Beautiful Curses: Book One

by J. Dorothy

  ELEVEN

  Jo usually hated it when Christmas ended and all the decorations came down. But this morning she didn’t have those feelings. She started humming the tune to one of her favourite new songs. It was off a CD Gabriella had discovered under the Christmas tree, labelled:

  To Jo,

  Merry Christmas,

  From Santa.

  Gabriella had given her a curious expression when she handed it to her. But Jo wasn’t prepared to elaborate. It was none of her business, and for once it was nice to have a secret she wasn’t privy too.

  “What are you so cheerful about this morning?” Spencer asked, while in the process of packing the Christmas tree away in several labelled boxes spread around the room. “I thought you hated this part of Christmas.”

  Jo looked up and shrugged. “I’m just glad you're helping me. I thought I'd have to do this alone, everyone else is busy.”

  Spencer narrowed his eyes, as if he didn’t quite believe her. “Well I’m glad I’ve made your day. What are your plans after this? I have a favour to ask.”

  “No plans,” she said, as she reached for a glass ornament and some tissue paper and began wrapping.

  “You know James is coming by train today?”

  Oh, she was blissfully aware of that fact.

  “Yes,” she said, trying to keep her tone even.

  “Would you mind bringing him down to the pub? Beth’s picking me up, my car’s running a bit rough, but we wanted to have lunch together. We only have two hours before she has to take care of Jack. Her mum isn’t keen on me being in the house while she’s at work.”

  Do I mind? Is he kidding?

  “Sure, what time?”

  “I think he's leaving early so probably around twelve or half-past. He said he’d text from the station.”

  “That'll be fine,” Jo said, as if she didn't care. She suddenly thought about Beth and her acting skills and suppressed a chuckle. Maybe she should join the Playwrites and try her hand at acting after all.

  “Great, I’ll even buy you lunch,” Spencer said smiling at her.

  After putting the last of the decorations in the cupboard, Jo glanced around thinking how empty the house looked. Sarah would be pleased. She liked to start the New Year with the house clean and fresh.

  Jo went up to her bedroom to immerse herself in a new novel Spencer had given her for Christmas—a vain attempt to stop checking her watch every five seconds—she had at least another hour before James was supposed to call. Everyone had gone out. Gabriella was at Mason’s and Peter and Sarah had gone to buy seedlings for the hothouse. They liked to get a head start on the vegetables so they were ready to plant out in spring.

  Jo punched her pillow as she lied down and rested her book in the crook of her elbow. She opened the book, about to read the first line, when the phone rang. It was only half eleven. She didn’t expect James so early and wondered why Spencer didn’t ring her mobile. Thinking about seeing James much sooner, she leapt off her bed and raced down the stairs to get it, before the call diverted to the answering machine.

  “Hello, Josephine speaking,” she said, slightly breathless.

  After hearing no reply, she caught her breath and repeated, “Hello … Josephine speaking,” using a much louder voice this time.

  Someone cleared their throat. “Um … Hello, I was wondering if I could speak to Sarah please.”

  “I’m sorry Sarah’s not here. She should be back in about half an hour. I could take your number and ask her to contact you.”

  More clearing of the throat, before, “Um … That’s not necessary. I’ll ring back around one. Could you ask her to wait for my call?”

  “Ah ... sure ... I didn’t catch your name?” Jo frowned at the phone.

  “I’m a … I'm a um … a client and she wanted me to arrange a meeting. Can you tell her that … um ... Dan called? Thank you.” And he hung up.

  Jo hesitated as she put the phone back in it’s cradle. Weird. Most clients called Sarah on her mobile or used the fax machine. It also seemed bizarre to call between Christmas and New Year. Most companies were closed for the holidays. Jo shrugged off the uneasy feeling, then went to the kitchen to write down the caller’s information and stick it on the fridge.

  On her way back to her bedroom, her mobile buzzed with a text from James, instantly pushing the strange call from her mind as she grabbed the car keys, jumped back down the stairs three at a time and rushed out the door.

