A Death Displaced (30 page)

‘Oh, Juliet. Look how tall and beautiful you are.’ Lillian was sat exactly where Juliet had left her. ‘Your home is wonderful. You have your own café. You are doing so well for yourself.’ Her eyes looked full of pride. ‘You were always perfect to me, and I knew you’d stay that way.’

Juliet accepted the compliments, uncomfortably, and tried a considerate smile. ‘Will you tell me the rest of what happened, please?’

‘Of course, sweetheart.’ Lillian held her mug in wrinkled hands, showing that she enjoyed the warmth of it. ‘Ah, yes, so I confronted your mother about the way they ignored your needs. I was rather opinionated at the time and said that they didn’t deserve to raise you. That you deserved loving parents.’ She gave a significant nod.

Juliet wasn’t sure how to feel.

‘It escalated into the most dreadful row. Looking back, it makes more sense now what your mother told you. I remember vividly her screaming,
You’re dead to me, get out of my house!
She said she never wanted to see me again and that I should never come anywhere near you.’

‘And you just left?’

‘I did.’

‘But for
twelve years
?’ Juliet asked incredulously.

With a doleful nod, Lillian said, ‘I started a new life. I remarried to a man named Miles Kitchener. But three months ago, he died from a stroke. We were coming up to nine years of marriage.’

‘I’m so sorry to hear that.’ Juliet chided herself for judging her gran not returning, trying to imagine what it would be like to have your own daughter disown you and cut you off from your only family.
I can’t blame her for starting a new life.

‘Thank you, sweetheart.’ Lillian had a distant look in her eyes. They weren’t teary, but Juliet got the impression they were braving through the tears. Her gran must have grieved a lot the past few months. ‘When Miles died, I knew instantly that all I wanted was to see you again. I waited until now because I wasn’t in my right mind. But before it’s my time, all I want is to know you.’

What do I say back to that?
It was impossible for Juliet to be annoyed at her gran. Her gut emotions wanted to empathise with her completely. ‘I haven’t eaten yet. Would you like to stay for dinner?’ the words spilt out of her mouth, feeling absolutely right.

The most complete smile came over Lillian’s face, and she stood up. She came around the table with her arms held out. Juliet got up too and hugged her grandmother, having to bend slightly to accommodate the height difference. Her shoulder still ached from the portal exploding, but that didn’t matter right now.

When Lillian stepped back, Juliet wanted to test something. She wasn’t aiming to be manipulative, but it was important to her. ‘Gran,’ she said.

‘Yes?’

‘I was almost hit by a car a couple of weeks ago. I was stood next to a drop, and I think it would have thrown me over and killed me.’

Lillian’s face screwed up indignantly. ‘That must have been terrifying. Oh, Juliet, come here, sweetheart.’ She motioned her arms and pulled Juliet in for another embrace. In their tight hold, Lillian rubbed Juliet’s back reassuringly.

Struggling to remember when her mum last hugged her, Juliet said, ‘I don’t think my mum has ever hugged me.’ Her voice gave way to candid sobbing.

Lillian only held her tighter, then stepped back to look her granddaughter in the face. Simply, she came out with, ‘I’m here now.’

At Juliet’s cheeks, she planted loving kisses.

Chapter 25
 

Wednesday at work, Nick observed Mora’s behaviour; she seemed contrary. She would plod around, being her usual cheery self, and then stop and look sullen every now and then. She’d put her lunch break at the same time as Nick’s, apparently needing to talk to him.

When it was time, they both went to Deirdre’s to eat. Nick liked the place less now it was out of its holiday decorations. The tablecloths were a clinical white and everything was in plain blocked colours. He was fond of the café, but missed Halloween already.

‘Alan’s quit work,’ Mora blurted without warning.

‘Oh.’

‘Nicolas, I don’t know what’s come over him. I finally got through to his mobile yesterday and he said he wasn’t coming back to work again, he was sorry but he couldn’t face it. What’s that all about? He’d been asking for overtime a while ago and had never expressed any other grief at work before.’ Her face scrunched up, and her green eyes had a sad glisten to them.

