Page 16 of Mine before Dawn
Patrick only shrugged in a manner which implied the matter was settled. “He’s got hands and skills. Might as well use ’em.”
He did not tell her James had heard the boy earlier and had called in a favour and twisted his arm until he gave in. But only after he promised Patrick to behave himself.
***
James was already outside when they stepped out. He was leaning against the wall, his brawny arms folded, as if he had been there for a while. He straightened when he saw them.
But he didn’t look directly at her.
“Come on, lad,” he said instead, his voice carrying none of the usual tension, “Bus’ll be along.”
He walked with them but kept just behind. On the bus, he sat just behind them and paid for the tickets before she could protest.
He spoke to Tanay in the low, easy tones of a man who was used to small children—asking about school, about the drawings, about things that made the boy turn and answer in quick, bright bursts. The boy quickly lost his shyness when he learned James had gone to the same school and still played rugby with the lads.
Asha kept her eyes forward but the awareness buzzed beneath her skin.
His eyes on the back of her head felt like a physical touch. His hand gripped the grab-rail next to her head and she did not see his fingers twirl a silky lock that had escaped her braid.
When they reached the flat, she hesitated for a second at the door, her keys in hand.
The instinct to refuse to let him in made her hands clumsy.
But the drip was getting worse.
"Mum, hurry… I need a wee…" mumbled the boy hopping from one foot to the other.
She had no choice but to quickly unlock the door and hold it open in invitation.
James seemed to fill the entire flat with his presence.
He paused just inside the threshold, taking in the small space.
Then, without looking at her, he said, “I ain’t going to touch ya.”
Her startled eyes had the corner of his mouth lifting.
“Unless ya want me to.”
Asha stiffened, heat rising unbidden to her face, though she said nothing.
He didn’t tease her further, just turned and got to work.
She watched as he dragged a chair beneath the leak and began examining the crack with quick, assessing hands.
Asha stood off to the side, arms folding and unfolding, a nervous habit she couldn't quite get rid of.
She watched the work as he sealed and patched. But for no good reason, her gaze could not help but notice the shift of muscle beneath his shirt as he reached. The dampness gathered in his thick hair despite the cold. There was a faint dusting of dark hair along his forearms where he had rolled his sleeves up.
He caught her staring and held her eyes with a knowing smile curling his lips until she looked away and got busy with dinner.
“It should hold,” he finally said, turning back to her “But get Stella to get it sorted when she gets back.”
Asha wasn't surprised he knew Stella. Here, everyone seemed to live in each other's pockets. He wiped his hands on the rag she had handed him, already moving toward the door.
“Do you want to stay for dinner, James?” Tanay’s hopeful voice cut in while she stood there, completely forgetting her manners.
Asha opened her mouth to refuse.
