Page 91 of Criminally Yours

Then he handed her the bag of letters and left her alone. She felt his presence as she unfolded each one.

The first couple were filled with his cheeky humour. She touched her smile as she read them.

Hey Sunset,

It feels weird to write a letter to you when you’ll never read it. I miss you. Every morning, I wake up and I wonder how your studies are going. Bear said you seem sad. I wish I could be there and make you smile.

How are your university applications? Are you still applying to Birmingham Uni for medicine?

I met a new member of my team today. We’ve called him Nails, although his real name is Cameron. He asked if it was because he was as hard as nails. It’s because he has perfectly manicuredfingernails. He’s posher than the rest of us, but I like him, and when we go off base, the women flock to him.

I’m not jealous because I’ve already met the woman I’m meant to be with. One day, I’ll come back to you. You’ll be a doctor, and I’ll be your messed up boyfriend. It’s a silly idea because you’ll never speak to me again. But when I’m struggling here, I imagine us living by the sea, fairy lights surrounding us as we eat sweets and stare at the sunset. Well, you stare at it. I’m too busy staring at you.

I hope you’re having fun.

Miss you,

Caleb

But over time, they changed. They weren’t in order, but she deciphered a timeline from the stories.

Some made her laugh. There were tales of squaddies fumbling over walls getting blasted for incompetence, as well as others about the drinking games they played before the team were shipped out, which usually ended in someone throwing up in a place they shouldn’t.

Some letters made her needy for his touch.

Others made her cry because Strike suffered.

Days before he’d joined up, he was a cheeky teenager,surrounded by love from his family and Bear. Millie adored him and showed him every day, but within years, he’d seen death, unending suffering, and famine. He’d witnessed things she couldn’t imagine.

Every word made her understand him a little more.

Finally, with a tear-strewn face, she opened the last letter.

Hey Sunset,

How are you, beautiful?

I finally got my nickname.

You’ll never guess it. The lads call me Strike. Every time a woman tries it on with me, she strikes out. We were in a bar, and this woman bought me a drink. When the barmaid brought it over, one of the lads, Stal, who’s such a player, shouted, “Strike doesn’t want your drink. He’s saving himself for the one.” And so the name started there and hasn’t stopped.

I’ve found the one, I’ll never meet another.

You’re my one.

Mum and Dad told me you’re off to university. You’re going to break so many hearts. The men will climb over each other to earn a second with you. But promise me you won’t forget me. The idea that someone else gets to hold your hand, kiss you, or enjoy the stories from your day makes me hate myself. You deserve happiness. The world shines from your heart, and I wish I could see you again.

I’ll always love you, Millie.

Yours forever,

Caleb

Millie gripped the letter and stepped out of her room. It was two a.m., and darkness filled the corridors.

She walked to Strike’s bedroom. His door was wide open, and he sat up in his bed, staring at the painting of a stormy sea on the opposite wall. The edge of the duvet rested above his hips.

“Can I join you? I don’t want to sleep alone anymore.”