Read In the Dark for Free Online Page B

got a hard-on under the table?’
    Graham swallowed. It looked for a second or two as if the evening was about to end prematurely, but then Katie piped up: ‘Well, if he has, for God’s sake give him a few more juicy details, will you? We need all the help we can get and it’s a damned sight cheaper than Viagra.’
    Graham leaned into her, reddening. ‘It’s interesting, that’s all.’
    Paul got up, grabbed his own empty glass and Katie’s, waited for Graham to oblige. ‘Same again, is it?’
    Nobody argued, and as Paul inched out from behind the table, Helen gave him a look that said ‘go easy’.
    Got back a big, fat ‘fuck off ’ smile.
    Paul placed his order at the bar, then slid into the gents’. There was a man at the urinals and Paul loitered by the sink until he had left. Then he took out his phone and punched in a number; pressed the handset between his shoulder and his ear and moved across to piss.
    The man answered the phone with a grunt, as though he’d been woken up.
    â€˜It’s me.’
    â€˜What do you want, Paul?’
    â€˜Can I come and see you tomorrow?’
    A pause. The distant clatter of machinery.
    â€˜Why not?’
    â€˜Two-ish OK?’
    â€˜I’ve got a bit of restoration work on at the minute. You got a pen?’
    â€˜I’ll remember it,’ Paul said.
    â€˜Where are you? Sounds like you’re in a bloody toilet.’
    â€˜Just tell me.’
    Paul listened to the address. ‘You thought about what I said?’
    â€˜I’ve thought about it, yeah.’
    â€˜I need this.’
    â€˜Tomorrow . . .’
    Paul sighed. Zipped himself up.
    â€˜Bring us a bit of lunch, will you? Something nice.’
    Paul turned just as the door opened and Graham walked in. Paul saw him clock the phone and held it up before he put it back in his pocket. ‘Checking out local restaurants on the WAP,’ he said.
    Graham just nodded and walked quickly into a cubicle.
    Paul stared at himself in the mirror as he smacked the soap dispenser and moved his hands under the tap. He splashed cold water on his face before he walked back out into the pub.
    Â 
Theo could manage only half a portion of spicy shepherd’s pie made with sweet potatoes and a mouthful or two of green beans.
    â€˜What’s wrong with it?’ his mother asked.
    â€˜It’s fine. I’m just not very hungry.’
    Hannah Shirley moved around the table, collecting her own empty plate, and her daughter’s. ‘I’ll leave yours there,’ she said. ‘You might fancy a little more in a minute.’
    â€˜Thanks, Mum.’ Theo winked at his sister. ‘It’s really nice.’
    â€˜So, how’s my gorgeous boy?’
    â€˜I’m pretty good.’
    His mother shook her head and tutted. It was the same game they always played. ‘You’re far too big and ugly. I’m talking about my grandson.’
    Theo sucked his teeth, shook his head like he was upset. ‘Yeah, he’s doing OK, too.’
    â€˜Just OK?’
    â€˜He’s doing great.’
    â€˜Angela drew something for him at school today. Go and get what you drew.’
    Theo’s sister raised her eyebrows, didn’t move until she was told a second time, then hauled herself into the bedroom.
    â€˜How’s she doing?’ Theo asked.
    His mother sat down on the edge of an armchair, began to clean her glasses on her sleeve. ‘Pretty good,’ she said. ‘Better, anyhow.’
    Angela wasn’t coping as well academically as she had been at the school in Kent; was maybe a year or two behind where she should have been as a ten-year-old. They were thankful that at least her asthma was no worse.
    â€˜She’s got a real talent for art,’ Theo’s mum said.
    On cue, Angela came back in and pushed a drawing across the table to Theo. A blue sky, a fish-filled sea, and a baby being thrown