Inconsolable by Ainslie Paton Page B

to be on another planet to him.
    He closed his eyes. “Why did you stay?”
    â€œI didn’t think you’d hurt me.”
    He’d never wanted to hurt anyone. Never meant to. But he’d been the architect of such pain for so many.
    â€œI know you won’t hurt me,” she said.
    How could she have that belief, that faith, after what he’d just done? “I am not right, Foley. I am not good and you can’t be around me.”
    â€œI don’t believe that either.”
    â€œBelief is ridiculous. It’s like sea spray. It’s nothing of substance.”
    â€œYou’re calm now. You got angry because I broke my promise and then you—” She shook her head. “I hate that you did that thing on the edge, but I have no choice but to believe you don’t want to kill yourself if you tell me that’s true.” She put her elbows on her knees and hid her face in her hands.
    â€œWhy did you come?” It should’ve been the only thing that mattered; what made her lie, break her promise, but she didn’t understand the only part of the promise that had mattered to him was not seeing her again.
    She sat upright again. “I need to tell you about something that makes it unsafe for you to be here.”
    He could hear distress still in the hesitant quality of her voice. “Go on.” She took a deep breath, fortifying herself. He knew she was watching him, measuring. “I won’t shout at you. You can tell me. I’m back in my head now.”
    â€œToo many people know you’re here and someone started a petition. Hundreds of people have signed it. They’ve formed an action group. Neighbours for Resident Safety. They say it’s not safe for you here and they want council to make you move, even if it means having you arrested. They want council to board up the cave so no one can use it.” She put her hand down on the couch, too close to his, but kept her eyes away. “If it was ever safe for you here, it’s not now, Drum.”
    He moved his hand to his knee and looked out at the horizon. It was raining out there. “When will they arrest me?”
    â€œNo one is going to arrest you. It’s all meaningless if you move. It will all go away.”
    â€œI’m not moving. This is my home.”
    â€œOh, Drum. This is serious. This group wants a meeting with the mayor and the mayor is a nervous man. He doesn’t want any fuss.”
    â€œI understand.”
    â€œYou say that, but I don’t think you do. There is no downside for the mayor in siding with the action group. He can have you removed and board up the cave.”
    â€œHe will do what he must. I can’t change that.”
    He felt Foley drop her head to the back of the couch. She was distressed and he’d done that to her. He would keep doing that to her, because he didn’t know how to stop. “When do they meet with the mayor?”
    â€œI’m not sure, but the local paper knows about this. They’ll run a story as early as tomorrow. People might come looking for you. People like whoever trashed your stuff. It’s not safe, Drum.”
    â€œI’ll be fine.”
    She lifted her head and looked at him. “You are an exasperating man.”
    â€œI’m sorry.”
    â€œNo. You’re not.” She laughed, a brittle sound. “You’re sorry you yelled at me. You’re sorry you scared me stupid, but you’re not sorry you’re being a shit. If you’re staying then we have to make a new deal. You’ll move out in four days time for the two weeks of the Sculptures by the Coast event. Between now and then we’ll check in with each other every day.”
    He stood up and stepped away from the couch. “I don’t want this new deal.” This new deal was a disaster if it meant he had to keep seeing her.
    â€œWell, I already broke the old one. I know you don’t want me here. I