Waking Broken by Huw Thomas

separately.’

12. Fractured Life
    Tuesday, 10.08pm
    It was already gone ten o’clock when Rebecca came into the White Lion. The pub was quite busy but most customers were congregated around the bar. The wooden booths at the side of the bare-floored room were still mostly empty.
    Rebecca paused at the entrance. A few men gave her the quick once-over, a couple staring quite openly. She ignored them and gazed around. The White Lion was a typical urban boozer, nothing pretentious: just a long, dimly-lit room with a brass-topped bar down one side. In front of the large bay window at the front stood a few tables stained with the rings left by countless beer glasses. Down the side of the pub were pairs of benches around large tables, the high backs of the pew-like seats creating individual booths.
    Rebecca walked slowly down the room towards the furthest of the left-hand tables. As she approached, Brendan Teague stood up. ‘Ah, Rebecca, thanks for coming, girl.’
    She frowned at him. ‘What’s this about, Brendan? What’s happened to Tony?’
    The photographer held up his hand. ‘Don’t worry. Tony’s okay. But look, let me get you a drink, I think you’re going to need one.’
    Rebecca scowled. ‘What do you mean? On the phone you said there was something up with Tony you wanted to tell me about. Why do I need a drink if he’s okay?’
    ‘Trust me for a moment,’ said Brendan. ‘You can go home if that’s what you want. All I’m asking is five minutes of your time. After that, it’s up to you. But take my advice, girl, and have a drink.’
    He gave her an easy smile. ‘Now. What’s your poison?’
    ‘Gin,’ said Rebecca. ‘Tonic, ice and lemon. And since you’ve got me here, you might as well make it a double.’
    ‘Good girl.’
    Rebecca had been headed for the bench faced where Brendan had been sitting. But the Irishman steered her towards his own seat instead. She shrugged and changed direction then froze halfway to sitting down.
    Harper smiled gently. ‘Hello again.’
    ‘You! What is this?’
    Harper held up his hands. ‘First of all, an apology,’ he said. ‘I’m really sorry if I scared you yesterday. It was the last thing I meant to do. I was a bit disorientated after my accident. But I also want to explain.’
    Rebecca glanced around quickly and looked for Brendan, who was standing at the bar watching them.
    Harper continued, speaking quietly but urgently. ‘All I’m asking is a few minutes to talk to you. You’re in a room full of other people here. You’re quite safe. I just need to let you know why I acted how I did.’
    He hesitated. ‘I also need to ask you a couple of questions… for my own peace of mind.’
    Rebecca sat on the end of the bench, upright and ready to leave at a moment’s notice. ‘You can ask,’ she said. ‘But I think you’re wasting your time.’
    Harper smiled sadly. ‘Perhaps. But if I don’t ask I’ll never find out. I feel I’m going insane as it is. I’ve got to know if I’m completely crazy or whether it’s something else.’
    He stared at her. ‘This is tearing me apart, Becca, and you don’t have the first idea why.’
    Rebecca shifted on her seat and bit her lower lip. She could see the fear and pain in the eyes of the man opposite. Her voice was a little softer when she spoke next. ‘What is? I really don’t understand what you think I can tell you. I barely know you. In fact, I’m not sure if I do know you — I obviously didn’t get your name right before. And you keep calling me Becca. No one calls me Becca; everyone calls me Rebecca.’
    Brendan deposited a tall glass on the table in front of her. ‘I’ll be at the bar if I’m needed… by either of you.’
    Harper watched his friend depart. ‘He didn’t understand either. But he’s given me the benefit of the doubt because he trusts me. That’s why he rang Tony to get your number and tricked you into coming here.’
    Rebecca nodded slowly. ‘So there’s nothing wrong