Gunner shunted Theo into a seat and passed him another drink, though his fingers wedged deeply into Theo’s shoulder, and he sent a deliberate look down to Patrick, gauging his response.
I thought I saw Patrick shake his head.
It was a while longer before I realized I’d been holding my breath.
For a time, the night drew on with a forced sort of peace. The men continued their banter and drank a shocking amount of ale, but none so much as Theo, who refilled his pint twice as often. He offered nothing in the conversation but stared openly at me or Polly or Patrick. And though the group must have appeared chummy to anyone on the outside, it seemed to me a silent war was being waged.
Gunner made increasingly hostile jokes and slapped Theo on the back with more vigor than was necessary. Patri
