Page 68 of A Wish For Wilma
‘I’ll do my best.’ Wilma hesitated. ‘I love you, Gus.’
‘And I love you too, Wilma. I always had a soft spot for you back in the day, but Eric got there first.’
‘Aye, he did, but good things come to those who wait.’
CHAPTER39
‘Sam?’
Jinnie jiggled Dahlia up and down in the sling strapped across her front. Nothing soothed her, and her anguished wails tore at Jinnie’s soul. She’d fed her, burped her, changed her, sung silly songs and taken her for a walk around the block. She called out Sam’s name again, to no avail.
Aaliyah appeared, yawning excessively, despite having the sleeping ability of a chipmunk.
He’s gone out.’
Thumbing through some childhood books she hoped to share one day with Dahlia, Jinnie had learned chipmunks slept on average fifteen hours a day. Oh, if only!
‘Out where?’
Aaliyah shrugged. ‘I think he said something about the lady with the clothing shop, but I wasn’t really listening. Can you not get her to stop crying?’
‘What do you suggest, oh wise genie? I’ve tried everything, but short of sticking a cork in her mouth, I’m out of ideas.’ Jinnie’s eyes swam with tears. Everything made her tearful at the moment. She’d cried buckets at an episode of a farming show where a baby lamb didn’t make it and sobbed hysterically when she learned her favourite mascara had been discontinued.
‘Give her here.’ Aaliyah gestured impatiently. ‘You humans are so inadequate when it comes to the basics.’
Jinnie released a squalling Dahlia and passed her over. ‘That’s because we don’t have magic at our fingertips, wish-giving gizmos, or eternal lives. You get to do things over and over again. We only get one shot, and I’m completely missing the target.’ Cue more sobs, accompanied by unattractive nasal seepage.
Aaliyah cradled Dahlia in her lithe arms. ‘Pet, I’m not qualified to comment on your mothering skills. My baby went from birth to brawn in a matter of days. I missed out on that, and it hurts. But this lass, she’s going to do amazing things. She’s truly special. I feel it in my bones.’
She started to sing in a language Jinnie didn’t recognise — definitely not Geordie — and rocked Dahlia back and forth, her voice almost hypnotic. Within minutes Dahlia stopped crying, a little bubble of milky drool seeping down her chin.
‘Thank you.’ Jinnie saw the tender look on Aaliyah’s face as she continued to rock her precious bundle. It transformed into a scowl when Dhassim sauntered in.
‘I don’t know how you can be so nonchalant when DJ is plotting something that could put the entire genie-verse in mortal danger,’ she muttered. Quietly, lest she wake up Dahlia.
‘That sounds ominous,’ said Jinnie. ‘Surely DJ wouldn’t do anything to put you in danger?’
‘Of course not,’ said Dhassim. ‘Although I am also a little nervous about his idea. I have heard tales of genies disobeying the rules and ending up in the everlasting fire of eternal damnation. That is not somewhere I care to go. He is an intelligent boy, ma chérie. It will turn out well.’
‘It had better, or the everlasting fire won’t be the only thing giving you a roasting.’
‘Are you going to tell me what DJ’s— On second thoughts, don’t. Not until Sam’s here.’ Jinnie wished Sam would return. Why on earth was he visiting Alison? She didn’t stock men’s clothing, and Jinnie doubted he’d be buying an outfit for her. Not when she complained on a daily basis that her belly resembled a deflated balloon and her boobs a pair of over-ripe melons.
She took a comatose Dahlia upstairs and installed her in the cot next to her and Sam’s bed, then switched on the horse carousel mobile, a gift from Jo, that hung over the cot. It played a traditional lullaby, in contrast to Aaliyah’s unfamiliar crooning. Tucking the fleecy blanket around Dahlia, Jinnie drank in the sight of her baby girl.Theirbaby girl. She had to shake off this dread of raising Dahlia on her own.
The closing of the front door signalled Sam’s return. Jinnie’s heart sped up and she threw herself face down on the bed.You’re a new mum. Everything is topsy-turvy right now. Sam will make it better.
‘Jinnie, are you OK?’ Sam snuggled up next to her, his body cold from the January weather. ‘Dumb question. You’re exhausted, and I’m no help.’
Jinnie flipped over. ‘Why were you at Alison’s? Aaliyah said that’s where you went. As well as telling me that DJ’s cooking up a scheme that might involve the three of them ending up in genie purgatory.’
Sam snuggled closer, his warm breath caressing Jinnie’s cheek. ‘I went to Alison’s because she’s looking to expand her boutique. Gale Force is attracting customers from far and wide, but the premises are tiny. My shop is bigger but I’ve neglected it, and truth be told, it’s more of an albatross than an asset.’
‘So?’
‘We’ve agreed I’ll lease Out of the Attic Antiques to Alison for now. Maybe sell it to her in the future. Who knows? I’m flexible, and so is she.’
Jinnie’s emotions galloped out of the stable and bolted for freedom. Sam was making life-changing decisions and not asking her opinion? She had no right to interfere, but she felt sidelined. ‘That’s great.’ She knew she sounded flat and unenthusiastic. ‘What will happen to Alison’s current place?’
