Beautiful Curses: Book One (17 page)

Jo frowned. “The what?”

“It's my new super hero title. Sarah said I was the shining light that gave her hope the curse was all nonsense. I like it. I'm thinking of getting a special suit made up.” James grinned at her like a goofy idiot.

“Delusional much? Though , Anita did seem dazzled by your brilliance.”

“Well I doubt she'll be back. You darkened my shining light as far as she’s concerned.” James squeezed her tightly. “Now admit it, I'm your super hero.”

“James you’re an amateur.” Jo held up her ring. “I just have to twist this, and you’d have no clue that I ever came out of Spencer’s room.”

James let her go, and gaped at her. “You wouldn't!”

Jo rubbed the stone on her ring and gave him a cheeky smile, “Probably not, but it makes you think. Who’s the super -hero now?”

James put his heart to his chest and feigned a surprised expression. “Josephine, my shining light is diminishing by the second in the shadow of your cynicism.”

Jo couldn't help laughing. “Oh, my. Perhaps you should ask Beth, if you can join the play-writes.” James frowned, so she gazed at him thoughtfully. “Not for your acting, but they might let you work the lights.”

James grabbed her, pinning her down again when there was a knock at the door.

They both sat up immediately and started to straighten their clothes as they made their way into the living room.

“You better start working your magic, super-shiny light-man,” Jo whispered as she took a seat on the sofa.

James smirked at her, before he opened the door to both Daniel and Sarah, who stood there with serious expressions. They paused for a moment, then walked into the room and looked at Jo. She couldn’t bring herself to get off the sofa, her legs suddenly feeling like jelly. James stood behind them, hidden from view, opening and shutting his hands in a flickering motion, grinning the whole time.

“Morning Jo,” Daniel said with a knowing smile, as he bent to kiss her cheek.

Sarah said nothing at first, and then spun around to look at James, “Morning James. I trust you’re well this morning.”

James quickly shoved his hands in his pockets. “Yes, thanks. Can I make you both a cup of tea?”

Daniel nodded encouragingly but Sarah answered him sharply, “Yes please.” She turned to Jo. “Can I talk to you for a moment—in Spencer’s room?”

Jo gave a small nod, then glanced at James and rolled her eyes, while he winked back and flicked his hands at her one more time.

“Why didn’t you tell me Spencer wasn't going to be here last night?” Sarah asked accusingly as they sat on his bed together.

Jo sighed and picked at some fluff that had attached itself to the black duvet. “I didn't do it to upset you. It's just, I really like James and we wanted some time alone. I saw an opportunity and decided to take it. With everything that’s happened I needed something … something I can look back on as a special time in my life. I don’t know what the future holds and I wanted some good memories. I don't regret it. I never will.”

Sarah patted Jo’s hand. “You know, Peter and I want you to be happy more than anything. Parents just find it hard to accept their children are grown up and can make their own decisions. I just wanted to make sure you're not committing to something you're not ready for. You were … um…safe?”

Ew!
  Jo screwed up her face. She was betting Daniel wasn’t asking James the same question.

“Of course,” Jo said to try and stop any further speculation or probing for detailed information. “I’ve told James about my doubts and he needs to consider his feelings as well as mine. Annoyingly, he keeps raving on about being some shining super hero light that will stay with me regardless of the curse.”

Sarah shook her head and laughed. “I didn’t think he’d take my comment literally. I hope it hasn't gone to his head?”

Jo rolled her eyes. “We won’t ever hear the end of it. Maybe you should tone things down from now on.”

“Good idea. I’ll say he’s my flickering light that turns on and off depending on his behaviour. At the moment he’s most definitely off,” Sarah said laughing louder, while Jo joined in, glad they could lighten the mood at James' expense.

They finally gathered together to drink their tea. Jo sat next to Daniel, pleased to have her father close now she’d sorted Sarah out. James and Sarah sat on the two dining chairs opposite. James had just told them that Gabriella had phoned last night.

“What did she say exactly?” Sarah asked with trepidation.

“Not much. We didn't talk long. She rang at a bad time.” James glanced at Jo, who shook her head and smirked. James diverted his gaze back to Sarah. “She basically wanted to know why you and Jo were staying in London so long. I said you'd call her back.”

Sarah nodded and tugged at her fingers. “What am I going to say?”

Daniel rested his tea on the arm of the couch. “We can’t make her suspicious. We’re assuming she only knows part of the story and Rowellyn hasn't contacted her…”

“She knows enough,” Jo interrupted. “She won’t change her mind easily. We might have to deceive her to make her listen.”

