dale’s voice was soft and concerned, and quickly followed by the creak of the bathroom door as he let himself in and hurried to her side. He grabbed her shoulders and lifted her up to look her in the eye. ‘Talia, what’s wrong?!’

‘I’m sorry!’ she blurted, barely able to hold herself up as Dale tried to help her sit. ‘I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry, please— Please don’t leave me! Please!’

‘Leave you?! Why would I—‘ Dale cut off, as his eye met the pregnancy test that sat by his knee. ‘Oh. Oh my god. Oh,’ he pulled Talia close, hugging her tight. ‘Hey, hey, hey. It’s okay. It’s okay. You’re okay. It’s gonna be fine, alright? Take a breath. I’m here. I’m right here.’

Talia pressed her face into Dale’s shoulder, feeling her tears soak into the fabric of his shirt as she cried into him. His hand ran up and down her back in a firm-but-gentle comforting motion, and she did her best to breathe; though it was hard, and she found each inhale was more of a choke than a breath.

‘I’m not going anywhere,’ Dale promised into her ear, his soft voice a calming whisper. ‘I’m here. Shh.... It’s okay....’

It took a long, long while for Talia’s sobs to quiet into hiccups. And the entire time, Dale held her close and whispered comforts into her ear. It was only once Talia was completely calm that Dale kissed her cheek and sat up straighter; though he didn’t remove his arms from around her.

‘Talia?’ he asked, softly.

Talia pulled her face from his shoulder so she could look up at him with her red, swollen eyes. She squeaked a hum of acknowledgement, sniffed loud and wet, and tried to keep her breathing even.

‘What do you want to do?’ he asked, cautiously, and Talia knew exactly what he meant by the tone in his voice, even if he didn’t speak the words aloud. ‘Whatever you choose, I’ll still be here. Okay?’

‘I don’t want an abortion,’ there was no hesitation in Talia’s answer. ‘I couldn’t.... I couldn’t bear that.’

‘Okay,’ Dale acknowledged, and Talia felt him relax. There was a note of relief in his voice as he gave a deep breath out. ‘Ooh-kay.’

‘I’m sorry,’ Talia whimpered. ‘I didn’t want to force this on you—‘

‘No, no,’ arms tightening around her, Dale buried his face into Talia’s hair. ‘No. You’re not forcing anything on me. You’re not. I promise. I... I’ve wanted kids for a long time, remember? It’s something I want, too.’

Talia sniffled, nodding into his chest. ‘I was scared you’d leave me, like Evan did. I thought I was going to be alone again.’

‘Never,’ Dale promised. ‘I could never abandon you. Okay? I actually....’

Talia looked up at him again, as he pulled back and hesitated, and waited quietly for him to finish.

His jaw trembled as he watched her, and he licked his lips to wet them before taking a deep, deep breath. ‘I’ve actually... been waiting for the right time to... to propose. I already have the ring. I’ve had it for ages. Ever since you.... Hah...’ another pause, as he gave a tired-but-genuine chuckle. Despite the note of humour in his tone, his voice still wavered with nerves. ‘That day when you beat Laura’s ex, I... I saw the look in your eyes. And I knew that what you were doing was to protect us.... And I realised I couldn’t possible fall any more in love with you. And I... bought a ring....’

A moment of quiet passed as Talia stared up at Dale. Slowly, she turned his words over in her mind, processing them.

And then she laughed.

‘You’re insane!’ she blurted as she buried her face back into his chest.

‘I’m only as crazy as you,’ he retorted, his own chuckle finding its way back into her hair. ‘You don’t have to say yes, though. I... I don’t want to pressure you. Especially not now.... I was going to ask later— I can ask you properly later, when you’re feeling better.’

A deep breath escaped Talia, and she gave Dale a loving squeeze. Then, she sat up and offered him a smile.

‘I... I want to marry you,’ she decided. ‘I just need some time. We can wait a while, right? Before we actually... start preparing? Because I... there’s so much going on, and now with this I...’ she hesitated, before letting out another breath and answering softly: ‘Yes. Yes! I want to get married. But I’m too stressed, right now. Can we wait?’

‘Yeah. Of course we can wait,’ reassured Dale. ‘One thing at a time, right? We handle the baby. And then, afterwards, we can talk about the wedding.’

‘Thank you...’ said Talia with a long sigh. Then her heart fluttered, and she picked up the test from the floor and turned it over in her hands. She looked back and forth between the test and Dale, a laugh catching breathlessly in her throat, before she threw her arms open and exclaimed with a squeaking voice: ‘We’re having a baby!’

‘We’re having a baby!’ Dale returned, matching her excitement. He threw his arms around her tightly, his laugh echoing her own. ‘Oh my god!’

Part 61:

It had been a week since Talia and Dale had found out about the pregnancy, and they’d spent most of their time discussing the best way to tell people. About both the pregnancy, and about their engagement. Because they knew that they couldn’t keep it a secret for long. They’d already told Gavin, after all, and he looked ready enough to burst.

So they’d decided on a dual-announcement, and had set a date to invite their friends over; telling them that there was good news to share.

Everything had seemed fine until ten minutes into the party, when Dale had seen Talia retreat upstairs and had quickly followed her to find her hiding in the bed-sheets and hyperventilating.

‘Hey, hey,’ he comforted, joining her under the darkness of the fabric so he could squeeze her hands. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘There’s so many people!’ Talia exclaimed. ‘I don’t know if I can do this! Oh, god. Why do you have so many friends?!’

