‘Hey,’ I said, ‘don’t rush off. You’re a friend of Jimmy’s aren’t you?’ With his pasty complexion and deep black circles beneath his eyes, he was clearly not of this world.
‘Eh?’ he said, turning to look at me.
A frisson of fear shivered down my body. Oh please Lord, not another one! What if I was expected to look after this motley-looking ghoul as well as Jimmy? Or perhaps this new creature was a replacement for Jimmy and this was now my designated role in life; looking after one wayward spirit after another.
At least Jimmy had the benefit of being easy on the eye, was delightfully charming with his outrageous yet entertaining stories and could rustle up a mean cheese omelette at the drop of a hat. The guy in front of me couldn’t even look me in the eye, had seemingly lost the capacity for coherent speech and what, exactly, was that awful smell? My nostrils twitched at the scent of something really nasty.
Still, if I’d been granted the special power by an unknown higher mystical authority to act as a go-between for the newly dead before they were moved on to wherever it was they were off to, then I really shouldn’t abuse my position by not at least pretending to be friendly.
‘I expect you’re hungry. Would you like something to eat?’ I asked brightly, remembering when Jimmy first turned up he was absolutely ravenous and spent the first three days emptying my cupboards of all my food.
‘What? Are you having a laugh?’
Clearly this particular spook hadn’t been to the same charm school as Jimmy.
‘Well, how about a bath then? Let’s get you out of those grubby clothes. You’ll feel so much better after a long deep soak.’
‘What the…?’
‘Look, I know this situation is all very strange, but I promise you, you’ll get used to it. I found it strange too when I first came across Jimmy because he was the first, um… one of your kind that I’d ever met.’
‘One of my kind?’
‘Yes, you can imagine how it freaked me out,’ I laughed, hoping it might bring a smile to his grouchy face. ‘Jimmy was…’
‘And who the fuck is Jimmy? Leave it out, love. I know your type. Trying to be friendly and all that bollocks. What are you? Some kind of do-gooder or something?’
Obviously this pitiful creature was having trouble adjusting to his new-found position in the stratosphere and would need much gentler handling than Jimmy in accepting his new reality.
‘Cut the crap, love, and just hand over the money.’ His lip curled menacingly, as he pushed his face up close to mine.
‘The… money?’ I faltered, ‘what money? What do you mean?’ His face glowered darker and an uneasy feeling swept through my body as the dawning realisation hit me. ‘Oh my God! You’re … you’re not a… ghost, are you? You’re… oh my good God… you’re a… THIEF!’ A high-pitched scream reverberated off the walls. Startled, I looked around to make sure it wasn’t someone else making the awful noise. No, it was definitely all of my own making.
‘Hang on a minute,’ said the youth, looking genuinely puzzled. ‘Did you just call me a ghost?’
‘Oh, forget it,’ I laughed brightly, trying to appear as if I was really quite normal, but after our earlier exchange I think I’d completely blown that pretence.
‘Jesus, I’m out of here,’ he said, turning on his heel and running towards the door. ‘You’re not all right in the head, do you know that?’
He snatched up my handbag from the hallway and legged it outside running straight into Jimmy’s frankly overdue presence as he sauntered in through the front door.
‘Jesus Christ!’ cried the youth as he was spun around on the spot, dropping the bag and its contents all over the floor. ‘What the hell was that?’ He looked over his shoulder at me, his eyes wide with fear, and shook his head.
Jimmy noticing my stricken expression, rushed towards me as I heard the lad’s footsteps pound down the stairs. I fell into Jimmy’s arms, my whole body shaking uncontrollably.
‘It’s OK, it’s OK,’ he said, patting my back, his breath soothing against my cheek. ‘Everything’s OK, you’re safe now. I’m home.’
After two mugs of sweetened tea and some pacing up and down, reliving each moment of my terrifying encounter, the shaking gradually subsided and I began to feel a tiny bit better.
‘Do you think I should call the police?’ I asked Jimmy as I hugged my knees to my chest.
