As Owen sat in the office, checking the bank every five minutes, Ryan took all the sale stickers off the cars, put the correct documents in them, did a final wipe over with a soft cloth and some sort of spray, and shook both our hands. The delight in his eyes was hard to miss. Luke had literally just made his day, or probably his year.
Going round the McDonalds drive-through in a prestige car felt awfully strange. After Luke got his food, he drove into a car parking space. I pulled up next to him, desperate to eat my quarter pounder with cheese.
I dropped the passenger side window and said, “What’s wrong?”
He got out of the BMW, with his food, and jumped into the passenger seat of the Audi. “I don’t mind one car stinking of fast food but not both.”
I laughed. “Funny that it’s the Audi you chose for that.”
“I can’t have the smell of fast food distracting me from such an awesome car. It goes without saying it was going to be the Audi.”
“I still can’t believe you bought both of these. Are you insane?”
“No,” he said, biting into his Big Mac. “Just enjoying the spare money I have.”
I started munching on some chips. Spare money to me was having ten quid leftover, not two hundred grand. I couldn’t help but wonder if there was a ‘get rich quick’ spell. I’d have to ask Joanna.
We ate in comfortable silence and headed for home, but not after Luke told me to drive his new car carefully.
“No speeding, no overtaking, don’t go anywhere near a curb either.”
I rolled my eyes. “I got it.”
As we pulled back onto the main road, the first thing he did was overtake four cars and a tractor. Remembering his rule of ‘no overtaking’, I sat behind the tractor, even after the other cars had gone around it. About ten minutes later, my phone rang.
I pressed ‘Answer’ on the touch screen dash and in the sweetest voice I could muster, I said, “Hello.”
“What the hell are you doing?” Luke said.
“You told me no overtaking.”
Silence. Then I heard a long breath being let out. “Cat, get your arse round that tractor, now.”
“Are you giving me permission to overtake?”
He hung up.
Giggling hysterically to myself, I dared to hit the accelerator hard and hung on to the steering wheel with both hands. The car lurched forwards from the sudden power burst, pinning me back in my seat. As it kept on accelerating, I found myself rather addicted to the power this thing had. When I hit ninety-five and caught up with Luke, I debated for a split second overtaking him, then thought better of it.
Then thought better of that.
I shrieked with part joy, part fear, as I shot past him, daring to wave with my left hand. His face was a picture. He looked like he’d just been introduced to running water. I waited for the phone call, but it didn’t happen. Instead, I heard an almighty roar as he came blasting past me and dived in front. I could see his eyes in the rear-view mirror, glaring. I had no doubt that if looks could kill, I’d be dismembered by now.
Like a meek little lamb, I followed him perfectly, not putting a foot out of place all the way back to his. When I got out of the car, my heart started pounding. He was going to go mental at me for that, I just knew it.
He jumped out of the BMW and marched over to me, holding his hands out for the key. “You are so antagonistic, you know that, right?”
“I try my best,” I said, giving him a little curtsy.
He narrowed his eyes at me. “Don’t you ever overtake me in one of my cars again.”
“Is this just some macho thing about a man needing to be better than a woman? You were in the faster car. I don’t see wh—”
He kissed me. I was stunned. No tongues involved or even a warm embrace, just his lips pressed to mine. I didn’t know what to say or do. When he pulled away and stepped back, I could see shock filtering through his eyes.
Quickly recovering, he chuckled and said, “Finally, I shut you up.”
I couldn’t even laugh. I was numb. I couldn’t help wondering if that had been a tactic to shut me up or if it meant something more. No, Cat. Don’t go down that road. It didn’t mean anything. Home. I need to go home.
Fishing my car keys out of my pocket, I walked over to my car, somewhat in a daze, and sat down in it. On nothing but autopilot, I somehow managed to start it, and drive myself home. I didn’t know what to think or feel.
I wandered into the house, the delicious aroma of chicken curry filling my nose—one of Dad’s favourites.
“Hey, Sophie,” I said, my head still all over the place.
