‘Yeah, it wasn’t in Bledburn.’
‘Who was the friend?’
‘Oh God … I think … some guy Kayley was friendly with … I really can’t remember his name.’
‘Well, can you try?’ asked Jason with icy politeness.
Mia’s hackles seemed to rise at that.
‘What’s all this about anyway?’ she said. ‘Why do you need to know?’
Jason exhaled, troubling the fluff on this frothy thing Mia had ordered for him.
‘I might as well tell you,’ he said. ‘No point not. I got kidnapped by Harville just now.’
‘Kidnapped? Just now?’ Mia blinked.
‘Yeah, well, this morning or whatever. Got into a car, and it turned out Harville was driving.’
‘So … why would you get in?’
‘Someone else asked me to. And Harville drove us all to this cottage place and there was a bit of a ruck and I got away, but my mate didn’t. So I want to go back for him, but … I need to make a plan first.’
Mia blinked rapidly then sat back, laughing in disbelief.
‘Is this for real?’ she said. ‘It all happens to you, Jason Watson, doesn’t it?’
‘Yes,’ he replied gruffly. ‘It all fucking does. Can you help?’
‘I wish I could remember the bloke’s name,’ she said. ‘I really do. It’ll come to me, I’m sure …’
‘Yeah, well, thanks for trying.’ Jason pushed his coffee away and made to stand.
‘Don’t!’ cried Mia sharply. ‘I mean, don’t go. Finish your coffee.’
‘Why?’ He hovered, an inch off his seat. ‘I don’t think you get it, Mia. Serious shit’s going down. I can’t hang around here talking about the good old days.’
‘I know but … I want to help you. Please. Just give me a minute.’
He sat back down, sighing.
‘Not as if you don’t owe me,’ he said heavily.
‘I know. I know I do. I want to make it up to you, Jase.’
‘Guilty conscience, eh?’
‘As it happens, yes.’
He snorted, drumming his fingertips on the table top as if to signal that it was time to finish the coffee and go.
‘Is that so hard to believe?’ she pleaded. ‘I mean, there was a time when …’
‘Yeah, there was a time. And then you were happy to sit back and let me do time. When you knew I was set up. How do you think you can ever …?’ He gave up, shaking his head.
‘I know. It was unforgivable. But …’ There were tears in Mia’s eyes. ‘I didn’t know what else to do. I wanted to help you. I really did.’
There was a silence, hostile on Jason’s side, while Mia looked bleakly out of the window at the now-streaming rain.