They all took a sip of tea and the room remained silent. Being with James last night, had pushed Gabriella from Jo’s mind. But now she had no choice, she had to face her future head on.  Starting with confronting her lovely sister.

James looked up and cleared his throat. “Deceiving her might just work. We could use the original story of Jo coming here to bring home a family heirloom?”

“How?” Daniel asked.

“She’d be curious and less suspicious if she thought she was gaining something for herself.”

Jo nodded in agreement. James had hit the nail on the head. They needed trap her into listening.

“We must make her listen to the whole story, so she changes her mind,” Daniel remarked.

“Who’s going to tell her?” James asked, looking at them all.

“Me,” Jo said, without a second thought.

James narrowed his eyes. “Daniel or Sarah would be better.”

“I’ll be alright, besides, she doesn't see me as a threat. She knows I came to London to claim a family inheritance, and she'll believe what I tell her.”

Jo stood and moved toward James. He put his arm around her and leant his head against her stomach. He sighed. “She’s just so unpredictable and we don’t know what she’s capable of. She’s calculating and uses people like pawns. Look what she did, or tried to do, between Spencer and Beth.” James turned to look at Sarah and Daniel "I’m sorry to be so blunt, but if Jo does this we have to make sure we cover all our bases. We can't trust Gabriella.”

“I hate to admit it," Sarah spoke quietly. “But you're right, James. I’ve only just begun to see that side of her. And it unnerves me.”

Daniel rubbed his eyes. “Jo, are you sure you can face her knowing how she feels about Rowellyn and the curse?”

“I’ve never been more certain about anything. I’m the one most affected, and for the first time in my life I need to concentrate on saving myself. No one can do that for me. The sooner I talk to her the better.”

Jo stretched her hand across the table, as the train rattled along. She was sitting next to Daniel with James sitting opposite. James reached for her and she placed her slender palm in James’ warm grip, as they smiled at each other. If anyone told her a week ago she’d be on a train sitting next to her father with her boyfriend opposite she would have told them they were completely mental and needed therapy.

Jo shivered involuntarily, as she thought about their plans. Sarah had eventually made the call to Gabriella yesterday. She had put her on speaker, so they could all crowd around and listen …

“Ella, its Sarah, James said you called.”

“Oh Hiya. I just wanted to know what’s happening. You switched off you mobile. I was wondering if everything’s alright?”

“Everything’s fine. My mobile’s playing up. I need to get a new one.”

“So, did Jo collect our parent’s things?”

“Yes, but she hasn't shown anyone yet. I think she wants to wait and show you first. We are all coming home tomorrow, so she can tell you all about it then.”

“When you say all, you mean just you, Jo and Spencer.”

“Um ... well, since you ask, I have a surprise for you.”

Gabriella waited.

“I’d prefer to tell you in person but I think I should pre-warn you.”

“Pre-warn me? About what?”

“Right … well, I’m bringing a guest home with us. It’s someone who really wants to meet you.”

“You mean, that cousin of our, so called, father? The one Jo met?”

Sarah swallowed and looked to Daniel, who wore a pained expression.

“Um … not exactly. It’s your … um … actual father.”

Silence.

“Ella … Ella … are you still there?”

“Father?”

“Yes, darling. Are you alright?”

“Jo’s met our father? How did that happen? … And now my father’s coming here to meet me?”

“Yes. I know it’s a shock. I promise to explain everything. He’s anxious to see you. I invited him to come to the farm. It’s been too many years.”

“So when? I mean what time will you be here?”

“Jo, James and your father are catching the train and Peter will collect them from the station. Spencer and I are driving …”

“Why is James coming?” Gabriella cut in.

“Because, Jo asked him too. They started seeing each other when they were on holiday and it’s grown into something pretty serious.”

Silence again, but for longer this time. Sarah purposefully waited for her to comment.

“Jo and James? That’s not possible. How did that even happen?”

“Jo didn’t want to tell us about it, until she was sure about her feelings.”

Sarah shrugged and looked at Jo, who grimaced back.

“I don’t trust him. We have to talk some sense into her before Jo gets hurt. He’s a player for sure. And he’s a lot older than her. How can you allow this, Sarah?”

Jo glanced across and watched as James narrowed his eyes at the phone and rubbed at his temple.

Sarah gave him a quick glance as well, and offered a small smile. “I assure you I’ve seen them together and Jo is just fine, better than fine really. I’ve never seen her so happy.”

“I don’t like it. I’ll talk to her… she might listen to me.”

Jo rolled her eyes. Gabriella was the last person she would ever listen to about James.

“Ella, I know, it’s a lot to hear in one phone call but we have all weekend to talk. Peter is there for you. I’ve explained it all to him, so if you need to talk to someone… We’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Alright …. Um … What do I call him?”

