The Life Thief

by Cherie Mitchell

  Becky had come to the conclusion that Alice had very little money. She wondered why Alice had spent her no doubt hard-earned cash on a week at the retreat but Alice did seem to get a lot out of the many workshops and courses on offer. She ate well each night at the dinner table too, and Becky now understood that she’d taken the ‘dinner only’ option when she booked. Becky suspected this was partly because Alice wanted to stay slim and partly because she was watching her dollars.

  “Did you enjoy the retreat?” asked Alice as Becky drove up the overgrown track and back to the main road.

  “I did. I feel rejuvenated, just as the brochure promised.” And she did. Her days had drifted into an easy routine of walks, workshops, laps in the pool, and massage treatments. She felt healthy and invigorated, ready to march back into her busy life and pick up the reins again. She was looking forward to seeing Michael again, too. This was the longest they’d been apart since they met and he’d told her this morning to hurry back home to his bed.

  “Me too. What did you think about Marian’s vibrational therapy and sound bath workshop?”

  Becky wrinkled her nose, remembering the tuning forks and humming bowls that Marian had used as the attendees sat cross-legged on mats and listened to pan flute music. It was probably the closest she’d come to Michael’s preconceived idea of a hippy retreat. To be honest, she didn’t get much out of it. She’d much preferred receptionist Lucy’s regular yoga sessions. “It was okay. The sounds were nice enough but I don’t know if it did me any good.”

  “What about the guidance through tarot class?”

  Again, Becky shrugged. “The cards were pretty but I’m not sure if I believe that stuff. I tried to follow it but it didn’t make much sense to me. To be honest, the retreat was more a chance for me to get away from the city rather than an opportunity to jump feet first into alternative treatments. I think the nature walks and the massage treatments are what I’ll remember the most. Oh, and the great meals. I don’t think there was a single one that I didn’t enjoy.” Becky rubbed her hand across her stomach. The pooch hadn’t got any smaller, despite her frequent walks. However, she hadn’t held back at mealtimes so it was probably her own fault.

  She glanced over at Alice and was startled to see her jotting something down in a notebook. She’d seen Alice with that notebook several times over the past week but she hadn’t disclosed what she was writing in it. “Alice, what are you doing? You’re not taking on notes on what I’m saying, are you?”

  “Of course not.” Alice hurriedly shut the notebook and stuffed it down the side of her seat. “I write poetry. Whenever inspiration strikes, I make myself a note for later.”

  Becky felt bitchy and mean for accusing her. It seemed she often said things around Alice that made her feel bad about herself. She felt the pressing need to make amends. “Poetry? That’s lovely. Do you want to read me one?”

  “No, I don’t think so. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “I don’t mind.” She peered through the thrashing windscreen wipers at the road ahead. The rain had set in yesterday and it didn’t seem to be in any hurry to move on. A wet weekend was predicted but she wasn’t too concerned. She could think of nothing she’d like better right now than curling up by the fire with Michael and Lucifer and talking about the week they’d spent apart.

  “I suppose your boyfriend is counting the minutes until you get home.”

  Becky smiled, imagining Michael’s welcome home hug. “I hope so.”

  “Watch out!” Alice screamed and grabbed the steering wheel, wrenching it to one side and spinning the nose of the car toward the oncoming lane. The approaching car blew on its horn, the sound long, harsh, and eerie above the drumming noise of the rain on the car roof.

  “Alice!” Becky’s shriek matched the other girl’s as she frantically tried to regain control of the vehicle on the wet, slippery road surface. “What the hell are you doing?!”

  Alice was panting heavily. “There was a deer. Didn’t you see it?”

  “No! Alice, don’t you ever grab the steering wheel from me again!” Becky’s heart beat hard against her ribcage and her hands were damp where she gripped the wheel. No one had ever dared do that while she was driving and the sudden lack of control, along with the knowledge that she was the only one able to save them had been pure terror. She struggled to breathe as the horror washed over her again. “What were you thinking?!”

