Page 39 of A Wish for Jinnie
Jinnie related how Mark had said he didn’t find her attractive any more, then quickly moved on to another staff member at the agency where they worked. All the time she fiddled self-consciously with her naked ring finger, the pastry forgotten. Sam finished his and fought down the urge to drive to Edinburgh, storm through the agency doors and punch her ex in the face.
‘It’s been in my jewellery box ever since, and I can’t decide what to do with it,’ she continued. ‘I thought about selling it — it must be worth quite a bit — but that doesn’t feel right. Unless I gave the money to charity, or something.’
Sam wondered if Jinnie was still hung up on Mark. The break-up hadn’t been long ago. Maybe she had kept the ring in the hope they’d get back together…
‘In case you’re thinking I’d ever want him back’ —clearly mind-reading was one of her skills —‘there’s absolutely no way. If I fall in love again it will be with someone who loves me just the way I am.’ Jinnie ceased her finger-twiddling and gave Sam a look so achingly raw he longed to kiss her again. On the forehead, as a father would kiss a sobbing child — Heck, who was he kidding? He wanted to return to that fateful night and not make a pig’s ear of it this time.
‘Jinnie, only you can decide what’s the right thing to do, but for what it’s worth, I think you should give it back. Gain closure, although I bloody hate that expression.’
Jinnie was silent for a few moments. Probably the thought of facing Mark again filled her with dread. Sam toyed with the idea of offering to drive her there himself, then figured he might end up facing a charge of grievous bodily harm.
‘You’re right.’ Jinnie stood up purposefully and crammed a chunk of the pastry in her mouth. She chewed, swallowed, then spoke again. ‘I’ll call the agency later, check if he’s in tomorrow, and get it over with. Thanks, Sam.’ Before he could reply a couple of customers wandered in, and Jinnie bounded over to greet them.
* * *
‘Please pleasepleasecan Icome with you?’ Dhassim clasped his hands together in prayer, his amber eyes piercing Jinnie’s conscience. She’d been frostier than a neglected freezer over the weekend, furious at how many times their cover story had almost come unstuck. Sam undoubtedly smelt a rat, and the last thing they needed was to be clocked together by someone in the village.Davidwas supposed to be back in Jersey, making wishes come true for the sick and vulnerable. Not skipping off to Edinburgh with Jinnie to confront Mark and commit God knows how many faux pas.
‘No, no andno!’Jinnie stirred the pan of scrambled eggs she’d prepared for their dinner. ‘You had your little trip on Friday, and that wentreallywell, didn’t it?’
Her oozing sarcasm was wasted on Dhassim. He’d dodged her glacial stares and barbed comments since meeting Sam, more intent on vacuuming, dusting and making Brae Cottage shine like the proverbial new penny. Tiring of Jennifer Aniston, he’d now developed a crush on Reese Witherspoon.Legally Blondehad played on a loop, with the rest of her back catalogue lined up for his delectation.
‘I thought it did, Jinnie. Your Sam most definitely liked me, although I suspect he likes you a little more.’ Dhassim wrapped his arms around himself and made irritating ‘mwah, mwah’ noises.
‘Firstly he’s notmySam, and secondly I’m sure he thought you’d escaped from an asylum.’ Jinnie buttered toast aggressively and dumped spoonfuls of egg on top. ‘Eat this, I need to figure out what I’m going to wear tomorrow.’
Jinnie stomped up the stairs, shovelling in eggs as she went. Her call to the agency had confirmed that Mark would be in the office, and she’d made an appointment for 11 am under a false name and the pretext of discussing properties in the half a million plus bracket. Jinnie imagined Mark salivating at the thought of a well-heeled prospective client, his eyes glittering at the potential commission. Boy, was he in for a surprise.
‘I promise I’ll be good.’ Dhassim stood on the threshold of Jinnie’s bedroom, clutching a packet of Maltesers. He lobbed one in the air, and caught it in his mouth. ‘It will take my mind off the lamp, and my dream of seeing Aaliyah again. Ah, Jinnie, she was truly more beautiful than Jennifer and Reese combined.’
