I didn't look back, I just pushed past two giggling girls next to the table and ran out. My ears were buzzing as I burst out of the pub into the cold air. I hurried toward the tube, almost tripping a few times on the uneven pavement. My eyes were hot and my mouth dry as I tried to shake the image of Harvey's dripping face.
I'd hardly got five minutes from the pub when my mobile phone rang. I sniffed and looked at the number. Harvey. He really didn't know when to stop flogging a joke, did he? I pressed ‘end call’ on my phone and crossed the road. The anger was draining from my body now, replaced by an aching sorrow, humiliation, and emptiness. I swallowed back the tears and told myself it was for the best. I tried to think about something else, anything, but it was no good. I thought about ringing Monique, but couldn't face going over the whole sorry story. My mobile beeped with a text message from Tanya. I sniffed again loudly and pressed select to see what she had to say.
"Hi! C Harvs a hero in nwspapr, gold diggr u! I'll call 2mrrow 4 all dtailsxxx."
I blinked at it in surprise. What did Tanya mean? Harvey a hero? A niggling doubt crept into my mind. Newspaper. There was a newsagent on the corner by the tube station. I paid for a copy before jumping onto the tube. The doors hissed closed and I found an empty seat. I rustled through the pages as fast as I could. I got to page five and saw the headline and headshot of Harvey. The dimple was clearly visible on his cheek as he held aloft a small trophy. I swallowed slowly as I scanned the headlines.
"Voice changer scoops 1st prize and contract with Global Gadget Chain". As I read the details of the article, one particular name stood out, the person responsible for testing the software. My hand flew to my mouth as I realized with a sickening dread that I just may have just made the biggest mistake in my life.
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Chapter Twenty-Eight
Truth Or Dare
I scrabbled for my mobile, searched my name list, and found the number for his office at House of Innovations. I pressed dial and the phone rang twice before being picked up. A cocky voice answered.
"Amberrrrr. You finally worked it out. You blew the whistle on me, you little minx!” My eyes narrowed as I recognized Jule's slick intonations. “What do you think of our voice transformer?” he went on smoothly. “Pretty versatile eh? Did you like the Jamaican voice? What about the cat woman one? Or the queen, I could tell you liked that. Not surprising we won the contract eh?” I listened in silence. “S'pect you read about me being in charge of consumer research? It's okay, you don't need to congratulate me. Did you know it does every dialect and well known celebs to boot? Talking of boots, are you wearing those sexy, thigh-length ones at the moment?"
Surprise, anger, and frustration exploded as my grip on the mobile tightened and the blood rushed to my head. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs down the phone at him. How dare he?
Instead I held my breath and counted to five before saying through gritted teeth, “Why are you using Harvey's direct phone line?"
"Ah. About that. I'm afraid he thinks we've been up to something, I mean, he found I'd been calling your house rather a lot from the office this afternoon and got quite out of sorts about it. Don't know quite what you see in him, personally, I mean, you'd be much better off with someone like me..."
I was about to detonate. “You've screwed up everything, you complete moron! I should sue your ass for your idiotic prank calls!"
"What? I—"
"Tell me, Jules, with your pea-sized brain, do you know what a eunuch is?"
"Erm, a what?"
"If you ever come near me again, you'll find out!” I pressed end call and frantically jabbed in Harvey's mobile number.
"Amber? What the hell—"
"Oh, Harvey. Thank god you're still there, you must think I'm mad—"
"Mad? Of course not, totally bloody insane's more like it..."
"Harvey, please, it's all Jules fault, I ... I thought you were making the prank calls, I'm so sorry...” I stood up as the tube lurched to a stop. My mobile bleeped. Bugger, the battery was low.
"What? You're breaking up, Amber, and I think you've made it clear that we should too. Look, I don't want any more games. I'm on my way home to dry off."
"No, please! Wait, it's a mistake..."
"Yes, a hell of a mistake."
