Silent - The Friends Gather

Two Years Ago, Gavin

Jace didn't say much about Lucy, just that she'd told him who she was and that he knew that I already knew about the situation and that Veronica was somehow involved. Lucy and Jace had got together to talk about Philippa who was causing friction with Steve and other members of the Harlesden family.  

Thankfully, Terence Harlesden had ordered Steve's mother or grandfather Arthur to send Steve to stay with family friends up in Scotland because his behaviour had got out of control and they didn't want him ending up in trouble with the police.

'Is he like this with everyone?'

'Certain people,' Jace said. 'He's been in court loads of times.'

'For what sort of thing?'

'Lots of stuff. Nicking cars, criminal damage, threatening, people he doesn't like the look of, punching strangers. He gets off because Terence and Arthur know all the magistrates. But he's been warned: next time he's up in court, he'll get a custodial sentence. Anyway, he won't be back till after the Summer School, so you don't need to worry about him.'

'Thanks for letting me know.'

'You're welcome, man.  Like I said earlier, I'm sorry for not helping out more the other evening. I was out of order. No hard feelings?'

'It's cool.'

'Nice one, mate.'

Later, Paul dropped in with Dawn. I'm not sure exactly what happened with Dawn, as we hadn't spoken since the fairground party on Sunday night. When I talked to Paul about it in private, he reckoned Dawn felt a great deal of affection for me. Even though I'd hurt Dawn, she didn't like what Philippa has done. Publicly humiliated me. Whatever the case, Dawn arrived at Room Eight tense but smiling, and we started speaking again.  

Me, Paul, Dawn and Jace. A small gathering, a semi party.  I couldn't forget Philippa, of course, but for a couple of hours I joined in with the others, grateful for this special group of friends who supported me when I needed them most. All of them, even the annoying Jace who kept throwing unlit cigarettes at me and pestering me to join him outside for a smoke.  

RIP.

Jace survived, but not the others.