‘If you think it will make you feel better, but to be honest, judging by that guy’s horrified face when I relieved him of your property, I don’t think you’ll be seeing him around here again.’ He put his arm around my shoulder, squeezing it gently. ‘He was probably just a druggie, chancing his arm. Might be worth you getting the lock on the front door changed though just to be on the safe side.’ He smiled and ruffled my hair. ‘Have you calmed down a bit now?’ he asked.
‘Just about, I think.’ I paused, turning to look at him. ‘It was such a shock that was all. To think that a complete stranger invaded my home and was helping himself to my things. I couldn’t believe it. It was only afterwards I realised the danger I was in. He could have attacked me, murdered me even!’
Jimmy raised his eyebrows, nodding his head sagely.
‘He could have done!’ I protested, noting his doubtful expression. ‘And where the hell were you exactly?’ I chided, immediately regretting the words.
‘Well, not there, certainly.’ A wry smile rested on his lips. ‘Not yet at least.’
His words brought me up short.
‘Stop it. You know what I mean. You left it a bit late coming to my rescue.’
‘Yeah, sorry about that. But I got here, didn’t I? Just in the nick of time, I’d say.’
‘I suppose,’ I said chastising him with a look. I had no right to feel upset or let down, but I’d been so used to Jimmy turning up instantly whenever there was a problem that I couldn’t help feeling a bit huffy. I sighed. ‘What are you laughing at?’ I said crossly, noticing his amused expression.
‘Well, you have to admit it’s funny. All the time you thought the guy was a ghost you were quite happy having him in the flat, even offering him dinner. It was only when you found out he wasn’t one of the living dead, but that he was actually a living person, admittedly a thief, that you freaked out.’
‘I’m glad you find it so amusing,’ I said, elbowing him in the ribs joining in reluctantly with the laughter. ‘It just goes to show what a mess my life is in at the moment. I can’t make sense of anything these days. Do you think I’ll ever get back to any kind of normality? I’m not even sure I know what normal is now.’
‘I’m sorry.’ Jimmy’s brow creased, his dark eyes observing me thoughtfully. ‘I’ve really screwed things up for you, haven’t I?’
‘No, of course you haven’t. I didn’t mean it like that. Come here,’ I said, my arms finding his waist and drawing him close. His body next to mine felt so very real; strong, hard and dependable. Not like I’d expect a ghost to feel at all. In my embrace, Jimmy felt all man. My head rested against his chest, I could even imagine I heard his heart beating. ‘I wouldn’t change any part of this weird and wonderful experience. It’s been… amazing. Strange, but amazing. And apart from all the weird stuff, I’ve really liked having you around. I always thought I was happy living alone, pleasing no one but myself, but this, you being here, has been so much better, a real eye-opener.’
‘Yeah, it’s been great,’ he said, a wistful note to his voice.
I gazed up into his face and I wasn’t sure if I imagined the look of longing in his eyes or whether that was just wishful thinking on my part. When I felt his lips land gently on mine, our mouths parting at the same moment, I knew for certain what his eyes had been telling me.
‘I just wish it didn’t have to be like this.’ He sighed, pulling away before tracing a finger along my jawline, his feather-light touch sending a surge of desire through my body.
‘No, me neither,’ I said breathlessly, looking into his eyes, wanting so much mo
re, yet knowing it was futile; there was nothing he could offer me.
‘Hey, you haven’t forgotten about Friday, have you?’ He dropped his hands to his sides and turned away, walking off into the kitchen. I heard him pouring himself a glass of water from the tap.
My head spun, a whirl of thoughts fighting for attention as his tender touch lingered on my lips.
‘Friday?’
‘Yeah, you know, we talked about having a day out together. The forecast’s good, we could go down by the river, take a picnic.’
I ran my hands through my hair, shaking my head, my whole body still a quivering mess from Jimmy’s kiss.
‘Oh Jimmy, I’d love to, but I can’t just take a day off work at such short notice. You know that.’ I gladly relieved him of the glass of water he was holding and took a large slug.
‘You’ve got the day off, don’t you remember? Really Alice, I don’t know what’s got into you these last few weeks, but your memory is truly shocking. Have a look in the diary tomorrow when you get into work, you’ll see for yourself, you’ve got a day’s holiday booked.’
