I stumbled away from Ray. Not daring to glance back, in case he had already gone. Which would allow me to think all I had seen and learnt today was a lie, a strange figment of my imagination, or a delusion I’d used to keep myself company.
I looked down at my wrist, in any ways I was grateful for these little scratches he’d given me. They were grounding, allowing me to feel much less crazy. A confirmation, almost, that he was out there, and today had happened.
The scratches didnt hurt, I hadn’t lied to him. I hadn’t wanted to, the look of fear in his face when he realised he’d drawn blood was enough to know he hadn’t meant to.
I smiled down at the five little lines around my wrist, already scabbing over.
‘At least I can use them when I wake up tomorrow to prove to myself this wasnt all some crazy dream.’
I thought to myself as a small laugh escaped my lips.
I was lost in thought the whole way home. Struggling up the steep cliff path and stumbling over the tree roots surrounding the ledge when I reached the top.
The sun had sunk low into the sky before I made it onto the man made road that linked my house to the more central village. The shadows of the surrounding trees were long and it made this already shady area of road much darker. I picked up my pace.
I wasn’t scared of the dark. Just cautious of it, in the woods. You never know what might be out there.
Oh no.
I really don’t know what’s out there, if mermaids are real, then what else? Could I be being stalked by a werewolf? A vampire?!
I managed to emerge into the setting suns light just before I began spiralling, putting those questions away to ask Ray at some point.
I’d decided to come round the front entrance of my house, as this way, it allows me to see whether my Mum’s car is in the drive. Which would therefore give me a little time to come up with an elaborate lie about where I’d been today. And, a more accurate tale, if I were to say I’d been on a walk around the village.
I doubt that with this weeks previous events, she’d be happy with the amount of time I’ve spent down at the beach, so to sooth her conscious, a little white lie will have to do.
I turned the corner towards my house and caught a glimpse of the drive way, there was no car.
I let out a relived sigh, my foggy, overwhelmed brain would not be able to come up with a good excuse at the moment, so I was glad I didn’t have to.
I realised I didn’t actually know what the current time was and pulled my phone out of my bag to check. It was only just seven, I still had a good few minuets to get back into the house before Mum got home.
I was making my way slowly down the road towards my front door, when I noticed a car pulled up on the curb just past our house.
It was a large black bulky thing, not unlike my mothers, however this one was new. If not new then highly maintained, very unlike Mum’s car.
Strange, not many people driving around here and we don’t have any neighbours who live close enough to want to park there.
I assume it’s a lost tourist and decide to make my way cautiously toward the mystery vehicle. With the intention of making sure everyone was okay, whilst also hoping my scary face privilege to scares them off and I don’t have to interact with them, either was fine.
Eyeing the front windscreen as best I could, though the low sun was setting behind the car, so anybody inside remained in the shadows.
I had just approached the small hedge, surrounding our little front garden, when the drivers door opened.
Very abruptly, might I add. I jumped a little, and paused my progression towards the car.
From the car, came a tall man of what I assumed was South-Asian decent. He was mature in age, his hair was greying around his ears but he still had a full head of hair styled neatly back. he wore a simple lightweight navy cardigan and loose grey corduroy jeans. He looked simple and classy, until you reached his feet, where, if my eyes were not mistaking me, he wore a pair of green crocs. Strange.
I looked up from his odd choice of footwear to find he’d shut the car door and was making his way over to me.
He approached me quickly, and I noticed he was quite a tall man. I’ve never considered myself short, coming in at a rough 5ft 12, but this man had a good few inches on me.
“Ah-hem.” The man coughs and I quickly shut my slightly gaping mouth.
“I was wondering if you could help me,” He earnestly looks me in the eyes, he has a strong, posh, British accent, obviously not from around here. “I’m looking for Kassandra, does she live near here?”
What did this guy want with Mum?
I squinted my eyes at him and held my chin up.
“Who’s asking?” I did my best to sound intimidating but my heart was pounding so loudly in my chest I couldn’t think of much else.
“I’m David. We met the other day and she said she lived around these parts, so I thought I’d try and meet her here.” He explains.
“I admit now it wasn’t the most thought out plan.” He continues with a sheepish grin.
I raised my eyebrow again asking him to continue.
“Do you know her?” He sounds almost desperate, “I’ve been driving around here all day asking for her, but everyone here gives confusing directions…” he fades off.
I sigh.
“Yes I know her, but she hasn’t mentioned you David.” I again eyed him, looking him up and down, lingering on the crocs before going back to his eyes.
“Oh..” He sounded dejected.
“Where exactly did you meet?” I frown, “Mum’s been home most of the week, so I doubt she would’ve bumped into you that recently.”
“Mum?” He questions.
Shit, I misspoke.
Without missing a beat he continues, “You’re Theo then?”
I look at David absolutely flabbergasted about to open my mouth and demand some answers from this strange man.
“I met Kassandra at the hospital the other day.” He quickly interjects before I can get a word out.
“You weren’t my patient but I got talking to her over my break, I work there.”
My mouth had formed a little o shape at his explanation.
