Love Lies Dying Read Free

“Nope, I’m too tired. It was a long trip, you know. I’ve been driving since Wednesday. Non-stop. I wasn’t even sure I’d make it here for the weekend.”
    “So,” John said as he settled into an armchair by the sofa, “you and Helen have been friends for a long time?”
    “Yep, ages!” Zoe smiled.
    “She’s never mentioned you…”
    Zoe put the coffee down on the table and placed the book next to her. She pulled her legs up onto the sofa and crawled to the end where she rested her elbows on the side-arms and stared directly at John.
    “Did I make you feel uncomfortable before, Johnny?”
    “Er...look I –”
    “I didn’t mean to. Helen said get comfortable and that’s how I am when I’m comfortable. I’m sorry if I made you on edge or nervous. I really didn’t mean to.”
    John watched as a range of emotions swept across her face. Her smile broke into a worried frown and then into a look of sadness. She almost looked as if she was about to cry.
    He had only known her for a few minutes, but he already felt as if they had been friends for a long, long time. His suspicions and worries were slipping from his mind. And he was letting them.
    She sat back in the sofa, “I’m sorry,” she said.
    “No, no, no,” John felt the need to let her know everything was fine. “Don’t be like that. It was just a shock, you know. I come home and I think I’m going to see Helen and then I find you…”
    Zoe smiled again as if everything was solved. “Good, I’m glad.”
    She sat back, reached for the coffee and took another sip.
    “You make great coffee.”
    “Thanks.”
    “I like your coffee.”
    “Thanks again.”
    John looked at his watch: 11:53.
    “Helen should be back by now,” he said as he frowned.
    “Well, she only just left here before you got home.”
    “Still, if she’s driven down to the closest store and got some food, she should’ve been back about ten minutes ago. They’re never too busy on a Friday night.”
    “Well, you know Helen can get a little crazy sometimes,” Zoe leaned forward and patted his arm. Her smell wafted over him again; that fresh, fruity fragrance.
    “I’ve never known Helen to go crazy,” John said. “She’s never like that. Quite the opposite, in fact.”
    “We all go a little crazy sometimes.” Zoe giggled once more, and spilled some coffee onto her jeans, “Oops,” she said as she wiped away the spill. “You’ll learn I giggle too much.”
    “So, how long are you in town?” John asked, hoping to fill in the time and make it pass quicker – bringing Helen home sooner. An easy conversation could make them both feel more comfortable.
    “I don’t know yet. I’ve got some matters to take care of. It shouldn’t be long though. It depends how difficult it all becomes. At least by arriving here tonight I can rest over the weekend and then get down to business on Monday. Don’t worry, though, I won’t stay too long.”
    “No, I didn’t mean it like that.”
    She smiled, “It’s okay, Johnny. I won’t outstay my welcome.”
    He smiled back.
    How could you ever outstay a welcome? he wondered.
    “What do you do for a living?”
    “I’m a researcher!” Zoe replied eagerly. “You want things found out – I find ’em! For a price, of course. I do freelance stuff mostly.”
    “Sounds exciting.”
    “Yeah, it can be. But mostly it isn’t. And when it’s slow, it’s really slow. Usually I spend my time serving coffee in a shopping centre somewhere just to make ends meet.”
    She giggled again. John couldn’t help it and he joined in too.
    Then there was a pause.
    “You haven’t asked me what I do?” John said.
    Zoe waved a hand at him, “No need. Helen has told me everything! You’re the Engineering Manager for American Eagle Electronics, right here in Parkhurst.”
    “Wow, you know your stuff. So, how do you know Helen?”
    “We met years ago – best buddies in school.”
    “Funny,” John scratched his head as he thought back.