Page 10 of Tears of Glass

“Chris.”

“Go look in the mirror, Chris, and then let me know if you want me to go ahead.”

He slips out of the chair and I grab my bottle of water and gulp some down. It won’t take me long; it’s easy money really. You never know, maybe his friends will all want something too and I can leave the day with a nice boost to my bank balance.

He’s talking to his mates, so I zone out and gaze through the window of the shop at the passers-by. Summer isn’t over yet and Brighton is still packed with shoppers and holidaymakers. It’s not the kind of place you go for a two-week holiday, but lots of people come here for days out. Only a short distance from London, it’s basically London by Sea.

“Admit it. You’ve missed it.”

I glance up to meet Dan’s gaze in the reflection of one of the mirrors. “Some bits.” I shrug.

I’m watching Dan, and my attention is partially focused on Chris and his mates, so at first, I don’t notice the face watching me through the window. But when my focus sharpens and I bring my attention around, my heart almost stops. It’s the one face I’ve run from; the one I left to escape. Aiden, my once almost stepbrother, is staring at me in surprise. And I’m guessing my face is almost as shocked because for a split second we just stand and watch one another.

He destroyed me. Aiden abused a young girl who once used to trust him. Yet here he is walking through Brighton without a care in the world. I leap from my stool and storm for the door. “Get the fuck away, you pervert.” I scream. My chest is tight, my lungs struggling to inhale air.

Fractured memories reel through my mind as his lips turn into a smile. “Pleased to see me, Faithy?”

A rising stream of vomit threatens to work its way out of my mouth and onto the pavement. He should be behind bars, I know that.

I watch him saunter away as my pulse thuds.

“Faith, you okay?” Dan is there, his arm around my shoulders as he squeezes me into his side.

“Yeah.”

I can’t help but think of Elijah and his work prosecuting sexual predators who abused a woman and made her take her own life. I can’t help but think of Lewis, that woman’s son who I left abandoned as I ran away from Elijah and Bowsley Hall after Elijah stood on that stage and announced his engagement. And I can’t help but think of what Elijah said when he told me I should tell the authorities what happened... nor the way my own father didn’t believe I was telling the truth of what had gone on under his roof.

“I’m ready.” Chris looks at me with expectation as he settles back in the chair. My hands shake and sweat tingles along my palms.

My gaze settles on Dan in alarm. I can’t ink someone now.

This has never happened before.

I’m always in control—even when I’m not.

“Breathe.”

“I can’t do this. I shouldn’t be here.” My head shakes, and tears start to build. What was I thinking coming back?

Dan’s hands slide along the bare skin of my shoulders, distorting my ink with his touch. “This is your home. You should be here. Don’t let Aiden or anyone else tell you otherwise.”

I breathe. Then I breathe again. My gaze falls on Chris who’s watching from the chair, and I nod. “Yeah, I can do this.”

“Course you can.” Dan smacks me on the arse, his hand leaving a sting through my shorts.

“Ow!”

He wiggles an eyebrow. “Don’t make me do it again.”

I giggle and step up to my first customer. “Ready?”

Chris skin fades to a terrible green as I switch on the machine and the buzz fills the air. Funny how that one sound can make one person feel sick and another feel at home.

I grin up at his friends. “Who wants one next?” They all lean in and watch as the pen touches his skin and one bead of sweat rolls down Chris’ head, swiftly followed by another and then another.

***

THE DAY’S DONE. I’VE made six hundred, which isn’t bad at all. Not that I need the money desperately, but it’s always good to know I’ve gained something.