Page 27 of Star Witch
‘No problemo. Are you sure you’re okay?’
‘Yeah, yeah. Although…’ I paused. I’d trust Iqbal with my life but what I was about to say made me feel like an idiot.
‘What?’
‘Well, I’m with Winter on a job. Things are pretty awkward between us. I think he likes me and IknowI like him. But how do I broach the subject without scaring him off? I’m not with the Order and I’m not technically his partner any more, so there’s no real reason why we can’t be together. You’re a guy. Should I wait for him to make a move? What if he doesn’t?’
‘Ivy?’
‘Yes?’
‘This is Ivy, right? Ivy Wilde? The woman who does whatever she wants when she wants?’
‘Uh…’
‘You really do like him.’ Iqbal’s voice was full of wonder. ‘When have you bothered this much about a guy before?’
I coughed. Raphael Winter had sneaked into my head and, with his typical tenacity, he wasn’t letting go. ‘Never mind.’
‘Ivy Wilde, are you in love?’
‘Let’s talk about something else.’
‘Isthere anything else?’
‘No.’ I hesitated. ‘Actually, wait, there is something.’ I told him about the vial Belinda Battenapple wore around her neck. ‘Do you know what it is?’
‘No. I can look it up, if you want.’
‘I’d appreciate it.’
‘I’ll do what I can and get back to you.’ There was a beat. ‘Ivy, are you sure you’re alright? You sound … different.’
I shrugged. ‘I’m fine. I’d better go.’
‘Look after yourself.’
‘Always. Cheerio, Iqqy.’
I jabbed in the number for Julia, whose last name completely escaped me. When she answered with a purr, it was clear she’d been expecting someone very different. I hastily re-introduced myself and outlined Gareth’s problems without telling her any real specifics.
‘He needs to see someone, Ivy,’ she said. ‘Someone professional. I know someone who works up in that region. She’s brilliant. Give me your friend’s number and I’ll get her to give him a call.’
‘You’re the best.’
‘I know.’
I strode back to Gareth and passed the phone over to him so he could give her his details. He was somewhat taken aback that so many strangers seemed willing to help him out, but I knew that if I didn’t force him to get help he’d keep going on his own until he cracked completely. I could manage a few phone calls. He was the one who’d have to really work hard. Maybe sometimes we all need a bit of a nudge.
Chapter Nine
I snuggled up into my duvet feeling pretty damn pleased with myself. All in all, I reckoned it had been a good day’s work. I might have run around like a mad thing for the first part but I’d played the role of runner to perfection. I’d potentially saved two teenage boys from cancer, not to mention that I’d found Gareth the help he needed to return to a sane and normal life.
Of course, I didn’t want to have to work this hard every day. I probably ought to give myself the day off tomorrow after doing so well. It was only fair.
I stretched out, enjoying the sensation of drifting into to blissful sleep. This was what I needed. This was what it was about. Glorious, uninterrupted slumber. I sighed contentedly.
‘Ivy!’