“Hey, Cat. You hungry?”
“Always got room for your curry.”
She smiled. “Your dad’s awake. I’ll bring some through when it’s ready.”
I felt guilty then that I’d been out for the day with Luke. Dad must have been wondering where I was.
“Pumpkin,” he said, as I stepped through the door. “Had a good day?”
He looked so much brighter. His skin had a pink flush to it and his eyes even had a twinkle in them. “I’ve been car shopping with Luke.”
“Very nice. No Marcus?”
I’d forgotten all about him leaving until then. It hit me right in the heart like a poison arrow. Was it bad that I’d not thought about him all day? Or had I just expected him to be here when I got back?
“No. He’s gone away for a few days on business.”
“Ah, no rest for the wicked.”
I smiled. “How long have you been awake?”
“Not long. Fifteen minutes maybe. The smell of Sophie’s curry woke me up. No way I’m missing that.”
We chit chatted until Sophie brought her curry in to us. I tried to give Dad my full attention, but Marcus dominated the forefront of my thoughts. He couldn’t have actually gone. He wouldn’t. Not now, not when I needed him the most.
“Could you fetch me the salt, please?” Dad said.
The vial. This was my chance to bring back his memories. “Sure. I’ll take your bowl for you and put some in.”
“Thanks, pumpkin,” he said, patting my hand.
My heart racing, I headed into the kitchen. Would I get away with this with Sophie being around?
“Everything ok?” she asked, looking at the bowl.
I nodded. “He just wants some salt.”
She tutted. “Him and his salt.”
I put the bowl down on the worktop and reached for the salt. Sophie took some plates and cutlery into the dining room giving me my opportunity. I sucked in a deep breath, took the vial from my pocket, and emptied the contents into his curry. That was it done. I sprinkled some salt on top and headed back into his room, the empty vial crammed back in my pocket.
As Dad devoured the delicious food, I sat watching him, full of anticipation. How would it happen? Would it be a sudden surge of memories or flashbacks of moments? When he suggested we watch some more Midsummer Murders, I wondered if the potion would even work at all. Something about this whole scenario reminded me of the film, The Witches, where they put poison in the soup. But that’s not what I’d done to Dad. I was trying to create a bridge between him and his previous life before he died.
We watched several episodes of his boxset before he turned to me and said, “I love you, Caitlyn. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me and your mum.”
Rather taken aback, I stilled for a couple of seconds before kissing his cheek and cuddling him. “I love you too, Daddy. I couldn’t have asked for better parents.”
He patted my head. “You know don’t you, pumpkin?”
My heart froze for a second. it had worked. The potion had worked. I couldn’t help but grin. “Yes.”
He looked at me and said, “Don’t get caught up in all that witchy business. It’s not good. You know who you can trust. He’s a good man.”
“You know he’s a—”
“I know he’s immortal,” Dad said, nodding. “He’s honest, hardwor
king, and he thinks the world of you. I’ve seen the way he looks at you, right from the first day you met. He’s the one for you, Cat. Your soulmate. There’s something about the way you two are together that just screams something special. Don’t lose it.”
I took hold of his hand and squeezed it. “I won’t. I can’t believe I can finally talk to you about all this.” I bit my lip in excitement. “Dad, you need to talk to me about this witch stuff. Spells and potions and all of that.”
He chuckled. “I can tell you’re excited, pumpkin. You teach yourself, don’t let anyone try and teach you. That’s the number one rule.”
Confused, I frowned. “How am I supposed to learn?”
He pointed a bony finger towards his bookcase. “I have a safe behind there. It contains five generations of journals from my family. Your mum has even more from her side. That is all you need.”
“But my magic is bound.”
“Yes, it is,” he said, nodding. “You understand we had to do that? If we didn’t, you wouldn’t be here now.”
“I know, I understand. It’s ok, Dad. I’m not mad. If anything, I’m just glad we can finally talk about this,” I said, water glazing over my eyes.
“You have the power in you to unbind yourself alone. Don’t let them fill your head with nonsense.”