My phone bleeped and cut out, I yelled with frustration. I couldn't let this happen; I wouldn't let this happen. I jumped out at the next stop and pushed through the throng of people, climbing the urine-smelling steps to emerge into Twickenham. At least I hadn't gone too far. I practically flung myself on the bonnet of the next taxi that came near and begged the driver to take me to Richmond.
The journey seemed to take hours. I fingered the lacey sleeve of my knitted top nervously, pulling a thread loose and then biting it off with my teeth. I checked my makeup and lipstick in my compact about ten times. I tried to compose the speech I would make, but every explanation seemed ridiculous.
How would someone like Harvey respond when I told him I'd thought that I could be changing into a psychic or a witch, cured myself, and then been tricked into thinking he was behind the prank calls. Oh God, but I couldn't lie. I just couldn't. I had to confess all. I swallowed back the dread that I had already lost him as we pulled up to the apartment block and fumbled in my purse to pay the taxi driver. The climb seemed endless and my heels rang noisily around the stairwell as I caught my breath at the top.
For a moment I stared at the glossy blue door. This was it. Make or break time. I knocked hesitantly. Would he even let me in? There was no reply. I felt dizzy and weak with emotion. Desperation seeped into my skin, leaving me cold and shaky. I knocked again, louder. There was no reply. It was too late, he didn't want to see me. I swallowed back the tears.
"Harvey, Please.” I banged at the door, my voice echoing round the stair well.
A light went on downstairs. I sighed deeply and turned to go when the lock clicked behind me. I turned slowly and my throat tightened as the door opened. There he stood, the man I loved, with a towel wrapped round his waist, steam rising from his skin and hair, and a deep frown creasing his forehead. He must have been in the shower when I knocked. For a moment we just looked at each other.
"Can we start the night again?” I asked, gazing into his eyes, hoping he would see the sincerity in my face.
"Well, that depends. I've just washed off the last drink that was thrown over me.” He rubbed the back of his head as he looked at me.
I bit my lip and watched a drip of water trickle down his chest.
"Oh, come on then,” he finally said softly, opening the door wider and putting a hand on my arm. “But you've got some serious explaining to do."
At first, the rush of relief at seeing him again overcame the uneasy prickling of anxiety at how to explain what had happened. He disappeared into the bedroom for a couple of minutes, and I paced the lounge, wondering what he must be thinking. First I'd stopped talking to him and disappeared. Then, I'd reappeared as ‘mad-woman-Amber’ and thrown a drink at him. Christ, It was surprising he hadn't given up on me. I chewed my fingernails then tried to smooth my hair in the reflection of the glass windows that surveyed the twinkling lights of the city below.
A flicker of movement behind me appeared in the glass and I turned. He had reappeared from the bedroom wearing a sweatshirt and joggers. He leant against the fireplace, regarding me with his arms folded. I got up from the leather recliner and crossed the space between us.
"I'm so sorry, Harvey, I've been unbelievably stupid.” I didn't wait to see his reaction but hugged him tight. Although he put his arms round me and allowed me to hold him, he held his body tense.
"You're cold.” He rubbed at my arms. “Let me get you a drink."
He pulled away and went to the kitchen pouring two brandies out. He deserved some answers, but I didn't know where to begin.
I perched on the edge of the leather recliner and tried to keep my voice steady. “I can explain everything."
Harvey handed me a brandy and sat beside me on the leather recliner. As I swirled the drink around in the crystal glass I sensed his gaze on me and the tension crackling between us.
"I hope you're not getting ready to throw that, I've only just taken off my shower cap."
The playful tone in his voice allowed me to look up into his eyes. I moistened my lips when I saw he was smiling at me. I leaned closer to him.
"Just drink it—it'll put hairs on your chest.” He grinned.
I looked down at my drink again nervously. The last thing I needed was more hairs cropping up.
"Well, here's to explanations?” Harvey chinked his glass against mine.
"And making up,” I ventured, putting my hand over his.
"After the explanations, perhaps.” He held my gaze and slid his hand away to rest on his knee.
I sighed reluctantly. “Ok. But there's one condition."
