“Abi?”
“Yes?”
“Marcus who?”
“Marcus Klein, my boss.” Again, the line goes silent.
Sammy starts doing the same heavy breathing my mother did when I said his name to her earlier tonight. They both know him. How?
“Ginger?”
“Yes?”
“Is something wrong?”
“No, I’m just in shock someone tried to mug you. Oh, Dorothy, this is a new one even for you.”
“I know, right?”
“Promise me you’re okay?”
“I promise. Hey, don’t tell Mum. I’ll tell her tomorrow. I just want to go to sleep.”
“I won’t. I’ll call you in the morning.”
“Sounds good. Hey, Ginger?”
“Yes, Dorothy?”
“I love you.”
“Ditto,” she says with a sigh. “Good night, Abi.”
“Night.”
As the phone drops from my limp hand to the bed, my eyes close.
***
Autumn leaves floated softly to the ground. The rustling sound from the wind was musical. The smell was home.
As a cool gust of wind swirled, I pulled my coat tighter around me and made my way down the footpath, then up the front steps to our two-bedroom apartment. It was small, but perfect.
I’d had another rewarding day in my new job, and it was only a couple of hours until he was going to walk through the front door and wrap me in his arms. How I’d missed those arms. Three days was too long.
The house keys landed heavily on the table as I pulled off the boots I’d been wearing for the last nine hours.
The sound of Bella’s tail smacking against wooden floorboards alerted me to her welcome home dash that I would see in three, two, one … impact!
“Mummy’s home,” I cried out, pulling her into my arms. “Hello, pretty girl. Did you miss me?” I asked. Her kisses told me she did. “I hope you’ve been a good puppy today, and I hope you stayed out of Mummy’s food cupboard,” I added, kissing her nose.
People said animals weren’t like us, but she was. She was my world … our world.
My fingers ran over Bella’s smooth, thick black coat. I looked at her small Pug face that screamed innocence, even though I was fairly sure she was far from it.
“Your daddy’s coming home tonight,” I whispered, placing her on the floor as her whole butt shook with force. “I missed him too.” I sighed, walking into the kitchen. “What should we make Daddy for dinner?”
She barked.
“Yes, steak would be perfect.”
I bent down and patted her head before making my way to the bedroom to change.
The phone rang. I rushed to the lounge to answer it, almost tripping over Bella in my haste.
“Abi, your clumsiness never ceases to amaze me.” I looked up to see Sammy waiting at the screen door.
“I guess it’s part of my charm,” I replied, smiling as the phone ceased its chime. “Oh, well, they’ll call back if it’s important. Come in.”
Moments later, I had the kettle filled, and Sammy sat comfortably at the kitchen table. An afternoon catch-up was the perfect distraction.
“How much longer now until Sir Romeo gets back?” she teased, grinning.
I looked down at my watch. 5:45 p.m. “Two hours,” I replied, giddy like a schoolgirl.
“You guys are the perfect couple. I hope I find the same type of love one day.” Sammy’s eyes were misty.
“Can you believe I’m getting married? Like, has it sunk in yet?”
She giggled. “No, it hasn’t. It was always going to happen, though. Written in the stars.”
Pure happiness.
We talked for what felt like hours about the wedding, our new careers, and our future. It made me see how amazing my life was. Sure, I was clumsy and sometimes naïve, but I really had it good.
“You know what I love the most about you, Abs?” Sammy asked, sipping from her second cup of tea.
“What?” I questioned shyly.
“How you can always find the positive in every situation. Seriously, girl, you’re infectious. I’m lucky to have you in my life.” Her hand reached across the table, clasping mine tightly.
“Ditto,” was my reply.
Before long it was Bella and I alone again, and I started preparing dinner while she sat right by my feet. “You’re just as excited as me, aren’t you? Listen here, pooch. I’ll be the first to fling myself into his arms, okay?”
She panted, her small mouth arched upward.
“Aww … you’re smiling.”
The knife moved back and forth as I trimmed the small portion of fat from the meat.
I waited anxiously to hear the keys in the door. When the sound came, I squealed, “He’s home,” almost tripping over Bella again as I dashed to the door. It opened slowly as my breath hitched in my throat.
“Honey, I’m home,” he announced.
I leapt into his arms. “I’ve missed you,” I declared, placing soft kisses over every bit of his perfect face.
“I’ve missed you too,” he murmured against my skin. His lips found mine, pressing hard. “I love you, Abigail.”
“And I you.”
“Forever and always, babe.”
“Forever and always,” I said adoringly.
The steak dinner waited. The only thing he wanted was me, in our bed. Our need was too strong. Our love was stronger.
I’m awoken by a kiss to the lips.
“Mike,” I moan, feeling myself pulled into reality, the memory of my ex-fiancé drifting away.
“No, it’s Marcus. The police are here to see you.”
“What? Huh? Where am I?”
“Come on, sleepyhead. I need you to come downstairs. It won’t take long.”
“Okay,” I mumble before closing my eyes once more.
“No, no. It’s time to wake up, come on.”
“I’m awake,” I groan, sitting upright.
“I’ll give you a minute.”
“Yep.”
I shake like someone walked over my grave when I realise for the first time in forever, I’ve had a happy dream about Mike. Maybe the absolute shock of my almost mugging brought me to a place in my life filled with pure safety and happiness. But I’m gutted when I realise my life is a hot mess and I need to face the police. If only I wasn’t Abigail the hexed, life would be a shitload easier.
***
As Marcus promised, it didn’t take too long for me to give the police the information they needed. The man who’d tried to rob me was well-known to them for what they referred to as “petty crimes”. I’d rather call it terrifying the fuck out of the innocent, but they weren’t the ones pushed up against a wall. The two officers, both middle-aged and dark-skinned, left rather swiftly. They guaranteed the matter would be handled quickly, and those words seemed to create a tranquil expression to Marcus’s face. With a final handshake from Marcus, the door closed and the silence of the night resumed.
“I’m going back to bed,” I say wearily.
“That would be for the best.” Marcus’s eyes seem to beg for rest of their own.
“Okay, good night.” Standing from the table, I shuffle my tired feet to the staircase. I’ve no idea what tomorrow will bring, but after today, I don’t think things can get any worse.