Page 57 of Someone For Everyone

Calvin reappeared, carrying a box with the wordChristmasscrawled on the side in his uncle’s distinctive handwriting. ‘There are two more,’ he said, disappearing back inside.

When all three boxes had been retrieved, he stood up and brushed cobwebs away from his hoodie, visibly shuddering. ‘Do I have any spiders in my hair?’

‘Several.’

Like a lightning bolt, he whipped off his hairband and chucked his head forwards, frantically shaking out his mass of curly hair. ‘Have they gone?’

‘I’m joking!’ Her laughter didn’t stop the guilt she felt at seeing his panic. ‘I’m sorry, that was mean of me. There’re no spiders in your hair, I promise.’

He straightened and gave her a loaded look. ‘I suppose you think you’re funny?’

She offered him an apologetic smile. ‘Sorry. My attempt at humour.’

He scraped his hair into a high ponytail, revealing the freshly shaved section below, and secured it with the band. ‘I’ll remember that next time you freak out when you think you’ve seen a ghost.’

‘No, you won’t.’ She smiled at his disgruntlement. ‘And I told you, I don’t believe in ghosts.’

He stacked the boxes and carried them from the room. ‘You sure about that?’

‘Positive.’ Carefully holding Jacob, she followed him into the library. ‘My mental health issues have nothing to do with paranormal activity. I’ve achieved bonkers status all by myself.’

Laughing, he glanced back. ‘You’re not bonkers, you’re… wounded. There’s a difference.’

‘It still equates to me embarrassing myself on a regular basis, as you witnessed only yesterday.’

‘You didn’t embarrass yourself.’ He stopped by the door. ‘And what did you mean when you said: “No, you won’t?” How do you know I won’t retaliate?’

It was a moment before she realised what he meant. ‘Ah, right. I said that because you’re a nicer person than me. Sad, but true.’

His eyes lifted to hers. ‘You’re nice… when you’re not torturing me by telling me I have spiders in my hair.’

She gave him a sheepish grin. ‘Sorry about that.’

‘I doubt that.’ He rolled his eyes and nodded at the door. ‘Can you get the door for me?’ And then he realised she had her hands full, too. ‘Forget I said that.’ He used his hip to release the handle and hooked his foot around the door to pull it open.

‘Very smoothly done.’

He headed into the lobby. ‘Where’s Alex today?’

‘Gone to get his hair cut. Hanna’s comment that he resembled a scarecrow made him self-conscious. I just hope he doesn’t come back with a shaved undercut like hers.’

‘Or mine?’ Calvin glanced back, one eyebrow raised.

‘You can get away with it, he can’t.’

‘Meaning?’

She followed him into the lounge. ‘On you it looks trendy and cool. It matches your tattoos and fashionable style. Alex’s hair is like mine, limp and painfully Caucasian. We’d end up looking like plucked chickens.’

Calvin laughed. ‘I might have to change my appearance if I get a new job. I’m not sure this look would work in an office.’ He lowered the boxes to the floor.

‘Depends on which office. Having said that, I can’t see you working behind a desk.’

He ripped off the tape on the first box. ‘No?’

‘You’d be better off doing something team-orientated and hands-on. You know, like running a care home.’

He pinned her with a glare. ‘Have you been talking to Esme?’

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