Beautiful Curses: Book One (5 page)

Gabriella was enjoying this Christmas more than any other. Messing with Beth was more fun than she’d thought it would be. The phone call from Lisa had been a brilliant idea.  It was a stroke of luck to find Lisa's number in Spencer's contact list, when she borrowed it the day before.

  “Hello Lisa speaking,” she had answered, after Gabriella had called her number.

 “Lisa?” Gabriella acted surprised.

 “Yes ... who's this?”

 “Oh, right. Sorry … my name’s Gabriella. I think you know my brother, Spencer. I accidentally hit the first contact on his friend list. I didn’t mean to bother you.”

 “No bother. And Wow. Friend list? First contact? I didn't even know Spencer had my number.”

 “Oh. I um ... probably shouldn't have told you. But, it probably doesn't matter now I'm finally talking to you.”

 “Why’s that?”

 “I mean. I remember who you are.  I um ...   heard Spencer mention you the other day. You must be the pretty one he goes to the movies with.”

 “He said that?”

 “I don't think he meant to say it, because he clammed up after that. Wouldn’t tell me anything else.”

 “Yeah, he seems tight lipped with what he gives away.”

 “Did he ring you about New Year yet?”

 “No, but James mentioned it the other night at the pub. Sounds like fun. Have you got room for one more?”

 “Definitely, there are plenty of beds. I bet Spencer would love for you to come.” Gabriella smiled and caressed her ring. “Why not give him a call. You can ring here. He'll be home Christmas Eve.”

 “Oh, I'm not sure.  I don't want to interrupt your family time.”

 “Not at all. Spencer won't care. He'll be really glad. In fact, he’ll probably be waiting by the phone.”

 “Okay. I guess I could.”

 “Great, but ... um ... could you maybe forget to mention I already spoke to you. I shouldn't have borrowed his phone without asking. And I know he'd kill me if he found out what I told you.”

 Lisa laughed. “Yeah sure, I’ll tell him James asked me to ring. I did tell James I might call anyway. Your secret is safe with me. Don't worry.”

 “Thanks. It was really nice talking to you. I’m really looking forward to meeting you at New Year.”

 “Yeah, you too. Have a Merry Christmas,” Lisa said in a cheery voice, like she'd just been given the best Christmas present.

 "Oh I definitely will," Gabriella said, then chuckled as she pressed the end button and sneaked toward Spencer’s room. She planned to tuck his phone back into his jacket pocket, and erase the call memory, long before he discovered it was even missing.

Jo woke to a bright Christmas morning. A chill rushed over her as she pulled the covers back. She suddenly thought about James and wondered if Santa had paid him a visit during the night. Smiling, she put on her dressing gown and made her way downstairs to see if Jack and Beth had woken yet.

Thinking everyone would still be in bed, it surprised her to hear low murmuring voices in the kitchen. It sounded like an argument of sorts so she stopped on the landing to listen, not wanting to interrupt. 

“
Beth, I didn’t tell you Lisa called because I didn’t think it was important. She just wanted to find out about New Year.”

 
“Maybe we just need to take a step back. I like you, Spencer, but I don’t really know that much about you. Just give me a little time.”

Whoa! These were definitely not the two people Jo expected to be in an argument at six thirty on Christmas morning, or any morning for that matter.

 
“I don’t want to … step back. It’s hard enough that my family don’t know. Do you think that conversation would have taken place last night, if they knew we were together? I didn’t like seeing my family upset you, even if it was unintentional.”

 There was silence for a few moments and Jo moved a little closer, her eyes widening.

  
“Spencer, everyone will be getting up soon,” Beth said quickly, sounding breathless.

 
“I don’t care. I want them to know about us,” Spencer said in a louder tone.

 
Beth used a quieter voice, “Look, I don’t want to ruin everyone’s Christmas, especially Jo's. Please, just leave it. Give me some time to think.”

 
“I can’t believe this. Why did I have to be such an idiot? I want to be with you, why is that so difficult?”

 
“I don’t mean to be difficult. It’s just…well…I thought I could until last night but then I... We might be moving too fast.”

 
“You know how much I like you. I can’t think of anyone else, especially not now, not after ...”

 
“I really don’t know what to say,” Beth replied. “I’ve never felt like this and it’s scaring me. I can’t believe how hurt I was by the thought of you lying to me.”

 
“I’d never lie to you. How could I look in those beautiful eyes and be dishonest. I should’ve explained before. I promise to tell you everything from now on. I’ll write down my personal history if it helps, but don’t let my messing up get in the way of us. Please.”

 Beth sighed and there was silence again…

 Jo crept quietly back upstairs, her mind spinning with what she'd just heard. She needed time to think. Jumping into the still warm bed, she pulled the covers over her head, blocking out the light, speculating how long this love affair had been going on.

