Maybe I should just try and communicate with her, Richard thought, as he lay in bed next to Nicky, who was reading a book. Good luck, Gardener! Maybe I should just forget about the name Christina Long, and stay focused on Mrs. Rees, at least then I won’t have to worry about stupid Registrar Offices and police stations. At least then I could keep a little dignity.
“Good book?” he asked.
“Not bad,” she replied, in a tone that suggested she didn’t want to be disturbed.
“What’s it about?”
She placed the open book on her chest and turned to him, with a look of annoyance. “Babe, I’m trying to read.”
He rolled his eyes, and almost musically said, “Sorry.”
“I’m at a crucial part. Just give me ’til the end of this chapter and we’ll chat then. All right?”
He tutted like a spoiled child and laid back, staring blindly at the ceiling, thinking of how much better he felt when she was with him—as if his ghost was powerless when she was around.
Perhaps she is, he wondered.
After a few minutes Nicky slotted in a bookmark and closed the book. “There—all done.” She turned onto her side, facing him. “What you wanna talk about?”
He looked at her, then shrugged. “Don’t know. Nothing comes to mind.”
Scowling, she replied, “Then why did you make me stop reading?”
He shrugged again. “I just wanted some company.”
Staring at him with a confused look, she said, “But I’m right next to you.”
“I know that, but you’re always reading your books.”
“No I’m not,” she replied.
He looked at her with suspicion. “Really? How many books have you read this month already?”
She grimaced while she tried to recall. “Just a couple.”
“More than just a couple.” He put his arm over her. “Look, I don’t mind, it’s just I like chatting with you in bed. I hate when you fall asleep before me.”
She smiled. “I like chatting with you too. And you’re right, I do read a lot of books. But if you remember, you’re the one who’s usually sleeping before me. The only difference now is that you’re not in work at the moment.”
“I know, you’re right. I was a selfish prick before.”
“No, I didn’t mean that…”
“No, I’m being serious. These last few days have made me realize what’s important in life. And of course work is important—for both of us—but you’re my priority.”
She smiled tightly, then kissed him. “I love you.”
He returned a smile. “I love you more.”
She draped her arm over his bare chest, moving in close to him, with her eyes shut. “So what’s your day like tomorrow? Anything nice?” she asked, softly.
“Wake up. Have some breakfast. Go food shopping. Maybe nip into town to look around the shops. Clean the house a bit. Have a workout. Watch a film. Maybe sort out the office and put some of that junk up the attic. You know—the usual crap.”
“Sounds good,” she replied, barely audible. “When’s your next appointment with the doctor?”
“Not ’til next week. Although I’m dreading it a little. I’ve got a horrible feeling that he’s gonna tell Leah to give me another week off. If he does, then I think I’ll just have to tell them that I can’t, because it’s worse for my health being stuck at home all day doing jack-shit. It’s like those old retired people. They drop dead in the first year. Just like that. Nothing to occupy your mind. It happens all the time. You’ve got to have a drive. Something to keep you going. And mine’s working at TSH. D’you know what I mean, Nic?”
She didn’t answer.