"Oh, so you think you're in a position to make conditions, do you?” Harvey's eyebrow cocked up and he sat back a little.
I put down my drink on the low, cherry wood table and gave an exaggerated sigh. “Harvey, this is important. You have to promise not to interrupt until I'm finished; no judgments until you've heard the whole story?"
"You're not on trial, you know, it's me you're talking to.” Harvey chuckled softly. “Oh come on, it can't be that bad ... can it?” His head tilted on one side and he stopped smiling. Then he stroked my cheek and took my hand in his, clasping it in both hands. “Don't worry, I'm not cross about the dowsing anymore. Just tell me."
I took a long sip of my drink, relishing the sweet burn, and began, hesitantly at first, but gaining momentum as my story tumbled out. Some of it he knew already. As I explained about the phone readings I had done and then the clients at The Rowan Tree, he nodded patiently, saying nothing. I explained how my predictions had come true, and he raised his eyebrows and squeezed my hand, still saying nothing. When I mentioned that my feet, hands, and nose had grown, he glanced down at my strappy shoes and a look of concern crossed his face, but he still said nothing.
I described my journey up to Madame Pungenti's and the trip to my family. He smiled in parts, but squeezed my hand when I told him how I'd tried to tell him I loved him on the phone. Finally I explained about the payment of the karmic debt, and how the prank calls made from his work number had led me to suspect him.
"When I saw the newspaper article on the tube and rang your office line, I found out it had been Jules testing out the new voice transposer all along—"
"What?” Harvey exploded, jumping to his feet with his fists clenched. “Jules was behind the prank calls?” I nodded. Harvey's eyes flashed with rage. “The senseless pratt. Now it makes sense. I caught him on my phone the other day. I'd been testing a phone bug on it and I could see someone had been calling you. When I asked him, he told me he was just chatting to Monique whilst you were away. Then the press photographer arrived and I didn't have a chance to listen to the tape to check out his story. Just wait till I see him."
I touched his arm and he sat down again beside me.
"I'm sorry, it just makes me bloody furious to think of it.” He shook his head and gently lifted my chin, giving me a lingering look. He moved in and brushed his lips against mine, then took my hand again. “I knew you weren't seeing him behind my back even though he tried to imply you were. He can wait. The important thing right now is you."
"So do you still think I'm mad then?"
His eyebrows drew together in concern again. He pulled me towards him as we kissed. A deep, soft kiss that left me hungry for more.
He drew back gently. “No, but I do have some questions and possibly an alternative explanation for you.” He studied my face and I felt self conscious.
"Fire away.” I tried to keep my voice light.
"Apart from your feet, hands, and nose growing—although I must say your nose still looks perfectly beautiful to me,” he tweaked it, making me smile though I was holding back the tears, “have there been any other ... erm changes, headaches, dizziness, that sort of thing?"
I looked down. There was no way I was going to tell him about the facial hair, but I'd had loads of headaches in the past few weeks.
"I did faint the other day at a lecture and I've had a lot of headaches yeah..."
"You fainted? Have you seen anyone about these symptoms?"
"Well, only Trish in the shop—she gave me some Num Mar and tea tree which helped..."
"No, I mean a doctor."
"What, a witch doctor? Do you know of any?"
Harvey smiled and shook his head. “No, not a witch doctor. I can tell you one thing, you are not turning into a witch. I mean a proper doctor."
"Well, no. I looked on the internet and their medical explanations were even more ridiculous, so I didn't really see the point."
Harvey sighed. “Okay. Look, I don't know exactly what the explanation is, but I'm willing to bet there is a medical reason behind the changes, and consulting the web isn't exactly reliable. Will you promise to see the doctor first thing tomorrow?” I nodded mutely. “As for your psychic ability, there's no doubt you've been incredibly intuitive, and there've been some amazing coincidences along the way, but can you remember any predictions that haven't come true?"
I frowned and scratched my head. “Not really."
"What about me getting a red car and my Aunt Lucy going into hospital? That didn't happen did it?"
"Not yet.” I conceded.