Dale wasn’t sure how to answer a question like that. So he simply pulled Talia close and whispered a comforting shush into her cheek.

As he did, the sound of the bedroom door being opened again was heard, and the pair were quickly joined by their son; who slipped under the blankets at his mother’s other side and buried his head into her. Talia let out a trembling breath as she lay an arm over Gavin.

‘Mum?’

‘I don’t know if I can do this,’ her voice shook with nerves. ‘I don’t know if I can get up in front of all those people. What if they judge me? What if they hate me for it? I can’t go through that again.’

‘I can tell everyone for you, if you want,’ Gavin offered.

It earned a laugh, though it was a breathless one.

‘Nobody is going to judge you,’ Dale promised. ‘And if anyone hates you for it, I’ll throw them out.’

‘In the bin!’ Gavin added, earning another laugh from his mother.

Then Talia swallowed, and Dale felt her relax in his embrace. ‘I’m just.... I know, reasonably, that things are better than the first time. But there’s still that anxious voice poking at me, saying it could all go wrong, again....’

‘It won’t,’ he reassured. ‘I won’t let it. Alright? No matter what happens, I’ll be here. For you. For Gavin. For the baby. I’m not going to leave any of you behind, okay? You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I love you.’

‘I love you too,’ Talia breathed. ‘The both of you boys. Thank you.’

Dale gave her a squeeze, before she moved to sit up straight and he let his arm fall from around her.

‘Ugh,’ she rubbed her eyes. ‘I need a minute, I think, before I’m ready to go back downstairs.’

‘That’s alright,’ Dale said, softly. ‘Take your time.’

‘Yeah, take your time,’ Gavin echoed, before he slipped out from under the blanket and made for the door. ‘I’ll go keep everyone busy for you.’

‘Oh...’ Talia heaved a humoured-but-anxious breath as the bedroom door closed behind the boy. ‘That doesn’t sound good. Do you think he’s about to cause a scene?’

‘I think he might be about to cause a scene,’ Dale joked through his teeth; rising to his feet so he could follow Gavin out. ‘I’ll, uh— I’ll go make sure he doesn’t do any damage.’

‘Thanks.’

Dale slipped out of the room... and as he did, Trish slipped in; ignoring Dale’s protest and instead huffing out a playful “best friend privileges” comment before closing the door on him and rounding on Talia.

She stared silently at the woman wrapped in blankets, leaning against the door as Talia peeked out at her. Then she marched over to the bed and stood in front of her with her arms crossed, her brow raised, and her foot tap-tap-tapping on the floor.

An agonising moment passed before Trish stated in a simple, flat tone:

‘You’re pregnant.’

Talia heaved a sigh; a mix of frustration and relief that Trish knew her well enough to guess what was wrong.

‘Congratulations, or condolences?’ Trish asked, seriously.

And Talia felt a laugh escape her. A short, genuine, breathless chuckle, followed by another sigh as she met her friend’s eye and smiled.

‘Congrats, bitch!’ breaking in a wide grin, Trish joined Talia on the bed and embraced her tightly. ‘Aw, Tally! I’m so happy for you! That’s what all this is about, then?’

‘Yeah, that and... Dale proposed,’ Talia told her. ‘Mostly unrelated to the pregnancy. He apparently bought a ring after I was arrested. But he wasn’t brave enough to actually ask me until....’

‘Ah,’ Trish gave a knowing nod. ‘Until you needed the reassurance?’

‘Mm,’ Talia hummed, agreeably, and leant against her friend. ‘I, um.... I was nervous about how he would react, but....’

‘He wants kids.’

‘Yeah. Yeah,’ Talia chuckled again. ‘He said he would support me, whatever I chose to do, but... he seemed pretty relieved when I said I wanted to keep them.’

‘Naw,’ a coo escaped Trish, and she rubbed up and down Talia’s arm. ‘Oh! Look at you! Look at how far you’ve come! I’m so proud of you, Tally. I knew you’d get there!’

‘Oh, shush,’ Talia sat up, and pushed her friend away playfully. ‘No you didn’t!’

‘I did!’ a mock-gasp escaped Trish, and she lunged to grab Talia back into the hug. ‘I’ve always believed in you, you stubborn cow!’

Talia felt Trish’s fingers poke into her side, and she let out a squeal as she was tickled; but she couldn’t break from her friends tight grip. ‘Trish!’ she exclaimed. ‘Don’t! Don’t! Let me go!’

‘Don’t let you go?’ Trish echoed, cheekily. ‘Right!’

‘Trish!’

Talia’s squeal was followed by the sound of something crashing downstairs, and Gavin’s own shout:

‘I’M FINE!’

‘Oof,’ Trish finally released Talia, who skittered to the other side of the bed and shook herself down. ‘Should we go check on that?’

‘Oh, god. Probably.’

Part 62:

It was nice to see Talia bringing her friends over; she’d been putting it off for so long, like she didn’t feel the house was hers to invite people to without permission. But today, when Dale had come back from picking Jacob up with Gavin, he’d been pleasantly surprised with Anna and Trish’s presence on the couch either side of Talia.

The three girls had welcomed him to sit down with them, and he’d placed himself in the armchair nearby so the boys could take up the spare seats beside Anna and continue their animated conversation (the topic of which was well over his head without context)... but he was happy to be included, by both the boys and by the girls.