She had an inkling Spencer liked Beth. The way he flirted with her made it obvious. Beth on the other hand, didn’t make anything obvious. But then, when Jo thought back, she began to see how blind she had been. Crushing on James had messed with her head. Normally she could read most people and situations. She certainly spent enough time watching and listening rather than participating. But she hadn’t seen this one coming. Spencer said they’d been close, but when? He did go over there to show her the photographs, oh … and they did come back to the farm alone last night.

 
And what about this Lisa girl?

The way he’d been so quick to defend himself, Jo thought he was trying to divert attention away from admitting he liked her.
Obviously not
. Beth must have been devastated when Gabriella started going on about her. She brought it up at every opportunity, even Peter and Sarah joined in. No wonder Spencer wanted to convince Beth to tell everyone, it must have driven her insane. Wow she really did have some amazing acting skills.

Half an hour later, Jo still lay hidden under the covers when she heard a muffled knock at her door.

 Blowing out a breath, Jo pulled back the covers and called out, “Come in?” Guessing who it must be.

 Her door opened and sure enough, Beth appeared and tentatively made her way to sit on the side of Jo’s bed. “Morning Jo, Merry Christmas. I wasn't sure if you'd be awake yet.”

 “I only just woke up,” Jo lied. “Merry Christmas to you, too. Is Jack up?”

 “Not yet. He went to bed late, so he'll probably sleep longer than usual.”

 Jo yawned. “Well, I suppose we can go and have a cup of tea. But, I wouldn't mind having a shower first. Ella always uses all the hot water and it takes an age to heat up again.”

Beth looked down at the floor. “I actually need to talk to you.”

“Oh.”

She looked up again, her emerald eyes widening. “I haven’t been completely honest about something.”

 Jo remained silent, looking at her intently.

 “I don’t quite know how to say this exactly … well, here goes. I ... um ...  have feelings for your brother. I have since I first met him.” Beth winced. “And … well … we've started seeing each other.”

 Jo continued to stare at her.

 Beth bit her bottom lip. “It happened so quickly. I’ve barely been able to keep up with it myself.” She gave Jo a quick glance, before looking down at the white knuckles of her clenched hands. “I hope you don’t feel I’ve let you down by not telling you.”

 Jo rubbed her head, pretending to be stunned. “You and Spencer? I  ... um ... had no idea.”

 “Yeah, I know. And I know that we’ve only been friends for a few months, but it feels like a lot longer. You're like family to me, Jo.  I don’t enter into relationships easily, well not that I've ever had a boyfriend before, but you get what I mean.”

Jo nodded. Not really sure she did, but she didn’t want Beth to feel even more uncomfortable.

“I’ve been totally blown away by my feelings for Spencer. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. Not even my family—but I suppose that’s different.”

 “You really feel that strongly? And after only knowing him a few weeks?”

 “Weird. Yeah. I sound more like a teenager with a crush, hormones on steroids kind of thing. I don’t think it is. I've had crushes before. But this feels different. Spencer has insisted on telling your family. He wants to be in a committed relationship. And I really want that too.”

 Jo contemplated her words.
Spencer and Beth in a serious, committed relationship. 
That might alter things.
But she had no intention of losing Beth as a friend. Not now she finally had one.

 “This may take me a while to process. I mean you’re my best friend and I love Spencer to bits. I’m really happy for you, Beth. You deserve the best, and I can’t think of anyone better than Spencer.”

 Beth blew out a breath and unclenched her hands. “Thanks Jo. And I promise it won’t affect our friendship. You've been my saviour since moving here and I’ve never been close to anyone outside my family before. I don’t want anything to ruin that.”

 “Spencer will just have to butt out where we’re concerned.” Jo patted her on the shoulder and laughed.

 “Yes, that’s definitely non-negotiable. I’m first and foremost your best friend.”

 Jo nodded in agreement and smiled. “So, what now? Is Spencer going to announce it over Christmas dinner by kissing you before desert?”

Beth rolled her eyes and Jo started to laugh again.

 Beth glanced toward the mirror on top of the dressing table, fidgeting with a heart pendant around her neck that Jo had never seen before. She suddenly wondered if Spencer had given it to her as an early Christmas gift.

“I’m a little worried how everyone’s going to react. Spencer said he’d tell Sarah and Peter.” Beth sighed and then added, “Oh … and Gabriella of course.”

Gabriella.
Now that would be interesting. She absolutely monopolised Spencer's time when he was home. Now she wouldn't take precedent. Beth would. Her perfect, well groomed feathers were about to be ruffled. Oh how Jo would love to be a fly on the wall for that conversation. This Christmas was certainly shaping up to be the most exciting yet.