Soul Protector

by Amanda Leigh Cowley

  I decided to have lunch at my desk, and try to clear the increasing workload. I checked my emails first, and saw one from Kerry asking if I fancied a few drinks at the usual haunt, with her and Joe on Thursday night. I stuck my tongue in my cheek. That was two nights away. I thought about asking Dan to join us. I was dying to tell Kerry about him. I knew I could actually tell her about our walk round the lake the previous day, seeing as how it was all quite innocent, but I really needed to think through the finer details first so I didn’t let anything slip about the whole Soul Protector business.

  It would be great if she could meet Dan in person, because he would know how to handle any awkward questions. Was it too soon though? Dare I contact him or should I wait for him to ring me first?

  I replied to Kerry to say yes I would join them, and decided not to mention Dan. If he couldn’t come, she’d be none the wiser, and if he could come, he could do some of the explaining. I added a note asking if Lydia would be going, and clicked ‘send.’

  Feeling brave, I took Dan’s business card out of my purse where I had put it the previous night after I got in. I twirled it around my fingers before stroking the blue embossed letters of his name, trying to pluck up the courage to ring him.

  My fingers hovered over the numbers. It’s now or never, I thought. Hardly daring to breathe, I tapped out his number. He picked up after two rings.

  “Dan Sullivan.” That smooth, deep voice.

  “Oh, hi Dan, it’s Gracie here,” I said, trying to sound casual. Thank God he couldn’t see the grimace I was pulling.

  “Hey, Gracie, how are you?”

  Phew. He sounded genuinely pleased to hear from me.

  “I’m good thanks. Listen, are you free Thursday night. My friends have invited me down the pub, and I thought maybe you could join us?”

  He paused. Damn, I’ve been too hasty. I steeled myself, waiting for his rejection.

  “Um, yeah, that’ll be good. I’m on call though, so I might have to disappear. Can I meet you there?”

  I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding. Small bubbles of happiness were popping inside me.

  “Great. Well, we’re going to the Smuggler’s Tavern at 8 o’clock. Do you know where it is?”

  “Uh-huh. I’ll see you there.”

  “Great.” Stop saying great. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

  “I’ll look forward to it. See you Thursday, Gracie.”

  I hung up, smiling. Nothing ventured nothing gained was my new motto. My bad start to the day was behind me.

  My PC chimed to indicate I had mail. I opened up the inbox to see another message from Kerry.

  ‘Gracie, it’s fantastic you’re actually going to come out with us, but Lydia said she’s not coming if you’re going. Something you need to tell me? Never mind, we’ll be there. Do you need a lift? Kxx’

  Wow, Lydia really was holding a grudge. It was definitely a rollercoaster of a day. I replied to Kerry to say I’d tell her about it later, making a mental note to think up a good story as to why I shut the door in Lydia’s face.