‘Right, I need a drink,’ Talia mumbled, making to push herself up.

She was immediately pulled back down by both Anna and Trish, as both Dale and Gavin rose to their feet to make for the kitchen. The pair met at the door and Dale ruffled Gavin’s hair before nudging him back to the lounge.

‘You sit back down, your mum’s my responsibility,’ he told the boy, ignoring the huff and shrug he got in return as he called out: ‘Juice or water?’

‘One of those flavoured waters?’ Talia responded.

‘Got it!’ Dale gave Talia a playful salute, and retrieved a can of drink for her. He cracked it open before passing it over, and went back to settle in his chair.

‘All this fuss for one drink,’ Talia mumbled, watching as Dale sat down. ‘I could have gotten it myself.’

‘Can doesn’t mean should!’ Gavin chirped, earning a lukewarm look from his mother.

It was clear that he was parroting something she herself had said, and it took a lot of self-control from Dale not to snicker as Talia turned to Trish, rolled her eyes, and sipped her drink. And then Dale almost failed again when Gavin looked over his mother’s shoulder and, motion-for-motion, mimicked his mother’s eye roll.

He was glad when he phone rung and he had an excuse to distract himself from Gavin’s antics.

‘Hey, Dick, what’s up?’

He was met with a frustrated sigh, and the sound of Richard’s hand drumming on his desk. ‘We have to put out a search for a new IT tech,’ Richard explained. ‘Spencer’s physio wants him home a while longer —which is fair— but Liam’s leave is coming up, and I don’t want to call Natalie back, yet. Which means if we don’t want to be without a tech, we have to hire someone now so Liam can train them before he goes on holiday.’

‘Ah. Yeah, that’s a pain,’ Dale acknowledged. ‘You want me to write up an ad for you?’

‘Yeah, that’d be great.’

‘Cool, what’s the position name?’ he quickly shifted forward in his chair, grabbing a pen and notebook from the coffee table. Then, as Richard told him, he wrote it down, muttering under his breath: ‘IT Systems Manager... full time... temporary position—‘

‘I can do that!’ Trish cut in, turning away from Talia so she could lean over the gap between their seats and rest her elbow on the arm of Dale’s chair. ‘Dick! I’m graduating in like, a week. Give me the job! I’ll work for cheap if you don’t yell at me for stealing from the communal fridge!’

A laugh sounded in Dale’s ear, and he could clearly picture Richard burying his face in a hand. ‘Is that Trish?’ he asked.

‘Yeah, that’s Trish,’ Dale confirmed. ‘She’s asking for the job.’

‘Nah, not asking!’ she called over Dale’s shoulder. ‘Demanding!’

‘Mm,’ the amused hum was followed by another laugh. ‘You know what, sure. She’s welcome to apply. Book her in for an interview.’

‘Alright. Trish, he says you can interview.’

‘Yes!’ Trish cheered, throwing herself backwards so she fell on top of Talia (who shoved her forward again until she sat up straight). ‘Faggot-Dyke solidarity!’

There was a long pause, before Richard gave a humoured snort. ‘Did she just call me what I think she did?’

‘Yeah,’ Dale wheezed back. ‘Yeah, she did.’

Part 63:

The curve of Talia’s neck was the most delicious thing Dale had ever tasted, and as he ran his tongue along her skin, all he could think about was how lucky he was to have her.

He heard a moan and pressed forward against her until the fabric of their pants rubbed together and another pleasured sound escaped the beautiful woman underneath him.

He was careful, of course. Talia was nearing six months pregnant, now, and the last thing he wanted to do was hurt either of his girls....

His girls! His soon-to-be wife, and even sooner-to-be daughter!

He almost laughed in glee at the thought, but held it back as Talia whimpered eagerly into his hair.

Focus! he silently reminded himself as he kissed a line to her jaw. His hands trailed her body, his fingers tracing over the fabric of her clothes and poking teasingly under hems.

More lustful whimpers were his reward as his lips met hers and he gently pressed against her.

‘You’re so beautiful,’ he breathed between kisses. ‘I’m so lucky to have you.’

Another moan, this one sounding almost like a keen, came from Talia in response. So Dale thrust against her to bring another out.

It turned to a giggle, as she mumbled softly into the air: ‘Don’t you think this would be more fun without clothes?’

Dale didn’t hesitate, and almost slipped off the bed in his hurry to undress.

Talia went slower. First —after taking a moment to push herself up— she slipped her bra out from her shirt and threw it to Dale, who gave it a sniff before discarding it onto the floor. Then she slid her shirt off, and threw it with her bra.

Then she undid her pants. But instead of kicking them off, she instead lay back down with a dramatic sigh. ‘Oh no. I’m so tired. So suddenly. Whatever will I do now?’

Dale’s snicker was followed by his hands finding their way into her pockets, and he gave a gentle tug. He discarded her pants to the floor with the rest of her clothes as she laughed, and then reached back up for her underwear... but she squeezed her thighs shut and grinned at him.

‘You’re not making this easy for me,’ he laughed.

She just winked back. Then squealed as he leapt on her, burying his face in her thigh and blowing air onto her so hard it made her kick out into the air.

He took the opportunity to slip her undies off, though she barely seemed to notice as she tried to catch her breath. So he planted his face back into her to elicit another scream; this one even louder than the last.

Talia’s next shout was one of surprise, though, as Laura burst into the room.

‘Jesus Christ! Talia are you okay?! Oh, shit— I thought— Fuck!’

