‘Really sorry.’
‘No probs. Do you want anything?’ She shook her head. Yan went and got a drink and brought it back to the table.
‘How’s it been going with you?’ he asked. ‘I see you’ve mastered Facebook. You seem to be always on there.’
‘Do I? God, I’m addicted already. I suppose it’s because it’s on my phone, makes it easier.’
‘It does everything but give you my texts. Sorry – only joking.’
She laughed. ‘Are you getting ready for the Christmas break? Does the college close?’
‘We close for two weeks.’ He smiled but Ebony could see he was bothered by something. He looked nervous.
‘Sorry I couldn’t join you yesterday evening,’ he said. His eyes fixed on hers, watching her every expression. ‘Did you have fun?’ His face betrayed the fact he was pretty sure Christian had made a pass.
‘Yes.’ Ebony smiled and gave him a sideways glance as she sipped her coffee. ‘We just had a drink or two. We met up with a couple of women from the college: Selena and Julie?’
‘Christian’s exes.’
‘Selena gave me coffee at her place earlier and she had quite a bit to say about you and Christian.’
‘Me?’
‘Actually, mainly about Christian. He seems to have quite a reputation. She thinks highly of you.’ Ebony watched and waited as Yan took his coat off and hung it on the back of his chair. It was expensive, Urban Outfitters. Must have been at least three hundred quid, thought Ebony. Jeanie had shown her some things from there and then decided that someone on Ebony Wilson’s supposed budget wouldn’t be able to afford them. ‘Has he dated a lot of women on the course?’
Yan paused, turned his eyes skyward as he thought about the question.
‘A fair few over the couple of years I’ve known him. Not Selena though; she’s one of a rare breed.’
‘Doesn’t he have any competition? He can’t be the only single dad at uni?’
‘He’s the one that does the socializing and organizes things via social network sites. He makes an effort. You must have noticed.’ She sipped her coffee and watched him sip his. He had a plaster on his hand and she clocked dirt beneath his nails.
‘What happened?’ Ebony could see the plaster peeling, two puncture wounds beneath it. ‘Looks nasty.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ve had my tetanus booster – staple gun; been doing some DIY for a friend.’ He looked sheepish. Ebony shook her head. Inside, her stomach flipped a little as she wondered whether Selena had really wanted to know about any designs Ebony might have had on Yan rather than Christian. Had Ebony missed the point? It wouldn’t be the first time. She was rubbish at judging things like that. Christ, how did she ever expect to be a good detective when a whole part of her knowledge of life was missing? She could read a zillion books on how people behave but she couldn’t tell what it really added up to. She couldn’t put it into practice.
‘Does she always call you to help with her DIY?’ He looked surprised at the question and gave her a smile.
‘Me? No. I’m far too busy. Plus I’m not boyfriend material for her. I’m not ready for fatherhood. There’s a lot of the world I still want to see.’
‘You don’t want any responsibilities?’
He shook his head. ‘Why would I? Way too immature. I want to spend my money on myself.’
She smiled. ‘I noticed the coat – very nice.’
He looked like he’d been caught out.
‘Yeah – I’m lucky. I don’t have to worry too much. I got left a house. I rent out a couple of rooms in it to pay the bills.’ He looked apologetic. ‘You’ve had it tough, I take it? Difficult childhood?’ His eyes had hardened slightly, as if he’d heard it all before and was hoping for something different from her.
She smiled, shrugged. ‘It’s all comparative, isn’t it? If I was a child growing up in Sierra Leone I’d think my childhood over here was a piece of cake. But – yeah – it wasn’t ideal.’
He looked at her curiously; his smile was back. His eyes were focused on her and affectionate.
‘It’s how things affect you personally, isn’t it?’ he said. She nodded. ‘And… it looks like it didn’t do you any harm. You’re doing the best you can for Archie.’ He looked around. ‘Where is Archie?’
‘My aunt’s looking after him for me. He’s got chicken pox.’
‘Un-lucky. Does she live far from you?’
‘Not far.’
‘Will you be able to get out again? It’s just that there’s another really nice group who you didn’t meet and they’re meeting up tomorrow evening for a Christmas drink if that’s any good for you? It will start at the Pear and Peach on Upper Street. Saturday nights are always quite lively in there. Could be fun.’
‘Yeah. I should be able to get out. Shall I let you know on Facebook?’
‘Or text me. I don’t really like spending hours on Facebook. I’ve got better things to do with my time.’
‘I know what you mean. I’ll message you,’ Ebony answered.
‘I better get back to work now.’ He looked at his watch. ‘Coffee break is over.’
‘Of course. Thanks for meeting me.’
‘Not at all. I’m glad you’re going to be around next year. Should be fun.’ Ebony watched him as he struggled to say something. ‘You know, I didn’t mean I wouldn’t date someone with a child. I just meant… well…’ He shrugged. ‘You know?’ She nodded. ‘I’d like to ask you out. I’m into opera – don’t laugh… or we could take in the ballet if you’d like? The Nutcracker is on at Sadler’s Wells?’
‘You picked the only one I know! I’d love to, Yan, but I can’t at the moment.’ She shook her head. ‘I’m sorry.’ She could see it had taken a lot of guts to ask her out. ‘Could I get a rain check on it?’
He smiled, embarrassed, and disappointed.
‘Of course. I understand. Christian seems to get all the women.’ He has a right to be pissed off, thought Ebony. ‘Be careful of him, if you know what I mean,’ Yan added. ‘I’d hate it to put you off coming on to the course – you know, if things went badly?’
She nodded. ‘Point taken. Just friends. I’m not going to hurry into anything.’
‘Yeah – wise choice to stay friends. His girlfriends have a habit of disappearing from the course and one of them was in the news recently – Emily Styles?’ Ebony felt a surge of adrenalin but tried not to show it. She frowned and played with her coffee cup.
‘Yeah, well, it was so sad. I wondered what happened to Emily. I thought she’d just dropped off the planet.’ Yan was putting his coat and scarf on. ‘She turned up in Regent’s Canal. Such a shock. I wonder where she’s been all that time. Her Facebook page is open. People have posted things on there. We all thought she’d just had enough after it didn’t work out with Christian but all that time she was in real trouble.’
‘That’s really terrible. Did you know her well?’ Ebony knew that Yan was in group photos with Emily.
‘Yeah, I saw her all the time, at social events. Lovely girl. She was a bit mad and a lot of fun. But not my type.’ He blushed.
Back at the flat Ebony skyped Robbo. Ebony thought how tired he looked.
‘Phone records are in,’ he said. ‘Christian Goddard seems to be the common denominator with our victims. On all of their Facebook pages.’
‘Has anyone posted anything new on Emily Styles’ page since the news broke about her death?’
‘Yes, there are over twenty messages. Just basic RIP ones.’
‘Did Christian post?’
‘No. Yan did, though. How did coffee go?’
‘It went okay. He seems to have a low opinion of Christian Goddard.’