“What do you mean? I met them. They seem ok. Even Joanna is one.”
He smiled. “Oh, yes, she definitely is. She the one who gave you that potion?”
I grimaced. “You know about that?”
He chuckled. “We wouldn’t be talking like this right now otherwise.” He covered my hand with both of his. “Thank you, Caitlyn.”
“For what?”
“The potion, of course. I’ve been aching for the sweet release of death for days.”
My heart froze. Panic swamped me in an instant. A wave of nausea climbed up my throat. “What?”
He patted my hand and smiled. “It’s ok, pumpkin. I’m good with this.”
“No, Dad. What are you talking about?” My entire body broke out into a cold sweat. My mind raced at a hundred miles an hour with possibilities but deep down, I knew exactly what he was saying.
“The potion. Releasing someone’s memories is a dangerous thing to do, especially to someone in my state. It shocks the system.” He scrutinised me then, horror filling his eyes. “Joanna didn’t tell you that, did she?”
My hands flew to my mouth and I burst into tears. Had I been tricked into killing my own Dad? “It wasn’t Joanna, it was Keres.”
Dad sat bolt upright and grabbed my arm. “Whatever you do, do NOT trust that woman. Do you hear me?” I looked at him completely gobsmacked. He shook my arm, the grip he had on me actually hurting. “Do you understand, Caitlyn?”
“Yes, yes, I understand. Why?”
He collapsed back against his pillows and coughed. I jumped off the bed and handed him a glass of water from his bedside table.
“Are you ok?”
He nodded. “I’m fine. I’m more worried about you. That woman is a demon, Caitlyn. Perfect irony that she’s the one to take me down, and through my own daughter too.” He shook his head. “Promise me you’ll stay away from her.”
“Ok, ok. I promise.”
“She’s nothing but power hungry. All she wants is your power and she’ll do anything to get it.”
“I’m so sorry. If I’d have known, I would have thrown it away.” I covered my face with my hands and resisted the urge to punch myself in the head. “I can’t believe what I’ve done.”
“Hey, what you’ve done is given me relief, Cat. You’ve given me back a lifetime of memories and put me out of my misery.”
I flung my arms around him and cried. “There must be something to reverse all this.”
He patted my head. “When it’s time, it’s time.”
“How much time do we have?”
“From point of ingestion to death, any point up to twelve hours.”
“She made it sound like it’d be days,” I said, crying. “I’m so sorry.”
He wrapped his arms around me and said, “Don’t be. I’ve told you that.”
A knock on the door interrupted what precious time I had left with my dad. I lifted my head and snapped, “What?”
Luke’s familiar warm face popped through the open door. “Hey, you left your phone in my car,” he said. His eyes filled with concern and he said, “Are you ok?”
I shook my head. “No.” I started crying again.
He came in and closed the door behind him. “Hey, Brian. How are you feeling?”
Dad stroked my hair and said, “I’m on top of the world. Cat isn’t though.”
Luke sat in the chair at the side of Dad’s bed and stroked my back. “What’s up?”
I opened my mouth to tell him, but I couldn’t even speak without bursting into more tears. How could they do this to me? What possible gain did they have from killing my dad? I didn’t know who to trust anymore. Marcus had abandoned me, the witches were playing with my head, even Luke and Joanna had lied to me by not telling me their truths.
Dad took the lead and explained what had happened to Luke. The taut silence after he’d finished told me all I needed to know about Luke’s reaction.
“It’s not your fault, Cat,” Luke said, putting his hand on my shoulder.
I didn’t bother replying. Why did I trust so easily? I should have known better. The way Keres had spoken about me being so powerful, I should have realised she’d have her own gains from this. I vowed right then and there to have that fickle head of hers on a stake if it was the last thing I did.
“Do you want to call Marcus?” Luke said.
My whole body tensed up at hearing his name. “No.”
“Cat, he said you could call him whenever.”
I shook my head. I still refused to believe he’d gone. If I went to his, I knew I’d find him there. He’d be sat outside on his balcony, enjoying the views.