Laura whirled around as Dale yanked a blanket over Talia and himself.

‘Oh my god, I’m so sorry!’ Laura blurted. ‘I thought you were, like, hurt or something!’

‘Why would I be—’

‘I don’t know! You’re pregnant and you screamed!’ she exclaimed. ‘I thought something happened! Maybe that you’d fallen! I didn’t want to just leave you on the ground if you’d fallen! You’re pregnant! And you screamed! Twice!’

Talia heaved a heavy sigh and flopped back, her cheeks burning in embarrassment as she averted her gaze. She gave a hum of acknowledgement as Laura apologised again.

And then an awkward quiet hung in the air when Laura didn’t think to leave.

Unsure what else to say, Dale popped his lips loudly and asked, ‘So, you got home early, huh?’

‘Uh— Yeah, I needed to talk to you,’ Laura cleared her throat and, seemingly without thinking, turned back around.

Dale quickly covered Talia better with the blanket, and she gave another hum, this one a little uncomfortable, as Laura clicked her fingers several times, as if trying to recall a thought.

‘So, I was talking to Zoey, and she said uh— Uh— Oh, what’s her name! Roommate!’

‘Camila?’ Dale offered, casting Talia an apologetic look as she heaved another sigh. ‘Hey, maybe we can talk later—‘

‘Yeah! Camila!’ Laura exclaimed, cutting Dale off; clearly too flustered to realise what he had been saying. ‘Camila’s moving out! And Zoey needs someone else to move in to help with the rent! She offered it to me, because, uh, well. With the baby on the way she thought you two would like a bit more privacy!’

‘Privacy would be great,’ Talia said through gritted teeth. ‘Could really, really use some privacy.’

‘Yeah, I don’t want to get in the way of you two having a life,’ completely missing Talia’s hint, Laura sat on the end of the bed. ‘Plus, Zoe’s cute. And not to sound like a slut but I think I might have a chance with her. But I don’t want to screw it up!’

‘Hey, no, you won’t screw it up,’ Dale comforted, giving Laura an awkward pat on the shoulder.

‘Yeah, nah, but like, I’m worried!’ Laura gave a wide shrug, and flopped over in the bed. ‘What if I go for it, and we try it, and then we break up and can’t be friends anymore?’

‘You’ll be fine,’ Dale shifted around to comfort his friend. He pulled Laura back up into a sit, so he could both rub her back and stop her from getting properly settled down; though he wasn’t sure how to get her out of the room. Not without being rude. ‘Zoe’s a great girl. She doesn’t hold grudges. I mean, me and her are still friends, and we dated for... god what was it? Six months?’

‘It’s just that—‘

‘Okay, you know what! Stuff this!’ Talia blurted, throwing the blanket off and rolling to her feet so she could stand with her hands on her hips.

‘Oh my god!’ Laura exclaimed, turning away and shielding her eyes with a hand. ‘Oooh, I forgot you were naked!’

‘Yeah. I figured,’ Talia huffed, looming over the bed in a way that made both Laura and Dale shrink down. ‘Laura, get out. Now. And Dale— In case you forgot! We were in the middle of something! Either fuck me, or get dressed. Your pick.’

Laura was already out the door before Talia had finished scolding her, her hurried apologies echoing her footsteps as Dale blushed and bit his lip. He let his eyes scan the floor a moment, before slowly trailing them up Talia’s body to meet her hard gaze.

‘You know, you’re even hotter when you take that tone,’ he didn’t mean to say the thought out loud. And once he realised it had come out, he felt himself blushing even darker. He cleared his throat and looked away again as Talia stared him down, but decided to lean into it as he pet the bed to invite her to join him. ‘Maybe I need to misbehave more often, just so you’ll tell me off.’

Talia looked like she couldn’t decide if she was surprised or not, as she raised her brow and crossed her arms. ‘Really?’ she asked, clearly not impressed. And she scoffed when Dale nodded, and threw up her hands. ‘Oh! My god! Dale!’

‘Oh, yeah, just like that!’ Dale joked; earning another unimpressed look as Talia joined him on the bed. ‘Scold me, Mama, scold me!’

‘Dale, you are a piece of work!’ it came out of Talia as a laugh, and Dale couldn’t help but feel proud of himself as she lay down next to him and shook her head. ‘Alright... where were we?’

‘I think we were...’ Dale thought back to what they had been doing, before they were interrupted... and grinned wickedly when he remembered. ‘Ah! I remember!’

Talia let out a squeal as he buried his face into her thigh and, with a loud raspberry, continued from where they’d left off.

Part 64:

It was hard to believe winter was already coming to an end. It felt like it had simply passed by, completely missed by time.

Though it wasn’t technically spring, yet, it was clear that the coldest days were well behind them; the sudden heat was a typical end to the season, and signalled the warmer months were approaching.

Talia hated it. Even more than usual.

Not only was it the worst, most triggering time of year for Gavin’s epilepsy, but now she had face the heat while this heavily pregnant?

She thought she might rather just lay down on the ground and never get up.

God she wanted to go home, already! Though, she could never admit it; Dale had offered to pick up the weekly shopping with Gavin, and she’d refused to be left behind. If she complained now it would only prove Dale right. And he wasn’t allowed to be right. At least, not until her back pain went away.

So, instead, she simply waited outside the toilets for her boys to come back out. She was grateful, at least, that Dale had gone in with Gavin. She didn’t want him left alone on a warm day like this, and it helped put Talia’s mind at ease to know Dale was waiting in there with him in case something happened.

