“You think that’s a good idea, with … you know.” Noah nods his head to me. “Theo isn’t going to want Bailey there.”
“Isla spoke to Theo; he said he’s fine with it.”
That seems hardly likely after what happened the other day at the harbour.
“I was there,” Richard says. “He’s fine.”
The brothers look at me, two sets of grey eyes, waiting for me to make a decision. I’m not sure what would be worse: not going and acting like I have a problem with Teddy, orgoingand risking him shouting at me again.
This might be my only chance to get him to talk. I nod to Richard. “Sure, we’ll go.”
The smellof wood smoke fills the air as we walk down the lane towards the pub. The closer we get, the more my palms sweat, and I can feel Noah’s questioning gaze on me without even having to look at him.
When we reach the entrance, I push the door open, gesturing for him to go first, then follow him, ducking under the frame. Inside, the ceiling isn’t much better. I bend my neck to avoid hitting my head on the low exposed beams adorned with hops.
We approach a large table at the back of the pub. Richard and Isla are sitting on chairs on one side, with Robbie and Teddy on a bench opposite.
“Hey strangers,” Robbie calls out, face lighting up with a big grin. He climbs out from behind the table and gestures for us to sit in the middle. I look at Noah, expecting him to sit between Teddy and I as a little bulwark, but he just stares right back at me.
“What?” I ask.
“What?” he replies.
I frown, then cast a quick look at Teddy. He’s eyeing me warily, but doesn’t protest when I slide onto the bench next to him. I leave a big gap, but Noah sits so close to me that I’m forced to move over. He moves with me, so I shift again until I’m pressed right up against Teddy—thigh to thigh, shoulder to shoulder. The moment we touch, I feel his body stiffen, as mine prickles all over.
I push Noah back, but he seems just as squashed, with Robbie practically sitting on his lap. Noah looks up and openshis mouth to say something, but Robbie flashes him a grin, highlighting the barbell in the middle of his bottom lip. Noah quickly averts his gaze, a slight blush blooming on his cheeks.
“Comfy there?” Robbie asks, prodding Noah gently with his elbow, making him fall against me again. I’m pushed further into Teddy and quickly turn to apologise, but he’s already staring at me. The words turn to ash on my tongue and I look away.
“There’s clearly not enough bloody room; get a chair and sit on the end,” Noah snaps.
“I’m good here, thanks.” Robbie stretches an arm along the back of the seat, behind Noah’s shoulders.
“Anyway,” Isla interrupts, glaring at Robbie. “As I was saying, a dog walker found a body in some woods down in Surrey. They think the amount of rain they’ve had recently unearthed him.” She gags dramatically. “The police searched the area and foundtwo morebodies.”
“Shit,” Robbie says, screwing his nose up. “Do they know who did it?”
“Not a clue so far. But they’ve shut down the entire forest to see if there are any more bodies. They said the victims were likely killed years apart, due to the different stages of decay.”
“Lovely,” Richard mutters next to her.
“It could be Peter Sutcliffe all over again.” Isla nudges him with her elbow. “The Surrey Ripper is at large,” she says in a deep, serious voice, mimicking a news presenter.
“Have your parents said anything?” Robbie asks Teddy.
He looks around me to answer. “No, but I haven’t spoken to them for a few weeks.”
I should probably be concerned for my own family, but I haven’t spoken to them since I ran away. I changed my last name specifically so that they couldn’t find me. When I let my mind wander to picture something happening to them, I feel nothing.
“So, you two were friends back in England?” Robbie asks, changing the subject. “How’d you manage to win him over? Theo hated making friends when he was a kid. Still does as an adult, actually,” he chuckles.
I look at Teddy, unsure of what I’m allowed to say. My throat closes up from the fear of saying the wrong thing.
He holds my gaze, warm whisky eyes sweeping over my face. “We dated for a year,” he mutters.
“What!” Robbie bellows. Noah jumps at the volume, covering his ears.
“What?” Teddy asks cooly.