  James sat waiting outside the station. He wore a navy V necked jumper and jeans, his black hair had been cut short and spiky and he was clean shaven. He smiled and waved. Jo stopped the car and he opened the door, swinging his bag onto the back seat.

  “Hiya, nice to see you again,” he said still smiling as he clicked his seatbelt in place.

  Jo smiled back. “Yeah, you too.”

  So Nice!

  Jo didn’t mind the scruffy look but this cleaner look suited him better, making him look even more handsome.

  “Thanks for coming. I told Spencer I could walk to the pub, it’s not that far. Did you have a nice Christmas? Get anything special from anyone?”

  Jo drove out of the station and onto the main road. “I got a load of great presents. One was a little weird though, came from some person called Santa—odd really…”

  “Hmmm … A secret admirer perhaps.”

  Jo chuckled, James always made her laugh. “Must be. Anyway, everyone had a good time. It was nice to have a full house. Spencer was in his element having another boy to play with.”

  James grinned at her, making Jo's heart rate increase and her palms sweaty. She had to force her gaze back to the road, rather than stare into his beautiful blue eyes.

  “I hope he shared and played nice. He has trouble with that sometimes.”

  Jo laughed again. “How was your Christmas?” she asked.

  James glanced out the window before answering. “Um … alright. I met some old school friends and we went out to the pub a few times. There’s not much to do in our village. We watched a lot of old movies and messed around on our guitars.”

  “I didn’t know you played the guitar.”

  “I had a few lessons when I was a kid, but didn’t stick with it. I’ve just taken it up again and I’m teaching myself. A couple of my friends let me sit in with them occasionally.”

  “I tried the piano once, but only stuck at it for a term. I think I’m tone deaf. Peter plays, he’s really good.”

  Arriving at the pub, Jo turned into a car park outside the front entrance.

  “Are you joining us for a drink?” James asked her.

  Jo took the keys out of the ignition, “Yeah, Spencer offered to buy me lunch if I collected you from the station.”

  “Oh, so you weren’t just being nice, it was for a reward.”

  Jo blushed and James grinned. “You better make sure it’s worth your while and order the most expensive meal on the menu, oh… and don’t forget desert.” He laughed, making her feel better, as they both got out of the car. “Shall we,” he added, standing back and allowing her to precede him into the pub.

  After lunch Spencer drove Peter’s car home and Jo got a lift with Beth back to her house.

  Beth lived in a semi-detached cottage, in a quiet street. Her mum had made it a nice cosy home for the three of them. Jo loved spending time there and often kept Beth company when she looked after Jack.

  Jo wanted to make a list of things to take on their trip, knowing the boys would probably forget the essentials, and concentrate more on food.

  “How are things going between you and Spencer?” Jo enquired as Beth sat on the floor adjusting the gas heater. “I mean, leave out the finer details, I just think it’s part of my duty as your best friend to ask.”

  Beth smiled at her. “It’s going great. I wish mum was a bit more relaxed, but she can’t afford for me to be all moody and rebellious.”

  Jo sat on the sofa with Jack and helped him turn the pages of his favourite tou
chy, feely book. He loved the sensation, and giggled every time she put his hand over one of the various textures. “You’re too level headed and responsible for that." Jo smiled.

  “Mum’s the only close family I have, and I don’t want to cause problems. She tries so hard to make a good life for me and Jack.”

  “Yeah, we’ve both been lucky. Sarah’s great. It must have been a challenge to take us on, so soon after she married Peter. She always said she’d been blessed to have us three.”

  Beth nodded. “Well, I hope mum comes around. I think Spencer’s plan to take Peter with us, will work. I just hope Peter won’t mind.”

  “He doesn't go away very often and they have a nice pub in the village where his friend lives. And Sarah will enjoy the peace and quiet after a busy Christmas.”

  Jo was suddenly reminded about the strange phone call she’d taken earlier.

  “Beth can I use your phone, my mobiles out of charge?"

  “Yeah. Of course. I’ll go and make Jack a snack, do you want anything?”

