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Twenty-Three
Harlow
The last fewhours had felt surreal as I got used to the quietness and sounds of an empty house again. I knew it had been only a few days, but this house was so much bigger than the place I had left behind in Finolock. It was the fact I had a full secluded bedroom, instead of the pull-out at the old place. The echoes and old floorboards took time to get used to again as the open window blew the breeze from the coastal harbour in. As we were right at the front, we bared the brunt of it in most weathers and therefore the unexpected winds could hit at any time.
Unpredictability meant that my nerves had to be as steady as a rock, not good when I was scared of the dark, resulting in leaving scattered lights on to sleep in case I woke. A fear I hadn’t been able to shift in my childhood, let alone when I had left home. That’s why I knew Johnny had left Elijah’s details, so he could be here in less than ten minutes. Even though I didn’t think he knew that little cryptic detailed fact about me, thankfully. Just as long as we had no power cuts, everything would be perfect.
My body had finally caught up with the aftermath of the last few days. Even though I should have given in to the overwhelming dragging sensation from my body. When I first arrived, the adrenaline kicked in so I could have enjoyed every moment. As I hid in that isolated cocoon from everyone, it meant that the moment I stepped my foot back into the area, I wanted everyone to know about finally dealing with my turmoiled grief. Now my energy stores had languished and became desolated, time had told me to let my body recuperate before I threw myself into the ring of fire again.
With Johnny now gone, my nerves had evaporated; being left in the wake, was a calm stillness to my demeanour. After I made those fixed decisions, I pretended I hadn’t seduced Elijah. I risked the chance of him seeing through my façade that I had hidden something from him, it was a reason I had tried to change subject choices. I now had to make my body understand the reasons of how it needed to behave too. It was traitorous though, as the need for him screamed within me.
Tonight, I had given myself a good talking to. I certainly needed it. I knew both Johnny and Elijah had wanted to but until the epiphany hits you straight between the eyes, you’re never going to pay attention to anything that anyone else says. I knew after this evening I could have enjoyed my final night relaxing, but my mission began tomorrow to start planning my next move. Gone was the messing around in the past. The idea of just any job that I could get my hands on wasn’t the focus; I wanted a career. Independent and strong-willed characteristics meant I planned what I wanted, then worked a way in which I would be able to achieve it.
I was still full up from that platter for two I devoured all to myself earlier, so instead of cooking myself dinner I just grabbed a cheese and tomato grilled toastie to eat, alongside my favourite prawn cocktail crisps. Also, a nice warm drink, before I went to bed.
A tap at the window knocked me from the task at hand as I measured the drinking chocolate. My imagination was playing games, so I continued with what I was doing. I reckoned a branch had maybe snapped from the tree outside, as a gust of wind had circled by, rather than scaring myself into it being something else. A knock on the front door startled me, not knowing who would be behind it at such a late hour. I grabbed my mobile phone and had it ready to call for help if needs prevailed and I told myself they would just go away.
With my heart thrumming loudly in my chest, I turned the sound of the television louder, just as my mobile began to ring.
Elijah’s name popped up. I was so glad I had spent those few minutes earlier programming them into my contacts list, as I’d spilt water over the essential numbers list less than five minutes later.
“Elijah…?” He cuts me off in a split second.
“Harlow it’s freezing out here. Will you come and open the door please?”
Unable to move my phone from my ear, I stood up and placed my other ear to the door.
“Elijah Ingram if you are on the other side of that door, knock three times now.” His chuckled voice vibrated seamlessly through the speaker.
“Enough proof?” he remarked.
I began to unlock the deadbolts as you could never be too careful with security, he shivered on the doorstep as I opened the door.
“Thank fuck for that. I thought you were never going to open the damn thing.”
Stepping aside to let him through the door, I suddenly felt very exposed. Elijah was here, wrapped in thick layers as I stood practically naked in comparison in my camisole short set and opened dressing gown. Grabbing the edges, I wrapped the material around my body, and held the closed. An involuntary shiver passed down my spine as I felt his eyes were focused on me.
The natural log fire crackled away. Johnny had set it ablaze before leaving. He knew I struggled making them, but they were one of my favourite memories. He had scooted out a couple of oil burner radiators too just in case the weather took an ice chill. Rubbing his hands together near the open flames, he allowed the heat to take the chilled cold air away from his body. My eyes caught sight of the large suitcase near the door.
“Going away somewhere?” I had always been nosy, a sticking point with me that had driven both of them round the bend as children. Elijah must have seen it coming from a mile off. His quirked sheepish grin appeared; I could tell this answer was one I may not like.
“Yeah, from home, but not far.”
With his head down, he started to remove his jacket and I could see I’d missed the memo with regards to something.
“My holiday is here.”
I knew I shouldn’t have sipped that hot drink I had finished making, as I choked on the response he had given me.
“Here, what do you mean?” I replied after managing not to have spluttered hot chocolate everywhere or cracked the mug with the pressure in which I was holding it.
Elijah moved closer as he assessed my posture, concerned for my well-being.
“You alright now? It’s probably best for you to place your cup down before it breaks.”
Noticing the pinkish colour gone in my fingers and replaced with a white shade, I hated to have admitted that he was right. So, with a huff, it was placed behind me, avoiding the coaster on purpose.
“I’m moving in, whilst Johnny is away in Belgium.”