She heaved a sigh, then, and leant against the wall, refusing to move to the seats like Dale had originally suggested, and instead eyed off the can of whipped cream that sat on top of the rest of their groceries.

It was tempting.

God, it was tempting....

Oh, fuck it! Talia gave a sniff as she grabbed the whipped cream and twisted the cap off. I’m pregnant, and I’m rich, and I can do whatever the hell I want!

Head thrown back, Talia sprayed far too much whip into her mouth, swallowed, and then continued to spray and drink without stopping.

Well, that was until she caught sight of a familiar-looking man staring at her, and choked; accidentally spitting a short burst of cream in her surprise as she covered her mouth and hurriedly swallowed down the last of her mouthful.

And the man seemed to realise he’d been seen, as he glanced around hurriedly. When he met Talia’s wide, staring eyes he tensed up, blushing, and slowly began to approach.

‘Talia?’ he asked, softly, looking a lot like a terrified animal as he edged towards the woman. ‘Is that you?’

‘Evan,’ it came out flat; a statement and not a question. Though it wasn’t the sharp tone Talia wanted to take. She was too surprised to be angry. ‘What.’

‘It’s been a long time,’ he offered her a sympathetic look. ‘I... heard about your dad....’

‘Oh, so you have been keeping up with me, then?’ this one came out sharp, as Talia was snapped out of her shock and her lip curled in annoyance. She felt the whip on her cheek, but didn’t wipe it off as glared at her ex with a disgusted scowl. ‘You look good. Better than you did in high school. You’ve spent this whole time living, huh?’

The look he gave her as he deflated could have easily been compared to a sad puppy, which only made Talia all the more annoyed at him.

‘Don’t you give me that fucking look!’ she snapped. ‘Your guilt is on you! You could have gotten in contact with me at any point! It’s not like I was hiding!’

‘I... should have,’ he rubbed at his arm. ‘I really should have.’

It came out as a sigh, and Talia could almost believe it was genuine... Oh, who was she kidding?

She didn’t believe shit!

‘Yeah, imagine facing the consequences for your actions,’ Talia scoffed. She didn’t feel like talking and squirted another glob of whipped cream into her mouth.

‘I’m sorry—’

‘I don’t accept your apology!’ Talia snapped, spraying Evan with droplets of cream as she did. ‘You’re a coward who ran away and left me to clean up your shit, and I don’t have time for someone like you!’

‘Talia—’

‘You ruined my life!’ Talia growled as she swallowed her mouthful. ‘So you didn’t lose your chance to play football!’

‘It was wrong of me!’ Evan blurted. ‘And I really am sorry. I’ve felt so bad about it....’

‘Then why didn’t you contact me sooner?’ Talia snorted, spraying another lot of cream into her mouth. ‘Oh, wait. It’s because you’re too much of a wimp to actually face the people you’ve hurt!’

‘N-No, I didn’t know how!’ Evan stammered. ‘I lost your number.’

Talia didn’t budge. ‘Huh, well it’s weird that everyone else knew how to find me. Did you forget what a phone book is?’

‘I—’

‘You’re either lying to me, or you are the biggest idiot that ever existed,’ Talia hissed. ‘And I’m not interested in liars or morons!’

‘Talia—‘

She downed the last of the whipped cream from the can and threw it in the trolley with a loud clang. ‘Get fucked!’

That was when Dale and Gavin emerged from the bathroom; both looking extremely concerned as they took the three short steps to Talia’s side and stood by her protectively.

‘What’s going on— Oh...’ the drop in Dale’s tone was telling, and it was clear he knew exactly who this was. ‘Right....’

Gavin took his mother’s hand and looked from her to Evan, then back to her. ‘Mum? Are you okay?’

Evan shifted even more awkwardly at the sight of Gavin, and rubbed his cheek to hide his face from the child. ‘I suppose I should be going.’

‘Alright. Bye then,’ Dale said dryly, giving a very rude and dismissive wave of his hand. He put his other arm around Talia’s hip and quickly directed his family away, only turning back to grab the trolley.

Gavin, though, glanced back and forth between his mother and Evan several more times, before quietly asking. ‘Was that my dad? Like... my other one?’

Talia simply sighed, too tired to lie. ‘Yeah. That was him....’

‘Dale’s cooler,’ Gavin shrugged. Then he looked to his mother one last time and frowned before digging his heels in and whirling around. ‘GET FUCKED, YA DUMB CUNT!’

‘GAVIN!’ Talia exclaimed, spinning him back the other way so she could point a finger at him. ‘Do not— Don’t!’

‘But I have to stand up for you!’ said Gavin.

‘I can stand up for myself,’ she told him. She glanced up and saw Evan staring awkwardly back. ‘He’s... nothing. Alright? He’s nothing.’

‘You hear that?!’ Gavin turned again, ignoring his mother’s attempt to pull him back. ‘You’re nothing! You never were, and you never will be!’

‘No!’ Talia scolded, half at Gavin, and half at Dale, who had begun laughing loudly and openly. ‘Shush! The both of you! You win by being better than him!’

‘But I want to win by yelling at him!’ Gavin declared, drawing even more looks than before. ‘I want to break his legs!’

‘You will not!’ Talia snapped. ‘You will behave yourself and get in the car without any more fuss!’

