17. Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Oliver
I look at the large board on the wall behind my desk. The event for next summer is coming together perfectly, if I may say so myself. Tommy and I had another meeting with Ben and Cooper last week and they booked more of my suggested activities than I thought they would. They’ve even paid a fifty percent deposit already.
Next to that board is another with our normal bookings. We are starting to quieten down a little for the winter months which is fine and planned for. But until now we have been super busy. Keeley’s article did wonders: not only did we sell out almost all of our tours in October, we are already booked up for the Easter school holidays and most weekends from then onwards. To Hannah’s joy, this has finally convinced me that we need to do more when it comes to social media. It can definitely make a difference.
The front door bell chimes and I carefully get up from my chair.
“I’ll get it,” I call out to Hannah who is in the bathroom getting ready for a Halloween party. I’m more used to the back brace now, but I can’t wait to finally get rid of it. It’s been six weeks since the accident and my doctor and physio have both suggested I should wear it for two more weeks, at least during the day.
“Hi, can I help—Dan!” I have bumped into him a few times since the accident; it's not really surprising, given the size of Fellside.
“Groar.” He is carrying a small girl in a Zombie outfit. She snarls at me again.
“Hey Ols. I’m trick-or-treating with my little Princess and we passed so I wanted to check how you’re doing.”
“Good, mate, thanks,” we shake hands. He places his daughter on the floor and she raises her arms and stumbles around like a drunk person. She makes for a convincing little Zombie.
“Oh my goodness, aren’t you adorable?” Hannah announces as she joins us. What the fuck is she wearing. That’s the shortest of short miniskirts and I have to remind myself that she’s no longer fourteen but forty and I’ve no right to tell her what to wear.
“I’m not! I’m a scary Zombie,” the little girl protests.
“Maisie,” Dan warns. She ignores him and raises her arms again walking towards Hannah. My sister is a good sport and drops to the floor in dramatic fashion like she’s scared. I avert my eyes because I don’t need to see if that skirt provides any kind of modesty and I’m glad that Dan does the same. We only look back when we hear the girl making a munching sound and Hannah laughing hysterically.
“Maisie!” Dan takes a step towards Hannah, still trying to look everywhere but at her, and pulls Maisie off her.
“I’m a Zombie, I have to eat people,” She protests as he takes her in his arms. I give Hannah a hand to get her back up on her heels. I might have to call Mum to have a word with her.
“I thought you wanted some chocolates. How can you get chocolate if you eat people?” he lectures her. The minute she hears the word chocolate she holds out the little pumpkin bucket she’s carrying.
“Trick or treat?” she grins at me. Oh, she’s a little charmer.
“Come with me, honey, I have some in my desk,” Hannah holds out her hand. Maisie wiggles in Dan’s arms until he sets her down and then heads to the back office with Hannah.
“I’m sorry!” Dan says sheepishly. “Last year she was a ghost and loved it when people pretended to be scared of her. I think I’m raising a little tomboy.”
“Nothing wrong with that. I know a woman who was a tomboy growing up. She can face life’s problems better than others,” I shrug.
“I want to invite you to an event next week. Keeley’s crowdfunding brought so much money in that we’re having a small event to celebrate.” He holds out a flyer.
“Keeley fundraised for you?” She hadn’t told me that. To be honest, she’s withdrawn from me and texts from her have been rare since she announced that she’s being sent to South America. It’s usually me who starts the conversation. Does it hurt? A little but I also know that’s just who she is. But I’m not giving up so easily. I won’t let her hide away from yet another friend.
“She did a blog and a crowdfunding campaign that have raised nearly two hundred thousand pounds, with the help of the company she works for. And we’ve had another seventy-five thousand come in to us directly. It is mad really, that’s more than what I was required to fundraise for next year.”
“That’s amazing, congratulations! FMR deserve it. I’m not sure where I’d be without you.” His ears turn red and he waves me off but we both know I'm right.
“Daddy, look,” Maisie holds out a massive bar of chocolate.
“Amazing, Maisie Mouse, should we go and share that with mummy?” he asks, causing the girl to frown.
“Mummy can have some, not Anna,” she says.
Dan sighs. “She isn’t the biggest fan of her baby sister.” He lifts her in his arms and says goodbye but not before reminding me to come to the event.
I finally decide to switch off my computer when the numbers on the spreadsheet start to blur. My prison guard has left for a Halloween party in Manchester with some friends and so I was able to work longer than usual, but now I’m paying for it.
