Mortal Ghost (14 page)

‘
Maybe . . . just a day or two.’

They heard a door slam and Nubi’s welcoming bark. Sarah was back.

‘
I suppose Sarah will want to go out. Don’t let her drag you along if you’re not up to it. She can be rather overbearing sometimes. Nobody will mind in the least if you decide to spend the day in bed or lazing in the sun or reading,’ Finn said.

‘
I think I’d like to visit a library,’ Jesse ventured.

‘
No problem. Sarah can take you.’

‘
And maybe ask round for some work.’

Finn looked thoughtful. ‘Let me see what I can do.’ He tugged at his beard for a short while, ten seconds, twenty, then grinned and punched the air like a lad. ‘Got it! Ever seen a narrowboat?’

Jesse marvelled at the ease he felt in the older man’s company. He would have done anything for a foster father like Finn. Then Jesse realised the direction of his thoughts. Shit. He remembered with bitterness the first foster home, then the next. A new start: a kid’s sad little promise to himself. He’d still wanted to make it work in those early years. It had taken him a while, but he’d learned. Altruism was about as likely as time travel. And even kindness had its limits.

So why the fuck was he doing it again?

Sarah chased her father out of the kitchen with an egg whisk.

‘
Jesse and I will tidy up. I know you’re dying to get to work.’

Finn eyed the small pool forming at Sarah’s feet, then chewed his bottom lip without looking directly at Jesse. ‘Well—’

‘
Go on, we’ll take care of it,’ Jesse said, reaching for the roll of paper towels. ‘I’m OK,’ he added firmly.

The dishwasher was midway through a cycle, chortling ghoulishly to itself. Nubi had taken one look at the machine and retreated again to the garden. Who knew what it might eat next?

Sarah tossed the whisk into the sink. ‘Let’s just rinse the breakfast things. We can stack them on the worktop till the dishwasher’s empty.’

‘
These few dishes?’ Jesse scoffed. ‘It won’t take us more than ten minutes. I don’t fancy leaving the kitchen untidy.’

Sarah could tell from the set of his shoulders that he would do it alone if she refused. And she didn’t care for the impudent glint in his eyes. Think her spoilt, did he? She began to run hot water into the sink, then went to the table to collect plates and mugs.

‘
Come down when you’ve finished, and I’ll give you the laptop,’ Finn said from the doorway.

‘
Laptop?’ Sarah asked. ‘Not your spare?’

‘
I told Jesse he could use it.’

‘
Finn! I’ve asked you and asked you!’

‘
You know the new PC’s always available,’ Finn said.

‘
Yeah right. When Mum’s not hogging it, you mean.’

‘
I don’t want to cause any problems,’ Jesse said.

‘
No problem, Jesse,’ Finn said.

Sarah flounced to the sink and began to crash plates and mugs together, her plait swinging with petulance. Bloody male bonding. Jesse wouldn’t answer any of her questions about his weird talents, but she bet he’d told Finn plenty.

‘
Hold on,’ said Jesse, ‘let me wash. You can dry.’

Finn beat the classic hasty retreat while Sarah and Jesse argued over who was more likely to break things. Once they’d settled the issue, they worked quickly and well together, though the air still held a few more charged particles than strictly necessary. It didn’t take them long to finish. Sarah was filling ice cube trays when Jesse balled the J-cloth he’d been using to wipe the tabletop and tossed it into the sink, just missing the tip of her nose.

‘
Jesus! Now my T-shirt’s soaked,’ Sarah exclaimed. ‘I’d hate to see you with a basketball.’

‘
If I’d intended to hit you, I would have.’

Arms akimbo, she glared at him for a moment. ‘Awfully sure of yourself, aren’t you?’ Then, poised on the cusp of a grin, she raised an eyebrow. ‘Or maybe you did that on purpose. Like Kevin would have, to highlight my nipples.’

Jesse coloured and bent to pick up a stray piece of eggshell, then straightened with an apologetic gesture. ‘Sarah, please don’t be cross with me. I wish you hadn’t seen that business with the fire, but you have, and I can’t change it. It’s just not something I’m ready to talk about.’

