were kids?”
“There were working dogs on the farm and a couple of cats to sort out the vermin. I had rabbits and guinea pigs and we both had a horse. Nelson’s been with Des forever. Have you ever had a pet?”
“No.”
“Never wanted one?”
“When I was a kid—yeah, desperately, but it wasn’t going to happen. My parents had no interest and when I was put in care, I couldn’t have one. After I left the local authority’s control, I had enough trouble looking after myself let alone an animal.” Aden looked around. “Using my legendary detective skills I spy no dog bowl, no cat litter. Don’t you have pets now?”
“No. I work long unpredictable hours. It wouldn’t be fair.”
“But the horse is yours? Captain.”
“He belonged to a friend who died.”
Aden bit his lip. So much for light-hearted conversation.
Brody put the steak and chips in front of him. “Mustard? Vinegar? Ketchup?”
Aden’s mouth watered at the aroma. “Salt, vinegar and mustard please.”
Once the condiments were on the table, Brody moved away and began to wash up. Aden hadn’t realized how hungry he was until he started to eat. It was hard not to bolt the food. The steak and chips were delicious. Aden wasn’t a bad cook, when he could be bothered, when he could afford decent ingredients. There always seemed to be something else he’d rather be doing. Or someone.
When Brody left the kitchen, Aden sagged. This was just a nice guy who felt guilty about hitting him with his car. Yeah, Aden fancied him, got a buzz from being near him, but that was as far as it was going to go. Accepting his help and moving on was the smart thing to do.
Once he’d finished eating, he washed up and wiped the table. He started when Brody reappeared carrying a gym bag, boots and a jacket.
“Here you go. The jacket’s old, but I think it’s still waterproof.”
“Thanks.”
“Your jeans and shorts are in the bag. Washed, but not fully dry. What do you want me to do about your coat? It’s still saturated. If you give me your address, I could post it in a month.”
“I’ll take it with me. And my boots.”
“Okay. I’ll get them.”
Aden checked what was in the bag, picked out a pair of socks and a pale blue sweater, and put them on. He had the jacket on and was fastening the boots when Brody reappeared with a plastic bag. Aden shoved it in with his other stuff.
Brody took out his wallet. “I can give you a hundred quid.”
“No…thanks. I appreciate the clothes and the food, but I don’t want your money.” Idiot. He picked up the bags and walked away.
Aden was disappointed but not surprised Brody hadn’t wanted him to stay. The guy had been kind, and to expect more was unreasonable. The door closed behind Aden and he slumped. He needed a new plan. Saturday night. He could go to a club or a bar, persuade someone to take him back to their place. Help himself to a few quid from their wallet and live day to day.
He groaned. He’d turned down a hundred quid and was already thinking about stealing? Plus first of all, he’d have to walk back to Caterham, and it was a long fucking way. Then sneak onto a train and hope no one asked for his ticket. He’d have a problem exiting at London Bridge which would mean he’d have to jump the barrier and run. Still…that’s what he’d do. He stood a better chance in London than out in the middle of nowhere.
Pity Brody wasn’t interested in a fuck because Aden had really wanted to get him into bed. He kept thinking about what he looked like under his clothes and he’d so nearly pulled Brody into his arms. He slung the bag over his shoulder, winced at the stab of pain in his back, and tucked his hands into the pockets of the jacket. When his fingers touched feathers, he stumbled. As if he needed a reminder. Maybe he should keep taking them out of his pockets, save them up and stuff a pillow. The thought raised a grin.
Aden made his way across the farm yard, stepping around
“There were working dogs on the farm and a couple of cats to sort out the vermin. I had rabbits and guinea pigs and we both had a horse. Nelson’s been with Des forever. Have you ever had a pet?”
“No.”
“Never wanted one?”
“When I was a kid—yeah, desperately, but it wasn’t going to happen. My parents had no interest and when I was put in care, I couldn’t have one. After I left the local authority’s control, I had enough trouble looking after myself let alone an animal.” Aden looked around. “Using my legendary detective skills I spy no dog bowl, no cat litter. Don’t you have pets now?”
“No. I work long unpredictable hours. It wouldn’t be fair.”
“But the horse is yours? Captain.”
“He belonged to a friend who died.”
Aden bit his lip. So much for light-hearted conversation.
Brody put the steak and chips in front of him. “Mustard? Vinegar? Ketchup?”
Aden’s mouth watered at the aroma. “Salt, vinegar and mustard please.”
Once the condiments were on the table, Brody moved away and began to wash up. Aden hadn’t realized how hungry he was until he started to eat. It was hard not to bolt the food. The steak and chips were delicious. Aden wasn’t a bad cook, when he could be bothered, when he could afford decent ingredients. There always seemed to be something else he’d rather be doing. Or someone.
When Brody left the kitchen, Aden sagged. This was just a nice guy who felt guilty about hitting him with his car. Yeah, Aden fancied him, got a buzz from being near him, but that was as far as it was going to go. Accepting his help and moving on was the smart thing to do.
Once he’d finished eating, he washed up and wiped the table. He started when Brody reappeared carrying a gym bag, boots and a jacket.
“Here you go. The jacket’s old, but I think it’s still waterproof.”
“Thanks.”
“Your jeans and shorts are in the bag. Washed, but not fully dry. What do you want me to do about your coat? It’s still saturated. If you give me your address, I could post it in a month.”
“I’ll take it with me. And my boots.”
“Okay. I’ll get them.”
Aden checked what was in the bag, picked out a pair of socks and a pale blue sweater, and put them on. He had the jacket on and was fastening the boots when Brody reappeared with a plastic bag. Aden shoved it in with his other stuff.
Brody took out his wallet. “I can give you a hundred quid.”
“No…thanks. I appreciate the clothes and the food, but I don’t want your money.” Idiot. He picked up the bags and walked away.
Aden was disappointed but not surprised Brody hadn’t wanted him to stay. The guy had been kind, and to expect more was unreasonable. The door closed behind Aden and he slumped. He needed a new plan. Saturday night. He could go to a club or a bar, persuade someone to take him back to their place. Help himself to a few quid from their wallet and live day to day.
He groaned. He’d turned down a hundred quid and was already thinking about stealing? Plus first of all, he’d have to walk back to Caterham, and it was a long fucking way. Then sneak onto a train and hope no one asked for his ticket. He’d have a problem exiting at London Bridge which would mean he’d have to jump the barrier and run. Still…that’s what he’d do. He stood a better chance in London than out in the middle of nowhere.
Pity Brody wasn’t interested in a fuck because Aden had really wanted to get him into bed. He kept thinking about what he looked like under his clothes and he’d so nearly pulled Brody into his arms. He slung the bag over his shoulder, winced at the stab of pain in his back, and tucked his hands into the pockets of the jacket. When his fingers touched feathers, he stumbled. As if he needed a reminder. Maybe he should keep taking them out of his pockets, save them up and stuff a pillow. The thought raised a grin.
Aden made his way across the farm yard, stepping around
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