‘Jimmy, you didn’t, did you? How could you… when…’
‘Well,’ he shrugged, looking sheepish, ‘I only had your emotional well-being in mind. You deserve a day’s rest, some pampering, and your boss is off at the moment so what’s there to stop you?’
I laughed, shaking my head in exasperation.
‘You’re outrageous, Jimmy, completely outrageous. Do you know that?’
‘Right,’ said Damon, removing the battery from his drill and placing it back in its box. ‘That’s the new lock sorted.’ He opened and shut my front door by way of demonstration. ‘Let someone try and force their way through that now.’ He stood back admiring his handiwork. ‘You’ll be able to sleep safe in your bed tonight.’
‘Thanks, Damon,’ I sighed, feeling properly relieved and handing him a mug of tea for all his effort. He’d rung earlier to arrange a meeting for lunch to discuss his business set up, as we’d planned, but no sooner had I mentioned the break-in then he’d insisted on coming round to check that the door and windows were completely secure. ‘I really appreciate all the trouble you’ve gone to.’
‘It’s no trouble,’ he said. ‘I didn’t like the thought of you feeling vulnerable in your own home.’
‘Well, not now I won’t.’ Certainly not with two eligible men looking after my emotional and physical well-being, I wouldn’t. Although, I supposed only one of the men could be considered as eligible. Being part of the walking dead, even if you were still extremely hot, precluded you from making it to the top of the 100 Most Eligible Bachelors list.
Jimmy had made himself scarce when Damon had arrived, not without making a few disparaging remarks beforehand though.
‘Ah well, I see Bob the Builder has come to your rescue, so I’ll leave you in his capable hands. Stuff to do, people to see, you know what it’s like.’ Jimmy blew me a kiss from across the room and even at a distance he could still send shivers down my spine.
‘Are you all right?’ Damon asked, looking concerned, as he caught me shuddering.
‘Oh yes, fine. Someone just walked over my grave, that’s all.’ My voice rang out unnaturally high.
‘Probably the shock of all this nasty business.’
‘Hmmm,’ I said, nodding furiously, hoping Jimmy would take the hint and leave, sooner rather than later.
‘Ooh er, dinky little toolbox he has there,’ Jimmy added, puckering his lips and winking at me in that cheeky way of his as he bent down to look at Damon’s gear scattered on the floor.
‘I’ll just fetch my tea and come and sit down with you,’ I told Damon.
Out of sight, I gave Jimmy the benefit of one of my looks, one I’d become practised at ever since he’d turned up in my life, and hissed at him.
‘Stop it. He’ll wonder what’s going on.’ It had been all I could do to stop myself from giggling at Jimmy’s antics. ‘And he’s been so kind. I don’t want to offend him.’
‘No, of course you don’t. He’s a proper all-round action man, isn’t he?’ he said, none too sincerely.
He wafted down the hallway and out through the front door, reappearing seconds later with a mischievous glint in his eye.
‘Now you see me,’ he said waving his arms in the air, ‘now you don’t.’ The vanishing act was funny even though I’d seen it a hundred times before. ‘Hmm, maybe Mr Action Man’s high-tech security installation isn’t quite as safe as he’d like to think. What a shame. You might still be vulnerable to some spooky late-night visitations from your very favourite ghoul. Sorry about that!’
‘Jimmy just go, would you?’ I said, through the side of mouth, trying and failing to be cross at him.
‘I’m on my way. See you later, gorgeous. Love you.’ And he was gone. His words echoing loudly in my head.
Love you? Had I heard him right? No, he’d definitely used those two little words.
Not the three little words, but two. And I wondered if the missing word made all the difference. Despite my galloping heartbeat and the flush of heat creeping up my neck, I told myself it was just a throwaway remark. Nothing more. The sort of thing you’d say to a very good friend. Which is what we were. Good friends.
Although I’d known for some time now that it was so much more than that for me. I loved him. Three little words. In every conceivable way.
Chapter Twenty-Three
‘This is the life!’ Arms above my head, reclining in the warmth of the summer afternoon with the sun upon my face, I gazed up, in awe of Jimmy’s mastery as he navigated the punt along the still waters of the River Cherwell.
