“Okay, okay mate,” Max said in a soft voice, slapping Heath on the shoulder a couple of times – which was as close as Max came to giving hugs if you weren’t his wife or his sister. “You’re a bit of a git, but you’re my best mate an’ all.”
“S’important.”
“Er… yes it is,” Max said carefully. “I think I might agree with your sister on this one though – time to get you home.”
“I love your family.”
“I love them too mate. But–”
“I love your sister.”
“I know you do. We all love you as well so–”
“No, you don’t understand. Iloveher.”
Max froze in front of Heath and his eyes snapped to me. My mouth fell open, but I didn’t know what to say. He looked back at Heath and narrowed his eyes.
“What the fu–?”
“Max,” Verity’s voice snapped through the tension. Everyone turned to her. Her breathing rate had increased, and I started to worry about another panic attack coming on. “Can we do this another time? I need to get him home. He’s in no state to take on a protective brother at this point. Just–justget out of my way!”
The last part of that was practically screamed and silence descended on the pub. I stared at Verity, noticing her eye twitch was back in full force again, her breathing still rapid. Her mouth was so tight now there was a white ring around her lips. This was only the second time I’d ever seen her lose control of herself in any way before. I’d most definitely never heard her shout at anyone. The anger left Max’s expression, morphing quickly into concern. Mia was next to him now, having rushed over on hearing Verity shout.
“Okay, V,” Mia said in her soft voice. “Everything’s going to be okay. Let’s get you guys home, right?” Verity gave a stiff nod, her eyes facing forward. We all walked to the exit and somewhere along the way Heath took my hand in his. By this point he only seemed to be half conscious, but his large hand managed to find my much smaller one and he held fast in a firm grip. Even after everything I didn’t have the heart to shake him off. When we got to Verity’s car, she looked at our interlinked fingers and gave a deep sigh.
“Heath, let go of Yaz’s hand.”
He grunted and leaned against the car, but managed to keep hold of my hand.
“I can come with you,” I offered.
She looked from Heath to me then gave me a short nod. Max helped get him into the car, then we drove to Heath’s house with Max and Mia following behind. Heath fell asleep in the car and his hand relaxed its grip in mine, but I kept holding on. When we got to his house, he stirred only a little as Max hefted him out of the car and up the steps to his front door. Heath’s house was a passive house. Max had designed it for him. Passive houses can be heated with only the body heat of the occupant. They are super insulated and very cleverly designed. Heath had a log burner though. I’d heard Max complain once that both Heath and Verity kept their houses “too bleeding hot” inside (Max was of the school of thought that you only really needed the heating on in January – maybe February – the rest of the year you should just put on another jumper).
Verity opened the door with her key then Max and I pulled Heath into the house behind her with Mia closing the door after us.
“Heath.” At Verity’s voice Heath’s eyelids blinked open again and he looked around the living area before focusing on his sister.
“You’re right,” he whispered. “Itiswarm.”
“Of course it’s warm, Heathy,” Verity said softly as she walked up to stand in front of him.
“And clean.”
“Soclean – you have a cleaner every day, remember?”
He nodded then let go of Max and me to fall forward into Verity in a drunken hug which took her back a step. Max hovered in anticipation of her not being able to take his weight.
“Itisclean, isn’t it,” I heard Heath’s muffled voice from where he’d shoved his face in Verity’s neck.
“And you have nice things now,” Verity said, her arms giving Heath a squeeze. It was as if she was soothing him. At her words I could see his body visibly relax. Why would he need to be reassured that he had a warm, clean house and nice things? None of this made sense. Heath and Verity had always been privileged. Hadn’t they?
“Okay, time for bed,” Verity said, still in that soothing voice. She started moving away with Heath. When Max went to help her, she shooed him away. “We’re fine.” She turned her head to look behind at all of us. “You guys can go home now. Thank you, but we’ll befine.” Her tone was almost fierce, likesheneeded to be the one to look after her brother. Like outside help was unwelcome. Max let them go and they stumbled away. But we didn’t leave. Mia, Max and I moved into the immaculate kitchen, made tea and we waited. When Verity emerged, she seemed annoyed that we were still there, but still took the outstretched tea from my hand (it would take a far more dire situation than this for Verity to decline tea).
“I thought I told you–”
“What is going on, V?” Max had crossed his arms over his chest and was wearing a stubborn expression.
“Nothing,” Verity returned, holding her mug to her in a defensive gesture as she climbed up onto one of Heath’s kitchen stools.
