Yes, but for whom?Kaden still had doubts. But he glanced at Joe and dismissed them.I’d be a terrible spy. Threaten someone I care for and I’d do anything to save them.
Kaden had been to Muswell Hill a few times. There were great places to eat. When he saw how close Malik’s place was to the high street, he worried whether they’d be able to afford it. Joe had money but…
Malik opened the door and beamed at them. “Come in, come in. I’m Malik. Nice to meet you. Kaden, right? So you must be Joe.”
They shook hands.
“You’re doing me such a favour. It’s bloody difficult to find someone I can trust to actually move out when I come back. Danny’s vouched for you. Let me show you round.”
The flat was small but oceans better than Kaden’s last place. No mould. Smart wooden floors. New bathroom. Well equipped kitchen with a washer-drier.
“One thousand eight hundred per calendar month,” Malik said. “I’ll still pay the council tax and all bills because you’re saving me the cost of using an agency. Is that okay?”
“Yes,” Joe said. “That’s fine. Thank you.”
Kaden had been going to negotiate. It was more than he’d been paying but he wanted to live here with Joe. The flat wasclean, cosy and well furnished. It even had a small balcony. And there was no hamster. He smiled.
“I’ll transfer the first month’s money now,” Joe said. “Give me your details.”
Look at you, acting like you do this all the time.But he was proud of how far Joe had come.
“Great. Done,” Malik said. “Here are your keys. There’s a folder on the work surface with everything you need to know. My sister stayed here for a month last year and I put it together for her. Nothing’s changed that I know of. Don’t worry about the record player. I know it’s broken. Neighbours are good. No plants to water. I’ll be out of here at eleven so move in when you like after that.”
“Thanks so much,” Joe said. “We’ll be careful with all your things.”
A few hours later, they arrived back in an Uber. Alistair had been out and Kaden had left the keys to his place in the kitchen. They stood in Malik’s lounge with bags and boxes and cases, along with the borrowed camera and the weight of a story they couldn’t tell anyone. Though Kaden was glad he’d told Danny because if anything bad happened, he’d do something.
Everything they wouldn’t need, they stored at the side of Malik’s wardrobe.
“He’s even left the sheets on the bed,” Kaden said.
“It’s a huge bed. Yours won’t fit.”
Kaden laughed. “We’re lucky to get a place for three months. Usually, you have to sign for a year. It gives us breathing space, a chance to decide where we want to live. I wish it was a bit cheaper, but—”
“It’s fine. The money I won is there to be used.”
Kaden opened the fridge. There was a note inside that said, ‘Consume whatever you like.’ There was a bottle of wine, pizzas and a six pack of beer. That was kind.
“Oh good. I like tasting beer when I kiss you.”
Kaden turned to Joe and laughed. “But you won’t drink beer?”
“Don’t like it.” Joe kicked off his shoes and sprawled on the couch. “Big bed and a big TV too. It’s comfortable here.”
“Find something to watch and I’ll cook pizza.”
“A vampire film?”
“That’ll be a good distraction from what’s happening on Thursday.”
“What’s happening on Thursday?” Joe asked.
Kaden turned to him, then laughed.Except you’re not going to do this with me.
22
The following evening, they sat on the floor of their temporary flat, backs against the couch, eating. Joe had made a pasta dish though Kaden hadn’t eaten all of it. He knew Kaden was worried about what was to come. So was Joe, but he wasn’t going to let anything happen to Kaden. It didn’t matter what he’d have to do, he’d do it.
