Chapter 2 #2
“Hey, sweetheart,” he says excitedly. “You’ll never guess where we are right now!”
For one awful, stomach-dropping moment, I wonder if they’re standing on my doorstep, but then his voice is drowned out by the loud blare of some sort of horn. Not a car horn, something much louder.
“Sorry, Dad, what was that?”
“I said, we’re at Southampton.”
“What are you doing at Southampton?” I ask in confusion.
“You’ll never guess!” I can hear the smile in his voice, and for a moment, his obvious happiness eases the tightness in my chest. “Go on, guess! No, actually don’t guess.
I’ll tell you.” His excitement is almost tangible.
“Your Pop has only gone and booked us on a round-trip cruise to the Caribbean for our anniversary! Well, I know it’s not our anniversary yet, but we’ll be away to celebrate it.
He’s so sneaky! I don’t know how he managed to convince the surgery to let me have the time off. ”
“You’re going on a cruise?” I repeat.
“Yes, for five whole weeks! I seriously don’t know how he kept this a secret.”
“Because I’m not the one in this relationship who is incapable of not gossiping.” Pop’s voice is laced with amusement and affection.
Dad huffs and turns his attention back to me. “How exciting is this? Sun, sea, cocktails, and your pop in a tiny pair of swimming trunks.”
I blink slowly; I don’t really want to think about Pop in a tiny swimsuit.
Dad lets out a sigh of pure pleasure. “This is exactly what I need.”
“Well, I’m happy for you both. You deserve a break, you both work so hard. I hope you have fun. Send me a postcard from whatever port you’re in.”
“Of course we will,” Dad replies. “How are things going with you and the dreamy psychic PI?”
I can’t help the small smile that tugs at my lips. “No comment.”
“Boo, you’re no fun. Send me a picture of him.”
“You’re such a pervert.”
“Not an X-rated one.” He snorts. “Just a regular one.”
“Why?” I ask suspiciously.
“So I can have it printed on a T-shirt,” he says, and I can picture him rolling his eyes. “Why do you think? It’s so I can show people what my future son-in-law looks like.”
“Sweetheart, stop teasing him,” Pop chimes in the background, his voice echoing slightly. “This is the first time he’s got a boyfriend. Let’s not scare Harry off relationships just yet.”
I sigh. “I told you, he’s not my boyfriend.”
“Uh-huh,” Dad says knowingly. “Methinks the lady doth protest too much.”
“Shouldn’t you be boarding a ship or something?”
“We’re on board already, currently in the bar enjoying a cocktail while looking out at the glittery water and waiting to cast off,” Dad says happily. “How are things in London anyway? Have you spoken to your mother yet?”
My stomach jolts and something in it curdles. I’m about to do something that I have never done in my entire life.
Lie to my parents.
“No, I haven’t had a chance.” I force the words past my lips.
I close my eyes. I have so many mixed feelings that I can’t separate them right now, but the last thing I need is Dad and Pop cancelling their trip and turning up in London.
Especially if there’s a maniac on the loose who’s using magic to kill.
I want them safe, and being thousands of nautical miles away in the Caribbean should do it.
I just hope they forgive me when they eventually find out.
Yes, I’ve lied, but they’ll be safe, and that’s the most important thing.
“Send me lots of pictures,” I tell Dad. “None of Pop in his Speedos and keep it PG,” I add hastily.
He laughs. “Of course we will, baby. We’ll bring you back something nice.”
I smile. I’m so lucky to have them. “I love you,” I say quietly after a few moments.
Dad goes silent, and I wonder if I’ve just blown it. “Harrison, are you okay?”
“I’m fine, just didn’t sleep very well last night.” It’s as close to the truth as I’m going to get.
“Ohhhh,” Dad says smugly. “The sexy PI keeping you awake til all hours?”
“It’s not like that and you know it,” I reply.
Except it was like that, right up until ghosts and spirit guides started appearing in my room.
“I do not know,” he says. “Do we still need to have that talk about safe sex?”
“Alright, that’s enough. Hand over the phone,” I hear Pop say.
There’s a slight scuffling sound and then Pop’s soothing tone comes over the line.
“Hey, Harry, don’t pay any attention to your dad, he’s just teasing.
We’re happy for you. I have to admit I was very worried about you going to London.
I’m glad that you’re doing so well and that you’ve met someone and made friends, but you do know that we’re here for you whenever you need us, right? ”
“You’re going to be on the other side of the Atlantic in a gigantic boat. What are you going to do? Jump on your broomstick and nip over to London?”
Pop chuckled. “Do you really think your dad wouldn’t illegally commandeer a lifeboat and row back to England if you needed him?”
“I know, Pop,” I murmur. “I love you guys, but I have to go now, I’m right in the middle of something. Have a great trip and make sure you call me when you can. I want to hear all about it.”
“Will do. Looks like we’ll be heading out soon as well. Love you, Harry,” he says, and I hear Dad echoing the sentiment in the background, then the line goes dead.
Taking a deep breath, I hang up the phone and set it lightly on the counter. How an earth am I gonna get myself out of this mess?