Time to Die

Je

Will’s face broke into a smile. ‘Of course. You can sleep in my bed. I’ll kip on the sofa.’

‘Thanks,’ Je

‘Your encounter’s really shaken you, hasn’t it? We can stay up all night if you like, it’s not as if we have to get up for work in the morning.’

‘I’d like that,’ she said, picking up her empty wine glass for replenishment.

Will turned on the old portable television, jabbing at the plastic buttons as a hazy picture came up on the screen. ‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘I moved the flatscreen into my bedroom. It seemed like a good idea at the time.’

‘Well, what are we waiting for? You bring the sofa cushions. I’ll bring the booze,’ Je

‘I didn’t want you to think …’ Will’s voice tapered off as he reddened.

Je

The bedroom was bigger than Je

Will gave her a curious glance before leaning back on the cushions and pillows, locking his hands behind his head. They settled back into easy conversation as the movie played, berating the actors, and the weak plot about a superhero disguised as a homeless man.

Will leaned his head on his hand and turned to her as the end credits rolled.

‘Do you think George is like that?’ he said. ‘To us he’s some harmless old dude, shuffling around, but in reality he’s biding his time, waiting to save us with a flap of his cape.’

‘If he’s got a costume on under his clothes it must be pretty stinky by now,’ Je

Will flattened his pillow as he turned to look at her. ‘I don’t get it, how come you’ve taken such a liking to him?’

Je

‘Go on,’ Will said gently, coaxing out her i

‘Since the incident last year with Frank, I feel like there’s been a weight lifted. It’s hard to explain, but I feel better in myself, less selfish.’ She gave an uncomfortable laugh.

They rarely spoke about the incident in the boathouse, and it all felt like it happened so long ago. A fleeting look of concern crossed Will’s face. It was gone so quick she wondered if she imagined it.

‘Anyway, you know all about me. What about you? You must have some skeletons in your closet,’ Je

Will stifled a yawn with his hand. The white mark from the absence of his wedding ring had gone, and Je

‘There’s nothing exciting to share,’ he said, glancing over at the digital alarm clock by the side of the bed, which glowed ‘02:00’ in red flashing lights.

But Je

‘Aw c’mon, there must be something about you that nobody else knows, or at least nobody from work. I don’t mean bad habits or anything like that, you must have something to share.’

Will tilted his head to one side and a spark of inspiration brought a smile to his face. ‘There is actually, but you’re not to take the piss out of me in work for this.’

Je

‘OK.’ Will turned down the TV as an advert for toilet cleaner flashed on the screen. ‘Have you ever wanted a tattoo?’

Je

‘Where would you have it?’

‘On my side, say here,’ she said, pointing to the bra strap visible under her white t-shirt, ‘down my side to below my hip bone.’

Will gave a wry smile. ‘No anchors or love and hate on your knuckles?’

‘No, definitely not,’ Je

‘Maybe something pretty, and trailing, like a vine, or dark flowers?’ Will said.

‘Yes, I’d say you’ve got it. So what’s your secret? Have you a tattoo?’

Will’s eyes glinted in the warmth of the bedside light. ‘I do as it happens but my surprise is something else. Stay where you are and I’ll show you.’

The bed bounced as Will jumped off and padded to the wardrobe in his stocking feet. ‘Ah, here it is,’ he said, pulling out a brown leather bag which was buried in the back. Rolling open the flap, an array of art supplies fa

Je

‘Yes. No. Kind of. It’s temporary ink. Want to give it a go?’

‘I’d love to,’ Je

‘My brother bought his own tattoo parlour a couple of years ago, he gave me a tattoo and showed me how to do it. He’s a brilliant artist.’

Je

‘I’ve given tattoos, yes. You’ll have to stay still, mind. I don’t want you to see this until I’m done.’

Je

‘You’ll have to lift up your t-shirt. I can’t draw over it.’

A giggle erupted from Je

‘I assure you it is, Miss Knight. If you’d rather have a butterfly on your ankle…’

Je

Her heart began to flutter as she pulled off the t-shirt, revealing her white lacy bra underneath. In the flickering light of the television Will’s face was one of concentration.

‘Um, where do you want me to start?’ Will said, the warmth of his hand sending tingles through her skin as he touched her side.

‘Here,’ Je

‘OK, just lean on the pillow slightly on your side, that’s right, it will be worth it, I promise.’

It was already worth it. Every time Will touched her skin was soothing, and instead of being nervous, she felt entranced by the warmth of his hands. His honeyed voice removed any traces of anxiety from her contact with the Raven earlier in the day.

‘Now stay still, this may tickle but you mustn’t move or you’ll ruin it.’