Page 52 of A Wish For Jo
Once Sam had left, she flipped the café sign to closed and crumpled to the floor. Drawing her knees up to her chin, she practised a relaxation exercise she'd downloaded to help with anxiety.Say the word 'relax' four times. Relax. Relax. Relax, Ree…laaaax.
'Pet, are you asleep or unconscious?' Aaliyah nudged Jo hard with her toe.
Jo started, scrambling to her feet. She'd drifted off, this time with Harvey spoon-feeding her strawberries marinated in something alcoholic and delicious. 'I'm awake now. Thanks for the kick.' She dusted down the seat of her trousers.
‘You've closed early,' said Aaliyah. 'Are you feeling sick?'
'You do look a bit pale,' added Dhassim. 'I overheard Sam talking about our lamps and being the chosen one. I think our suspicions are correct and he is connected to us, although he doesn't look like an all-powerful Djinn.'
'More like a librarian,' scoffed Aaliyah.
Before Jo could question a genie's familiarity with librarians, a pounding on the door interrupted her. She went to answer it.
'Jo.' It was Harvey, soaking wet from a sudden downpour that had turned the sky inky black.
'You really need to stop hammering on doors, you know.' Jo stood aside to let him in. A puddle of water formed at his feet and he shook his head vigorously, droplets spraying Jo's face.
'Sorry. I just wanted to see you one last time.' Harvey removed a cloth handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped away the rain splatters. Jo relished his touch, tiny jolts of electricity sparking through her body.
'What do you mean, one last time?' The sparks fluttered and died as she took in his grim expression. 'Harvey, you're scaring me.'
Muffled giggles behind her reminded Jo that genie ears were flapping. 'Can you two tidy up in the back and be ready to leave in ten minutes?' Jo locked the door and waited until the giggles subsided.
'I just can't stay here any longer.' Harvey returned the hankie to his pocket. 'Messing you around, knowing that word will soon spread about who I am and what I'm supposed to have done.'
'But youdidn'tdo it!' Jo curled her hands into fists. 'You ran away before. Running away again isn't the answer.'
'I don't know what else to do, Jo.' Harvey closed his eyes and exhaled, swaying slightly. Moving closer, Jo detected a whiff of alcohol on his breath. Now wasn't the time to be judgemental, though. The man had already been unfairly judged. 'Sit down, please.' Jo pulled out a chair.
Harvey shook his head. 'I need to go and pack my things. I've booked a bed and breakfast in Edinburgh for a couple of nights till I figure out what to do next.'
'So what was all that about us being friends?' Jo's voice grew louder as irritation competed with sympathy. 'I said I'd help you and I meant it. Don't you trust me?'
Harvey shook his head again, looking down at the floor. 'I don't trust myself. I've anger issues, grief issues and a talent for hurting people. It's better I move away and leave you in peace, Jo.'
Frustration flooded every fibre of Jo's being. She was so, so close to making that last wish: the one that would put Harvey's life back on track and allow her to lead a genie-free existence. But if he left, where would that leave her?
'Harvey, please don't go. Stay. Or we can meet up later and—'
'Let him go, Jo.' Aaliyah stepped between them, hands on hips, nostrils flaring like an irate donkey. 'He does not deserve you. There are plenty more fish in the sea.'
'Poissons dans la mer,' added Dhassim, sidling up to Aaliyah. 'It sounds much better in French.'
'Can you two go home and fix some dinner? There's fish fingers and chips in the freezer.' Jo’s mouth twisted at the irony of eating something fishy after their comments.
'As long as there’s tartare sauce,' said Aaliyah.
'Ketchup for me,' said Dhassim.
'Justgo!’ Jo slammed the door behind them and faced Harvey. His face was full of sorrow and regret. Something twanged inside her, and she wrapped her arms around him. At first he resisted, then buckled in her embrace.
'Don't leave.' Jo pressed her lips against his stubbly cheek, maintaining her grip as he rocked back and forth.
'I can't stay,' mumbled Harvey, stroking the back of Jo's head with exquisite tenderness. 'A beautiful, generous woman like you deserves much better than me. I'm just glad I had a little time with you, even though I made a pig's ear of everything.'
'You don't get to decide what I deserve.' Jo clung to Harvey, a chasm of despair opening up between them. 'Only I can do that.'
Harvey fingered his scar. 'If I could turn back time and be the kind of man worthy of someone like you, then maybe…' His hands dropped to his sides and he let out a groan.
