Chapter 4
Fury boiled through every fibre of Lawrence’s being as he washed Christy’s hands as gently as he could. The lad had been badly beaten and seemed so dazed he could barely think or speak. His head drooped as he cleaned his hands, and then a warm splash startled him. When another hit his skin, he realised the lad was weeping. Lawrence squeezed his hands and then struggled to his feet. He went through to the shop and locked the door, turning the sign to closed. Any early shoppers would have to wait. He returned to find Christy with his hands pressed to his eyes as he breathed awkwardly, trying to stem the tears. Lawrence wanted to lift him up, sit in the leather chair, and pull Christy into his lap, put his head on his shoulder, and hold him. Instead, he stood beside him and laid a