‘Come on, Gav,’ Dale, still chuckling, wrapped an arm around Gavin’s shoulders and nudged him towards the door. ‘I’m her boyfriend. It’s my job to break his legs.’

‘Well then get breaking!’ Gavin demanded, motioning in a wide and exasperated way that made it clear he was being more serious than joking.

‘When there’s no witnesses, maybe.’

‘You boys, I swear. I can’t take you anywhere! Just leave it!’ Talia shook her head and rolled her eyes, huffing loudly. Then, as she reached the automatic doors that lead out to the car park, she cast one last look at Evan, and sighed. ‘Besides... it’s not worth being angry, anymore. I’m better off now than I ever would have been if he’d stayed.’

Part 65:

It had taken Talia over an hour to get ready to leave for the company party, meanwhile Gavin and Dale had been ready in twenty. Both boys had, of course, attempted to help Talia. And she, of course, had shooed them downstairs and spent the next forty-something minutes struggling to dress herself.

And now that she’d finally finished styling her hair and applying her makeup, she was on the very last step; the earrings Dale had given her to wear tonight. She wasn’t a fan of the fact they were real diamonds, but after all Dale had done for her lately, she didn’t want to reject his gift. She knew that, though she wasn’t huge on being on the receiving end of gifts, it was one of his love languages, and accepting it was more about reminding him she accepted his affection.... So she tried to ignore how expensive the stones embedded in each earring was, as she put them in place and clipped them closed, and took a deep breath.

Now to get downstairs, she told herself, and rose to her feet.

Well. She tried to rise to her feet, but failed the first two times before she finally got out of her chair.

‘You’re not helping, you know,’ she scoffed down to her belly. She gave it an affectionate pat as she made for the door. ‘Look at you! You’re at least twice the size Gavin was. I can’t believe there’s only one of you in there!’

There was a familiar giggle from the hall, and Talia returned it with a sigh.

‘Anna?’

‘Sorry! Sorry, I got sent to come check on you.’ Anna responded . ‘They thought I was the least likely to get my head bitten off.... Can I come in?’

‘I was just coming out,’ Talia told her; opening the door to make her point. She rolled her eyes with a smile then, and shook her head. ‘So we’re just outright saying I’ll bite people’s heads off, now?’

‘Well, I am,’ Anna shrugged. ‘I don’t know if Dale would ever admit to saying it in front of you.’

‘He knows better,’ Talia joked, letting Anna take her arm to guide her to the stairs. Though, she paused halfway down. ‘Ooh, that’s exhausting....’

‘Catch your breath,’ Anna comforted, petting Talia’s hand. ‘We have time.’

‘No, I need to get downstairs before Dale realises he was right,’ the scoff was accompanied by a deep breath. ‘Phew. Okay. I’m good.’

‘You sure about that?’ Anna snorted back, grinning when Talia waved a hand to dismiss her. ‘You know that accepting help won’t kill you, right?’

‘Yes it will—‘

‘IZZIE, NO!’ Dale’s cry cut Talia off.

‘Oh, come on!’ Trish’s own cry followed. ‘No!’

‘No!’

‘Noooo!’

Trish and Anna shared a humoured look as they made it to the bottom of the stairs and made their way into the lounge, where Trish and Dale were watching TV together. It was a familiar-looking animation, and Talia crossed her arms and shook her head as she saw it.

‘I know you’re excited for the fifth one, but it’s rated MA, Dale,’ she scolded.

‘Gavin’s outside,’ Dale reassured. ‘Said he wanted to wait out in the air, rather than where we’re stinking up the room.’

Talia opened her mouth, but Trish beat her to it, exclaiming far too loudly:

‘Whoa, Talia, that dress makes you look like you’ve having triplets!’

‘God, I wish,’ Dale sighed.

All Talia could do was raise a brow before she shook it off and leant on the back of the couch. ‘What’d I miss, then?’

‘Izzie betrayed Pam,’ Trish commented, turning back to the screen as Anna settled down beside her.

And Talia watched on as a familiar anthropomorphic dalmatian character struggled in her bindings as a Pomeranian strut around her, her tail wagging and her eyes vicious.

‘You see,’ she growled in a very cartoonish voice. ‘Kitten O’claire and I? We’re in love.’

‘He’s using you!’

‘Yeah! Izzie! He’s using you!’ Dale exclaimed, throwing his arms up. ‘Why can’t you see that?!’

Trish snorted a laugh. ‘Called it. Fourth movie had way too much foreshadowing.’

‘I didn’t see it coming at all!’ Dale exclaimed.

‘You don’t notice anything,’ Trish retorted.

‘I notice things!’

Trish pointed to herself. ‘Lesbian?’

‘I...’ Dale paused, then gave a small nod. ‘Can see who’ll win this argument.’

A short, breathless laugh escaped Talia against her will, and she blushed when Dale looked up at her. ‘Well. I’m ready to go if the rest of you are,’ she commented.

‘Alright! About time,’ Trish chirped, turning of the TV and jumping to her feet. ‘Come on, fatty! In the car!’

‘Don’t call her that!’ Dale also got to his feet, but rather than the door, he made for Talia’s side.

He offered her his arm, and she grinned as she took it, taking a moment to press into his side affectionately before following her friends outside.

Part 66:

‘I don’t need maternity leave!’

Dale cringed at Talia’s huff, and gave Richard an apprehensive look; almost begging him to drop the topic.