Dammit! Jinnie had forgotten to ask Sam about the lamp. She’d been too focused on her own problems, too keen to seek Sam’s wise counsel. She felt a wave of guilt at her self-centredness. Almost a week had passed since lunch at her parents’, and she’d only managed a couple of texts to check on Wilma’s health.Still coughing and refusing to see the doctor,her mum had replied. And Hannah had messaged her several times, demanding to know when they could meet up again.Any luck with Sam or Ed?she’d written.Or have you lost the key to your chastity belt? LOL xxx
Jinnie crouched down, opened her mouth, and caught a Malteser. She high-fived Dhassim, then pulled out the little black dress she’d bought all those weeks ago. Only worn once, and — quick sniff — still good to go. It seemed fitting that she wear it as she strode into Mark’s office —
‘Please, Jinnie?’ Dhassim did an Olympic gymnast-worthy roll across the floor and under the abdominal trainer. ‘My time here is coming to an end, and I would like to experience one more visit to the outside world.’ He tilted his knees towards his chest, and performed a rapid series of crunches.
The small pile of Sam’s borrowed clothes still lay in the corner. She hadn’t got round to washing and returning them. Maybe if Dhassim borrowed a knitted hat and pulled it down a long way (preferably over his face), they might get away with a quick jaunt to the city. Jinnie also had a pair of enormous fake-designer sunglasses she’d bought in a bid to appear a bit glamorous and Hollywood. Mark had taken one look and said she resembled a giant fly.
‘OK, you can come with me.’ Jinnie dropped the dress on the bed as Dhassim catapulted upright and squeezed her tight. She hugged him back, with a lump in her throat that had nothing to do with a trapped chocolate ball.My time here is coming to an end.Did she have any wishes left? Not that she could think of. Apart from wishing that the clock wasn’t ticking for her genie friend.
Chapter 37
By some miracleJinnie and Dhassim boarded the train into Edinburgh without being spotted. There was one nerve-jangling moment when Janette rounded a corner, resplendent in a bright blue top and leggings that made her legs look like sausages on the brink of explosion. Desperate not to be dragged into conversation, Jinnie tugged Dhassim behind a line of wheelie bins, where they crouched until the coast was clear. ‘Eugh, this place smells!’ Dhassim protested, Jinnie shushing him furiously.
With the coast clear, they legged it to the platform and reached the city without further incident apart from Dhassim complaining that the hat made his ears itch (although he kept admiring his reflection wearing Jinnie’s sunglasses).
It was a crisp, clear day, the sky an unspoiled blue. Dhassim clung to Jinnie’s arm, intimidated by the volume of people crowding the streets. She pointed out the landmarks they’d soared above on their magic-carpet ride, although Dhassim seemed more impressed with the shops lining Princes Street. ‘What is all this colourful fabric?’ he enquired as they stopped outside a tourist trap with a lurid window display of bargain kilts and plaid throws. Jinnie explained about tartan, and how different clans had their own distinct colours and patterns.
They wandered inside, and Jinnie took great delight in winding Dhassim up when he came upon a shelf of furry toys. ‘Those are replicas of haggis — plural “haggi” — which roam the highlands of Scotland,’ she told him. ‘Sadly, they are killed for their meat, which you’re rather partial to.’
Dhassim turned light green and dropped the similarly hued toy he’d picked up. ‘That is barbaric!’ he cried. ‘Why did you not tell me this, Jinnie? I will never eat haggis again.’
Giggling at his face when she confessed it was a big fat fib, Jinnie caved in when he begged her to buy him a cheap sporran. Dhassim dangled it over his groin and performed a little jig.
Checking her watch, Jinnie realised she had only ten minutes until her appointment with Mark. ‘Come on, we need to go,’ she urged. His office was only a couple of streets away, but Jinnie needed to deposit Dhassim somewhere. There was no way she’d get through this with Dhassim sticking his oar in. ‘Here’s some cash.’ Jinnie handed him a fiver and hustled him into a quiet café. ‘Get yourself a coffee or something and stay put until I get back. And donotspeak to anyone … well, apart from whoever takes your order.’
A few minutes later Jinnie stood at the entrance of the agency. She popped on another pair of cheap sunglasses and tucked her hair into a baker boy cap.Deep breaths,she told herself.And suck your tummy in.She marched in, head held high, and approached the reception desk. ‘Jennifer Witherspoon to see Mark Mitchell,’ Jinnie announced.
The receptionist — luckily a new one, otherwise Jinnie’s cover might have been blown — smiled sweetly and picked up her phone to buzz Mark. A moment later, she pointed at the closed door of Mark’s office.OK, this is it. Show time.
