Page 68 of The Other Side

“Sent,” Drum said with a sigh.

“It isn’t as if you can tell them the truth.” Osian tipped the rice into the bowl of ingredients and stirred it.

Drum took plates and cutlery from the cupboard. “Is that soy sauce? It smells amazing. Can you get all those sorts of things in Faeryland?”

Osian put the food on the plates. “Some. Not soy sauce. When I come over, I sometimes go to the supermarket with Fi. I buy things to try, and I buy for Belem.”

They sat at the table.

“Is that because he can’t come over here?”

“I don’t know if it’s can’t or not supposed to. As the Queen’s consort, he has to be careful.”

“Do you have a list for him this time?”

Osian got up and went over to his violin case and took the list from inside. He handed it to Drum, and swallowed hard. He didn’t need to have done that. He could have just told him the ordinary stuff, but he needed an Amazon order for the rest. Possibly not even Amazon would have some of it.

Drum looked at the list, then put the paper down. Osian couldn’t meet his gaze.

“Does he intend to use this on you?” Drum asked quietly.

“Probably. Some of it he could get in Faeryland. The leather collar. The ropes. He’s making a point.”

“A nine-inch plastic dildo? Spreader bars? Nipple clamps? Ball gag? Whip? Oh my God. I don’t want you to do anything with him anymore. You don’t need to now. We found each other.”

“And when Matthew starts work again, where will you be? Wherever we are, I need to be sure we’re safe.”

Drum dragged his fork through the rice. “I won’t lose you again.”

“Nor I you. We could see if you could get through the gate we went through today on your own. You felt it. It feels possible. But I need to know exactly where it leads to in Faeryland. I’ll have a think tomorrow. Make a plan.”

“You want me to place an Amazon order? I wish I could say I won’t but I don’t want him to be pissed off with you and end up doing worse to you than those things will.”

“Not yet. I hope never. But I’ll give you the cash.”

“The money doesn’t matter.” Drum’s voice was flat.

“It does matter. I don’t want you to pay for it.”

Drum sagged.

“We’ll find a way to be together. I promise.” Osian reached for his hand and Drum squeezed his fingers.

“Maybe we can find some things we’d like on Amazon.” Drum managed a smile.

“Maybe.” Osian smiled back.

~~~

They’d just finished eating, when Drum’s work phone rang. He rubbed his neck, then got up to answer it. “I’ll put it on speaker but be quiet. Okay?” He took a deep breath. “PCSO Drummond.”

“This is Inspector Gordon.”

Fuck. “Yes, sir.”

“Quite a find today. You stumbled across an officer who’s been missing for four months.”

“Right place, right time, sir.”