Forbidden:. Linn Halton B

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       Chapter Five – A Friend In Need

      I spend the morning phoning a few contacts, getting the word out that I’m looking for a job. Fortunately I know a lot of people in the business and losing my job with Portingale & Hughes Advertising isn’t quite the disaster I thought it would be. No one asks why I left, and I draw the conclusion that most people in the business have heard about Mason Portingale’s reputation. It’s well known that he isn’t an easy man to work for, although I wonder too if people sense he can be an outright bully at times.

      Sheena arrived back in the UK yesterday and sent me a text suggesting we meet up. I’m longing to see her, but also worried that she’ll notice a change in me. She knows me better than anyone else, aside from my brother Seb, and this is a big test. Seb is still travelling; it’s his way of coming to terms with the sudden death of Anna on their wedding day. My instincts tell me he will eventually return, but not until he has worked through his grief in the only way that makes sense to him. He’s flitting about from country to country, his adrenalin junkie days firmly behind him now. Instead he’s using that energy to help people in need, as a volunteer. He’s in Cambodia at the moment, helping to build a new water course. His emails are merely a line or two, he doesn’t share much information and I know he’s simply letting me know he’s safe.

      Not having him around makes Sheena’s presence even more important. She’s my family when Seb isn’t here. I only wish my parents could live with the fact that I’m so very different to Seb. He was the easy child and I was the black sheep. I doubt that will ever change.

      We meet up at Starbucks and I’m running late, so Sheena is already in the queue when I arrive. We grab our lattes and manage to find a small corner table.

      “What’s up?” She eyes me suspiciously, probably assuming I’ve had one of my psychic episodes.

      “There’s been a development.” I feel a little awkward, not knowing where to start.

      “Spill the beans.” She slips off her coat and leans across to give me a big hug. The instant we touch it’s like someone freezes the frame: that one moment appears to have stalled both time and movement. The seconds tick by and yet nothing moves. I break away, feeling as if someone has knocked the wind out of me.

      Then I see her.

      Kelly is here, as if she hadn’t died four years ago and is joining us for coffee today. Sheena is busy folding her coat and trying to find space under the table to accommodate her over-sized bag. In that split second I understand. Kelly has always been around Sheena, I just couldn’t see her before. She’s one of Sheena’s guardian angels. I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts as Sheena peers across the table at me.

      “What’s up? You look like someone just walked over your grave.” Her voice snaps me back. I have to pull myself together.

      “I’m coming down with something. I have a really sore throat…” the words die in my mouth as it becomes dry with anxiety. Kelly is standing a mere two feet away and appears as real as any of the other people in the café. In fact, that isn’t quite right. She appears more real and they are simply a paler backdrop.

      “Poor you, I hope it isn’t so bad that you can’t tell me all your latest news.” Sheena adds sugar to her coffee, totally oblivious to the fact that Kelly is with us and for the first time in four years our little trio is reunited. I want to reach out and touch Kelly, to convince myself she’s real and yet I know she’s only here in spirit. Presenting to me, I swear, dressed as she was the last time I saw her. That was before the leukaemia had weakened her body and begun to claim her life. Tears gather in my eyes and Sheena is now staring at me.

      “Ceri, what’s wrong?”

      Should I tell her about Kelly? Accepting my gift is one thing; understanding that everyone has a link with the other side is another. I don’t want to frighten her.

      “Alex is back in my life.” I’d intended to tell her anyway and I only hope she thinks the tears are because I’m emotional.

      “Well, I’m not surprised exactly, although the guy really hurt you. I’ve never known you to run away from any situation before, but the way he talked to you was unforgiveable. Is it going to be a permanent thing?” Her concern is tangible; she’s looking out for my interests and thinks Alex might hurt me again. Kelly hasn’t moved: her image isn’t quite so sharp now but it’s comforting to know she’s there, listening.

      “I think so. He stayed last night. He wants me to tell him about what happened while we were apart, hoping we can move on. I convinced him he has nothing to worry about and that we can be together.”

      “Then what’s worrying you?” Sheena looks at life in a black and white way and I’m not sure she’ll understand.

      “What if I’m wrong?”

      “Well, you’ve known him for a little over two years. Considering you were so convinced he wasn’t into women at all, I think that says he isn’t fickle. I doubt many men would stand by nursing a broken heart and sitting alongside the one they love at work day in, day out. I’d say he has commitment, although I’m puzzled by the things he said to you when he lashed out. It struck me as a little out of character at the time.”

      “I don’t mean I’m concerned about his motives. What about mine?”

      Sheena raises her eyebrows.

      “What have I missed? When you joined me in France to get away from everything you never mentioned ulterior motives. I know you Ceri, you don’t play with people. You love him. Hook, line and sinker.” She shrugs, obviously puzzled.

      “But what if,” I look around and lower my voice, conscious too that Kelly hasn’t moved, “I’m using him. He’s the first guy I’ve found that didn’t back off the moment he found out that I see spirits. Quite the reverse, he’s been a tower of strength. He had a mild interest in the subject, as many do, but after I left he read a book I gave him and then met up with the author.”

      “Really? Well, doesn’t that prove he has your best interests at heart? That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

      “But the guy he saw said we shouldn’t be together. He’s a medium and spiritual teacher; I’ve read most of his books. Remember I told you that Alex was holding back because he kept having this dream СКАЧАТЬ