Page 72 of Just a Number

“Not really, just mentioned you might be in when I checked if they were okay.”

“Why wouldn’t they be okay?” I frown.

“They kept looking at me and talking. I’m surprised they didn’t accost me and bundle me down to the cellar for an interrogation. Did you hear about that?”

“Uh, no, but I did ask them to leave you alone and not talk about me. I got the impression they were trying to meddle.” I open up the browser on my phone, grateful for my mobile data with the wifi out, and search for power outages in my area. Alex stands just behind me, looking over my shoulder. It’s comforting having his steady presence behind me. He makes me feel safe.

“They’ve not been talking to me, Mel. Not since you ended things.” I wince at the hurt in his voice. Although I am glad they stopped meddling.

“I didn’t want them to bother you, not when I was the one to end things...” I try to explain myself.

“It’s okay.” He brushes a hand on my bicep as if to soothe me. “The page is open.” He points out.

When I put in the postal code on the power company’s website it comes up with an emergency outage. “Four hours. They’re saying it’s going to be at least that before it comes back on.”

“Have you got another torch to save your phone battery? Some candles?”

“I think there’s a torch in the laundry. And candles too. How do you know all this stuff?” I can’t hold the question in.

“Uhhh, my stepdad is useless and my mum panics in situations like this. I had to kinda figure it out as I went. Let’s go grab them and see if you have any spare I can borrow for tonight. I’m guessing the garage flat’s on the same circuit and will be out too.”

“Oh, um, let’s have a look.” We walk to the utility and I dig around in the cupboard there, pulling out a big torch, a box of emergency candles, and a lighter. A quick check and a sense of relief rolls over me when the torch comes on. “I don’t think I have another torch, but you could take some candles. Do you have matches or a lighter?”

“No, but I could go set up and then bring the lighter back to you. I can help you get yours set up first.”

Panic bubbles back up at the thought of him leaving.

“Can you stay?”

He stares at me. I must look a fright with the light from the torch.

He must be annoyed that I’m giving him such mixed messages. I break things off and now I’m asking him to stay. “It’s fine. You go, take the candles and lighter. I’ll be good with the torch.”

“I can stay,” he says quietly. “How about I sleep on the couch?”

“We could talk or play cards or something? I can’t see myself sleeping anytime soon.”

“Sure. Is it okay if I grab some water?”

“Of course. Are you hungry? I can find you a snack too.”

“Nah, it’s all good. I ate at the bar.” He takes a glass from the cupboard before filling it at the sink. I watch as he drinks it down and refills it.

I squeeze my eyes shut. I wish I was feeling more stable, that I could send him away and just be here by myself, but that stupid movie really spooked me. I don’t want to be alone. And if I send him away, I will probably spend the rest of the night, unable to sleep, freaking out at every little noise.

“Rummy,” Alex declares as he lays yet another winning hand down on the coffee table.

“How are you so bloody good at this?” I look across from where we’re sitting on the floor and watch a grin spread across his face.

“My Grandpa was a total card shark. He taught me. I haven’t played for ages though. Not since he…” His voice trails off. I reach across to lay my hand over his where he’s collecting up the cards to shuffle and deal again. “He died when I was eighteen. I’ve not really played since.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. It sounds like you were close?”

“Yeah, we were. He used to watch me after school until my mum found out he’d been taking me to the betting shop. I always preferred that though to going home and potentially bumping into my stepdad.”

“When did your mum remarry?”

It’s hard to make out his features, but the candlelight casts a gentle glow on his face, and I can see that he’s trying to work it out.

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