She smiled, a small thing, but this time it wasn’t forced. It was softer. More like the old Leila.
“You’re welcome.” She lifted her hand, perhaps unthinkingly, and paused again. When she reached out and swept the hair off his forehead, it was almost as if a ghost was carrying out the action. “Get to bed. You look exhausted.”
He would never have his mother back the way she used to be. But the old Leila was still somewhere in this house, held in the cracks and the foundation.
The Lead had reprimanded Danny for visiting the ruined Maldon tower a few days before. He’d issued no punishment this time, on account of Danny’s “personal interest” in the tower. His reprimand, however, was followed by uncomfortable questions about Danny’s health, a punishment in and of itself. Danny had said whatever was necessary to get out of the Lead’s office as quickly as possible.
Then there was Cassie, who used every meeting as an opportunity to demand more information about Colton. She said an explanation was the least Danny could offer, after the constable had stopped by and her mother had given her the tongue-lashing of a lifetime.
Desperate for a reprieve, Danny sighed in relief when he found another Enfield job in Daphne’s folder. The gear chain needed to be checked and the clock face needed cleaning. Danny all but flew to the town.
When he arrived at the tower, Colton was standing at the window. Spotting Danny, he raised the sash and leaned out.
There was no one on the street or on the village green behind him. Overcome by sudden giddiness, Danny struck a gallant pose. “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your fair hair!”
Colton grinned and shook his bright blond locks. “Too short for that, I’m afraid. You’ll have to use the door.”
“That’s not very romantic.”
Danny hurried inside and bounded up the stairs, eager to be with Colton before Brandon arrived. He had brought a book of Norse mythology and wanted to take his mind off of everything that had happened, if only for an hour.
Unfortunately, Brandon was waiting in the pendulum room. Danny stopped short.
“’Lo,” said Brandon. “We’ll wind it first, yeah?”
“Uh, sure.”
They got right down to business, and Danny’s heart weighed heavy again with disappointment. Brandon was abnormally chatty as they worked. He had been kinder to Danny since Lucas’s death, or perhaps he had simply become used to Danny’s oddness.
Cleaning the clock face was the longest and hardest process, something the maintenance crew hated doing. Danny couldn’t blame them; the height never got any easier. Thankfully, he had something to distract him: every time he looked up, he caught sight of golden hair as Colton waved.
Tired but satisfied, Danny and Brandon pulled themselves back inside the tower. Brandon stretched his arms with a satisfied groan. “What’re you doing after this?”
Danny looked up from rolling down his shirtsleeves. “I thought I’d—”
“Stay up here like a hermit? Come to the pub with me. You owe me five drinks, remember?”
Danny tried to think of a good excuse to stay behind, but Brandon had already shrugged on his coat. Danny looked around and saw Colton standing near the door, frowning.
“I’m not sure …”
“I won’t bite your head off,” Brandon said. “Come on.” He turned to walk down the stairs.
Danny grabbed his coat, hesitated, and spotted Colton close by. His nearly-invisible eyebrows were set at a gloomy angle, his mouth turned down in disappointment. Danny gave him a helpless look, whispered, “Sorry,” and descended after Brandon.
His feet thumped heavily on each stair. Brandon snorted at his expression. “Don’t look too put out.”
“Sorry. I was just thinking about something.”
“And what would that be?”
Danny didn’t want to bring up the Maldon tower or Lucas, so he settled for one of his lesser fears at the moment. “My mother interviewed for a job a couple of weeks ago …”
They walked to the pub, hands in their pockets and heads bent against the wind. It was growing dark already, the clouds on the horizon stained pink. When they opened the door, lively noise escaped and sucked them inside.
The townsfolk roared with approval at their presence, beckoning the pair to join them. They sat at a small table near the back and were plied with drunken praise and well-wishes until a tall woman pushed past the worshippers to take Danny’s and Brandon’s orders.
Danny sat passing his beer mug from hand to hand, legs fidgeting under the table. He wanted to see Colton before he left for home, but if he got in too late, his mother would worry.
“So you don’t want your mum to run off,” Brandon said.
“I’m just not sure I want to live alone.”
“And you don’t want to move with her?”