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Valentine had submitted to the treatment but without his trademark grin. He faked one now for me, but exhaustion sank him down.
At the school gates, an excited Tobi hugged me.
“We have a special mission this evening,” I told her. “Valentine got hurt at work so he’s in need of a little looking after. We’re going to make him soup then go see him. Is that okay?”
Her little rosebud mouth formed an ‘O’. “Can I make him a card?”
“I think he’d like that very much.”
We drove out to the supermarket then home to make a chicken and vegetable soup that would be easy on his stomach but also rich in protein and nutrients. Then Tobi and I bundled back into the car and drove to Braithar.
In his room, Valentine had pulled on a shirt but was otherwise in the same position. A more ready smile appeared. “My two favourite lasses.”
Tobi skipped over, her piece of paper outthrust. “I made this for you.”
“What is it, Tobster?” He took the card. “Aw, is that me? What am I doing?”
“Fighting.”
He lifted his gaze at me, one dark eyebrow quirked. “Is that so?”
“Mama said you were hurt protecting Finn’s family. Were there guns? Did you hit people?”
He choked on a laugh. “Something like that.”
Her eyes brightened. “Whoa.”
I flapped a hand at her, searching for something to put Valentine’s soup bowl on. “Don’t go asking for details, it isn’t polite. Valentine, I’m just going to pop to the kitchen to find a tray and a spoon. I’ll be right back.”
I trotted down the hall to Braithar’s kitchen, easily finding what I was searching for. It was a little eerie with the echoing place being empty, and I quick-stepped my way back to the tiny apartment.
Tobi was now perched at the end of the bed, grinning from ear to ear. “… then I trod on her foot and yelled at her to stop.”
Valentine nodded in earnest. “Smart girl. My brother once told me a good way to handle bullies is to yell the crime at them along with their name and the fact they’re obsessed with ye. It embarrasses them. Try that out.”
Tobi considered him then inflated her lungs. “Chelle, you’re obsessed. Stop standing on my shoes,” she screeched.
Valentine applauded. “Perfect.”
But his skin was paler now. I set down the tray and took up his hand. It was clammy.
“You’re due to take more painkillers,” I told him.
“Eh. Later. I willnae be able to eat whatever ye brought me if I neck those now. Food first.”
His fingers squeezed mine. I made the mistake of looking into his eyes.
My pulse skipped a beat, and my stomach flipped. Goddammit.
I had to drag my attention away to let him eat.
With Tobi now activated in full bully-repelling mode, something I hadn’t known was a problem until now, I kept our visit short. There was a lot more to say. I didn’t want to leave him. Instead, I focused on the practical.
“Did you find your phone?” I asked.
He pulled it from under his pillow and waggled it. “I have someone coming to check on me later this evening.”
“Can I come back in the morning?”
