I phoned him earlier and he’s apparently got a date tonight. I haven’t seen him for weeks, if it’s the same girl it must be getting serious.”�...�Er ... Yes,” Des muttered.Then Ozzy jumped in, this time thankfully not at David’s expense, “but Alex said he was coming here tonight, Des. Change of plan?”The discomfort in the group was palpable. Bill added his piece, “Perhaps he doesn’t want us to meet her, eh, Des?”Sally looked very uncomfortable. “More likely his woman doesn’t like pubs,” she. Moral Jay. Decent Jay. None of those are compatible with bedding some random teen.”“None of them is compatible with bedding his best friend,” I countered.“Mom’s Dad’s best friend,” she said. Her expression – open, honest… hopeful.“What’re you saying, Lena?”“Gosh, Jay. Make ME say it. We said we LOVED each other. You meant it, right?”“I will mean it until I die, Lena.”“I said it, too, Jay. I expected…”“What DID you expect, sweetness? Two days, you KNOW that sparks fly between us in more ways. He was pissed off. She was great."Anthony relapsed into silence as he slowly ate his chilli."Deep thoughts?" she said."Thoughts — not sure about deep. Are you ready for strawberries?" There's only one way you should eat strawberries if you need cheering up. You go fetch them and I'll get ready."Anthony, looking a little puzzled strolled to the kitchen and took the strawberries out of the fridge. Sitting close by was a cream dispenser fuelled up with a pint of cream and a new gas cartridge. Last. I keep pulling on my hands, wincing as the metal dug into my skin painfully causing me to yelp.The man was closer to me, he examined my wrists with a frown. The light from the nightstand lamp shone on his face. I could see his face now. It’s the mental man. The one who wanted to ‘claim’ me. Crap.“You.” I breathed as fury grew inside of me.“Yes, me. Now don’t hurt yourself, Miss Grey.” His voice was smooth like before. My lips are suddenly dry so I lick them before taking a deep breath as I try.