‘Odd,’ Nick replied, fiddling with his fingers under the table, his legs bouncing nervously. Telling Mora the facts about Alan was tempting, but she didn’t deserve the hurt. Juliet had said it was always better for people to know the truth, and that Nick shouldn’t coddle people.
I don’t care what Juliet thinks.
He decided it was simply cold-hearted to tell some truths.
I wouldn’t tell one of my friends they’d gotten fatter if they’d put on the slightest extra bit of weight!
He realised that it wasn’t the most relevant example, but his point was that the outcome was the same: The truth would hurt the other person, and it wasn’t necessary for them to know.

‘I’ve known him for years.’ Mora trailed off in thought.

‘Maybe he’s just having a hard time. He might come around.’

With a shake of her head, she replied, ‘No. I don’t think he will. He was very clear that he would not come back. He said nothing could change his mind. Stubborn man.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that.’ He still twiddled his fingers, but his legs had stopped bobbing up and down. Alan wasn’t returning to work, which hopefully meant he would leave Nick alone, and no one would ever know what had happened between them.

‘Something’s different about you, Nicolas.’ Mora squinted as if her green eyes could dig out the difference in his face. ‘You seem more grown up all of a sudden. Or maybe fed up!’ She went into one of her giggle-fits. Other customers looked across at her cackling, though not in a judgmental way. She had one of those laughs that made heads turn to locate the source.

When her mirth subdued, Nick said, ‘I’m okay, Mora. Still the same old me. I think, I … I just feel better about my past. Better about Mum’s disappearance. I hadn’t realised how I’d let it hang over me for so long. I thought I was more over it than I was. But now I think I can actually move past it.’

Mora smiled compassionately. ‘You
have
grown up.’ She laughed gentler this time. ‘If you ever want to talk, you know I’m all ears.’

‘Thank you, Mora.’

‘Anyway,’ she jiggled suddenly, like she’d remembered something that would have been fatal to forget, ‘I put our lunch at the same time for a reason, Nicolas. If you can and if you’d like to, I’d love it if you could work full time at Creaky Crystals. Now that Alan’s done a one-eighty, you can have his hours. What do you say?’

‘Yes, please!’ the answer popped out.

Perfect.
Now he might actually earn enough money to have some spare each month. This gain made getting beat up worth it. The attack was horrible at the time, naturally, but the bruises were healing now and he could hide away the traumatic memory. Essentially, he’d traded a week or so of physical pain for what would hopefully be a long time of mental relief. When it came to money, at least.

On his return to work, he smiled so wide he couldn’t hide it. Mora let Janet and Michael know about Alan, and that Nick was going full time.

‘Congratulations!’ Janet scurried over to him. ‘I think today is your lucky day.’

‘It’s been pretty good so far.’

Janet walked side to side and smiled at him with mock guilt. ‘I have a confession to make.’

‘That doesn’t sound good.’

‘Mmm … it c
ould
be good if you let it be.’ She bounced her head left to right.

‘Okay … Go on.’

‘You know I said I’d set you up with the perfect woman? Well, she wants to meet you, and
I
think she is perfect for you. The thing is ... you already know her. But don’t judge too fast! She’s changed so much these past couple of years. Even I can see that.’

Who on earth are you setting me up with?!
Rapidly, he said, ‘Just tell me who it is already.’

‘It’s Kerra Evans.’

It was like his brain suddenly dislodged itself. His mind took a leap back into memories he’d locked away somewhere. He wasn’t sure if the shock on his face showed or not, but Janet widened her eyes, waiting for a response.

‘My ex?’ he asked.

‘Yep. But honestly, she’s grown up so much, and she regrets the way she treated you before. She’s been asking after you for a while now, wanting to know that you’re doing well. I told her you’re doing fine, but that you’re single and I’d see what I could do.’

Nick had already known Janet was friends with Kerra’s mum, because he’d discussed his past with Janet before. Though, he hadn’t realised she’d been discussing his present life with the Evans family. ‘You know she cheated on me repeatedly?’ he asked, incredulous. But, even as he said it, he knew he could forgive Kerra if she really had changed. She’d been his first and only long-term relationship; the only woman he’d fallen in love with.

‘I know, I know. But she really wants to see you again. People can change, Nick,’ Janet said in a whiney tone.

He believed people could change. Sometimes, (usually when he felt low) he wondered if Kerra had been his ‘soul-mate’ and if he’d blown his chances somehow, and would never meet the perfect woman because he’d already had his shot with her.