The party had been going so well, up until now. Talia had been relaxing and having as good a time as she was capable of, talking with her coworkers and discussing the latest gossip.... And then Richard had taken her aside to talk about something, and she was clearly not happy to hear what he had to say.

A hush fell over the room, though nobody turned to look as they side-eyed Talia and Richard in the corner.

‘We’ve been over this already, Talia! It doesn’t matter if you need it or not,’ Richard retorted. ‘It’s company policy. All employees have six months of mandatory parental leave, starting a month before their due date.’

‘You keep saying these words to me, old man, and your due date will be coming up!’

‘It’s policy, Talia.’

‘You wrote the policy!’

‘And if I don’t keep it consistent, how can I expect my employees to take it seriously?’ Richard rubbed his temple, closing his eyes in frustration. ‘You should have started your leave two weeks ago! Almost— Almost a full three! I honestly cannot believe you lied to me about your due date! I really don’t understand the logic, here. You don’t want six months of leave? Salaried leave?’

‘I don’t think you could handle if I took it,’ Talia argued, crossing her arms and giving a haughty sniff. ‘I think you’ll be begging for me back after a week! Especially without Dale. You barely handle your own workload, now. Are you seriously going to take on both of ours?’

Richard’s hand moved from his temple to the bridge of his nose, which he pinched tight. ‘I’m hiring temps to fill your positions until you’re back.’

‘And who, exactly, are you going to replace us with, hm?’ Talia stared Richard down. ‘On such short notice? By the time they figure out the system on their own, we’ll already be back.’

Richard threw up his hands, nearly side-swiping a potted plant with his cane as he did. ‘If you hadn’t lied about your due date, they’d have had a month of training!’

‘How did you even find out about that?’ Talia scowled, her glare cutting to Dale, who shrunk down and shook his head.

‘I didn’t tell him!’ he promised, his heart leaping to his throat as he looked around the room; his eyes then lay on Anna, who gave him a shit-eating grin and shrugged a mocking oops!

‘And I have something to say about that, too!’ Richard commented, pointing his cane at Dale in an accusatory way. ‘But we’ll get to it in our own time.’

Unsure what else to say, Dale just motioned his hands desperately at Richard, mouthing: What was I supposed to do?!

But Richard ignored him, instead choosing to sigh heavily at Talia. ‘You know, it’s times like this that I wish I took Dale’s advice and never hired you!’

‘You don’t mean that,’ Talia scoffed, almost laughing as she did. ‘I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to you, and you know it!’

‘This isn’t a breakup, Talia,’ Richard own lips twitched, and he was clearly holding back a smile at Talia’s strangely-timed joke.

‘No? Then why does it feel like one— Oh!‘ Talia cut off in a deep breath, and Dale could immediately tell there was something off about it. She put her hands on her hips and almost doubled over as she let it out, groaning through grit teeth, as the rest of the room quietly breathed in a collective grimace.

‘Talia?’ both Richard and Dale asked at the time time; their voices tinged with concern.

‘I’m fine,’ she growled, straightening up so she could point a finger at Richard. ‘Listen here, you—‘

Dale stopped listening to the words she said, instead moving to her side and looking her over in concern.

Was she okay?

What was that?

That couldn’t have been—

Could it?

She was so close to her due date, it wouldn’t be unreasonable if it was, but....

He glanced down her legs, and saw nothing. There was no sudden puddle under her feet.... Then he reminded himself this wasn’t a cartoon and wrung his hands in worry.

He glanced to Anna and Trish for comfort that, perhaps, he was just doing the boyfriend thing and worrying too much; though neither of their expressions helped ease his nerves. Especially not when Anna whispered something to Trish, and Trish looked like she might faint as she stumbled for a nearby chair to sit down.

Then, it happened again, and this time Talia actually doubled over. ‘Oh, sweet Jesus Christ!’

‘Talia?!’ Dale took her arm, helping her stand. ‘Are you alright?!’

She attempted to bat him away, though he didn’t budge. ‘I’m fine, Dale! I’m— Oh, god! Okay. Okay. There it is. This is— Oh. It’s happening.’

‘It’s happening?’ Dale’s voice broke, though his squeak was barely audible over the clatter of Trish falling sideways off her chair. ‘What do you mean it’s happening— You mean you’re— You— That?!’

He motioned at Talia’s pregnant belly, and she slapped his hand away before whirling back to Richard and poking a finger in his face. ‘I’m not done with you!’

‘I think you might be,’ Richard commented, raising his brow.

‘I am not!’ Talia gasped a short breath, and took a step closer to Richard. ‘As soon as this thing is out of me, I’m coming back for you!’

‘Talia!’ Dale grabbed Talia by the arm, and spun her around. ‘For Christ’s sake, get in the car!’

Part 67:

Talia sat up in bed, little Emily swaddled in her arms as she dozed... and Dale lay beside her, looking up at her with a warm smile.

She’d nodded off perhaps thirty minutes ago, the baby perfectly balanced in her arms, and together they’d slept quietly under Dale’s supervision.

He hadn’t dared move, in case he woke either of them. He’d never forgive himself. Nor did he think Talia would forgive him.

‘Dad?’ Gavin’s whisper came through the door, and Dale motioned for the boy to come in. ‘They okay?’

‘Yeah, they’re fine,’ a quiet chuckle breathed out Dale’s nose as Gavin quietly crept to his side. ‘I don’t know how she does it; I can’t sleep sitting up, no matter how tired I am!’

