Page 57 of Ms Perfectly Fine
“Have you ever found one inside?”
Autumn couldn’t meet his gaze, thinking of the dozen roses she’d found in the conservatory last year on the anniversary of her accident. She’d figured Tim might have dropped them off for her, too afraid to think of another possibility. “Was there a note on the one you found?”
He ran his hands through his hair, frustration emanating from him. “I can’t remember—something about the past. I didn’t think anything of it at the time.”
Autumn felt uneasy. It was harder to ignore the incidents when she wasn’t the only one who knew about them.
“Have you told the police? You might have a rogue fan,” he suggested.
“I don’t think I need to get the police involved. A few flowers are hardly something to worry about.” She had already told him enough about her past; how much more did he need to know?I can’t handle any more chaos in my life right now.“We aren’t a couple, you don’t need to act concerned.” She instantly regretted her words.
“What has being a couple got to do with anything? I’m concerned because it’s creepy if you don’t know who sent it,” he said, taking her hands in his.
“Can you drop it?” She pulled away to turn on the TV, but he stood in front of her, blocking her view.
“No, we should talk about this,” he insisted. “Who do you think it could be from?”
“Just look after the kid. I can look after myself,” she snapped. “I’ve managed for years without you.”
He drew back, stung. “Of course. There’s no way Ms Perfectly Fine could ever need help.”
There was a moment of silence and then Autumn pulled out of his grasp, ignoring the way he reached for her. Trying to swallow her hurt, she ran up to her bedroom before they fought about something even she didn’t understand. She threw the bag of peas on her bed and rested her head in her hands. When she heard the front door open and close, she figured Elijah must be taking Todd home. She hoped he would come back; she wanted space, but not for him to stay away.
It’s not his fault he discovered my weakest point and dared to ask questions I’m not ready to answer.All Autumn knew for sure was that the flowers had first appeared when she’d returned to the stage and appeared every year since on the anniversary of her accident. At first, she’d hoped they were from her parents, wondering if even though they weren’t supporting her publicly, maybe they were trying to support her in secret. However, when she’d tried to thank them, they’d had no idea what she was talking about. She’d never mentioned it again. Now, she never accepted flowers at the end of her performances. When it only happened once a year, it was easy to forget about it, to rationalise someone trying to sympathise with her in remembrance of the day.
Maybe whoever is sending it means no harm. They’re merely trying to mark the day.She reached under her shirt, her fingertips grazing her scars.As if I ever need reminding. My body reminds me every day.
Chapter Twenty
Elijah
ON MONDAY, AUTUMN left for rehearsals first thing. Working with Francis on the final demo was a great distraction, but all he could think about was getting home to Autumn. He couldn’t believe she might have a stalker, or at the very least, a fan that was far too comfortable getting too close. The thought that someone might want to harm her emotionally or physically made it hard for him to breathe. When he chatted to Aiden, it took all his will not to tell him about what was happening with the roses, but it wasn’t up to him to go to the police behind her back. He resolved to wait until Autumn was ready.
That evening, he was greeted at the door by Brinkley, who scampered in from the kitchen. With no music or the sound of cooking, it was eerily quiet.Maybe Autumn is already asleep?he mused,disappointed because he wanted to talk—to apologise for last night.
Flicking on the kitchen light, he found beer bottles and an empty bottle of wine on the kitchen table.Nina must have been over while I was out. They could have gone out together?He changed into a T-shirt and sweats before making a cup of coffee. Only when he went to sit down did he notice Autumn’s bag on the couch. Brinkley barked as he knocked over her favourite stuffed panda.
“Shhh! She must be sleeping,” he said, putting her keys in her bag so she wouldn’t have to look for them in the morning. Cleaning up the mess, he opened the recycling bin to dump the bottle of wine. His blood ran cold when a whole bundle of roses stared up at him. Had someone got into the house?
“Autumn!” he called, rushing upstairs to find her door open and the room empty. The fairy lights were on and her shoes were by her dresser, but the bed was made.
Elijah fisted his hair, his heart hammering as he panicked. He was about to head back downstairs when Brinkley pawed at the bathroom door. The door was unlocked, and there sat Autumn, fully dressed, in the bathtub.
“Are you okay?” He braced himself against the door, letting out a sigh as he realised she was safe.
“You can’t come in, I’m in the bath!” Autumn laughed at him, sinking lower into the bathtub as if trying to hide even though there was no water and she was dressed. “Why are you home?” she slurred.
He’d thought she didn’t drink, but clearly, he was mistaken. She was holding a glass of white wine in one hand. Though she was smiling, her eyes were puffy from crying.
“Because I live here,” he said, leaning against the sink.
“Invader!” Autumn pointed at him, lying back in the tub.Thank God she didn’t fill it with water,he thought.“Did you see the roses? Fifteen for the fucking fifteenth of May. Every year.” She put down the bottle and picked up the ripped-up rose petals covering her legs.
Elijah wanted to wring the neck of whoever was tormenting her like this. He prayed he never met them face to face for fear of what he might do.
“Let me help you out,” he offered, not wanting to further her pain by discussing her latest gift.
“No! I’m happy here,” she said, pulling her knees beneath her chin.
