Thursday, 4th August 2022
Jamie locked the door to the bathroom and called Roy, listening to one ring before adding another number into the call.
"Hey, Jamie, Can I-" Roy sounded distracted.
"Jamie?" Beard's voice.
"I need some help."
"What's wrong?" Roy asked, voice tight.
"Me dad's here," Jamie said. "I think he's been drinking but the police can't do nothing, do you know someone who could-"
"Do not hang up," Roy instructed. "Stay on the phone with Beard, I need to hang up, but I'll be there soon."
"No," Jamie said. "If he's been drinking, he and his mates are quite…"
"I can handle it," Roy told him. "Do not open the door, do not engage with him and do not hang up on Beard."
Jamie pulled the phone away from his ear to see that Roy had disconnected.
"Jamie," Beard said. "Roy's right, it's best if you don't engage with him if he's been drinking."
"I know but I don't want Roy to get hurt…I just thought one of you might know someone…someone that could encourage him to fuck right off."
"Not in the UK," Beard said.
Jamie didn't know what to say and he didn't want to make too much noise in case he didn't hear something change outside; like one of his Dad's mates deciding it was worth actually breaking into his house.
"I'm not going anywhere but I know you need to hear what's going on," Beard told him.
"Thank you," Jamie said, feeling ten again when his dad had broken into their little house while his Mummy was at work late one night.
Jamie didn't know how much time had passed when he heard a new voice outside…not one he recognised. His phone buzzed in his hand; Roy.
"Roy's calling."
"Right."
Jamie put Beard on hold to answer Roy.
"Jamie, where are you?"
"Downstairs bathroom."
"I'm here with an old friend of mine," Roy told him. "Stay there."
Jamie sighed. "Thank you."
A voice came through the phone that didn't belong to Roy or James Tartt. "What do you want done with him?"
"Make sure he leaves and doesn't come back," Roy instructed.
"Don't 'urt 'im," Jamie begged.
"And don't hurt him."
"Too late, he took a fucking swing at me."
"I mean hurt him permanently," Jamie clarified. "Defend yaself."
"Stay there," Roy said, "until I call back."
"Okay…keep yourself safe, Roy."
"I will."
The phone went silent, and Jamie flicked over to the other call.
"Beard?"
"I'm here."
"Roy's here…with the mate, they're dealing with him."
"Good."
"Thank you, Beard."
"Good you called."
"Night, Beard. Roy's here so…thank you."
"Goodnight, Jamie."
Jamie ended the call and waited. He could hear faint noises, but he tried not to think about it too much. What could have been minutes, or hours, later, his phone rang again and he answered it.
"Roy? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, your dad's fucked off. You can come and open the door."
Jamie rushed out of the bathroom and threw the door open. Roy was standing on the other side, holding his fist in front of his body. There was another man next to him, tall, blond, built like a tank, barrel chested and huge, with the haircut of a military man.
"Hi," Jamie said to the other man before stepping over to Roy and gently cupping his red fist in his hand. "No broken skin which is good, still need some ice."
Jamie towed him inside by the wrist and straight into the kitchen, only letting go to open the freezer and pull out some ice. He tucked it into a tea towel and then pressed it softly to Roy's knuckles. Jamie looked up and inspected Roy's face.
"Did he land a hit?"
Roy shook his head. "Harry took care of most of it."
"Roy only stepped in when your father said something very rude about you," Harry told him.
"I can guess," Jamie said with a sigh. "Do you need any ice, Harry?"
"No, I'm fine." Harry offered. "Your dad has a broken nose…that was Roy here, and a few bruises. His two little cronies weren't as willing to tussle me as he was. He shouldn't be back tonight but if you have somewhere else to be, I'd recommend you do."
"He's coming with me," Roy told them both, voice low.
"Right," Harry said. "I'll be off then, nice to meet you, Jamie. Actually, mind if I get an autograph for my son?"
"Sure," Jamie looked at Roy and then reluctantly let go of his hand and walked away. He grabbed a poster and signed it for Harry's son.
Harry left and Roy double-checked the lock before turning to Jamie.
"Pack a bag."
Jamie tucked his hands into the bottom of his shirt. "I will-"
"Be coming with me," Roy told him. "Go and pack a bag, this house isn't safe anymore."
"He always finds out where I live," Jamie shrugged. "I shouldn't be weak about-"
"Jamie," Roy growled, stepping into Jamie's space and curling his hand around Jamie's cheek. He pressed a kiss to the corner of Jamie's mouth. "You are not weak for calling me."
"I'm never going to escape him."
"Let me keep you safe…tonight."
Jamie nodded. "I'll pack a bag."
Roy followed him upstairs, sat on Jamie's bed and watched at Jamie grabbed enough clothes for a few days. Jamie checked the house was safe, turned off all of the lights, and followed Roy out of the house. They left Jamie's car behind, and Jamie curled into the front seat to watch Roy as the other man drove. They stopped in front of Platypus Green, and Jamie felt exhausted as he climbed out of the car…he always hated the come down from dealing with his dad and this time felt especially impotent since he hadn't even seen James. He docilely followed Roy into the house, past the lounge room and up the stairs. Roy took him into the most finished bedroom, inside was an air mattress on the floor with a couple of pillows, a sleeping bag and blanket. There was a camping lamp on a box next to the air mattress and small camping cupboard.
Jamie turned to look at Roy. He cocked an eyebrow.
"I had a guy set it up while Harry and I headed to your place."
Jamie nodded; of course Roy had a guy who could do that. He toed off his shoes and undid the sleeping bag, he crawled into it gingerly. He turned to Roy.
"I don't want to be alone," Jamie said.
"I'm not going anywhere," Roy said, taking off his jeans, walking over to the mattress and awkwardly sitting on the edge of the bed before turning to slide closer so he could tuck Jamie in his arms.
Jamie woke with his alarm the next morning.
"Go back to sleep," Roy said, reaching for their phones and silencing them.
Jamie nodded, burrowing into Roy's warm chest and letting himself fall back to sleep.
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