  “I told you. I thought I saw a deer.” Alice stared sullenly at the flapping wipers while Becky coaxed her own breathing back into a regular pattern. She wouldn’t be sorry to see the back of Alice, she decided. The girl clearly had her own issues to deal with and while they’d become friendly enough during their enforced roomie experience, she certainly didn’t see Alice as part of her long-term circle of friends.

  They drove in silence as Becky gradually calmed herself down. She didn’t want to lose the feeling of peace and well-being she’d gained due to a stressful few minutes in the car with Alice. She counted slowly backward, a technique that Marian had advised on during one of her workshops. The counting did seem to help as Becky concentrated on seeing the shape and form of each number in her head as she counted down.

  “I’m sorry,” said Alice. “I was in a car accident once. I’m a little jumpy.”

  3, 2, 1. Becky finished counting and exhaled before replying. “You were very nearly in another one. What happened? The last time, I mean.”

  Alice turned her head to stare out the window beside her. “My ex-boyfriend was driving. He was killed instantly.”

  Becky’s foot involuntarily tapped the brake and her heart gave a lurch. “Oh, Alice! That’s terrible. You poor girl. Were you hurt?”

  “No, not badly. I spent a few days in hospital but that was all.”

  “I’m so, so sorry.”

  “It’s okay.” Alice leaned forward in her seat and looked out the front window as they approached the inner city. “Hey, I’ve changed my mind about where I want you to let me out. Can you drop me at the Convention Center?”

  Chapter Eight

  Michael wasn’t yet home by the time Becky pulled into her own driveway. She grabbed her travel bag and hurried through the rain to the front door, where a wet and indignant Lucifer joined her as she put the key in the lock. “Hey, you.” She stooped down to scoop up the meowing animal and carried him inside. “Did you miss me?”

  Lucifer struggled to free himself and she allowed him to jump down to the floor. The house smelled different, as if it had been too long since the doors and windows were opened. She walked through to the living room and lit two of her large apple pie-scented candles, knowing that Michael wouldn’t have thought to do anything like that while she was gone. Lucifer, grumpy and irritable, stalked along behind her but refused to let her pat him. She went through to the kitchen to find him some food in an attempt to pacify him. Had Michael remembered to feed him?

  Once Lucifer was happily tucking into a dish of Purr & Dine, Becky flicked through the pile of mail that Michael had left, unopened, on the kitchen counter. Bills, reminders… and a wedding invitation! Grinning, Becky opened the envelope. She’d been expecting this. Michael’s friend Jack was finally marrying his longtime sweetheart Ellen but the last time they’d spoken with the couple the wedding date had yet to be booked. Becky smiled at the sweet, romantic wording on the invitation before she stuck it onto the refrigerator door with a magnet. A wedding meant the chance for a new outfit and the opportunity to gather ideas for her own big day. She glanced at the jumble of notes and messages already littering the door, pulling down the ones that were no longer relevant. She stopped at a sticky note she hadn’t noticed before now – a hand scrawled message complete with a smiley face and a love heart. “I heart you, Becky Monroe. See you tonight xx”

  She felt a sudden overwhelming burst of love for the man. He used to leave her notes like this all the time. It seemed that absence really did make the heart grow fonder. She opened the refrigerator for a quick summar
y of what they needed from the grocery store before snatching up her handbag and heading back out the front door. She’d make Michael his favorite dinner tonight and buy him some of that delicious organic wine they’d enjoyed at the retreat. Any type of lovers’ reunion should always be a special occasion. She’d get some steak and perhaps even make a dessert, but which one? He did love banoffee pie but it was a lot of work.

  Michael opened the front door as she climbed out of the car clutching her sack of groceries on her return to the house. She beamed at him but her smile dropped when she saw his frown. “What’s wrong?”

