BRUTE by SC Daiko

Author:SC Daiko [Daiko, SC]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-05-20T05:00:00+00:00

The King’s Head is one of those traditional English inns beloved by tourists. Nestling beside the village pond and overlooking the cricket green, it oozes charm. There are oak beamed ceilings, an open fire and traditional country furniture in the cosy dining area. A good choice, I think.

Catrin’s face is a picture of delight as we step across the threshold, shaking the freezing rain off our coats. It’s warm inside, though, and there’s a choice of roast lunches on the menu. We opt for chicken; both Ben and Becca declare it to be their favourite. No alcohol for me, as I’m driving, but Cat deserves a glass of wine, so I order one for her.

“Thank you for bringing us here.” She lowers her voice to a whisper, even though the kids have discovered a play area with one of those ball pits and have left us to our own devices. “I thought you didn’t want to be seen with me in public.”

I take her hand and give it a squeeze. “It’s not that I don’t want to be seen with you. It’s that I can’t.”

She pulls her fingers from mine and fiddles with her hair, staring at me silently.

“I’ll tell you everything as soon as I can.” My voice cracks.

She plucks at her sleeves, and her eyes waver from mine. “You scare me a little. I mean, the other night when Toby went crazy, you acted like you wanted to kill whoever you thought was out there.”

“There was no one out there,” I reassure her.

A tremor of a smile comes to her lips. “I know. But your reaction...” She gives a shudder.

“They don’t call me the Brute for nothing,” I say with a deliberately sardonic laugh.

“Don’t joke, Daniel. You said you loved me. If you loved me you’d be up-front with me.”

And there it is, the bone of contention between us. I hardly need to spell it out. “Do you love me, Cat?”

“Yes.” She moves her chair closer to mine.

“If you love me, you must accept me as I am. I said I’d tell you everything eventually, and I will.”

“Touché.” She frowns then shrugs her shoulders. “I, on the other hand, am completely open. Ask me what you want.”

A sudden idea forms in my mind. I’ll try and arrange for Eric to stay with Ben for the day while I go and confront Gleb. There’s a school vacation coming up at the end of October. Maybe if Cat takes Becca to visit her family in Wales, she won’t question what’s going on…

“Have you really moved on from Josh?” I ask, my fingers closing around hers.

“I think so,” she says softly.

I tilt my head. “Are you in touch with his parents?”

“Yes.” She draws a shaky breath.

“Then maybe you should go and see them during the half-term break? Just to be sure?” There’s a note of firmness in my voice.

“I am sure.” Her eyes shine with warmth. “They’ll always be Becca’s grandparents. Josh was their only child and I’d never deprive them of her.

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