Beautiful Curses: Book One (4 page)

Adding yet another string to his ever growing bow.

Piles of books were mounted in each corner of Jo’s room. The first day of the holiday break and she’d decided to spend it sorting through her books. The stack of
must read again
novels had grown half way up the wall. As she paused to take stock of the mess, she heard a faint knock.

 “Come in,” Jo called out, expecting Gabriella, telling her not to use the car today. As if?  She never had anywhere to go and the car keys were probably already in Gabriella’s bag. Jo let out a soft sigh, as the door opened, then quickly sucked in a larger breath, as James's impressive height and build filed up most of the doorway.

 He smiled at her, making her heart race and the butterflies start up again. It had happened so often over the past few days, you’d think she’d be getting used to them, but it still surprised her.

 “Hey, just wanted to say bye, before I left,” he said.

 “Your  ... um leaving
now,”
Jo stammered, then bit her inside cheek, cursing under her breath.  “Um … I just wondered, I thought Spencer said you were meeting Matt at the pub for lunch.”

 James grinned. “No. I’ll have to catch up with Matt after Christmas. “I’m coming back here for a night before Uni starts. I might leave my car with my parents and get a lift back with Spencer.”

 “Right.”

 “It’s been nice meeting you and your family. I won’t be in the dark now when Spencer talks about you.”

 “Yeah, it’s been great finally getting some inside information on Spencer. Now we know what he really gets up to.” Jo smiled faintly then picked up another book, to keep from staring into James’s beautiful blue eyes. They really were something.

 “That’s a lot of books. Have you read them all?”

Jo frowned.  “I couldn’t imagine owning a book and not reading it.”

James chuckled.  “I have loads. Sounds good in the store but when I get them home I don’t have the patience. I’ve only read a handful of books the whole way through.”

 “Seriously? … I never buy a book unless I intend to read it cover to cover. The author took the time to write it, the least I can do is read the whole thing.”

“You’re way too nice. Although, could mean you're in for a big haul this Christmas.”

 Jo frowned again, not sure what he was talking about.

 "You know, being such a good girl. You must be high on Santa's list."

 “Santa?” Jo shook her head. “I hate to break it to you James, but … Santa’s not
real
.”

 “Yes he is. I put my stocking up every year, and I’m never disappointed on Christmas morning.”

 Jo smiled. “Well, I think he’s given up on us heathens in Herefordshire.”

 “Ah, could explain it. There’s still a magical vibe in Chichester. You’ll have to come and visit. Get the magic back.”

 Jo's finger instantly sought out her ring and rubbed the purple stone. She'd seen enough magic to last a lifetime. She had no desire to get any back. Although a visit with James would be nice. Very nice!

 James shifted his weight from the doorframe. “Right, I suppose I better get going. Have a great Christmas … Beth and her little brother are staying aren’t they?”

 For a brief moment Jo fantasised James was looking for excuses to stay and talk, but dismissed that quickly. He was just being nice. No boy would want to spend more time with her. She wasn't her sister.

 Forcing her eyes from the floor she looked up at him. “Yeah. Beth’s mum’s been asked to work the grave yard shift at the hospital, nobody else could do it, so they’ve decided to have an early Christmas. Jack doesn’t know any different and Beth doesn’t care.” Jo grinned. “She’s a non-believer as well.”

 “Right. Should be fun.” James shoved his hands in his pockets. He still seemed hesitant and Jo felt his assessing gaze, but didn’t know what else to say, so she picked up another book and flipped open the cover.

 “Well … I guess I’ll see you again soon.”

 Jo gave him a small wave and dropped her hand. “Drive safely. Merry Christmas.”

 James smiled, turned and closed the door behind him.

 Taking a deep breath, Jo slammed her book shut and banged her head on the floor.  If only Santa was real and visited Herefordshire … right now she knew exactly what present she'd ask the jolly red faced man for. And he wouldn’t even need to be wrapped.

A few nights after James had left, Jo sat curled up in a corner of the sofa, finishing one of her favourite books, when she heard a door slam. Baxter, who’d been asleep at her feet, grunted and twitched but didn’t stir from his slumber. Everyone else had gone to bed leaving her alone in the lounge. The fire was reduced to glowing embers making the room much colder. Pulling the loose throw from the back of the seat and arranging it around her shoulders she turned as the door to the lounge opened. Spencer strolled in whistling, a large folio under his arm.  

“Hiya, I thought everyone would be in bed,” he said cheerily. His brown eyes were glazed and he had a silly grin on his face. 

“You look like you've had a few. I hope someone drove you home.”

 “I only had one beer,” Spencer replied, as he flopped down onto the couch next to her.

“Yeah? You seem overly … jolly.”