  I stayed late at work as usual, and caught up with all the stuff in my in-tray. I knew in order to secure the promotion; I had to give one hundred and ten percent effort.

  ~~~

  CHAPTER 13

  .

  Trouble with the Ex

  .

  I woke up buzzing before the alarm clock had a chance. As I munched on buttery toast and sipped my coffee, I thought about my upcoming night out with Kerry, Joe and Dan. I’d already sorted out my clothes, trying on about ten different combinations when I’d got home from work on the Tuesday.

  I’d finally decided on my favourite top, it was a deep red sheer fabric, and I was going to wear a little vest underneath, so as not to give too much away. I thought jeans would be a good idea, to play it down a bit, and I’d decided to brave my skyscraper boots again. At least I was getting a lift to the pub, so in theory I only had to walk to the bar. I had another big beauty routine planned for after work, including curling my hair, as Dan had liked it.

  With all the effort I was putting in, I was praying he didn’t get called off on another shout. I couldn’t wait to get close to him again and fantasised about the perfect scenario, him giving me a lift home at the end of the night. Every time I thought about seeing him, my belly did a somersault. I still hadn’t worked out if it was through excitement or sheer terror.

  Of course, I didn’t know then that things were about to go rapidly downhill.

  I jumped as the intercom buzzed. I pressed the button and Kerry’s voice boomed out through the speaker. “Come on, Gracie, get a wriggle on.”

  I ran down the stairs two at a time and walked with her to the car. I was secretly flattered that Joe did a wolf-whistle when I opened the door.

  “Cor, you scrub up well, Gracie,” he said.

  Kerry thumped him playfully on the arm.

  “What he’s trying to say is you look amazing,” she added. “Are you on the pull?”

  “Erm, no, not really,” I answered.

  Kerry looked at me for a few seconds, narrowing her eyes. I squeezed my lips trying to hide an involuntary smile.

  “Not really. Hmm, why d’you say it like that? Have you already pulled then?”

  She knew me too well.

  “I might have,” I said, trying to adopt an air of mystery.

  “Oh yes,” she shouted, punching the air. “Do I know him?”

  “Not yet, but I’m sure you’ll like him.”

  “See, I knew you wouldn’t be spare for long,” said Joe.

  “Thanks, I think,” I said, laughing.

  ~

  We pulled into the familiar car park of the Smuggler’s Tavern. It was near to the part of town where our school had been, and since the age we could drink, this had been Kerry’s, Lydia’s and my regular haunt. Thinking about it, it was our favourite haunt way before we were legal.

  There was a faded picture of some pirates on the sign, and the letter R was missing from the pub name. All the locals had referred to this place as ‘Smuggles’ for years.

  The car park was a huge gravelled area, but the grass and weeds were winding their way through, gradually winning the fight for supremacy. There was plenty of space for a beer garden but Mark, the Landlord, protested he wasn’t an ‘outdoors’ type of person. In the past he had made some effort to jazz up the outside area and there were several hanging baskets swinging in the breeze to pay testimony. But the few flowers that survived were long gone, and all that remained were blackened twigs and straw-like remnants hanging on for grim death.

  Mark said the shabby outside was deliberate, part of the image he tried to create. But what Smuggles lacked on the exterior, it more than made up for inside. It was large too, and the bar was always buzzing with customers. Somehow it still managed to retain the warm, cosy, atmosphere of a country pub and you could usually find somewhere to sit down if you wanted to rest and have a good old natter. We usually plonked ourselves somewhere near the roaring fire.

  As we got out of Joe’s car, I scanned the car park and my heart leapt when I saw Dan’s Jag pulled up near the entrance.

  “He’s here,” I said, pointing to the midnight blue car ahead of us.

  “What, the Jaguar XF?” Joe asked. I wasn’t sure if it was an XF or not, but he was looking in the right direction, so I nodded.

  Joe wolf-whistled again, with more meaning this time. “Sweet motor,” he cooed.

  I felt excitement ripple through me as we entered the pub. In spite of all the customers, I saw him straight away. He was directly in front of us, sitting sideways on a barstool, chatting to one of the barmen. He had on dark grey trousers and a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up revealing strong, tanned arms. They were amazing arms, I thought, lost in my fantasies for a moment, perfect for chopping wood and dragging me into his cave. I couldn’t believe that someone as gorgeous as Dan, could be sat waiting just for me. I tried not to notice that half