“Come here,” Dad said, patting the empty bed next to him. “Let’s watch some more Midsummer Murders.”
“No, Daddy. We need to talk.”
“I’ve said all I need to say. Now come and hug your old Dad whilst we watch some more of this.”
I glanced back at Luke. “Will you stay?”
His eyes filled with care and he gave me such a warm smile, I actually shivered. “You didn’t even need to ask.”
I smiled in reply before climbing into the empty spot next to my dad. I settled my head on his shoulder and tried to enjoy the moment rather than worrying about what those damn witches had done. They could be dealt with any time. This time with my dad was precious.
Dad pressed a kiss to the top of my head and then hit play. We watched two full episodes before my eyelids started drooping. The steady rise and fall of my dad’s breathing had lulled me into a sedative state. Combined with my eyes being sore from crying and my head on the verge of exploding, I needed some sleep, but I really didn’t want to.
I promised myself I would ease the stinging from my eyes with just a brief ten second reprieve. Unfortunately, within about three seconds, sleep claimed me.
When I opened my eyes again, the TV was still playing but it was dark, and deathly quiet. I lifted my head to see Luke dozing in the chair, his chin on his chest. I looked down at Dad. His eyes were closed and his skin had lost its warmth. I put my hand to my mouth, stemming the cry lodged in my throat, and stared at his chest, hoping to see it rise and fall but it didn’t.
“Dad,” I yelled, shaking him. His head shook from side to side, but it didn’t rouse him. “Dad, wake up!” I shook him again but nothing. “Daddy! Daddy, no!”
Luke sprung to life and took over, feeling for a pulse. He looked at me and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Cat.”
I burst into tears and put my hands on Dad’s emaciated shoulders, shaking him violently. “Wake up, goddammit, Daddy!” I kissed his cheek and put my hands on either side of his face. “Please wake up. Daddy, please!”
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Nothing. He was gone.
Chapter Twenty-One
Everything that followed was a blur. Luke hugged me until I had no more tears to cry. Then he sat me down in the corner of the room with a blanket and a cup of sugary tea. Like an absolute hero, he took control of everything. He called the doctor, he dealt with the guests, he called Sophie and Joanna and gave them the day off.
The weather outside just added to my bleak mood. Dark clouds hung over the bay, pouring rain like I’d never seen. The pitter patter of it hitting the window almost hypnotised me. I just sat staring at my dad’s lifeless body, willing him to suddenly leap back to life and say, “Haha, got ya!” but of course, that didn’t happen. The doctor took hours to arrive. It had been around four a.m. when I woke up. He finally appeared at nine. After officially declaring him dead, he gave me his condolences and said he’d sort the medical certificate for the cause of death as soon as he got back to the office.
“Don’t worry about a thing,” Luke said, kneeling down in front of me. “I’ll sort it all out, ok?”
I finally tore my gaze from Dad’s body and said, “You don’t need to do that. Really, it’s ok.”
He took hold of my hands and looked me square in the eye. “Cat, I want to do it. I don’t want you worrying about anything.”
The softness in his eyes hit a chord right in my heart. I could see the affection and care he had for me in that moment. It made me want to cry all over again. “Ok, thank you.”
“Do you want me to call your mum?”
I hadn’t even thought about Mum. I’d been so numb and dazed, I hadn’t been capable of thinking anything, let alone logically.
“Please.”
He picked up my phone from Dad’s desk and scrolled through the contacts. I didn’t even care that Mum might freak out at some strange man calling her from her daughter’s phone. I just wasn’t capable of doing anything except being…blank.
“Hi, Mrs Summers?” A pause. “Hi, my name is Luke Freeman, I’m one of your husband’s employees.” Another pause. “Yes, Caitlyn is fine. Well, not really. I’m afraid Brian passed away in the early hours. I think she could really use you right about now.” Another brief pause. “Ok, I’ll let her know.”
Love, Lies and Blood Ties: A young adult paranormal romance (Love, Lies and Ties Book 2) Page 16