That’s stupid.
But after all the good and bad times he’d been through with Kerra, he was certain he could love her again.
But she’s not Juliet. Stop! I fancy Juliet, that’s all. I don’t love her. She’s just a good-looking woman I’ll never see again. Full stop.

‘Alright. Tell Kerra I’d like to see her, maybe go to the pub for a drink first and see how it goes?’

‘I knew you’d come around. Oh, Nick! You won’t regret it.’ Janet spoke with him for a while longer, and Nick told her a good day for him to see Kerra. Towards the end of the conversation, he was surprised at how anxious and excited he felt about seeing his ex. Maybe she really had changed.

Before the end of his shift, Michael came over to congratulate him on his extended hours. Then Michael expressed how much he’d miss Tom at college, because Tom had decided to drop out.

When Nick arrived home, he checked his bruises in the mirror. They were less swollen already, but still vivid in colour. He rang Tom, letting him know he’d be over tomorrow evening, so they could tell their dad everything then.

In bed, as he tried to doze off, he made an effort to recall the good experiences he’d shared with Kerra. He managed to fall asleep with a positive mood and a calm smile on his face.

Thursday was a day he always had off work to see his counsellor, Caroline, but that might have to change now. With his new contract, he’d be working more of a Monday-to-Friday and nine-to-five pattern. He made a decision.

In his black Vauxhall Corsa, he drove to the nearest corner-shop and bought a ‘Thank You’ card, a box of chocolates, and a ten pound gift-voucher that could be used in multiple stores. He didn’t even grumble at handing over the money.

After returning home, he hunted for a pen and wrote in the card:

Caroline,

I know you’re not supposed to accept gifts from clients, but I won’t tell anyone if you don’t! And anyway, I’ve decided I’m not going to attend our sessions anymore. You’ve helped me to understand myself better than I used to, and I think things with my dad are going to improve from now on.

I’m not upset as often as I used to be and I think it’s time I try to face my problems alone.

Thank you for everything. I wish you the best luck in the future.

Nicolas Crystan.

He slid the voucher inside the card, then the card inside the envelope, and scribbled ‘Caroline’ on the front.

At the surgery, he arrived for the session at the usual time and handed over the card and chocolates. He let her know it would be his last session.

‘I trust your decision, Nicolas,’ she said, sat across from him and nodding understandingly. ‘I’m going to have to sneak these chocolates out of here, or they won’t let me keep them.’ She tittered. ‘If you feel like you want to see me again in the future, then call the reception and we’ll sort out an appointment. There may be a waiting list though.’

‘Thank you, Caroline.’

Caroline had the rest of the hour before the next client would arrive, so Nick updated her on his full time position and his set date with Kerra. They chatted like friends until the time was up, and then Caroline wished him good fortune with Kerra and his job. They parted with a handshake and warm smiles.

He left the surgery hoping he wouldn’t regret the decision. He could see that he’d been living a stunted life, not quite an adult, since moving out of his dad’s house. So now it was time to sort himself out: full time work, a girlfriend, stable family relationships, start saving up if he could, and maybe he’d finally have money to decorate the bungalow.

I’m having a fantasy moment. Getting carried away again. But what’s the harm in dreaming?

The afternoon passed by in his happy state and he did some food shopping, spending a little more than usual. When evening arrived, he realised something:
I’m not bothered about seeing the future. At least not now.

It had occurred to him that he could use his ability at will and maybe even direct it to see if he’d ever meet Juliet again or to find out if things with Kerra would go well. Maybe he could even discover if and how Ryan would cover up the death of Aldrich.

No. Just let things unfold as they should for the time being.
Although certain he would use it his ability at some point, and that he wanted to, it just didn’t feel right at the moment. Plus, the premonitions seemed to have consequences.
I don’t want the hassle
. Maybe a vision would force itself upon him again, but he hoped it wouldn’t be until he was ready.

It was time. He’d figured out the best way to present the matter to his dad, and he mulled it over as he drove away from Maw Street and around the corner. He would tell him about Aldrich’s ability, but not about Juliet’s or his own. He’d lie and say that Juliet searched him out and told him she’d remembered seeing Samantha Crystan drive past her on the day she’d disappeared. And that Samantha stopped to ask Juliet which direction Grendel Manor was in.