‘She can sleep anywhere,’ said Gavin, as he carefully climbed into the bed at Dale’s feet and settled down. ‘Once, she fell asleep when she was making dinner.’

‘Standing up?’

‘Yeah, standing up!’ Gavin confirmed. ‘Trish had to bully her into going to bed so Anna could finish cooking for her.’

‘I’d believe it.’

Gavin muffled his laughter into a hand, trying to keep himself quiet as Talia gave a low groan and twitched. When she didn’t wake, the two boys shared a grin and a shrug, before Gavin leant over as close as he dared to examine his sister’s face.

‘Jesus, she’s an ugly baby,’ Gavin snickered.

‘Shh, she’s beautiful!’

‘Why’s she that colour?’

‘She’s a baby, Gav, she can be whatever colour she wants.’

‘No, but for real! Is she okay?’

‘Yeah, she’s fine. She’s just not used to breathing yet,’ Dale answered, more seriously. ‘Her body just needs to adjust to all the extra air she’s getting.’

‘So she’s oxidising?’

‘Not quite, champ,’ another chuckle.

‘Do you think she’s gonna look more like you, or more like Mum?’ Gavin asked. ‘I know I take after my dad.... It’s kinda weird she got blue eyes, neither of you have blue eyes. How’s that even happen? And don’t say Mum cheated— It was hard enough to get her to like you, there’s no way she found someone to cheat on you with!’

A laugh, far too loud, found its way out of Dale, and he quickly slammed his hands over his mouth to muffle it; turning it into a snorted, breathless choke as Talia shifted again.

Both boys waited in silence as Talia’s head lifted slightly... then dropped again.

‘Okay, I think we’re safe,’ Gavin whispered. ‘No more jokes, or we won’t live long enough to get the paternity test done!’

Dale waved a hand, quietly shushing Gavin as he desperately tried not to laugh again. He took a deep, calming breath as Gavin shifted closer, and pet the boy on the back before giggling quietly: ‘You learnt about Punnett squares yet?’

Gavin shook his head.

‘Ah. Well... I might be too stupid to explain it to you,’ Dale admitted. ‘But it’s a recessive genes thing. Sometimes, stuff skips a generation. My mum had blue eyes, and so did you grandpa on your mum’s side. So Em’s got their eyes from them.’

A short shrug, and Gavin flopped over, shoving Dale over so he could take his place in the bed. Careful not to be too loud, Dale accepted his fate and rolled over and onto his feet.

He stood by the bed for a moment, watching as Gavin edged closer and closer to his mother; eventually managing to rest his head against her side. Then, he leant in close to the boy and whispered:

‘Mate, what you want for dinner? I’m gonna get a start on it for when she wakes up.’

Gavin just shrugged, his eyes not moving from his sister as she slept. ‘I dunno. Anything’ll do.’

‘Anything’ll do?’ Dale echoed with a laugh. ‘Who are you, and what have you done with my son?’

‘Shh...’ shushing quietly, Gavin swiped sideways at Dale. ‘Pizza.’

‘There we go.’

Epilogue:

Gavin tapped his foot gently on the train’s floor, matching the beat of the music blaring in through his headphones. Meanwhile, his fingers rapped against the top of the cake-box in his lap, quietly tapping along to the vocals.

He didn’t hear the announcement for the station’s name, as the train slowed to a stop, but he knew from the buildings out the window that this was the right one.... The buildings, plus Dale leaning against one of the support beams that held up the walkway above them.

So he grabbed up the cake-box and pulled his headphones down, letting them hang loosely around his neck as the song continued to play and he rose to his feet to shuffle out to the platform with the rest of the people disembarking the carriage.

‘Hey, Dad!’ he greeted, drawing Dale’s attention. ‘Good to see you!’

‘Gav!’ Dale approached with wide-open arms, and pecked a kiss on the man’s cheek. ‘I’ve missed you, mate! How’s it been going?’

‘Aw, you know. Boring,’ Gavin shrugged, lifting the cake above his head so it wouldn’t be squashed between them. ‘Classes. Handed in an assignment— Don’t know how good I did on it, but I guess we’ll know in a week. Did my best, though.’

‘All we can ask,’ Dale replied, with a grin, and let Gavin go. ‘Jacob didn’t come?’

‘Nah, he’s gonna drive down later,’ he answered. ‘Gotta swing by his parents’, first, and drop some stuff off with them.’

‘And you didn’t go with him?’ a humoured grin found it’s way to Dale’s lips, before Gavin gave him a shove. He took the push as a signal to start walking, and motioned for Gavin to follow him as he made for the parking lot. ‘You know, I remember when you were younger, you used to beg for any opportunity to go to that house.’

‘Yeah, well, now I live with him; it’s not special anymore,’ Gavin joked. ‘Anyway. I picked up the cake from that place in the city, just like Mum asked. And they spelt Em’s name right, this time.’

‘As they should!’ Dale scoffed, throwing up his arms playfully. ‘How hard is it to spell Emily?’

‘Uh, I think you mean Emly,’ Gavin joked. ‘God, I can’t believe she’s ten. I swear, it was only last year she turned nine!’

‘It’s almost like that’s how numbers work,’ retorted Dale. ‘Heh. Anyway. I forgot to talk to her karate instructor about today. When we get to the car could you ring him for me and let him know she’s not coming in?’

‘Yeah, I’ll do your dirty work, old man.’

—END—

If you enjoyed reading, please consider supporting me and my work at cjadewyton.com