The Complex by Michael Walters

Author:Michael Walters
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Salt Publishing Limited
Published: 2019-08-18T12:37:48+00:00

Leo: Polly

Leo heard voices. He couldn’t tell how long he had been resting. His clothes were a mess – white dust on his trousers, blood on his shoulder from somewhere. When he moved, everything ached. He stood and climbed the stairs slowly, each step an effort. Approaching the kitchen, he felt like a ghost. Gabrielle was sitting on the sofa with her feet tucked under her, reading a book. Art was alone at the table playing a board game, dressed smartly as ever, making Leo feel even more like shit. Grey woollen suit trousers and a crisp, expensive-looking white shirt.

‘What the hell happened to you?’ Art said, raising an eyebrow.

Gabrielle looked up, smile fixed, eyes horrified.

‘Leo?’ she said.

‘I’m fine,’ Leo said, trying to give her a reassuring smile.

‘You look like you’ve been in a fight,’ Art said.

‘That’s how it feels.’

‘Where have you been?’ Gabrielle said, not moving from the sofa. There was reproach in her voice.

‘I got the power back on,’ Leo said.

‘I hope it was worth it,’ Art said, with a laugh. ‘Do you want me to get you some painkillers?’

‘He doesn’t need any painkillers,’ Gabrielle said.

‘Oh, I don’t know—’ Leo said.

‘Anyway,’ Art said. ‘Mission accomplished, eh, Leo?’

Some of the tiredness left him. He was being goaded. Well, okay.

‘What game are you playing?’ Leo said, gesturing towards the board on the table. Art placed his hands, theatrically, either side of it.

‘Solitaire,’ Art said. ‘The perfect game.’

‘Why?’ Gabrielle said, putting her book down. Her eyes were half-closed. She didn’t look like she cared about the answer.

‘Because you’re playing against yourself,’ Leo said.

‘There’s only yourself to beat,’ Art said.

‘Like masturbation,’ Leo said. Gabrielle sniggered, and Leo’s heart lifted.

Polly came out from the bedroom corridor. She put both hands to her mouth when she saw Leo.

‘What happened?’ Polly said. She took a step towards him, then stopped, shooting a look over at Gabrielle on the sofa. Gabrielle was stretched out, watching them all without much interest.

‘I don’t exactly remember.’ Leo noticed Polly’s green dress and the shape of her body beneath it. She looked spectacular.

‘You don’t remember?’ Art said, interested. Leo wanted to punch him.

‘You might have concussion,’ Polly said.

‘No,’ Leo said.

‘Your head’s bleeding,’ Polly said. ‘You should get cleaned up.’

‘He should get dressed for dinner,’ Art said.

‘I slept most of the afternoon,’ Gabrielle said, loud enough so Leo knew it was directed at him. He put two fingers where his head was tingling, and he could feel dried blood.

He turned to her. ‘How are you feeling now?’

‘Better,’ she said. ‘I think. Sleepy.’

‘I took care of her,’ Art said.

‘You took care of her?’ Leo said.

‘I gave her some stronger painkillers. Honestly, they’re exactly what she needed. Perhaps you need them too?’ Without waiting for an answer, Art waved one hand dismissively and said, ‘I checked her over, she’s fine.’

‘You checked her over?’ Leo said. ‘Are you a doctor?’

‘Leo, it’s fine.’ Gabrielle was pulling herself forward but struggling to sit up. Leo was so angry he didn’t go to help her. After a

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