“Speaking of,” he continues, growing his thick brows, “Didn’t you almost drown the other day? What are you doing coming back at this hour? I’ve been sat here debating which road I haven’t tried for the past hour and I didn’t see you leave.”
My eyes widen, shit, I’ve got a snitch.
“I- um- was just on a walk.” I say sounding super convincing. “Around the village ya know…” I cringe at myself.
He smirks and nods, looking increasingly disbelieving.
I again open my mouth to plead my case, but at that moment the crunching of the stoney road and my Mums cars loud engine make a sudden approach from the road behind David.
The car stops for a second after turning the corner, and I assume my Mum is taking in who and what exactly is outside her house, before quickly continuing and pulling into the front drive to the side of the house.
Me and David watch her, not moving from out spots as she quickly exits her car. Glancing over he shoulder with questioning eyes the whole time whilst she digs around in the footwell for her bag.
After she retrieves it she abruptly slams the car door shut and I watch as her small frame manages to shake her giant car with the force of the slam.
She marches over, she’s still in her overalls, with old paint splattered over them, with new splashes adjorning her face and bare arms. Her hair is tied back in a pony tail.
Despite her unthreatening demenour, she’s doing a very good job frowning down David as she marches her way over. He falters back a step, taken aback by her “Mum vibes”.
Then, halfway between us and the car she stops, eyebrows raised, and eyes flicking back and forth between the two of us.
She squints harder.
“David?” She calls, “David is that you?”
“Kassandra?” David calls back, I assume confused by the contrast between this woman and the one he saw a few days ago. If they met at the hospital… I’m pretty sure Mum was only half dressed that day, replacing the majority of her clothing for her pyjamas.
Mum instantly looks relieved and comes running over to us, joining me at my side as she faces David. She pulls an exhasperated face and I notice that David has forgotten I’m even here.
Ah. So that’s what this is.
“What on earth are you doing here David?” Mum laughs, “Get lost on your way to the beach?”
David, as if remembering I was there, glances over to me then back to mum and replies smoothly.
“I had a day off, and the way you described this village made it seem so inviting I just had to visit.” He smiled a dazzling smile, I debated whether those were his real teeth, they were so white.
“Though,” He continued, “I must admit, I’ve been searching for you most of the day, I wanted to take up your offer of a tour guide.”
Mum is silent for a second, “Oh!” She suddenly exclaims.
“Theo!” She turns to look at me, “This is David!” She gestures to him enthusiastically and he gives a small slightly confused wave.
“We met whilst you were at the hospital, he really calmed me down whilst I was getting all worked up about you, Dear.”
“He’d mentioned something like that.” I mutter. But Mum ignores me and faces back towards David.
“I’m so sorry David, I forgot to mention I’m pretty busy with work at the moment, you’ll have to get your tour another day.” She leans towards him and smiles up.
“Though!” She interjects, “Since you’re here now, how about you stay for dinner, I’d love to hear more about your Nieces and Nephews, you were telling me about the other day!”
David’s face lights up, “I’d love to, if you’re sure I wont intrude.” He again eyes me.
I squint my eyes back at him, trying to convey I see through him and this strange wooing technique completely but he either misses it or ignores it as he’s gazing back at Mum a second later, face still lit up.
“Nonsense, I always cook enough for about 6 anyways! Don’t I Theo?” She glances over at me.
I shrug, “Leftovers are nice.”
They both laugh at that and begin making their way towards the front enterance.
As mum is getting out her key she suddenly looks over to me.
“Why were you two just standing outside anyway?” She squints suspicious eyes back over to me and I gulp. I’d forgotten about making an excuse.
“He was just about to go out on a short walk, before he noticed me.” David suddenly pipes up, Mums head whips around to him, and I stare at him flabbergasted.
“He stopped and was just beginning to help me out before you showed up.” He finishes with a warm smile.
“Oh.” Breathes Mum, “Well, isn’t that nice of you dear” she gives me a warm smile and turns back to the door, fiddling with her keys still.
David gives me a little wink and I close my stunned mouth to give him a small nod.
Okay maybe David isn’t bad.
We all quickly moved inside and Mum guided David towards the kitchen, I lingered for a moment, watching from the door, to make sure there were no ill intentions from David.
I mean, though Mum did give him an open invitation to visit, he still spent the whole day searching for her. That’s some dedication, maybe a little too much.
Or maybe he’s just a genuine guy who wants to get to know her. Still a little desperate, but I guess he didn’t force his way in.
I decide his intentions are pure, well, as pure as wooing my mother could go. So I leave them alone to cook and head to my room, giving them some time together.
I’d usually help out, but today, I definitely feel like I’d be a third wheel.
Besides, It’s nice to see my Mum getting some attention, she’s been alone now for over twenty two years, maybe now its the time to find someone new.
And he’s a doctor… nice one mum, you got this.
The recent events had successfully distracted my mind from the events of the rest of today. It’s only when I go to change out of my salty shirt to have a refreshing shower, so hopefully Mum doesn’t notice a distinct sea smell coming from me over dinner, I notice the little scratches on my wrist.
A smile grows on my face and my brain is distracted all over again. With thoughts of him.
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