  “Tea, would be great, thanks”

  Jo went into the hall and rang the farm. Spencer answered.

  “Hiya Spencer, it’s Jo, is Sarah there?”

  “Yeah, she’s in the hothouse up to her neck in potting mix. Can I give her a message?”

  “Can you check if she’s spoken to someone called Dan? I left a note on the fridge but she might have missed it. It sounded important.”

  “I’ll go and ask.” She heard a clunk as he put down the phone.

  It took a few moments before the phone was picked up. “Jo, did you take that call?” Sarah asked, sounding breathless.

  Jo frowned, surprised Sarah had left her precious hot house to ask that. “Um …Yeah, he rang about half eleven. I just wanted to check you’d got the message, it sounded urgent and he seemed a little ... um ... odd.”

  “Yes, I've already spoken to him ...," There was a long pause. "Did he say anything else to you?”

  Jo’s frown deepened. “No. He just said he’d call at one o'clock and left his name. Why did he ring the home phone? I thought you didn’t give that number out to clients.”

  “I um ... don’t usually but it’s an important project and he’s a very important client so I gave him both numbers.”

  “Okay…”

  “Well thanks for ringing and checking. What time shall I expect you home?”

  “Around eight. Beth’s bringing me home when her mum finishes work. She wants to see Spencer again anyway.”

  “Tell her she’s welcome regardless. We enjoy seeing her. I better get back and leave the house before it smells like a cow shed. Thanks for packing the decorations away today and for um ... taking that message.”

  “That’s alright. I’ll see you tonight.”

  Jo put the phone back in its cradle and stood for a moment. There was something odd about the call from Dan. And Sarah was acting weird. Jo gave a small shrug. It was probably nothing. She went back into the lounge to play with Jack, shaking those uneasy feelings from her mind.

  TWELVE

  As Beth drove up the drive to the farm, Jo noticed Spencer’s car parked near the outbuildings.

  “I feel a bit sorry for James. Spencer’s obviously made him go to an early movie so he could catch you,” Jo said grinning.

  Beth rolled her eyes. “I won’t stay long. I just want to tell him I can come on the trip.”

  “I'm really glad your mum agreed. It wouldn’t have been any fun without you.” Jo could just imagine how moody and grumpy Spencer would be, making them all miserable.

  When they entered the house, it was quiet and dark, apart from the opera concerto playing in the lounge. Peter had obviously settled in for the evening and Sarah must be in the study with the door closed.

  The girls looked at each other and Jo shrugged. “Maybe they did go out after all. I wonder whose car they took?”

  Beth followed Jo into the kitchen to make some hot chocolate. They were both cold as the heater in Beth’s car only worked on the low setting. Jo went to take milk from the fridge and noticed her note had gone.

  After making the drinks, they sat down in the family room and Jo flicked on the telly, finding an old black and white classic she and Beth had already seen. They settled in and quickly got immersed in the story. When the movie finished Jo looked at her watch, it was nearly ten.

  Beth stood up. “I can’t wait any longer, mum will be expecting me. Can you tell Spencer the good news and that I’ll catch up tomorrow?”

  “It’s a bit odd. I was sure he’d be here,” Jo said, curious as to where he’d gone.

  “Maybe they couldn't get into an earlier session and James really wanted to see the film. I’m sure they'll be back soon. Don’t come out, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Beth put on her coat ready to leave when the phone in the hall rang.

  Jo wondered who it might be, not many people rang so late. Knowing Pete wouldn’t hear the ringing over his music, she left Beth to answer it.

  “Hey,” Spencer said gruffly, sounding irritated.

  “I was beginning to worry. Where are you?”

  “We had some problems.”

  “What problems?”

  “Have you got a few hours?”

  “I guess.”

