Night Fires by D. H. Sidebottom Read Free Book Online Page A

order.
    “I’m off, guys,” David called as I slid through the gate at the end of the counter and took two breakfasts to two men sitting at the corner table. They wore hi-vis jackets and I knew they weren’t local. Maybe they were the workers that were rebuilding the harbour wall. Their loud laughter and crude language made me wince when I approached them.
    “Hey, hey,” the large one greeted me when I placed his plate in front of him. “Food and a hot ass. We’ll come here again.”
    I smiled, ignoring his expression as I slid his friend’s bacon and eggs in front of him. “She’s definitely a pretty one, Rob.” He winked at his mate. “What’s your name, sweetie?”
    “Alice,” I replied quietly. “Enjoy your meals, gentlemen.”
    As I tried to leave, Rob grabbed my wrist. “I’d enjoy it even more if you joined us. I love redheads. Always so… aggressive and lively . Very fun to have.” The way he said it made me shiver.
    I cleared my throat. “Sorry, I’m working. But let me know if you need anything.”
    I tried to pull away but he yanked me back and I banged the table with my thigh, knocking their mugs of tea and spilling it over the sides. The smaller one tutted dramatically. “Oh dear, Red. Look what you did. Now you’ll have to refill them.”
    I nodded and made a grab for their cups but Rob caught me again and pulled even harder. They both laughed when he held down my head and my boobs dipped into the spilled tea, and then one slapped my arse and I squealed.
    I shot upright but I was suddenly crushed between two men. Bray and Carter snatched both men by their throats and dragged them out of the bench.
    “Apologise to the lady,” Carter growled as his fingers tightened around Rob’s throat.
    “What the fuck?” he hissed, glaring at Carter as though he wanted to kill him. He was struggling under Carter’s hold and I was amazed he managed to keep hold of him so tightly.
    “Apologise!” Carter reaffirmed with a snarl. “I won’t ask again.”
    “Fuck you, you prick! What are you, her fucking pimp?”
    Carter glanced at Bray who nodded stiffly, the expression on his face as hard as Carter’s, and then both men were dragged out of the shop door. I couldn’t do anything but stare in shock.
    “Hey, you okay?” Janie asked, appearing by my side and threading her arm around me again when my legs wobbled.
    “Yeah.” I nodded after mentally checking myself out. “Yeah, just wounded pride.”
    She stared at my tea stained t-shirt. “I have a spare in the back. Go change and take a break. Get yourself together for a minute.”
    I took another look out of the front window but the street was still empty. “I’m okay.”
    “Go,” she ordered.
    A small smile erupted at her mock glare and I saluted her and banged my heels together. “Affirmative, captain.”
    She rolled her eyes then gave me a wink. “You sure you’re okay, Alice?”
    “I’m fine, honestly.”
    She nodded. “We’re women, we’ve dealt with worse.”
    I nodded, walking away. “Much worse,” I whispered to myself. Then immediately put those thoughts where they belonged. In the back of my mind with all the other horrific thoughts.

    It was almost six when Carter knocked on the door and I let him in. He held up a white carrier bag. “Hope you like Chinese.”
    I couldn’t help but stare in shock for a moment. “Uhh, yeah. Thank you.” He shrugged then dropped into one of the kitchen chairs and took out numerous cartons, the smell of the food making my mouth water. “I gathered you wouldn’t have eaten, and I’m starving.”
    I snapped myself together and grabbed two plates, and just as I was about to take two beers from the fridge, I swapped them for bottles of water.
    “Thank you.” I smiled at him as I tucked into the various dishes he’d piled onto my plate.
    He lifted a hand, shovelling a mound of Chow Mein into his mouth. “It’s just food, Alice.”
    “I meant about this morning, in