Fourteen Days(8)

She hung her bag over the banister and dropped Richard’s car keys on the stairs. “No. I just got here. You asked me that yesterday.”

“I know I did, but I was sure I heard you come home.”

“I told you, it’s these walls, they’re wafer thin. It must’ve been next door.”

“I know. Like bloody cardboard.” He walked over to her and kissed her cheek. “Anyway, how was work?”

She started to walk into the kitchen, with Richard following. “Good. It was Lisa’s birthday, so we had a little party for her. I’ve eaten so much cake today, I’m going on a diet tomorrow.”

“You don’t need to go on a diet, you look fine.”

“Yes I do need a diet—I’m fat.”

He shook his head in astonishment. “Are you serious? You’ve got a perfect body.”

Smiling, she flicked the switch on the kettle. “Thanks babe, but I’m still going on a diet.” She pulled out two cups from the cupboard. “So, did you manage to find my car keys?”

“Yeah.”

Her face lit up. “Oh, brilliant. Where were they?”

“On the stairs.”

Frowning, she scooped a spoonful of instant coffee powder into one of the cups. “That’s weird. Are you sure? I looked there.”

“Course I’m sure. They were just there. I found them straightaway.”

She seemed puzzled, but shook it off. “Oh well, doesn’t matter now.” She began to pour the boiling water into the cups. “So how was your day, babe?”

He paused for a moment before answering. “Exhilarating.”



Watching the television mounted on the bedroom wall, Richard struggled to stay awake. Nicky’s eyes were half-shut as she lay beside him, on her side, facing him. “How long are you going to keep that thing on for?” Nicky asked. The quilt was pulled high up to her neck, her arm buried underneath her pillow.

He turned to her. “Sorry—is it keeping you up?”

“No, it’s all right. Just wondering.”

Picking up the remote control from his bedside cabinet, he switched it off. The room became almost pitch black.

“You didn’t have to do that,” she said, eyes now shut. “I don’t mind. Honestly.”

“No, it’s all right. It’s not fair on you. You’re the one who has to work in the morning.”

“Thanks babe,” she said. “Goodnight. Will you close the bedroom door? It’s chilly in here tonight.”

Leaning over, he kissed her forehead. “Will do. Good night, hon. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

As he lay in the darkness, listening to Nicky’s gentle breathing as she slept beside him, he thought about work again. And then the fret of the new website launch returned as he stared up at the ceiling. What if it wasn’t ready on time? How much money would they lose? How was he ever going to relax with such a problem hanging over him? Why did he have to collapse? Couldn’t he have waited just a few more days? At least until the weekend? If he had had his funny turn on Saturday, he could have simply taken the Sunday to recover, and then be back in work by Monday—right as rain.

Damn his awful timing!

Now sleep seemed impossible as the minutes, turning into hours, passed by. All he could do was close his eyes and wait for morning. He hated feeling like this. He desperately wanted to go back to his usual routine, away from his house, away from boredom. God, what’s wrong with me? It’s only been two bloody days. Why can’t I just enjoy my time off? Why can’t I put work to one side and relax like an ordinary person? God! Get a grip, Gardener. Focus!

Turning onto his side to face the door, he noticed that it was still wide open. Groaning, he started to climb out of bed.

The door slammed shut with a loud thud.

Nicky jolted up in fright. “Jesus! What’s wrong with you? I was sleeping.”

“What do you mean?” Richard asked, his body clenched in fright. “It wasn’t me. It just slammed shut on its own.”

Nicky sighed as she lay back down, pulling the quilt up around her, clearly annoyed. “There’s probably a window open somewhere.”

Richard took a breath to steady his running heart, and then lay back down. He glanced at the door for a few seconds until finally closing his eyes.



As the minutes passed, tossing and turning, he tried to think of other things, like Nicky, and what to do tomorrow, or Saturday. But as TSH Computers continued to push its way back in, all he could think was, Only twelve more days to go. Only twelve more days to go. Only twelve more days to go…