"What about the time you said you were never going to drink again last time you were round here?” Harvey traced a finger down my cheek and a new possibility dawned on me.
"Or the time that I said I'd never speak to my sister again,” I said.
"Were you struck mute?” Harvey asked.
I mouthed “No” and we both laughed. I took another sip of the brandy, savoring the fiery taste as it soothed my throat.
"But a lot of the stuff I said did come true, things I couldn't have known about."
"I'll let you into a secret.” Harvey leaned forwards until our heads bumped and he was looking into my eyes. “Hindsight is more powerful than foresight,” he said, his dimple appearing.
I let his words soak in as I breathed in the scent of brandy on his breath and longed to stop his lips with a kiss.
"You can convince yourself of anything if the eventualities prove the suggested possibilities.” He went on, while I thought how sexy he was when he used long words.
"Mmm?” I licked my lips.
"It's all about probability and twisting words to meet the outcomes. Look at Nostradamas, or the Bible, or, hell, George Orwell's 1984. I mean, I could convince myself that I was psychic for that matter."
"Oh.” I lifted my brandy glass to his lips and he took a sip.
"Oh?"
"I've been a bit silly, haven't I? It's going to take a while to soak in though, you know, that I'm not actually psychic. I think I need some extra persuading."
"I might be able to assist.” Harvey said, putting my brandy glass onto the table and lifting me off the sofa as I squawked in surprise. “Didn't predict that did you?” I shook my head and laughed into his chest. “Aha! So what do you think is going to happen next?"
"I wouldn't like to say.” I giggled as he staggered through to his bedroom and laid me on his soft bed.
"Well you're destined,” he pulled off my shoes and threw them behind his shoulder one by one, “to begin,” he slowly slid his hand down and expertly unbuttoned my jeans, “living,” he kissed me gently on the lips and then moved down to nuzzle my neck, “in the present."
All thoughts of the future or the past melted away as I concentrated on the delicious task in hand.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The Morning After
The next morning, when I blinked up at the white ceiling and turned over to find Harvey gone, I panicked for a moment. I sat up in bed and tried to look at my reflection i
n the chrome clock on his bedside table.
"It's not going to get any faster just by looking at it, you know.” Harvey's voice made me jump.
I turned sharply to see him standing in the doorway, and caught my breath as I took in his clean-shaven face, snappy black suit, and the croissants on the breakfast tray.
"You're dressed already.” I managed, wrapping the sheet around myself and wriggling upright in bed.
"Don't tell me you're trying out telekinesis on the clock now are you?” He crossed the room, putting the tray down on the bed as he bent down to kiss me on the lips. I tried not to breathe as I hadn't cleaned my teeth yet. He didn't seem to care though. “You look lovely this morning.” He smiled at me as I tried to run my fingers through my pillow hair. “How are you feeling?"
The smell of warm croissants made my stomach gurgle and I licked my lips. “Ravenous. This is just what the doctor ordered."
"Talking of doctors, here.” Harvey reached into his top pocket, giving me a glimpse of the purple satin lining of his jacket. He held out a card that said “Dr. Adams, Private physician” with an address name and number. “Don't worry about the cost, he owes me a favor. I gave him a great business idea for retractable needles last year. I spoke to him earlier and I've booked you in for 9:30 this morning."
"Erm, thanks.” God, he must think I really had problems to book me in so quickly.
"I hope you don't think I'm being pushy. But I do think it's important you see someone. He's one of the top docs in London."
"Sure.” I smiled at him as I tore off a flaky bit of croissant. I thought I better assure him I was over my psychic delusion. “But you're right about me not being psychic, I've thought about loads more stuff that hasn't come true now. For one thing, I'm always telling Pudding he's going to burst if he eats any more biscuits. So far there haven't been any explosions."
Harvey grimaced. “Well, welcome back to the land of us mere mortals.” He plucked the red rose from the egg-cup on the breakfast tray and put it between his teeth, giving a bow.
"I do still have a few powers, you know.” I raised my eyebrows at him and tugged at his tie to bring him closer to my lips.
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