Page 33 of Simon Says

CHAPTER SEVEN

Rosie had notrouble figuring out what sizes to get for Sorcha. That was the sort of thing extrasensory talent was good for. Simon had told her enough about Sorcha for her to guess what kind of clothes she’d like.

So the first stop would be Harvey Nichols and with luck, Rosie would find everything she needed there. After all, she was looking for just one outfit. Homecoming clothes.

She found a pair of light jeans so soft they felt like they’d been worn for years, a silk wool gray sweater, and a pair of Italian flat ankle boots. Stylish and comfy. The pièce de résistance was a blood-red scarf. Rosie knew it would make Sorcha’s blonde hair and amber eyes pop. Just in case Simon had forgotten how lovely she was. After grabbing some honeymoon-worthy undergarments, she popped back into the hospital.

“I brought you escape clothes. Hurry and get changed before somebody comes.” Rosie tossed the bags on the bed and started pulling things out. Sorcha just sat in the chair and stared at her. “What are you doing? Get dressed. I’m taking you to meet Simon.”

Still, Sorcha didn’t move.

“Okay. You’re starting to creep me out. What’s the problem?” Sorcha shook her head and muttered something about how she was not going to also start talking to herself. “Oh, no you don’t. You’re not going to really go bananas on me.”

Sorcha wrapped her arms around her middle and started to rock a little.

“Stop that!” Rosie demanded. “Look. I can make you put these clothes on. I’d rather you do it voluntarily. But it’s up to you. What’s it gonna be? The easy way or the hard way?” Sorcha made no move. “Look I know this has been rough for you.” She reached out and put her hand on Sorcha’s shoulder.

Sorcha jumped and looked at Rosie. Startled. “I felt that!”

“Well, of course you felt it. That’s because it was real. I’m real. You’re real. And unfortunately so is this crazy farm. So let’s get out of here. Right?”

Sorcha didn’t look completely convinced, but she stood up and Rosie could tell she’d done a good job of personal shopping by the look on her client’s face.

“These are… nice,” Sorcha said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had regular clothes.”

“Well, the sooner you get dressed, the sooner we can put this behind you.”

“Am I goin’ to disappear like you did?”

Rosie grinned. “It’s not disappearing if you’re the one doing it. But yes. We’re going to leave here in an unconventional way and meet Simon at the Balmoral.”

“The Balmoral? I’ve ne’er been inside.”

“Well. It’s nice. You’ll love it.”

Sorcha had just put the red scarf around her neck when they heard someone at the door. Rosie didn’t have time to prepare Sorcha for the trip.

“Grab hold of me and don’t let go until I say you can.” She grabbed Sorcha’s wrist as Sorcha grabbed two fistfuls of Rosie’s clothing.

When the door opened, they were gone.

Simon was wellon the way to wearing a path in the carpet of the outer room of the suite he’d taken at the Balmoral when his first guest arrived without a sound. When Simon reached the end of his pace path and turned, a sinfully good-looking sex demon was standing directly in front of him. Simon jumped back and barely contained an unmanly yelp.

With clenched teeth, he said, “Can you demons figure out a way to let people know you’re coming?”

Deliverance crossed his arms over his chest, cocked his head to the side, and, looking genuinely curious, said, “Like what?” Simon said nothing. “A chime? An aoogah horn? Oh! I know! The Mario Brothers flower!!” He snapped his fingers and the two seconds of music filled the room like surround sound. “I like it. What do you think? Or we could do medieval royalty fanfare with herald trumpets. Always a fan favorite.” He raised his chin. “And entirely fitting for announcing my arrival, don’t you think?”

“Good grief.” Simon turned away, sorry he’d ever suggested some kind of warning signal.

“Personally, I think this is one of your better ideas. Brilliant really.”

“Just forget it.”

Deliverance shook his head. “Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Now that it’s out there, wehaveto do it.” Deliverance grinned. “Annnnnnd, we should each have our own signal. Like a ringtone.” His smile faded as he took on a more serious expression. “I’d better choose mine while all the options are still open. Rosie could be here any minute and you know she’d pick the one I really want most.”

Simon sighed.

“Okay.” Deliverance plowed ahead. “Mario Brothers flower. Whenever you hear it, prepare yourself for the pleasure of my company.”

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