TOYL

note.’

    ***

    Emma knocked and waited for Will to answer. She needed answers to the myriad of questions that had kept her awake most of the night.
    ‘Emma,’ Will said, standing at the door. ‘You’d better come in.’
    She followed him through into the lounge. He was still in his sleepwear, even though it was half past ten.
    ‘Want a drink?’ he asked.
    Emma looked over at the messy breakfast bar and shook her head.
    ‘When did you get back from Canada?’ she asked, not wanting to waste any more time.
    ‘Yesterday,’ he replied.
    ‘You came back early,’ she noted, deliberately not sitting down.
    ‘Yes. I decided I was just running away – best to get back and face reality, like you said.’
    He moved over to the kitchen and began clearing the plates, dropping them into the sink. Then he started the water and squeezed in some washing-up liquid.
    ‘You went to see Stuart,’ Emma said.
    Will turned the tap off but didn’t turn around. ‘The police told you,’ he stated.
    ‘Yes,’ she answered. ‘They also told me what they found at his flat.’
    ‘I wanted to tell you last night,’ he said, turning around to face her. ‘But the police said they’d speak to you. I’ve just been waiting for you to arrive ever since. Have they found out any more about where Dan is?’
    ‘No. At least, they hadn’t found anything last night.’
    ‘And Stuart? Have they talked to him yet?’
    ‘He died,’ Emma said.
    Will closed his eyes.

    ***

    Will returned from the bathroom, his eyes red and puffy.
    ‘Sorry,’ he said, taking a seat next to Emma. ‘It’s just a shock,’ he said, pressing into the top of his nose. ‘I thought he was going to be all right.’
    ‘Will, why were you at Stuart’s flat?’
    ‘I wanted to warn him not to hurt you again. I was going to tell him to stay away from you.’
    ‘Okay,’ she said, waiting for more explanation.
    ‘I wasn’t going to hurt him,’ he pleaded. ‘Just warn him.’
    ‘What I don’t understand is, how did you know Stuart was back in contact with me?’
    ‘Dad called me.’
    ‘Right,’ Emma said, thinking about that. It made sense. The way her dad had flown off the handle when he found out she’d met Stuart again. He must have called Will shortly after that conversation.
    ‘I did it because I love you, Em,’ said Will. ‘I didn’t want to see you hurt again.’
    ‘What time did you arrive back in London?’
    ‘Pardon?’
    ‘When did your flight land?’
    ‘Later in the afternoon.’
    ‘You went straight to Stuart’s from the airport.’
    ‘No…yes,’ he said. ‘I wanted to get it over with. The sooner we spoke to Stuart, the sooner we could forget about it.’
    ‘We?’
    Will reddened.
    ‘How did you get from the airport to Stuart’s?’
    ‘Taxi,’ Will said.
    ‘You’re lying,’ Emma responded. ‘I know you, Will. I can tell. Please, don’t lie to me now. You went to Stuart’s flat with Dad.’
    Will nodded.
    ‘But the police didn’t say anything about Dad being there,’ Emma pressed. ‘They just mentioned you.’
    ‘He left me. He did what he’s always done – he could have stayed, but he chose to leave, because the only person who he cares about is himself.’
    ‘Unfortunately, I can believe that.’
    Will lowered his head and gripped his hair. ‘This is all such a mess,’ he said, starting to sob. ‘I’m sorry, Em.’

    ***

    Richard could hear voices. First they were distant, spiralling around in the darkness like spectres. Then the volume increased, the clarity sharpened, and he could make out two voices: his own, and Dan’s.
    You ready for tonight?
    Ready as I’ll ever be.
    It’s your last night of freedom – better make the most of it, Danny Boy.
    The images came next – a strobe-effect sequence of flashes. He was in Dan’s apartment – kitchen, lounge, bathroom, lounge, kitchen, bathroom.
    Then a doorbell rang.
    Can I help you?
    A figure loomed up in front of him.
    Richard’s eyes snapped open, his breathing heavy, his sheets wet with sweat. Standing on the outside of the hospital room, looking in with his face pressed up against the glass, was a man. The man’s eyes burned into him, and the sight chilled him to the bone. He blinked and the figure was gone. At first he thought the guy had been really standing there, but it must have been just a hangover from the dream. Things were still hazy, reality blurring with imagination.
    But one thing was clear; that was the man.
    He was