the women in the pub were ogling him as well.

  I nudged Kerry. “Over there,” I said, looking ahead.

  Kerry followed my gaze, and I saw her eyes widen when they settled on Dan.

  “Him?”

  I nodded.

  “Gracie, he’s gorgeous!”

  “Oi, I’m still here you know,” said Joe, pulling a wounded expression.

  We made our way over and Dan turned towards us, a big smile forming on his lips. I tried to hold it together and took a deep breath.

  “Hi, Dan, these are my friends, Kerry and Joe.”

  “Good to meet you,” Dan said, shaking Joe’s hand, and giving Kerry a kiss on the cheek. Then he leant forward to kiss me on the cheek and I inhaled the lovely aroma of his spicy aftershave. It was my new favourite smell. He rested his hand on the small of my back for a brief moment, sending shivers up my spine.

  “Sorry about my formal attire, I’ve come straight from a meeting.” He grabbed his jacket off the stool next to him.

  I didn’t mind, the whole look was working for me. Joe took Dan’s attention to see if he wanted another drink. While their attention was diverted, Kerry looked over at me and discreetly fanned her face. “He’s hot,” she mouthed.

  Introductions over and drink orders in, we made our way to a spare table near the door. Dan held out a chair for me and Kerry, before sitting down next to me. He positioned himself so that my knee was resting against his leg, and I stayed in that position for as long as possible, even when I was leaning towards Kerry.

  Dan seemed very relaxed despite being the outsider, and that made me relax. After the second round of drinks, Joe and Dan were like old friends. They were chatting about a recent football match, while I was telling Kerry my fabricated story about how I’d been on the phone and the dinner was bubbling over when Lydia came round, and that was why I hadn’t been able to see her. Kerry was cocking her head, as if she thought there was more to it than that. She’d be right.

  I was sitting with my back to the door, so I couldn’t see the comings and goings, but I did notice a draught every time someone entered the pub. One time when I felt the familiar cool breeze, Kerry, who was facing the door, nearly choked on her beer.

  “Kerry, are you alright?”

  “Oh you’ve got to be kidding. Don’t look now, Gracie, just ignore him,” she said, groaning.

  Intrigued, I spun round and saw him. The object of my misery until a week ago was large as life in my favourite pub, with a group of his dodgy mates. I was about to turn away discreetly, but Mike saw me and his face lit up.

  “Hello, Gracie. How’s things?” he said, walking over to our table. He gave Joe and Kerry the courtesy of a nod, but eyed Dan suspiciously.

  I couldn’t get over how ordinary he looked. Before, I’d thought he was something special, but seeing him now, so close to Dan, he just looked like an average guy off the street.

  “Yes, I’m good thanks. How are you, Mike?” I tried to keep my voice light. God, this is awkward. What I really wanted was to stand up and tell him what a jerk he was for sleeping with my little sister, but I knew his group would probably enjoy it. Anyway, I didn’t want to drag the whole sorry episode up in front of Dan.

  Kerry and Joe, and all of Mike’s mates had stopped talking and were staring at us, aware this was the first time we’d met since he broke my heart.

  “Never been better,” he said, in an American drawl, which was strange for a boy originally from Bristol. I had to stifle a giggle. Now didn’t seem like the best time to offer condolences for the break up between him and Michelle.

  “Yes, you’re looking well,” I said politely, wishing for the moment to be over.

  “I’m doin’ just fine babe,” he drawled, and then actually buffed his nails on his sweater.

  “That’s really good to hear, Mike. I had to pause and suck in my cheeks. “Take care of yourself, okay.”

  He realised he was being dismissed. He took one last look at Dan, and then winked at me before sauntering off towards the bar with his friends trailing behind. I saw Kerry shrug at Joe.

  “Don’t tell me, an old flame?” Dan asked, his eyebrows raised.

  “Yeah, I’m afraid so, definitely a fizzled out one though.”

  Dan smiled, before turning round to carry on his conversation with Joe. Obviously he wasn’t the jealous type. That was good.

  We were doing a lot of talking and laughing and I was reluctant to leave the table, but after about an hour, I couldn’t wait any longer. “I’m just popping to the ladies,” I announced.

  “Ooh, I need to go too.” Kerry jumped up and looped her arm through mine.

  We walked off with Joe commenting, “What is it with girls and toilets?”

  As soon as the door shut in the ladies, Kerry spun round towards me. “Oh my God, he’s to die for. Where did you find him?”

  I grinned. “I met him at…” Damn, why hadn’t I rehearsed something? Kerry was my best friend and I really didn’t feel comfortable with all these lies. “… In town,” I finished hastily.

