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Charlie sat down on the small single bed. The duvet cover was brand new and still felt slightly crispy underneath his trembling hands.
“Thanks, Tao.” Charlie's flat voice was barely above a whisper.
Tao made a dismissive noise, “Least I could do for my very best friend in the whole world. Especially…” he trailed off and stepped forward, arms open, into Charlie's space. Charlie hesitated for a second and then wrapped his arms around Tao's middle. He could finally let go and hold onto something good.
Tao's arms instantly cradled Charlie's head, comforting him as tears fell. At first they were a trickle and then became full on body-wracking sobs.
9“It's OK, it's OK,” Tao repeated over and over. “You're safe now. He can't get you here.”
Charlie released his last hold and looked up into his friend's face, who let go.
“I know. I know.” Charlie hiccoughed, clearly trying to stop crying. “I've blocked him wherever I could think of. But…that just means I'll never see her again.” Charlie rested his head against Tao once more. “It's only been an hour and I feel like I've been without her for days. It's so hard.”
“But you did what you had to do. To escape.”
Charlie sniffed, “It was the only way, but the price was so high. She wasn't just a dog. Tilly was…” he broke off and put his head into his hands and sobbed with despair.
A light footstep in the doorway to the guest bedroom pulled Tao's focus from his friend and he turned his head to see Elle. Her face serious. She nodded at her partner who stepped aside to let her sit on the tiny bed next to his friend. She slipped an arm around his shoulders.
“Tilly was more than a dog, wasn't she?” Elle asked in a low, soothing tone.
Charlie nodded his head and scrubbed at his eyes. “I got her as a puppy and she was always there for me. Unconditional love, you know? I could tell her anything. Anything. She had the softest fur and was so calm. When Ben was yelling that I was stupid or a nagging little bitch or the worst mistake he'd ever made, she was there for me.”
Elle squeezed him. Tao folded his arms and blew out a noisy breath.
“And I had to leave her behind.” Charlie put his head back into his hands.
“I know you did, darling. And that was such a hard and brave thing you did.” “I don't know how I'm going to go on without her.” Charlie sobbed. “But you will, because you are the bravest and strongest person I know.” “I don't feel like that.” Charlie choked out. Elle shook her head. “But you are. I know that it was so difficult for you to leave. We're so so proud of you for making that decision even though it meant leaving Tilly behind.” “I stayed for too long. I couldn't go without her. I just couldn't. But Ben, he was never going to let me walk out of there with her.” Charlie stared to the left of Tao at the blank wall, mind racing, trying to work through every possibility that he could think of that would have let him keep Tilly and still walk away. If we'd known what you were going through…” Elle paused. “We're here now.”
Tao sat down on the bed on the other side of Charlie. It creaked a little, it wasn't designed for three fully grown adults to use as a sofa. “Maybe Ben will get bored of trying to look after Tilly and get in touch with your solicitor.“ Tao suggested.
“Maybe.” Replied Charlie listlessly “Maybe.”
“Look, get some rest.” Elle squeezed his shoulder again. “It's been an emotional day. And this is the start of better things.
“Maybe.”
Tao and Elle got up. “Dinner will be in an hour.” She said.
Charlie nodded and lay down on the bed and closed his eyes. He heard the soft click of the door closing. Tomorrow he'd start looking for a new place of his own.