Night Terrors Read Free

impulse, I lean over and kiss his cheek. The silver in his eyes darkens. He stares at me. ‘Zoe…’
    My zumba compatriot moans once more. Just then I feel the familiar tug on my body; she’s waking up of her own accord and that means both Dante and I are going to be flung out of her head.
    A moment later, I’m back in my own bed and blinking. The Chairman pads over and meows, then paws at my face demanding breakfast. I ruffle the soft fur by his ears and sigh. It’s almost 6am. If I could have just had a few minutes more…
     
    ***
     
    Dante sends me an email with the flight details and I spring into action. It takes me a bit of time to locate my musty suitcase from the overflowing cupboard in the spare room – after all, it’s not as if I’ve done much real travelling over the last two years. I sniff it dubiously. There’s no sign of mould or mildew but it definitely reeks. The Chairman isn’t bothered; he simply hops inside and curls up, as if he expects to be packed away with the rest of my clothes. I put my hands on my hips and frown. Then I leave him to it and call my mother.
    She arrives in a cloud of heavy perfume. ‘I’m thrilled that you’re going away, Zoe. Just thrilled. You could have given me a bit more notice, that’s all. I was only up because I had to say goodbye to Henry.’
    She says the last without thinking and I immediately stiffen. ‘He stayed the night?’
    She belatedly realises that she’s given the game away and colours slightly, looking at her feet. ‘His wife is away visiting her parents.’
    ‘Mother!’
    ‘What? You think that just because I’m approaching retirement age, I shouldn’t have any fun?’ Despite her words, her blush deepens.
    I try hard not to be disapproving. It’s her life, after all. Despite my forced light tone, I don’t do a particularly good job. ‘I’m sure you could find someone who’s unattached. There are lots of dating agencies…’
    ‘Zoe Lydon. The day you get to lecture me on my love life is the day that I see you stepping out with a man of your own. Who are you going on holiday with?’
    ‘He’s just a friend,’ I mumble. How on earth did she manage to turn the tables on me so quickly?
    ‘And why haven’t I met him? What does he do for a living?’
    I frown. ‘I think he’s a lawyer.’ Well, that’s what he’d said when he came to rescue me from the local jail.
    She brightens. ‘That’s something. Although you do know a lot of doctors. Why don’t you speak to some of them? I’m sure they’d be thrilled to go out with such a charming young lady as yourself.’
    I groan. ‘Mum. Let me just enjoy being me again for a while first, alright?’
    She regards me seriously then smiles. ‘I’m really pleased you’re going away. You deserve it. Your employer works you far too hard.’
    Shit. Jerry. ‘Thanks for bringing the suitcase and for looking after the Chairman,’ I say quickly. ‘I just need to go and make a phone call.’ I press my spare key into her hand and avoid the tremor of fear that ripples through me as I effectively hand over my personal security to another person, whether she’s my mother or not.
    Somewhat nonplussed, she blinks at me. I beat a hasty retreat while I still can.
     
    ***
     
    Unfortunately, Jerry is unimpressed at my late request. I might work from home but he still needs me to complete the latest coding for a new client’s website. ‘You had time off last month, Zoe. I know you’ve not taken many holidays recently but I need some notice. This isn’t how we do things. I have my boss to answer to as well.’
    I wince. Companies and their leadership structures. A mere cog like me, who works from home, is often far removed from such matters. It doesn’t mean I don’t remember what it’s like. ‘I’m really sorry.’ It’s not so long ago that Jerry was delighted when I took a holiday. Much more of this and he’ll be convinced I’m taking advantage.
    I twist a curl of hair round my