Chapter 8
STEPHEN
Wednesday passes by somewhat slowly. His research continues leading him to dead ends or random online chatrooms that he quickly exits when things get a little too weird.
He’s not into cults, murder plots or dark magic; doesn’t believe in any of it.
To Stephen, there’s always a rational explanation for anything, whether it be a demon sighting or the myth of the Loch Ness Monster.
There is a potential case over in Ireland that holds his interest for longer than most, but after reaching out to the journalist who wrote the article, he finds out it’s merely a hoax to draw in readers. Not his intention. He needs the real deal.
Rachel returns from work at eight, always a late shift at The Cherry Tree, the one and only hotel in Cherry Hollow, the place where they formally met and had their first date. Stephen likes to cook dinner, ready for when she walks in, along with a glass of wine waiting on the side.
Stephen opens the fridge and scans the shelves for ingredients he can throw together to form a healthy meal.
He and Rachel like to eat healthy, preferring fresh vegetables to ready meals, but he hasn’t been shopping since last week, so the shelves are looking a little bare.
Didn’t Rachel say she was doing the shopping this week?
Perhaps he’s misunderstood her. He’s happy to go shopping and is also happy for Rachel to do it, but doing the shopping together is his idea of hell.
The woman can’t pack items into a bag to save her life, and she meanders up and down the aisles as if she’s lost, casually perusing items as if she has no idea what she’s there to buy.
He, however, has a pre-prepared list which has everything he needs in the order he’s going to walk down the aisle, which means he gets everything from the shelves in the right sequence so he can pack the bags in a correct and logical manner at the end.
It just makes sense. Complete and utter perfect sense.
The last time they shopped together, he ended up walking out and meeting her at the car.
Sometimes, it’s better to walk away than create an argument he knows he can’t win.
There’s fresh salmon in the fridge that needs to be eaten today, so salmon it is. He makes a quick spicy crumb and rubs it into the fish before putting it aside to allow the spices to infuse for an hour.
Next, he prepares basmati rice, which won't take long to cook, then chops up the last of the tender stem broccoli, ready to steam at the last minute. A quick and easy meal that Rachel is sure to enjoy after a long day stuck behind a reception desk answering calls.
Right on time, at eight, Rachel walks in and hangs up her thick coat, scarf and hat on the pegs by the door. Stephen fills her glass with wine and puts it on the kitchen worktop.
‘Something smells good,’ she says as she kisses him hello. ‘Good day? Did you get any further with your research?’
Stephen shakes his head. ‘Not really, no.’
‘No creepy creatures lurking about then?’
Stephen allows his mind a few moments to understand her quip. ‘No,’ he says.
Rachel chuckles as she picks up her wine glass. ‘That’s a relief.’
Stephen flips the fish using the tongs in the frying pan. The aroma wafts into the air and the oil sizzles in the pan. ‘Indeed.’
‘Although, I bet you’re wishing there was because you need a new story. Am I right?’
‘You are. You know me so well.’
‘And yet there’s one thing I can’t work out.’
‘Oh?’
‘Anything you want to tell me?’
Stephen puts down the tongs. This is one of those times he wishes his brain worked the same way as other peoples’. She clearly wants him to tell her something specific, but he has no idea what. It could be any number of things.
‘You look very lovely today,’ he says instead.
Rachel’s expression doesn’t change. Clearly, it isn’t that. Her forehead furrows and the grip on her wine glass seems a little too tight. He’s never been good at reading other people’s emotions, but she certainly isn't happy.
Rachel takes a sip of wine. ‘Don’t try and avoid the subject. Why do you keep changing your pillowcase every morning?’
Okay, he certainly isn’t expecting that question. He thought he’d been doing a good job of hiding it. Plus, it’s not every morning. He hasn’t had an overnight nosebleed for several days now, so why is she bringing it up today?
Rachel sips more wine, followed by some strong eye contact.
Stephen avoids her gaze. Eye contact is another of those normal human actions he finds difficult. ‘Ah, yes, I can see why you’re confused.’