“Daniel’s fine.”

“Daniel … Okay.”

“I promise everything will be alright. We’ll talk over the weekend. See you tomorrow, take care.”

… Pressure on her hand as James squeezed it tight, brought her out of her daydream. Jo held his confident gaze, so grateful he was with her. Even if it might only be short lived. At the very least, unlike Aspen, she knew the intimacy of being with someone she loved. And she was pretty sure she was in love with James. And always would be.

“Hey Sarah we’re home,” Peter called out as they all made their way into the family room, Baxter accompanying them, wagging his tail and nudging against James’s hand for a pat.

Sarah came out of the kitchen and hugged Jo tight. Peter offered Daniel a glass of wine, but he declined with a smile and a shake of his head. “I’ll take you out to the garage to see the car I’m restoring,” Peter said. He’d obviously decided to treat Daniel like a long lost friend to make him more comfortable.

Daniel glanced at Sarah. She smiled. “That’s a good idea, might be nice to stretch your legs and look around the farm. Gabriella’s not home, but I’ll call for you when she arrives.”

James looked at Jo. They were sitting close together on the couch with Baxter now at their feet. Jo rested her hand on James’s leg. He put his arm around her and kissed her lightly on the lips.

“Uh hum …” Peter cleared his throat loudly. “What’s all this, then?” He waggled his finger between Jo and James.

There was complete silence for a few seconds as James swallowed and turned a nice pale colour. Jo bit her lip, forgetting that Peter didn’t know about the two of them. Sarah burst out laughing, and Daniel joined in relieving the tense moment. Peter still frowned at James, and Jo suppressed a grin. Of course, he was more inclined to act the disapproving father. Jo was suddenly grateful Peter hadn’t come to London and been privy to the finer details of their relationship. Then he’d really freak out.

“Perhaps we should go and look at that car, you were telling me about,” Daniel said winking at Jo and James. Peter grumbled something unintelligible under his breath and turned to follow Daniel out of the house.

Sarah gave James a small shrug and a smile, before she went into the kitchen, giving James and Jo a moment alone.

James blew out a big breath as he reached across to play with the zipper on Joe's jumper. “Well, that went well.”

Jo smiled. “Better than expected. He didn’t get his rifle out.”

Jo giggled as James mouth opened and closed again, his eyes wide. “Peter, owns a gun?”

“Yeah, but don’t worry, he doesn’t keep bullets in the house. So you’re pretty safe.”

James grimaced as Jo laughed at him again.

“Right. I’ll keep that in mind. Now, how are you holding up?” James pulled her a little closer.

“I’m glad you're here.”

“Me too. I couldn’t let you face your evil sister alone.”

Jo shoved him. “She’s not
evil
.”

Well not yet anyway.

“Maybe that’s a bit extreme, but she’s definitely a conniving witch. She’s never liked me. Not since the first time I met you both. You were so much nicer. I really liked you.” James waggled his eyebrows and Jo laughed.

“I remember how much I liked you too. No one had ever paid me attention before. You even ignored her. And let me tell you, that had never happened. ”

“I was your super hero right from the start. Your shining light, and you had no idea.”

James grinned and Jo slapped him on the arm. “Will you stop that! Sarah regrets she ever said it.”

“She does not!”

“She changed it, you know.”

“To what? The brilliant, stunning ray of everlasting sunlight. ”

Jo rolled her eyes. “You’re such an idiot.”

Jo messed up his hair and he retaliated by holding her arms, and tickling her.

“I’ll get Peter back here,” she threatened, in between laughing.

The front door slammed and James froze.

Footsteps echoed down the hall and Jo took a deep breath. She knew who it was. James wrapped his arm around her waist, and as each step came closer, he held her tighter.

Gabriella walked through the door with a radiant smile on her perfect face. “Hello you two. Don’t you look cosy.”

“Hiya, Ella. How are you?” Jo asked, while keeping her voice steady.

James nodded at her as Sarah rushed in, tugging at a loose strand of her auburn hair. “Hello Darling,” she said and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

“Hiya … where is everyone?” Gabriella asked, as she scanned the room, returning her gaze to Sarah.

“Spencer’s gone to see Beth, and Peter’s showing … your um … um … Daniel around outside …” She paused before adding, “I told Daniel I’d call him as soon as you got home. Why not wait in the lounge so you can both have some time to get to know one another.”

“Yes, I’d like to talk in
private
.” She flashed a brief aggravated glance at James, and then looked at Jo. “I’ll catch up with you later. I want to find out all about London.”

Jo nodded and then took a deep breath as she swept out of the room and disappeared down the hall.

This wasn’t going to be easy.