 Spencer rubbed his belly. "Just getting into the Christmas spirit. Ho ... Ho ... Ho”

 Jo raised her eyes. Spencer would need to put on a considerable amount of weight to be mistaken for Santa. “Indeed.” Jo gestured toward the folio he’d put on the table. “Are they the photos? Did you get them printed?”

 The past few days she’d been busy helping Spencer with a university assignment. After seeing a picture of Beth and Jack at her house the night they went for coffee, he asked if they would be his subjects for a portfolio of photographs depicting family connections. Today he'd taken a quick trip back to the university labs to get them printed.

Gabriella had jumped at the chance to go to London for some last minute shopping—or so she said. Jo suspected she wanted to get away from any jobs Sarah dished out. Jo spent the day peeling prawns and helping to make the Christmas pudding. Her fingers were still purple from the berries.

 “Yeah, you want to see?

 “I’d love to.”

 Spencer undid the clasp on the folder and removed each picture one at a time and arranged them on the sofa.

 Jo stood back. “Wow, I mean … Spencer, these are great.”

 “They’re the best I’ve ever taken. Look at this one.” Spencer pointed to an enlarged black and white photo of Beth whispering in Jack’s ear. Her nose touched his cheek, and he had the most gorgeous smile. Spencer had softened the focus and the angle hinted at an intimate moment … a shared secret.

 “I thought I might frame it and give it to Beth as a Christmas present,” continued Spencer. “You know, to say thanks for putting up with me ordering her about for three days.”

  “I don’t think she minded. Her mum definitely won’t mind once she sees them. You actually might make a career out of this,” she joked. “Beth’s going to love them. Are you going to show her when she comes for Christmas?”

 Spencer gave Jo an awkward sideways glance before shuffling the prints back into the folder. “She’s already seen them.”

 “What, when?”

 “I dropped over tonight before I went to the pub.”

 “Oh.”

 “I called her last minute. I wasn’t sure if I’d have enough time, but we left London earlier than I expected.”

 “So, what did she think?”

 Spencer smiled. “She loved them. Thought I was a genius, and praised my undeniable talent.”

 Jo arched a brow. “Translation: she said they were okay, and you didn’t make her look like a troll.”

 Spencer aimed a half-hearted punch at Jo, who ducked and fended him off with a cushion. “Funny. She said her mum would love them and she couldn’t wait to show her.”

 “I’m glad.” Jo smiled at him. She liked to see her brother so happy. “By the way, did you get James’ message? He rang here looking for you, said you’d turned your mobile off.”

 “Yeah, he ended up ringing Matt at the pub.”

 “What was so urgent?”

 “He wanted to ask about New Year.”

  “New Year?”

 “Yeah, I’ve talked Dad into letting us use that old cottage in Cornwell. We can go hiking and hang out. Thought I’d see if my two sisters wanted to come and maybe invite a friend or two.”

 Jo clutched the cushion she was still holding and leaned forward. “When would we go?”

 “A few days after Christmas. I was going to visit James and his family, but thought this might be a better idea.”

 “Yeah. Sounds great.”

 “Good, I’m glad you approve. So do you think Beth will be allowed to come?”

 Jo blinked. “Um, I’m not sure. Possibly. I don’t think she goes on holidays much.”

 Spencer gave her a thoughtful look, as if he’d been about to speak and changed his mind. He bent down to scratch Baxter’s ear instead.

  “Who else are you inviting?” Jo had to ask.

 “James of course. And two other friends, Luke and Tobias. You’ll like them, they’re easy going lads.”

  “Yeah I’m sure I will,” she replied vaguely. Not really caring, once he mentioned James. “What about Ella have you asked her yet?”

 “Yeah, she’s not sure. Something about a cousin of Denise’s coming to stay she wants to meet.” Spencer got to his feet, gathered the pictures together and put them back in the folder. “She has to confirm a few dates in her
appointment schedule,
” he added with a smirk.

 Gabriella had a new appointment app for her phone and pulled it out every time one of them asked her to do a job.

I’d love to stay and help, but can’t right now, I have an appointment or I have to meet someone
…

Always some excuse. No one bothered to ask anymore.

 Jo got off the sofa and stretched. “Well I’m off to bed. It’s a great idea. I didn’t fancy spending it with the oldies for the seventeenth year in a row. Faced with another game of Pictionary might send me over the edge.”

 “Good to see you getting more adventurous in your old age.”

 Jo chuckled and left him to turn out the lights and put the dog in the utility room. Spencer was right. She had changed these past few months. Going away for New Year would never have crossed her mind before and now she couldn’t wait.

Everyone was gathering in the family room preparing to leave for the Christmas Eve Church service. They'd decided to go to the earlier one as it fitted in with Jack's bedtime.

 Jo’s brown smock dress-Sarah insisted she wore-hung just above her knees. She hated anything short, so she’d found the thickest pair of tights to wear, but couldn’t help pulling at the woollen fabric to try and cover her gangly legs.