Rachel sighs. ‘Yes, confused is right, Stephen.’
‘I’ve had a few nosebleeds. That’s all.’
‘When did they start?’
Stephen stares. He opens his mouth to answer, but the words get stuck somewhere along the way between his brain and his mouth. His brain can’t quite connect the dots in time, but eventually, he can speak, albeit at a slower pace than usual. ‘I’m not sure. Maybe … six months ago.’
‘Six months!’ Rachel takes a breath. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’
Stephen turns off the hob, allowing the salmon to sizzle and rest. He isn't prepared for this moment. In fact, he’s done everything he can think of to avoid it, yet, despite having a higher-than-average IQ, he’s failed to remember Rachel is a very intelligent woman.
‘I’m sorry,’ he says. ‘But I didn’t see the point in concerning you with it at the start. It happened so randomly. There was no discernible pattern to them.’
‘And what’s your excuse now? I’ve been hanging up pillowcases to dry every other day. You’ve been washing them without mentioning it, which means you’re trying to hide it from me on purpose. I am your girlfriend. You don’t think I deserve to know if my boyfriend is unwell?’
Stephen’s head snaps up from staring at the countertop. ‘I’m not unwell. Do I look unwell?’
‘That’s not the point, Stephen!’
‘It doesn’t concern you, that’s all.’
Rachel clamps her mouth shut, turning away from him.
He watches as her body rises and falls in time with deep breaths.
‘Fine,’ she finally says. ‘If you don’t want to tell me, then I’m not going to force you, but just remember something, Stephen.
’ At this point, she turns around and looks at him with softer eyes, slightly watery.
‘I love you. I am here for you, but if you don’t feel the same way, then please tell me now. ’
Stephen frowns. How has she got the idea in her head that he doesn’t love her? The female mind is a complicated thing to understand. ‘Of course I love you,’ he says. ‘What does me not telling you about my nosebleeds have anything to do with whether I do or do not love you?’
‘Then why haven’t you told me you’ve been having nosebleeds? Have you spoken to a doctor?’
‘What’s that got to do with my love for you?’ he asks again, purposefully ignoring her second question.
Rachel sighs. ‘You really don’t understand how relationships work, do you?’ He knows she doesn’t mean it as an insult, but it still stings.
‘I told you I struggle to comprehend a lot of things, including the complexity of relationships and how I’m supposed to react. I just … didn't see the need to tell you until I knew more. I didn’t want to worry you, so I kept it to myself. You can understand that, can’t you?’
‘To a certain extent, yes. You have spoken to a doctor then?’ Rachel takes a few steps closer, grasping his upper arms with her delicate hands. His skin tingles and the outline of her body blurs as he stares into her eyes.
‘Yes, I have.’ He stops.
‘And?’
‘I’ve had tests run and I am due to find out the results on Friday.’
‘How are you feeling about them? The results, I mean?’
‘I don’t know. I haven’t really been thinking about it.’
Rachel leans forward and wraps her arms around him, squeezing tight.
Stephen hugs her back, relaxing into her warm embrace.
He loves this woman so damn much, and his inability to understand simple human emotions and interactions is slowly ruining his chance to be in her life indefinitely.
He’s come to terms with his differences years ago, but when it threatens to push people away, people he cares about, he curses himself, wishing he were like everyone else.
‘I’m sorry,’ he says again. Should he ask her to come with him to the doctor’s appointment? Is that the done thing? But does he want her to come with him? What if it’s nothing and he’s making a fuss over something that has a simple explanation?
‘You can come with me to get the results if you like,’ says Stephen.
‘Do you want me to come with you?’
Oh God. It’s a trap. Back out. Back out now.
Stephen holds his breath as he says, ‘Not really.’ Brutal honesty. Women like that, right?
Rachel smiles. ‘It’s fine. Just call me straight after though, yeah?’
‘Okay.’ Stephen nods. ‘Let’s eat.’
‘Great, I’m starving.’