'Witness' - The White Bridge Crime Series 3 - LGBT, manXman

3

"Hey, babe."

Adrian was accosted by Dom as soon as he walked through the door.

Aidy let Dom kiss him, before gently pushing him away.

"Fred and Tom had a fight. I invited him over for dinner."

Dom nodded.

"Well, it's just about ready. I made that pasta-thing you taught me to cook last month."

"We don't have any pork and apple sausages," Adrian said.

"I know. I used those frankfurter sausages from the jar instead."

"You used- You used those frankfurters in my pasta?" Aidy asked, looking shocked.

"What? They're sausages," Dom said defensively.

"Hardly," Adrian snorted. "I wouldn't feed them to the dog. When did you even buy them, without me knowing?"

"Rachel and I have hot dogs on Thursdays when you work late."

"Oh, God, this is horrifying." Aidy moaned. "There's non-food in my house."

"They taste fine, and they're cheaper than the pork and apple sausages."

"So?"

"So, we're saving at least three pounds fifty a week on sausages. That's one hundred and eight two pounds per year we save."

"But you're eating non-food," Adrian protested. "The one hundred and eight two pounds spent on good sausages is well worth it."

"Not really," Dom argued.

"Hey, guys," Freddie butted in. "I'm so hungry, I'll start eating the dog's dinner in a moment."

"You will be if you eat Dom's sausages," Adrian grumbled.

He rolled his eyes and kicked off his shoes, before stepping into the kitchen.

Dom stirred the pasta one more time, before separating it into three plates and slathering sauce over the food.

They sat down to eat.

Dom's old Newfoundland dog, Mia, settled down at Freddie's feet with a sigh, resting her massive head against his leg.

He reached down and handed her a piece of sausage.

She licked his fingers tenderly.

"So, what happened with Tom?" Dom asked as they ate.

"We just had a fight. It was stupid. I just need to talk to him," Fred said. "Did he come here last night?"

"No. He must've gone to Rex and Eli's."

"Can I ring them after dinner?"

"Sure."

Freddie finished his dinner in silence, wondering what he could say to Tom.

How could he make this better?

After dinner, he went into the living room and called Rex and Eli.

"Hi, Rex, is Tom there? Can I speak to him?"

"Hi, Fred. Tom's not here."

"Did he leave?"

"No, he never was here. Did you two fight?"

"Yeah. I need to talk to him. Are you sure he didn't come by?"

"I'm sure."

"Oh. Thanks. He must've gone to his mother's."

"Alright. Talk to you later."

"Bye."

Freddie hung up, and dialled Tom's mother's number.

"Hi, Mrs Harwood. It's Freddie. Is Tom there, please?"

"No, Fred, honey. Tom was supposed to come over this weekend."

"So he's not there?" Fred asked.

"No."

"Alright. I'm sorry to bother you." Freddie hung up, nibbling his lip uncertainly.

"Did you get through to him?"

Adrian and Dom came in, bringing Fred a cup of tea.

"No. He wasn't at his mum's, or Rex's."

Adrian frowned.

"Where else would he go?"

"I have no idea." Freddie sighed.