Page 32 of Paper Roses

“Let me,” Jed says, and I scoot out of his way as he puts his broad shoulder to the wood. He shoves a couple of times and then the door swings open with a groan worthy of a horror movie.

We immediately put our hands to our mouths. “What is thatsmell?” I whisper.

Jed grimaces. “Most squats smell like this. It’s a combination of things you probably don’t want to think about right now.”

“Good point. I’d far rather think about puppies and kittens, and the fact that the café down the road does really nice avocado on toast.”

His mouth quirks, and I appreciate the fact that he doesn’t wave for me to go first. Instead, he steps cautiously into the house, and I follow in his wake, peeping around.

“Shit,” I say in dismay.

He grunts an agreement.

The windows are boarded up, and the electricity has been switched off, so the only light comes from gaps between the boards. The previously beautiful old wooden staircase is broken in places, and someone has kicked the banister in. There are holes in the walls. The carpet is ripped and stained and there’s graffiti all over the old wallpaper I remember my stepmother choosing. It had cost a fortune, but nothing was too much for my father. He lived to please her.

“Stay here,” Jed orders. “I’m going to have a look around.” I nod placidly but when he sets off, I’m behind him. He shoots me a wry look. “Have you always been this disobedient at work, and I missed it?”

I smile at him. “I’m not under contract as your husband, and I’m pretty sure you won’t be doing a yearly job review.”

I’m expecting his face to shadow at the word husband the way it has for the last few days, but his lips quirk. “That idea is sounding increasingly attractive.”

I grin. “I’m afraid you’ll just have to take me as you find me.”

His eyes twinkle. “Fascinating,” he mutters. “Okay stick close to me and tread where I tread.”

I nod, staring around with horror. Each room is worse than the others. Radiators have been ripped off the walls, leaving gaping holes in the wainscoting, light fittings dangle or in some cases have been removed completely. Tangles of wires hang from the ceiling like snakes. It’s cold and dark and feels damp. I’m glad we took the opportunity after work to go back to the hotel and get changed before we came here, because our suits would have been ruined.

I sneak a look at Jed as he moves through the kitchen, stirring something on the floor with his boot with a grunt of distaste. He’s wearing an old pair of jeans that cling to his long legs and an olive-coloured jumper with a white T-shirt underneath.

“Don’t step in that,” he warns.

I nod obediently, because I have zero intention of ever doing that in this life.

We go through to the hallway again, and Jed takes the first step on the main staircase. When the wood groans like it’s in pain, he shakes his head. “I’m not risking that until we see what the damage is. You might fall through it.”

“What about you?” I ask, but he’s already walking down the corridor. I shake my head and follow him. I catch up to him in what used to be my father’s study. The floor-to-ceiling, carved bookcases have been torn down and the scorch marks on the bare wooden floorboards give a clue as to the wood’s final destination. I take in a shaky breath feeling my eyes suddenly get hot as the emotion finally hits me. I remember those shelves being full of books including my mother’s collection of historical romances. I used to sit playing under my father’s desk when he was out. This might have been a place to stay for the squatters, but it was myhome.

Hands come down on my shoulders and Jed turns me to him. “Hey,” he says gently, pulling me into a hug. “It’s bad but there’s nothing here that can’t be fixed, sweetheart.”

I sniff. “Do you promise?”

I’m not sure he knows that he just used that endearment again for me, and I try hard not to show my pleasure at hearing it. He’d back off so quickly he’d probably give me whiplash.

He nods solemnly. “Iswear. This house will be everything you’ve always wanted, Artie.”

The words chase away my sadness. I nestle into his arms feeling the heat and strength of his body, and then make myself move away. He always makes me feel better.

“You seem familiar with squats,” I say, wanting to change the subject.

He shoots me a wry look and goes along with me. “I’ve broken them up a few times as a copper.”

“Why did you leave the force?” I’m flabbergasted that the question escaped my mouth.

A few weeks ago, I would never have crossed the divide between boss and employee. But perhaps the ring I’m wearing is giving me magical powers, because instead of rebuffing me, he leans against the wall. His face is awash with memory.

“I met Mick when I arrested him. He was naked in a fountain at the time.” I break into laughter, and he huffs in amusement. “He waited for me when I got off duty and asked me to go for a drink. He was larger than life, funny, and very worldly. I was only twenty-five.” The image is so vivid, and I find myself imagining what it would have been like to know Jed at twenty-five. It’s my current age. Somehow that doesn’t seem like a good omen.

“But he made it clear that he was very attracted to me,” Jed continues. “It was amazing that he seemed interested in me.” He shrugs. “I went home with him that night, thinking it would just be once. Only he didn’t want me to leave.” He smiles and the memory is soft on his lips. “So, I didn’t. We dated for a few weeks, and then he asked me to marry him. I said yes like a shot, and after we were married, he asked me to give up the force and work with him. He said he was sick of never seeing me and worried over my constant bad moods.” He shoots me a glance. “I was finding the police work more and more difficult to deal with, so the offer came at a good time. Also, I would have done anything for him. So I came to work at Confetti Hitched.”

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