 Gabriella descended the stairs looking stunning as usual. She’d bought a plum velvet swing dress in London and wore a perfectly matched scarf, draped in a fashionable knot, around her neck. Spencer whistled and she swung her hair back and smiled, her perfect white teeth radiating between her glossy red lips. Jo wished she had her confidence. Nothing ever fazed her. She always looked composed and perfect.

 Beth appeared minutes later holding Jack. He looked so cute in a cable knit jumper and black cord pants. Beth’s mum always insisted he wore nice clothes no matter what the occasion. Beth told Jo, it was one thing her mum could control. She didn’t want people to think because Jack had special needs he wasn’t loved and cared for.

  “Well darling, don’t you look lovely,” Peter said smiling at Beth, who wore a black linen dress with a scalloped neck and a short pink cardigan.

 Beth blushed and dipped her head to button up Jack’s jacket. Jo was pretty sure, she didn't receive sincere compliments very often and didn't like the attention, but was glad her uncle had taken notice. Even Spencer paused in the process of putting on his own coat and smiled at Beth.

 Jo caught the scowl on Gabriella’s face, obviously not liking the attention taken away from her.

“I take it you’re driving, and sitting next to me in church,” she said, touching Spencer on the arm.

 Spencer took a moment to turn from his appraisal of Beth, before he patted her hand.  “Um … yeah of course, Beth’s taking her car because it has the child seat for Jack.”

 Beth nodded and continued to play with the buttons on Jack’s jacket, still not making eye contact with Spencer or anyone else.

 Peter smoothed down the few hairs he had left on his head and straightened his suit, then he put his arm around Sarah and ushered everyone forward. “Let’s go then, we don’t want to be late.”

After having a few drinks at the local pub, it had just gone eight, when Jo found Beth settling Jack in bed. She decided to leave with Spencer after the church service. Spencer said he was waiting on a surprise delivery and Beth needed to get Jack home. At least Spencer had been useful and was in the kitchen heating the casseroles Sarah had cooked earlier.

 Once Beth had gotten Jack to sleep, the two of them walked into the family room and were about to take a seat on the couch when Gabriella yelled from the kitchen, “Jo, come in here for a minute.”

Jo shrugged at Beth as she called again, “Jo, come here, you’re not going to believe this but I think Spencer's finally cracked, and has an
actual
girlfriend.”

 This piqued Jo’s curiosity, especially since Gabriella seemed so forth coming all of a sudden. Normally she loved keeping Jo out of the loop when it came to Spencer.

 Dragging Beth behind her, Jo raced into the kitchen as Spencer dropped a plate, smashing it into several pieces on the stone floor.

 Gabriella laughed. “Aw ... look how nervous he is.”

 “Who are you talking about?” Jo questioned and glanced over at Beth, who stared at her feet and edged toward the door.

 “It’s nothing. Leave off you two,” Spencer spat out, as he pulled a brush from the cupboard and began sweeping up the porcelain fragments into the dustpan. Lucky for him it wasn’t from Sarah’s good dinner set, or he might not be alive to enjoy Christmas.

 Gabriella smiled. “Oh go on Spencer. Let me tell Jo and Beth, about this Lisa girl. She was really nice when I talked to her today. I think she’s really keen, but doesn't want him to know how much—waiting for him to make the first move.”

 “Cut it out, Ella. We’re only friends. Don’t make something out of nothing!”

  Jo hadn’t seen Spencer this pent up in a while. Gabriella had obviously pushed some buttons.

 “Well you were keen to talk to her. I assume you switched on your mobile so she could reach you.” Gabriella raised her eyes, as if challenging him to argue. Instead he shook his head and continued to clean up the mess, ignoring her.

 His actions surprised Jo. The way he’d been openly flirting with Beth didn’t fit with him dating a serious girlfriend. And he was hopeless with his mobile phone. Never switching it on. Maybe Jo had misread the signals. She didn’t have much experience with boys and had never been flirted with in her life. The only relationship lessons she’d learnt were from characters in books. And she’d decided long ago, that as much as people strived to live the fairy-tale, real life and the written word didn’t often represent each other.

 “So, she’s just a friend?” Jo queried.

 “Look for the last time she’s
not
my girlfriend. Now back off the two of you.”

 Spencer's mobile started ringing and Jo glanced at Gabriella. “
Told you so,
” she mouthed and started to giggle.

  “I thought I heard Jack. I’d better go and check,” Beth muttered, as she turned and walked out of the room.

Jo watched her leave as Spencer escaped into the conservatory with his ringing mobile phone. Gabriella could just be stirring the pot, but Jo wondered if there could be some truth to it. Either way, Jo decided to find Beth. She hadn’t looked very pleased, and Jo wanted to check that she was alright.