Time To Play by KA Richardson (best book club books of all time TXT) 📗

‘I think maybe you should stay lying down,’ he said.

‘I usually deal with dead people – fewer arguments that way – but what say we get this patched up, so we don’t have any more fainting issues?’ Nigel’s voice was good humoured.

Sharpie handed him the first aid kit and left Marlo with Ali and Nigel.

‘I don’t do blood,’ mumbled Marlo, her cheeks still bright pink.

‘Heard a rumour it’s more your own blood you don’t do,’ said Ali with a grin. ‘I don’t do it either. Mine or otherwise. Once had a murder scene in Edinburgh where arterial spray had hit the rotating ceiling light. Needless to say, I walked in and turned the light on. I was laughed at for months – passed out in front of all the uniforms and fell out of the front door.’

‘Oh God, you didn’t? That’s awful!’ Her sentiment was there, but she couldn’t stop the wide smile. ‘Bet you were mortified!’

‘All done,’ said Nigel from beside her. ‘Keep it clean and change the dressing every day. Now, get some clothes on young lady, before you catch your death of cold.’

As Nigel walked off, Ali held out his hand and pulled Marlo to her feet. ‘Never thought I’d see the day I told you to get your kit on,’ he said before adding, ‘your skin’s already turning a pretty shade of blue.’ As the words left his mouth, he struggled not to let his feelings show. Yeah, that’s the perfect time to come onto someone. Idiot.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Marlo’s Flat – 17 November

M arlo was so tired she felt like she could sleep for a month. But she was due back at work at 8 a.m. so a month was definitely not on the cards. She rested her head against the outer frame of her front door, almost too tired to turn the key and step over the threshold.

Hearing a noise, she turned towards the stairwell.

‘Hey,’ said Ali with a weary smile. ‘Don’t think I’ve ever felt so bloody knackered.’

‘You do look pretty shite, like, but then I’m pretty sure I do too, so who am I to judge?’

Ali smiled, not disagreeing. ‘How about a hot chocolate before bed?’

‘Hot chocolate sounds amazing. Have you got some pods for the machine? If not, I’ve got some Oreo ones if you fancy a try?’

‘Aye, why not,’ replied Ali, following as Marlo unlocked the door and stepped inside her flat.

‘Am just gunna go get changed – would you do the honours? The pods are right by the machine.’

‘Sure.’

Ali made his way into the kitchen. The flat was designed exactly the same as his, though the décor differed. It was still neutral colours but was more feminine with pictures of flowers and metal wall art mounted where he had photos.

Marlo was back in seconds, dressed more comfortably in jogging pants and a T-shirt. ‘Sorry, I don’t normally wear my uniform to come home in, but to be honest I was ready to get out of there today.’

Ali handed her a cup and made his way into the living room. ‘Mum rang me a couple of hours ago, said she and Elvie were going to bed so it looks like I’m on the sofa when I get back in. The bairn isn’t looking forward to tomorrow.’

‘Crap, Elvie didn’t even cross my mind. That’s awful of me, isn’t it? Is she OK? Wait – tomorrow? I thought she was seeing immigration today?’

‘Not awful, but completely understandable after today. She was – but I was at the reservoir. I rescheduled. I don’t want her going through that alone. She’s fine, love. I must take her to the station tomorrow though, can’t keep pretending it’s all OK. I’ll give her a statement towards her asylum, but it’s overdue time to get this sorted out.’

‘I know,’ said Marlo, her voice sounding small. She was mortified when she felt tears well in her eyes.

‘Hey, come on, love. It’s OK, she’ll be all right,’ Ali was startled, she could tell by his face, and that just made the tears want to come even harder. What the hell is the matter with me? I’m not this sobby, emotional mess. Get a grip!

‘Sorry,’ she whispered, putting her cup down and wiping her eyes with her hands. ‘Dunno what the hell this is all about.’

‘We all need a good cry now and then. Come here.’

Marlo felt herself stiffen as he pulled her into his arms. Her tears refused to listen to her logic and fell for a few more seconds. Her face nuzzled into his neck. His arms felt good wrapped round her like that. They were warm and made her feel like nothing could touch her as long as she stayed there. Sniffing, she let him hold her for a minute. It had been a long time since anyone had done that, just been there at the right time and held her just because she needed it.

The air shifted, moving from comfort into something else. Suddenly his arms weren’t just protective, they were muscular and made her skin tingle. Her mouth was so close to his neck that she could feel his pulse jump against her lips, and not thinking, she leant further in and kissed him there. He froze, but didn’t object, and not quite ready to stop. She kissed his neck again, this time flicking with her tongue as her lips closed. He tasted like sweet and salt at the same time, and she pulled back to look at him.

Her mind didn’t have time to forge any arguments as Ali leant forward and his lips met hers, hard. She groaned into his mouth, and he deepened the kiss, pulling himself around and over her in one motion. She almost didn’t recognise herself as her hands pulled at his shirt frantically, eventually ripping the last