Her expression softened. ‘Maybe when you know me better.’

‘
Maybe.’ He looked round for a broom. ‘We ought to do the floor. It’s full of crumbs and dog hair.’

‘
Later. It’s too nice to stay indoors.’

The doorbell rang.

‘
Go fetch the damn laptop while I see who it is,’ Sarah said.

Jesse was busy in the office for twenty minutes while Finn cleared some old files and explained how to operate the computer. Jesse listened politely, though it was all patently obvious. Finn’s model was a little outdated, but perfectly serviceable, or would be once Jesse made a few modifications.

Climbing the stairs from the darkroom, Jesse heard low voices and Sarah’s laugh from the direction of the sitting room. Talk slowed to a halt as Jesse entered the room. Mick, Kevin, and Tondi were clustered in a knot around Sarah. There was an awkward pause.

‘
Look who’s here,’ drawled Mick, his eyes travelling from Jesse’s bare feet to his tousled hair. Mick winked at Sarah, but his eyes were cold. ‘You didn’t tell us you had company.

Sarah dropped her gaze and shifted from foot to bare foot, at last arching the left into an improbable crescent and tracing half-circles on the floor with stork-like grace. She couldn’t be clumsy if she tried. Jesse asked himself if she were embarrassed by his own presence or Mick’s taunt. Tightening his lips, he set the laptop on the floor and moved to her side. Though his heart was racing, he forced himself to show nothing but cool disdain. Sarah settled into a quiet stance but kept her eyes downcast, and her discomfiture fuelled his anger. Up close her skin smelled warm and faintly yeasty, like a new-baked loaf. A pulse beat suddenly in Jesse’s throat. He must have communicated something to her, for she stiffened slightly. Her arm brushed his—a prickling of the hairs along his skin.

‘
Want to do a little skating?’ Jesse asked in a voice he himself hardly recognised.

Mick grinned but a muscle in his temple jumped. ‘Not today, Jesse boy, not today. We’re going to the club pool.’ His glance barely flicked towards Sarah. ‘Ready, Sar?’

‘
I—I don’t know. It’s awfully early yet,’ she said, her eyes still on her feet.

‘
Just got out of bed?’ Mick smirked.

The others laughed. No way, thought Jesse, no bloody way.

‘
I’m afraid we’ve got other plans.’ Jesse’s voice was quiet and pleasant and regretful. He might have been refusing an invitation to tea. ‘Another time, perhaps. Like next year. Or next century.’ He spoke without the merest trace of sarcasm. ‘You do know the word
century
?’

The mocking smile faded from Mick’s lips. The room stilled, then shivered; the challenge had driven summer from the air. Slowly Sarah raised her head to regard Mick. Something like pity, something like derision glittered in her eyes. With an oath Mick jutted out his chin, took a step forward, and grabbed Jesse roughly by the arm.

‘
Why you little wanker,’ he said. ‘Go back to whatever fucking hole you’ve crawled out of.’

Kevin looked uneasy. He put a hand on his friend’s arm. ‘Come on, Mick, chill.’

Mick shrugged Kevin off without releasing his hold on Jesse.

‘
Freak,’ Mick spat at Jesse.

The word twisted like a blade of ice in Jesse’s gut. A deep breath, he told himself, take a deep breath. They’re only words. Who cares what these apes think? Let it go.
Cunt. Weirdo. Pisshead.
You’ve heard them all.
Fucker. Cumbag.
The band around his skull began to tighten.
Pervert
. A sudden weight on his shoulder made him turn his head—Finn’s hand warm and heavy there. Jesse felt himself grow taller, broader.

‘
Take your hand off me,’ Jesse said, his voice icy. ‘Right now.’

Tondi watched Jesse with interest, a smile playing on her lips. Even on a hot summer day she wore a shiny red gloss of lipstick, plenty of kohl.

Two patches of red splotched Mick’s cheeks like frostburn. He sneered but a shadow of uncertainty scuttled out from beneath his bravado. Jesse smiled at the sight, he’d had enough Mals to last him a lifetime. Steely, flame blue, his eyes held Mick’s. At first imperceptibly, soon forcefully, Jesse drove a fire-forged tip through the cocky carapace. Mick’s fingers tightened on Jesse’s arm, gouging deep furrows. Deeper still. Mick hissed and dropped his gaze.

