Chapter Fifty-Two Si
It was late when they got back home. Si shut the door behind them both with a heartfelt sigh of relief. “Bed? Or cocoa and Doctor Who?”
“Think I need to drink something nonalcoholic before bed. That tea was bloody strong.”
Si grinned. “Nobody held your nose and forced you to drink it. Or the second mug, neither.”
“Was I complaining?” Zig smiled, weak but real. “Think it’s hit me all at once, though.”
Not only the alcohol, Si reckoned. “You sit yourself down, and I’ll make the drinks.”
“Right.” Zig stumbled to the sofa and more-or-less fell on it. “Talk to me, though? So I know you’re there?”
“I could sing, if you want?” Si dropped his leather jacket over the back of the sofa.
Zig gave a startled laugh. “Mate, nobody wants that.”
Si grinned and headed to the kitchen. “You dissing my singing? I’ll have you know my manly baritone’s brought strong men to tears, and not in a bad way, neither. Least, that’s what they said, and I didn’t even have to bribe ’em.”
As he spoke, he put the kettle on to boil, grabbed a couple of mugs, and spooned in the instant hot chocolate, adding an extra spoonful for luck.
“I’ll have to see if I can find a karaoke night to take you to, so you can experience me vocal talents for yourself.
” He poured in the water and stirred vigorously, slopping a bit over the counter, so he grabbed some kitchen roll to clean it up.
“We could do a duet together. One of them classics, like ‘Babe, I’ve Got You.’” When he lifted the bin lid to chuck the kitchen roll, there was a crumpled bit of paper inside.
Something made him pick it out and open it up.
It was a note in Zig’s handwriting. Sorry, you’re better off without me. I love you.
Si stared at it for a long moment, blinking.
He carefully tore off the last three words and put them in his pocket before chucking the rest back in the bin where they belonged.
“You have got me, you know,” he said quietly, his voice cracking.
Then he picked up both mugs and carried them into the living room.
Zig was asleep, his face on Si’s leather jacket, which had somehow slid down the sofa to be with him. Si put one mug down on the floor, then sat down, careful not to wake him, and put an arm gently around his shoulders.