13
Kaden had never been more confused in his life. There was obviously something he wasn’t getting and he wasn’t sure that regaining his memory was going to make things clearer in a way he’d feel happy about. He could also sense Jalis’ increasing desperation. Well, they had that in common. Half of him wanted to tell the guy to fuck off, but the other half of him…didn’t.
“You like Crunchy Nut Flakes,” Jalis said. “Harris didn’t like you taking handfuls out of the packet to eat. Unhygienic. He’s not a kind guy. He hurt you the night you came back from Lixian. He beat you up very badly.”
Kaden tensed. He remembered Harris had hurt him before but he didn’t remember that night.
Jalis released a shaky breath. “It might be best not remembered. Sorry. He came to see you a second time and you hit him. Broke his nose.”
That was why his face was bruised? Kaden couldn’t imagine himself doing that. It didn’t feel right.
“You keep change in your pocket to buy chocolate bars as a treat and you let it run through your fingers while you’re making up your mind what to buy. You like doing stand-up comedy. You think about your mum when you do it. In your last gig you talked about your stick insect, Sticky, and sea monkeys. Next time you’re going to talk about your hamster and how you used to sit in the bath and let it crawl over you.”
What the fuck?But it proved nothing if he couldn’t remember. Except the part about the money was true. Hediddo that. And he had sat in the bath with his hamster.
“Mars bars are your favourite.”
They are.Kaden could feel his anxiety rising.
“You like going to bed. It’s the highlight of your day. You like the feeling of the day being done and the opportunity to loseyourself in your other life, which fuels your writing. Your dreams are bright, colourful and exciting. You sometimes dream of magical worlds. You’re always the hero. You love cats but don’t own one. You’d like to. You enjoy dark thrillers. You hate suits and ties. You don’t like jazz but you like the saxophone.”
Kaden knew he’d been staring with his mouth open. He couldn’t help it. How could anyone possibly know all of that? Some parts, maybe. Jalis could have been at his last gig, though Kaden didn’t remember what material he’d used. But mostly, he had no explanation for some of that knowledge.The only way he could possibly know was if I told him.And he hadn’t even told Harris about wanting a cat or his love of going to bed.
“I don’t want to make you anxious,” Jalis said quietly. “I know this is a lot to deal with.”
“You’re the one who’s shivering.”
“I’m cold and nervous and a bit afraid.”
You’re not the only one.Kaden needed to think.
“Would you like a bath or a shower? I’ll find you some dry things to put on. When did you last eat?”
“Last night in hospital. The food isn’t…”
“No, it’s not. I’ll show you where everything is upstairs and when you come down, I’ll make you something to eat.”
“Thank you.”
Hewasworried about the way Jalis was shivering but getting him to have a shower was a way for Kaden to grab a few moments to pull himself together. He left him in the bathroom with a towel and clothes, and carried his wet stuff downstairs to wash and dry. Everything that Jalis had been wearing had been Kaden’s. Including underwear and trainers. He put it all in the washing machine.
Jalis was the key to remembering, so Kaden had to keep him close. He wished he’d just tell him what he’d forgotten but if he wouldn’t, then Kaden would have to be patient. And heunderstoodwhyJalis wasn’t telling him, because how would he know if he was lying?
The guy had a little colour in his cheeks when he came down, but he didn’t look well. He was very thin.
“Better?” Kaden asked.
“Yes, thank you. Warmer. I’ve not felt rain… I’ve not been out in rain for ages.”
Kaden sensed some lie in there. But itwasraining and Jalis had arrived soaked, so… “How about some toast. What do you want on it? Like to try Marmite?”
“No!”
That was a strong reaction. “Have you ever had it?”
“I didn’t like it. It’s very dangerous.”
Kaden frowned. “It’s love or hate but I wouldn’t call it very dangerous. Marmalade then.” He spread some thinly on one buttered slice and slid the plate across the granite.
