Give The Devil His Due by H G White Page A

the stars; it was cold. Everything was quiet; mine was the only house in the street with any lights on.
           We went back inside. I sat down on the lounge sofa. His ablutions over, Neil appeared wearing my old dressing gown. One of the good things about our meeting with Alan was that we didn't have to see him until the afternoon. We had a lot to do before then, and the night had been seriously stressful for both of us. Although it was late and I knew I shouldn't, I poured out two small Scotches and put the bottle away. Giving one to Neil, I looked at him and said, ‘A fresh start.’
           Neil repeated it and we clinked glasses and drank the whisky. I was shattered.
           ‘Right, I'm off up.’ It was time to get some shut-eye.
     
     
     

Chapter 8
     
    Thursday 8 a.m. South Wales

Considering I hadn't got to bed much before 3 a.m. I woke up pretty early. My bedside clock said 8.02. I pulled on jeans and T-shirt and went downstairs. No milk again ... shit!
           I let the dog out, leaving him in the garden while nipping to the shop. The ‘James Dean Appreciation Society’ hadn't congregated yet. School time wasn't until a little later. I bought milk and biscuits. Returning, I'd just about got to the garden gate when I heard a familiar voice.
           ‘You were out late last night, weren't you? What's the matter? Couldn't you sleep?’
           ‘Tegan, I'd never in a million years have you down as a curtain twitcher!’
           She smiled. ‘I couldn't sleep either.’
           ‘Yesterday was a really heavy day. It's a long story. I'll have to tell you some other time.’
           ‘OK. You haven't forgotten about Saturday have you?’
           ‘Saturday?’
           ‘Yes, the house warming.’
           I bloody-well had forgotten. ‘No, I'm really looking forward to it.’
           ‘Well, before I forget , it's turned into a fancy dress.’
           Shit bricks. I bet that was ‘Dave-the-Tail's’ idea. With everything going on, this was all I needed. He's probably going as James ‘Bond’ I thought.
            ‘Who are you going to be?’ I asked her.
           ‘It's top secret, can't tell you.’
           ‘I'll have to surprise you too then.’ I said.
           She looked at her watch. ‘I've got to go, going to be late again. See you Saturday if I don't see you before.’
           ‘I should think you'll see me before then.’
           ‘I hope so!’
           She got in her car and drove off. The ‘I hope so’ bit sounded promising. I went back into the house. Neil was still snoring away upstairs. Time for a quick call to Peach just to let him know I'd got Neil home.
           I dialled Peachy's number.
           ‘Senior Archivist Kozen’s phone. May I help you?’ It was The Headmistress.
           ‘It's Will Rees here. Can I speak to Mr Kozen?’
           ‘I’m afraid he’s in a meeting Mr Rees.’
           ‘Can I leave him a message then please?’
           ‘You may, Mr Rees.’
           ‘Er, can you tell Pea ... I mean Mr Kozen that the bun is in the oven.’
           ‘You can rest assured I shall relay your message to Senior Archivist Kozen verbatim, Mr Rees. Good day.’
           Tosspot. Why did I say that? Why not just ‘Neil's here’? Trev'd wonder what the hell I was on about. After thinking about it for a while, I came to the conclusion it didn’t matter. Trev was no mug, he'd work it out. Couldn't speak for the Headmistress though. She probably thought Peachy had knocked up my sister or something.
           I turned on the TV and started to make coffee. Within five minutes Neil had surfaced. Was it the smell of coffee or the TV that woke him? It didn't really matter which. Even with the bruising he was starting to look much better.
           ‘Fancy a bacon sandwich?’