  “You lucky cow, has he got a brother?”

  “Erm, yeah he has actually. He’s an identical twin.”

  Her jaw dropped. “No way, when can I meet him?”

  “Kerry, what are you like? What about Joe.”

  “Oh you know me and Joe. Our relationship is very… open.”

  “Hmm, I’m not sure Joe sees it quite like that.”

  “’Of course he does, he knows the score.” She winked at me and her cheeky smile made her dimples grow deeper.

  As we walked back towards Dan and Joe, we had to fight our way through the crowd at the bar and got split up. I was trying to side-step a large group of girls, when Mike jumped out and blocked my path. Kerry, unaware I was no longer trailing, went on without me.

  “So, Gracie, how are you really?” At least he’d dropped the American twang.

  “I told you, I’m good thanks.”

  “Yeah, you are,” he said, looking me up and down. “In fact you look better than usual, you look extremely hot.”

  “As opposed to my usual frumpy self you mean,” I shot back, desperately wanting this conversation to be over.

  “So then, what about ditching that guy you’re with, and you and me meet up later?”

  I shook my head in disbelief.

  Mike carried on, undeterred. “Babe, you have to admit, you and me were great together. Don’t you miss me even a little bit?”

  I looked up, locked eyes with him and answered honestly. “No.” Well, it was an honest answer for the last few days anyway.

  “Oh come on, Gracie, you were never any good at playing hard to get. I know you’ve missed me. You must’ve done, ‘cause I’ve missed you every single day since we split up.”

  “Forget it, Mike. It’s not going to happen.” I tried to hide my irritation and made to walk away, but Mike moved closer and grabbed hold of my wrist. I could smell beer and stale cigarettes on his breath.

  “I can’t forget it. You don’t realise how desperate I’ve been to see you.”

  And for some strange reason I felt the same way, until recently.

  I concentrated on trying to twist my wrist out of his grasp. “Mike, let go please – you’re hurting me.” I spoke quietly, desperate to avoid making a scene.

  “Gracie, come on. You and me, we’re meant to be together.”

  I stopped struggling and fixed him with a glare. “And that’s why you made a play for my little sister, is it?”

  He looked wounded. It was as if he couldn’t believe I’d brought up the subject of his misdemeanour.

  “Oh no, I didn’t make a play for anyone, that was all her. She practically threw herself at me.”

  I glared at him through the red mist that had descended. My free hand itched to slap him, but I came to my senses and realised he wasn’t worth the hassle.

  “Goodbye, Mike,” I said through clenched teeth.

  He must have realised he’d crossed a line, be
cause he let go of my wrist and stood back, allowing me to march back to the others. I took some deep breaths along the way to try and calm myself down.

  When I sat down, Dan leaned towards me, concern flashing in his eyes. “I was just about to come over. It looked like he was hassling you.”

  I forced a smile. “No, no, we were just catching up for old time’s sake.”

  Dan searched my eyes for the truth and a frown appeared. I could tell he wasn’t going to be fobbed off.

  “Alright, that’s not exactly true. He wanted to hook up later, but I told him I’m not interested.”

  Dan looked over to where Mike was standing and shook his head. I thought he was going to go over and say something, so I felt relief when he looked away again and relaxed back in his seat. Joe asked him another football related question and they were soon back deep in discussion about some referees’ poor decision-making.

  Kerry leaned towards me and did a stage whisper. “What was that all about?”

  “Oh, just Mike being an idiot,” I said quietly.

  “Why, what did he say?”

  I sighed. “He wants us to meet up later.”

  “Meet up!” Kerry shouted. She was starting to slur her words and discretion wasn’t her strong point after a couple of drinks.

  “Shh, keep it down. Obviously I’m not going to. He’s only saying it because he’s jealous of Dan.”

  “Well, he always was a dickhead.”

  I picked up my drink and had a long sip. My ears pricked up when I heard Joe ask Dan what he did for a living. Dan didn’t miss a beat and mentioned something about a confidential project for the Government. I was pretty sure he didn’t like having to lie, so I thought I should dive in and change the conversation. I was about to mention something about the X Factor, when I heard Mike and his mates getting rowdy at the bar.

  I looked in the direction they were standing. The pub had thinned out a bit, and I could see them clearly. My heart sunk when I noticed they were looking our way. I got a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach that Mike hadn’t finished with me yet, and I was about to be proved right.