Page 44 of A Wish For Jo
Tearing off several sheets, Dhassim dabbed at Jo's face with great tenderness. She conjured up a watery smile before taking the paper and blowing her nose. 'Thank you.'
Dhassim guided Jo to the sofa and sat down next to her. Aaliyah sat on her other side, putting Jo in a veritable genie sandwich. Maybe now was the time to make her third wish: to banish Harvey from her life and accept that they were never meant to be. But that seemed a waste of a wish. She didn't need genie magic to put distance between them.
'So, did lover boy prove a flop?' Aaliyah arched an eyebrow. 'What you need is a younger man to spice up your life. Jamie's free, by the way—'
Jo stifled a snort of derision. 'I don't need a man, young or otherwise. To be honest, I'd be better off with a dog. At least they're loyal and reliable, and don't need more than feeding, walking and petting.'
'Ooh, can we get a chihuahua?’ said Dhassim. ‘Iadorethose little darlings, and you can pop them in your handbag. Not that I have a handbag, but I'm totally open to getting a cute across-the-body number. What do you think, angel cakes?'
Jo levered herself off the sofa, leaving chihuahua-loving Dhassim to snuggle up to Aaliyah. ‘Absolutely not. It's hard enough giving houseroom to two genies, never mind chucking a pooch into the mix. I'm off to bed. Switch off the lights and keep your libidos on silent mode.'
Removing her make-up — what little remained after her bout of crying — Jo brushed her teeth and scrambled into her favourite fleecy pyjamas. Her phone remained downstairs, which was just as well. If Harvey had sent an apology, she didn't want to read it. If he hadn't…
To the faint thrum of the television downstairs, Jo sought sleep, but found it as elusive as a winning lottery ticket. She pummelled a pillow, flung a leg outside the duvet, then hauled it back in when her toes turned icy. The bedside clock read 10.30. There were too many hours ahead to thrash around in frustration and ignorance. Better to get up, make a cup of tea, and…
Sod the tea. And whoever Harvey's mystery caller had been, Jo didn't need to know. What she wanted —neededto know was where they stood, and now seemed as good a time as any to find out.
'I'm off out,' she called to Dhassim and Aaliyah, who were engrossed in a chat show.
'Dressed like that?' Dhassim nudged Aaliyah, who gave Jo a scathing glance before turning up the volume.
'It's cold outside,' retorted Jo, zipping up the oversized coat she'd bought on a whim in Edinburgh several months ago. Admittedly, it resembled a giant sleeping bag with room to spare for another occupant. But it concealed the fact that she was still wearing her pyjamas.
'If you're hoping to ignite flames of passion with your fella, wearingthatis a big mistake, ma chérie.'
'Yeah, it makes you look like a quilted hippopotamus,' added Aaliyah. 'Or a puffy elephant balloon.'
Dhassim erupted into a fit of giggles. 'If the flames get too strong, you can always use it as a fire blanket.'
Honestly, why I give those two houseroom…Jo grabbed her comfy boots and wrestled them on: no easy feat when cocooned in a feather-stuffed fat suit.
Waddling along the road to Harvey's place, Jo questioned her sanity. Not in terms of her sartorial selection, or having housemates who drove her round the bend, but because turning up unannounced, again, didn’t rank highly on the smart-o-meter. But what did she have to lose?
Relieved to see the lights still on, Jo rapped on the door. She unzipped her coat a fraction, aware that its generous padding had caused an outbreak of underarm sweat and an unbecoming facial flush.
'Jo.' Harvey stood in the doorway, puzzlement writ large on his face. 'What are you doing here?'
Oh, just channelling my inner idiot and clinging to the tiny hope that we had something special going on. Also wondering what possessed me to wear the most unflattering garment I own.'It's called unfinished business, Harvey. One minute we were settling down to share a romantic meal, the next I was hustled out the door like an unwelcome virus.'
Harvey blushed. Now they resembled a pair of red traffic lights, appropriately, as neither moved an inch. Jo waited. Harvey hesitated. A car sped by, rap music emanating from inside. Probably not a local.
'Can I come in? I haven't eaten, and your food smelt delicious. Unless you scoffed it all with your unexpected visitor?'
'I didn't. It's still in the pot and likely past its best. A bit like me. Jo, come in. I can't believe you're here.'
Jo stepped in, pausing to shrug off the monstrosity of a coat. Harvey didn't comment, but his mouth twitched as he hung it on a peg which collapsed under its weight.
'Oops. Sorry about that.'
'Not a problem. Come on, let's see if the food is salvageable.'
A quick glance at Harvey's vegetarian delight revealed it to be well past its best. It was welded to the bottom of the pan and an unappetising sludge green.
'Not to worry, I'll settle for a cuppa and a biscuit.' Jo smiled, the tension between them easing. Following Harvey into the tiny kitchen, she pressed herself against a chipped cabinet, conscious of their close proximity.
Harvey opened a door and retrieved a beige canister withTeaemblazoned on the side. He flipped the silver clasp and delved inside. 'Janette's finest, and I use the word "finest" with a degree of sarcasm.' He bent down to the fridge, pulled out a carton of milk, and sniffed it. 'Not yet rancid. Miracle of miracles.'
Eager to help, Jo filled the kettle and switched it on. Harvey mumbled something about needing to charge his laptop, and disappeared.
