Page 30 of Waste
Shelley stared out of the window and noted Mirry staring back. “That might be an issue. I think she’s interested in one of you.”
“Don’t say that!” Charlie and Drew exclaimed together, and Shelley chuckled.
“She keeps looking over here,” Shelley added.
“Stop staring at her! Don’t encourage that evil bitch!” Drew hissed, and Shelley laughed harder.
“I’m guessing you’re not a fan!” Shelley teased.
“Hell no! Especially not after what I heard spilling from her lips,” Drew retorted, taking the mug of hot chocolate that Charlie offered him.
“I wouldn’t have thought she’s rich enough to come here,” Charlie said, sipping his own drink.
“She’s not. That chalet belongs to a TV producer. She’s probably borrowed it from him,” Drew explained, and Shelley nodded. That made sense.
“Pull the curtains. I don’t want her looking in. People like Mirry Moor are always seeking a way to make a quick buck,” Drew sneered.
“I’m not as rich as you, dude, but I’ve come across a fair amount of gold diggers,” Charlie agreed.
Shelley shook her head. In truth, she’d dated a few guys, but they’d not done much for her, so she’d broken off with them after a few dates. If there was no chemistry present, why continue? She had been thinking she was asexual until Drew. Because Jo had hit the nail on the head. Drew was gorgeous and, even better, from what she’d seen so far, he was genuine, which was incredibly attractive to her.
She wondered what Drew would say about her huge secret. That she’d seen a real-life monster who wasn’t a monster, would Drew laugh at her or call someone to lock her up? Hell, she didn’t even trust Charlie and her family with that knowledge. Shelley had no intention of sharing the ghoul with anyone. She hadn’t finished with him by a long shot.
She wondered how she’d be able to continue her research with Charlie and Drew around. They would certainly put a cramp in her activities. Then again, while they were out skiing, it would give her plenty of time to log on to her laptop.
“What are you thinking about? Did I mess up with what I bought?” Charlie inquired, and Shelley jolted. She realised she’d been staring at the puzzle for a while.
“No!” she was quick to reassure her brother.
“What is it? Are you okay?” Charlie asked in a low voice, glancing at Drew.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just overwhelmed,” Shelley admitted honestly.
“It’s been a long couple of months. We’ll find out who tampered with your brakes, Shels,” Charlie promised.
“The police will,” Shelley said with a weak smile. The truth was, she didn’t have faith in DI Wilson, and she didn’t think they’d capture whoever tried to harm her.
Shelley’s mind kept returning to the ghoul’s warning. She wished—no, needed—more information about these Hunters. The ghoul had been clearly worried about them. If he was, Shelley guessed she should be, too. She was unsure how to contact him now that she was no longer at home.
Shelley sent a surreptitious look towards the mirror hanging over the fireplace in the cabin before looking away. Should she call out to Mary Worth and demand the ghoul appear here? The positive was that with all this snow, his white skin would blend in. But his red eyes—well, they could pass for an animal.
Drew and Charlie continued shooting the shit and bragging to each other about the slopes they’d tackled. Shelley shuffled over and made as if she were checking her hair.
“Mary Worth,” she whispered three times. “I have to speak to the ghoul. Please tell him I need him and ask him to come.”
For a moment, Shelley could swear her image changed, but it was so quick she was unsure.
“Shelley?” Drew called, and Shelley turned with a smile.
“Just talking to myself, because… you know… you two are so in love with each other,” Shelley quickly deflected.
Both men scowled at her, and Shelley grinned. Job done!
Drew/Ghoul
Damn it. He’d caught Shelley’s soft words, although Charlie hadn’t. Shelley was not letting this shit go. Drew didn’t understand what to do. Clearly, he hadn’t frightened her enough last time because she still wanted to reach out to him. Frustration rose, and he decided to jump home tonight and speak to Pandora. She might have some advice, either her or from Marie.
Of course, it was dangerous to attempt the visit when he had guests, but what else could he do? Shelley had to be distracted. Could one of the other siblings visit and scare the pants off her? Let her see Ghoul eating the dead flesh he needed to survive? Drew shunned those ideas as quickly as they came into his head. No, that would traumatise Shelley, and he didn’t want her light dimmed.