I turn off all the lights on my way out. It is dark outside and there’s a thin mist hanging in the air. Very halloweeny.
Keeley
How was your day?
The text stops me in my tracks. This is the first time in weeks that she’s started a conversation. Usually it’s me who messages first and I only get half arsed replies.
Me
Hannah was eaten alive by a Zombie. Highlight of the day.
Keeley
Have the walking dead come to Fellside? Oh, let me guess, Maisie?
Me
You know Maisie?
Keeley
Dan and I had a video call yesterday and she wanted to show off her costume. Very cute.
Me
Apropos, Dan told me about the crowdfunding. Why didn’t you say something?
Keeley
Sorry, was super busy.
I shuffle out of the door and lock up behind me. There is a chill in the air and I walk as fast as my back brace allows to the entrance for my flat.
Keeley
So what’s your plan for tonight?
Me
Hide in my flat with lights out so nobody comes trick or treating
Although it’s a bit late for that anyway. I should be safe.
Keeley
Want some company?
I freeze and read her words again.
Me
Where are you?
Keeley
Come upstairs and find out.
A massive grin spreads over my face. She’s here. I climb the stairs as fast as my back will allow and push open the door.
Keeley is sitting on the little stool next to the breakfast bar, just like she did on our first night together.
“Hey.”
“Hi,” she waves.
“Aren’t you supposed to be flying to some exotic place?” I try to keep my expectations in check. She might just be here for a short visit. To say goodbye in person. But I can’t help hoping for more.
“No,” is all she says with a mysterious smile on her face.
“How did you get in?”
“Your sister gave me her spare key,” she winks. Of course, Hannah knew about it. They have been in touch all the time as of late.
“Dan invited me to an event celebrating the crowdfunding.” Maybe that’s why she’s here.
“I know. He and I have been working on it for the last few weeks.”
“You and Dan?”
“Yes.” She’s driving me fucking nuts with her short answers.
“Keeley!” I rub my face and cross my arms in front of my chest. I don’t like this. Seeing her is bringing back all the emotions that I have carefully hidden away—even from myself—for the last few weeks.
“I’m here to apply for the social media job.” She holds out a piece of paper with a CV on it.
Hannah and I had agreed that we need professional help with social media, and the advert for a part-time role will go live tomorrow.
“You want the job?”
“Yes.” She drops the CV on the breakfast bar and steps up to me.
“It’s only part-time,” I say hesitantly. I’m such an arsehole. Just say yes, say yes. But my heart is guarded.
“I know. That suits me as I’m volunteering with FMR one day a week. Dan and I have some fundraising ideas we want to work on. And Suzie and I have agreed that she and I’ll offer some social media support to her author clients. Leaves me with three days, which is what I think your job is being advertised for.”
“Are you serious?” I still can’t believe it. Keeley places a hand on my chest and drops her confident facade.
“Oliver, I… I miss Fellside. I missed Marisa and Hannah. They accepted me as a friend though we only knew each other for a short time. Since leaving, I have spoken to Dan and his wife Rose a lot, and to Suzie. I know about their families and we have become friends too. I don't want to live out of a suitcase anymore, packing up every two days and moving to a new city. And most of all, I missed you. Fuck, I missed you so much. I tried to cut down on messages with you, but not hearing from you every day is killing me. How can I make it through two months with no contact?”
“I missed you too.” I whisper and place a soft kiss on her forehead.
“Once I resigned, I was rushing around to sort out my flat, wrote new posts and trained my replacement. I had meetings with Suzie and Dan and Marisa managed to get me a job at the Greenview Manor. But then Hannah mentioned that you’re looking for a part time social media manager, and if you’ll have me, I would love the job. As long as it’s acceptable to shag the boss,” she winks.
My heart beats faster. She is back, she’s staying.
“Absolutely. I think I would have died if you’d said you only want to be friends.”
“Can we be both? Friends and lovers?” It’s a sincere question.
“Friends, lovers, soulmates, I can be whatever you need me to be.”
“It’s crazy, Ols, but I think I’ve fallen in love with you.”
“Well Ms Crazy, I’m in love with you as well.”
When she finally presses her lips to mine the last bit of tension falls away. My happily forever has just found her way back to me.
“Won’t you get bored without new adventures every week?” I hold my breath waiting for her answer.
“You are the most alluring adventure I could hope for.”