Page 154 of Brighter Together

Nick’s humour disappears.

“No.”

That is the part I cannot get past.

I can understand bad tempers.

Family rows.

People saying horrible things when they’re angry.

I cannot understand how anyone could know their daughter is being physically and mentally abused and still choose to protect the son who put her in that situation.

“If anyone treated your sister like that, you’d lose your fucking mind,” I say, a little calmer.

Nick snorts. “I’d have to get in the queue behind my mum, but fuck yes.”

That gets a laugh out of me.

Small.

But it helps.

The lift begins to descend.

Nick leans against the wall.

“You did all right in there.”

“I wanted to hit him,” I admit.

“That’s why I came. Neither of those two wankers is worth you going to prison for.”

I look at him.

“Thanks.”

“Any time.”

The lift doors open.

We cross the lobby.

By the time we reach the pavement, I can breathe properly again.

Nick checks his watch.

“Two hours each way in the car so you could reject a contract in under ten minutes.”

“Worth it.”

“I didn’t say it wasn’t.”

He points down the street.

“But you are buying me a Greggs.”

“I’ll buy you a takeaway coffee.”