CHAPTER 5
I smile and breathe out as the music builds to a crescendo, the timeless bells chime out, and the credits roll. Harpy is fast asleep in my lap, and Willow’s eyes have glazed over, but Thea is wide awake.
I look toward her with a shameful grin, and she flashes a watery glance back as we both laugh and wipe our teary eyes.
‘Good choice,’ I whisper.
She smiles and looks away, and I suspect she’s blushing. ‘Thank you,’ she says softly.
‘Shall we get these two to bed?’ I say.
She looks back at me again and blinks, then a gentle smile spreads across her face as if she’s never been given this responsibility before, and something deep inside me clicks.
I nod toward Willow whose head is slowly dipping into her chest, and Thea stands up, pride on her face as she walks around my knees and takes her sister’s hand.
‘Come on,’ she says softly. ‘Let’s get you into bed.’
As Willow reanimates, stiffening up like a zombie, I stand up and lift Harpy with me. It takes me three attempts and Thea laughs as I crash back down to the couch twice. On the third try, I’m up, but Harpy is now stirring so I throw her arms and legs around me and set off toward the stairs at a half-jog.
It doesn’t take long to get them to bed. Harper is once again out like a light by the time I lay her down, and whilst Willow asks for a story, she’s fast asleep by the time I’ve read just one page.
Thea helps with everything; brushing teeth, washing hands and tucking in, all with a bright expression of pride upon her face as if she’s never felt this adult in all her life. But even she is yawning by the time her bedroom door closes, and within seconds her light is out.
Success, I think. One night down.
As I near my bedroom I stop and eye Mr Ledger’s door and my heart begins to beat a little faster.
I lick my lips, feeling mischievous and a little naughty, turning back to the girls’ doors to make sure each one is closed.
No. I shouldn’t.
He would know.
He’s probably one of those X-Files paranoid types that place tape inside the frame so he knows if someone has been inside or not. Or maybe some sort of motion sensor or alarm?
Still… it’s tempting.
I wonder what he’s hiding in there? I think. Maybe he’s got a secret sex dungeon?
I laugh out loud, clamping my hand over my mouth and blushing.
He wouldn’t actually know though, I think. Not really. He’s a thousand miles away, maybe more. I could just slip inside, take a little peek and be out before anyone could know.
I take a step toward the door, biting my lips as my tummy tingles. I’m sure he’s got nothing to hide, if he did he’d have a lock on the door. Wouldn’t he? My hand closes over the handle, quivering with anticipation, and feeling weirdly horny.
It’ll be locked.
Surely.
I turn it slowly.
It’s not locked. There are no alarms either. So far so good. I push it open gently and look up and down the frame. No tape. I nod. Okay.
I close my eyes and take a breath, then I step inside, and open them.
Hmm.
It’s almost exactly as I imagined it would be. Large king-size bed, perfectly made, with a thick duvet and two sets of plump pillows. Two side tables, two matching lamps, and two carpet runners. A letterbox mirror runs the length of the wall above the bed, and I can see myself in the reflection, my pale skin almost glowing in the moonlight.