The room began to stir.

‘
Mick, I think you’d better go,’ Sarah said. ‘I don’t want to have to call my father.’

To warm.

Mick flung Jesse’s arm away, swallowing a curse under his breath. He pivoted and left without a backward glance. Sarah said nothing as the others muttered goodbye. In the doorway Tondi turned, hooked her thumbs into her waistband, and flashed Jesse a look which melted the last splitters of ice in the air.

~~~

‘
You’re going out with him?’ Jesse asked.

Sarah and Jesse were sitting on a grassy embankment by the river. Nubi lay next to them, wet and panting. He swam easily, joyfully, chasing waterfowl and sandpipers in a great thrashing of water, though he came out willingly enough when reprimanded. The sky overhead was a brilliant blue whose glassy clarity magnified the heat.

Sarah took a long sip of her coke. Jesse watched her surreptitiously, enjoying the slender line of her throat as she tilted her head back. Her collarbone seemed sharp enough to tear her thinly gilded skin, and a few freckles chased the swell of her chest into her skimpy top. He averted his eyes, he felt vulnerable at her easygoing attitude towards her body.

‘
It’s not what you think,’ Sarah said.

Jesse shrugged, not trusting himself to speak. Sarah and Mick—Jesse had wanted to be wrong. What could she see in someone like that? He turned his head and stared at the river. None of his business, after all.

‘
Jesse, look at me.’

Reluctantly, Jesse turned in her direction, combed his fingers through his hair. Sarah thought how fine and silken it looked, like a child’s, and her fingers itched for a hairbrush. A golden mane, streaked with many subtle shadings, and bleached almost to white at the tips by the sun—Joseph’s coat in yellow.

‘
You don’t owe me an explanation,’ Jesse said.

‘
You’re right, I don’t. But I’d like to tell you, if you’ll listen.’

Jesse emptied his own can of coke, then crushed it in his hand. ‘OK, tell me about it.’

Sarah wrapped her arms round her knees. ‘I went out with him a few times. We weren’t really a couple. I’m pretty sure he was seeing other girls at the same time. He said he wasn’t but you know how it is. He probably thought I’d be jealous or possessive or something.’

‘
And you wouldn’t have been?’

‘
Hardly. I wasn’t in love with him, nothing like that. I wasn’t even sure how much I liked him.’

‘
But you went out with him,’ Jesse snapped. ‘Slept with someone, I suppose, you didn’t even like.’

‘
And you haven’t?’ retorted Sarah, stung by his contempt.

‘
No.’

Sarah was quiet for a time.

‘
You haven’t slept with anyone yet, have you?’

He picked at a loose thread on his jeans. ‘Not in the way you mean.’

Sarah exhaled in a long soft sigh. She shaded her face with a hand and looked out over the river, where the sunlight dazzled the eye through a spell of mirrors. She had to squint to see the boats trawling past. This part of the river was always heavily trafficked.

‘
He was my first,’ Sarah said. ‘He’s good-looking and popular, and just about all the girls fancy him. I was flattered by his attention, I suppose. You’ve seen an ugly side of him. He can be very funny . . . sweet. OK, he’s a bit spoilt, a bit egotistic. So are most blokes with that kind of charisma. And I think there might be something with his father. Mick has a twin brother, Daniel, who got into a lot of trouble over dealing, they sent him off to some uncle or cousin in South Africa to sort him out, he hasn’t been back since. They were always terribly close, Mick and Dan, and Mick changed after his brother left. But he’s usually not quite so nasty. I don’t know what got into him today.’

Jesse snorted.

Sarah ignored his interruption. ‘Why not, I thought. Time to find out what everyone raves about. It‘s not like I‘m going to get pregnant or anything. And Mick’s the sort to know what he’s doing.’ She fiddled with her plait. ‘It seemed smart to have a go with someone I didn’t care that much about, didn’t want to get involved with.’