  “The door wasn’t locked when I got home, Becky. I thought someone had broken in until I saw your travel bag on the living room floor. You left the candles burning too, and I don’t know how many times I’ve warned you about doing that. Why did you leave without locking the door?”

  She grimaced at him before leaning in to give him a peck on the mouth. “Welcome home to you, too. I must’ve forgotten all about it as I left. I was too busy devising a gourmet menu for tonight’s dinner. Did you miss me?” She made cow eyes up into his face until his lips began to twitch and he finally smiled. He tapped on her on the rear as she walked past him and into the house. “You’re incorrigible. I should put you over my knee and spank you.”

  “Ooooh, promises, promises. Did you remember to feed Lucifer while I was away?” She sat the grocery bag on the counter, noting that fussy Lucifer had licked his dish clean.

  He looked sheepish. “I stayed a few nights at a cheap hotel near the office. I didn’t like being in the house without you.”

  “And you left Lucifer to fend for himself?”

  “He’s capable of looking out for himself. You know that as well as I do.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her properly. “It’s good to have you back. Don’t ever go away for so long again.”

  “Maybe I will, especially if I can expect a welcome home like this.” She pulled herself back so she could see his face. “You really couldn’t bear staying here without me? I’ve stayed here on my own while you’ve been away on business trips.”

  “Yes, but this is your house.” He kissed her forehead. “You’re happy here.”

  She twisted out of his arms, frowning now. “What do you mean, this is my house? This is our house, Michael. We bought it together.”

  “You know what I mean. You fell in love with it as soon as you saw it.” He gestured around the state-of-the-art kitchen. “I would’ve been happier with something less ostentatious. I’m working for the community, Becky. It feels a little hypocritical to live in a house like this when so many people don’t have a home to go to.”

  She felt strangely hurt by his comments. She’d had no idea until now that he felt this way.

  “Becky? Don’t sulk. Hey.” He placed his finger under her chin and tilted her head up so that she was forced to look at him. “I missed you. I want to hear all about your week.”

  She told herself to let it go. She had insisted this was the right house for them, overriding any of Michael’s protests, and he had a right to his opinion. “My week was great. Interesting. I just went out now to buy a couple of bottles of the wine we were drinking up there. Do you want a glass?” She smiled cheerfully, hoping he wouldn’t see the hurt in her eyes. “It’s organic so we can pretend it’s good for us. You can drink and talk to me while I make us dinner.”

  He pulled her close to him and kissed her again and she felt herself beginning to relax again. She was home, they would have a lovely evening together, and tonight she wouldn’t have to listen to the sound of Alice snoring from the next bed. She kissed him back, hoping he knew how much she loved him, and she put their small disagreement out of her mind.

  It wasn’t until they were sitting down to eat their meal that Becky finally got around to telling Michael about the overall oddness of Alice. “She grabbed the steering wheel out of my hand when we were driving back. The road was slippery with rain and it gave me a huge fright.”

  “Why did she grab the steering wheel? And why was she in your car? Didn’t she have a car of her own?”

  “She said she saw a deer.”

  “A deer?” Michael scoffed. “Highly unlikely. Why were you driving her back? Did her car break down?”

  “She said someone had dropped her off at the retreat and she asked if she could hitch a ride with me. I did think it was strange that her friend hadn’t come back to collect her.” Becky shrugged. “It didn’t bother me. I was coming back to town anyway.”

  “And you shared a room with her the whole time?” Michael topped up her wine glass without asking if she wanted more and Becky let him do it. This was nice, sitting and talking about their week over dinner. Alice and her weirdness already seemed distant.

  “It was a cabin. Very cute and homely. It wasn’t too big of a deal as I didn’t spend much time there. There were plenty of classes and workshops, plus I made sure to make use of the nature trails. I really enjoyed it and it reminded me that I should make more time for walking. You should join me. Maybe we can go hiking tomorrow?”

  He was already shaking his head. “Sorry, hun. I have a midday meeting with Walt.”