‘People alert,’ he said grinning and I jumped up, squeezing in the space between him and the pole, attempting to look as though I knew what I was supposed to doing while Jimmy did all the hard work behind me. I gave a cheery way to the onlookers who were clearly admiring my effortless boating skills as our punt made its way smoothly on its path.
‘It’s glorious, isn’t it?’ he said, when we’d passed by, taking control again, and I’d resumed my reclining, savouring-the-moment position. ‘This is something I’ve always wanted to do. Messing about on the river.’
‘Lovely,’ I agreed, laughing, ‘especially as I’m not having to do any of the hard work.’
I let my fingertips dangle in the cool water as Jimmy guided the boat to a spot on the far side of the river and came and sat down with me.
‘What would Madame like for lunch?’ he asked, opening the wicker hamper he’d stuffed full to the brim with goodies. ‘How about a glass of champagne to start?’
‘Wow, I wasn’t expecting all this.’ My eyes grew large at the feast of tempting goodies laid bare. Olives, smoked salmon bites, cheese straws and strawberries.
‘I lied about the glass,’ he said, his eyes twinkling, as he handed me a drink, ‘but a plastic flute is the next best thing.’
‘I could get use to this,’ I grinned. The gentle breeze lifted my hair and as I sipped on my champagne, its honeyed undertones tinged on my tongue delightfully complementing the sweetness of the juicy strawberries. It was easy to imagine I’d died and gone to heaven. After all, I had my very own guardian angel watching over me, a wry smile upon his face.
‘Well, I thought it was about time I treated you after everything you’ve done for me. You’ve been a real star, Alice.’ He unwrapped a foil package and revealed a stack of egg and cress sandwiches. ‘When I think of the places I could have ended up, it makes me shudder. Just imagine being landed in a house with stroppy teenagers or a couple of screaming babies or worse still, a students’ digs, all those dirty dishes and smelly socks, or even sharing a cardboard box with a tramp!’
Jimmy was partial to his creature comforts. I couldn’t imagine him slumming it.
‘No I definitely picked the long straw when I was delivered into the very capable hands of a single, gorgeous, extremely eligible young woman.’
I smiled, running my tongue acro
ss my lips, basking in Jimmy’s flattery.
‘Of course, I don’t think there was anything random about my placement with you.’
‘You don’t?’ I asked, looking at him warily.
‘No, why do you?’ he asked directly, catching me unawares. I shrugged, keeping quiet as he went on. ‘There’s obviously a reason why I was foisted upon you and not into the care of a bunch of students or an old tramp.’
‘And, um, what do you think that reason might be?’
‘Unfinished business, I suppose.’
‘Yeah, that business with Donna. I suppose now it’s all been cleared up you’ll be moved over.’ It tore at my heart even to think about it. ‘Maybe they’re just waiting for the article to appear in the magazine first.’
Jimmy laughed.
‘I was wrong about that.’
‘Sorry?’
‘Thinking that was the reason for me being stuck here. I mean, I’m glad I got the opportunity to sort all that out, but that wasn’t the reason I hadn’t moved over.’
‘It wasn’t?’
‘No. And I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me before. I mean it’s been staring us in the face from the very first moment we met.’
‘It has?’ I said, my voice squeaky.
‘Yes, I think we both know that you and I were due to meet in real life and because of what happened,’ he shrugged, laughing, ‘my unexpected demise and all that, it never came to anything. This is a second chance, I suppose. An opportunity to tie up some ends, find some resolution.’
‘And do you think you’ve done that now?’
‘Well, not as extensively as I would have liked to, obviously, but at least I got to meet you at last, to spend some time with you.’ He smiled, his dark eyes looking up at me from beneath long lashes. ‘That’s what all this has been about. Finding you. We were meant to be together, you and me, you know that?’ He reached out for my hand, our fingers interlocking.
Hearing the words from Jimmy’s lips sent short sharp stabbing pains around my body, my breath quickening until I thought my heart might burst. My hands felt clammy as I gripped onto the side of the boat. I couldn’t bring myself to meet Jimmy’s gaze.
Desperately Seeking Heaven Page 17