  “My car wouldn’t start so Ella gave us a lift into town. I explained about Beth coming over and she promised to collect us outside the coffee shop at eight. While we were waiting she rang to say she’d been held up and would be there at nine. Then we caught sight of Ella's friend Mason. I thought they were out together, so I asked him where she was. He said he hadn’t seen her, so I rang her mobile to find out what was going on. She said she was about to leave Mason’s and would pick us up in twenty minutes. That was forty minutes ago. I know she’s not with Mason but I don’t know why she’s lying. I rang to see if you had any idea who she might be with, or where she might be.”

  Jo didn’t know, but this seemed odd. Even for Gabriella.

  “Well, if you've spoken to her she must be alright. I'd just ring again, or do you want me to come and get you.”

  Beth walked into the hall, her coat buttoned and her bag over her shoulder. Jo grimaced at her.

  “What's going on?” she mouthed.

  “Beth’s here do you want to speak to her?” Jo asked Spencer, while looking at Beth.

  “Definitely,” he answered.

  Jo gave Beth the phone.

  She frowned as she put it up to her ear. “Hiya, is everything alright? … Do you want me to come and rescue you? … I’ll ring mum and explain. Where are you? … I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  Beth ended the call and turned to Jo. “I’ll go and get them, can you ring mum? Just tell her what happened and she should be okay with it all.”

  “Do you think she’d let you stay the night? I promise to protect you from my big brother. It’ll be really late when you get back and if you stay we can make plans for the trip.”

  “Sounds good. Tell mum I’ll be home first thing in the morning but I can come home tonight if she wants,” Beth said over her shoulder, before opening the front door and disappearing into the dark night.

  Jo decided to make a pot of coffee. She’d already called Beth’s mum and amazingly she agreed to let her stay the night. Spencer must be using all his charms on her, she normally took a lot more convincing.

  Beth had given Sarah some of her aunt’s coffee for a Christmas present and Jo knew it would take over an hour to brew just right, thinking the timing would be perfect, but half an hour later she heard voices and the front door shut. Beth was always a cautious, so Jo had no idea how they’d got back so quickly, until Gabriella walked in.

  “Oh, hey, you’re up late, are you making us coffee? It’s freezing out there tonight,” Gabriella said as she strolled into the family room, took up her favourite position on the sofa and began unzipping her high heeled boots.

  “Hi, Um … I thought you got caught up somewhere. Where’s Beth?”


  Spencer walked in with James in tow, looking aggravated. “She’s not here. Ella decided it’d be better if she drove us home. She showed up two minutes after I called you and it was too late to let Beth know.”

  “But what about Beth?”

  Gabriella flicked her hair over her shoulders. “I sorted it. Mason wanted to stop for a coffee. He said he'd be happy to pass on the message to Beth. Anyway, it’s late and freezing. I’m sure Beth’s mother would want her home.” Gabriella pulled at her boots, and tucked her stockinged feet up underneath her. “Now what about that coffee … James would you like one?”

  James gave her a brief glance. “No thanks. I think I might call it a night.” He started to take his coat off and turn toward the door.

  “Yeah, me too. I’m tired,” Spencer reiterated and followed James out of the room.

  “Well Jo, looks like you and me. Can you make sure you use skim milk and only add one sweet and lo? Oh and I want to catch the late movie, you weren’t watching anything were you?” Gabriella laid her head back and flicked over the channel, not bothering to wait for Jo’s reply as she returned to the kitchen.

  Spencer’s pleading voice on his mobile was the first thing Jo heard when she came downstairs the next morning. She just happened to wander into the den to find her book, and caught his one sided conversation …

  “…Beth I’m so sorry. It was Gabriella’s fault.

  “… My car’s at the garage being repaired, so I wondered if you could meet me at the supermarket. Peter will drive me in. Jo told me your mum said you could come.”

  “… Beth?”

  “… So you're angry and you don’t want to see me today?”

  Thunderous footsteps followed the end of their conversation. Jo didn’t have a chance to make a speedy exit. Spencer appeared before she could dodge him.

  “Hi Spencer, you’re up early,” she said collecting a magazine from the table.

  “Yeah, I suppose,” he said plonking down in one of the sofas, and throwing his mobile on the side table.