  “Michael, it’s Saturday!” She was struggling to hide her disappointment now. “It’s my last few days off before I’m back on the hamster wheel on Monday. I thought we could have a lie in, maybe have brunch somewhere…” She trailed off. “How long will be the meeting go for?”

  “I should be finished by 2.30.” He winked at her across the table. “We can still have that lie in. We could take our wine and go up to the bedroom now. Start as we mean to go on.”

  She pretended not to have heard him as she took another sip of her wine but she couldn’t keep the act up for long. “Okay. That sounds like an offer I can’t refuse. Just let me clear this food off the table so Lucifer doesn’t help himself and I’ll be right up.”

  “Good.” He stood up, taking the wine bottle and his glass with him. “Bring your glass when you come. I’ll go and light some of those candles you’re so fond of and hunt out that old Barry White C.D.”

  Chapter Nine

  Monday was hectic and it wasn’t until late afternoon that Becky finally had the chance to pull up a chair beside Sasha’s desk and talk to her about her week away. She eyed the stacks of paperwork on Sasha’s desk. “You’ve obviously been busy.”

  Sasha dramatically rolled her eyes. “You should have warned me about Dorinda Lucas. The woman is a nightmare.”

  “Ah, so you’ve met the serpentine Ms. Lucas. What did she want? The last time I spoke to her, she said she wasn’t going to use our agency. She didn’t think we were professional enough.”

  “It seems she’s changed her mind, although she told me in no uncertain terms that she doesn’t want you as her agent and she’s placing her house into my portfolio.” Sasha pulled a long-suffering face. “She said you’re too unreliable.”

  “That’ll be because I was once late for an appointment with her. I don’t care. Lucinda can think I’m as unreliable as she wants. You’re welcome to have her.”

  “Thanks.” Sasha looked anything but grateful. “Anyway, tell me about your hippy retreat.”

  “You’re as bad as Michael. It wasn’t hippy, not really. You could pick and choose the workshops you wanted to attend and there were such a wide variety of personalities there. There was always someone interesting to talk to. Oh, and I must tell you about Alice.”

  “Alice, Alice who the…”

  “…fuck is Alice!” Laughing now, Becky joined Sasha in finishing the chant, their voices loud in the quiet of the office. “Those were the days.” As teenagers, girls made a friend visiting from Belgium, a boy named Peter who’d adored the novelty version of the song Living Next Door to Alice. The irreverent line had soon become their teenage war cry, remaining with them long after Peter returned home.

  “They were.” Sasha looked at her steadily. “Before ‘it’ happened.”

  Becky waved her comment awa
y. “I don’t need to talk about that now. Which reminds me, there was a dream analysis workshop at the retreat but I didn’t go along. I thought it best if I didn’t go poking a stick at that particular bear.”

  Sasha’s face creased with concern. “You’re still having those dreams?”

  “I think they’re just a part of my life now. Anyway, back to Alice. The retreat had overbooked and they had no spare beds. I ended up sharing a cabin with the delightful Alice.”

  “That’s bad. You went away to have some time to yourself. The retreat should’ve given you your money back and rebooked you for some other time.”

  “I did consider asking them to make another booking for me but I figured I was already there and I’d organized my time off. Anyway, as I told Michael, I didn’t spend a great deal of time in the cabin.”

  “So, this girl Alice. Did you make friends with her? I suppose you had to if you were sharing a cabin.” Sasha looked aghast. “Please tell me you had separate bedrooms.”

  Becky shook her head. “No. Twin beds in an open concept set up with a bathroom attached. She was a little odd about the toiletries but otherwise we didn’t have too many problems.”

  “Odd in what way? Did she have allergies? My niece is allergic to the perfume they use in most soaps.”

  “She didn’t have any allergies, or at least none that she mentioned. She was a toiletry hoarder. I soon got the impression that she didn’t have a lot of money.” Sasha’s desk phone began to ring and Becky sat back. “You get that.”