Game Of Bliss

(5)

"Everything alright, Florence?" Everett questions, one arm slung round her shoulders, the other holding a cigarette, as they sit on the couch in the drug den.

"Yeah, I should be going home soon," Florence replies.

"You're not staying the night?" Everett responds, with a slighty accusatory tone.

"No, I should go home tonight," Florence says, "my brothers are back, I want to spend time with them."

"I wouldn't want you to spend too much time with them," Everett states, taking a drag from his cigarette.

"What's that meant to mean?" Florence respond, turning to look up at him.

"It means we have a good deal going on here, you wouldn't want to find a new dealer, would you?" Everett says.

"What deal?" Florence asks.

"Don't worry," Everett replies, "you'll stay round tomorrow though, right?"

"I'll see how I feel," Florence says, taking a sip from her drink, Roy watching on with a bit too much interest for Everett's liking.

"Why don't you take something for the go?" Roy suggests, "something for when you get home."

Florence shakes her head, "not tonight, thank you."

"Your loss," Roy chuckles.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Florence says, and Everett leans down to kiss her, "see you tomorrow."

Florence stands up, heading for the exit. She hears the creak of a floorboard behind her and decides to ignore it, continuing out onto the street.

She'd gotten half the distance home, when she began to feel slightly dizzy, her walk becoming more off a stumble.

She feels a hand on her shoulder, and turns around, hand on her gun, relaxing minutely when she sees Roy.

He holds up her jacket, "you left this behind."

"How silly of me," Florence jokes, her vision becoming slightly blurry, as she tries to take her jacket.

"Why don't I walk you home?" Roy suggests.

"No, I'll be fine," Florence says, almost falling against the wall, Roy's arms holding her up as well, "I insist you let me take you home."

"Florence?" A male voice states, as Malachi walks down the cobbled street, he was on his way back from the pub.

"She's taken something," Roy tells him, and Florence shakes her head.

"I'll take care of her," Malachi says, placing an arm around Florence's waist, the woman leaning against him, "I didn't."

"Do me a favour, run to the Garrison, tell him his sister is at Malachi's," he states, and Roy nods, "sure."

Malachi's house was only fifty yards from where they were standing, he could help her get there, and then Tommy would come. He'd know what to do.

"I-I," Florence stutters, as Malachi helps her walk to his house, opening his front door, almost having to lift her inside.

It was like her muscles had stopped working. She couldn't move, she could barely speak, but her eyes were wide open staring at him.

Malachi lays her down on his sofa, placing a blanket on her when he notices her shiver, "I thought you were taking it slow, Flo?"

"I- I...."

No words were coming out. She wanted to tell him she hadn't taken anything. She knew she hadn't. She'd been especially careful not to... it was hard but she'd managed.