Haunted Ever After Read online

  I pressed it.

  ‘Hello? Ty speaking,’ he answered.

  ‘Hi, Ty, I…’ Oh God, I’m rhyming! ‘It’s me, Sally.’

  ‘Sexy Sally?’

  Heat rushed up my face. ‘Well, the one from the guest house.’

  ‘Yeah, as I said: Sexy Sally. What can I do for you? Would you like to book another performance?’

  ‘Oh goodness, no, not at all.’

  ‘Gee, thanks. Glad you’re so keen.’

  ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean…I just meant, anyway, I’m calling to ask something,’

  He was silent for a moment, then: ‘You’ll have to speak up, sunshine.’

  I cleared my throat but my voice remained croaky. ‘I was wondering if you’d care for a game of…’ I cleared my throat again at the same time as uttering the word, ‘Twister’.

  ‘Sorry? A game of what?’

  ‘Twister,’ I said more loudly, the painful embarrassment like a red-hot burn on my cheeks.

  Mel tipped her head back with a sudden laugh.

  Ty’s voice held a hint of a smile. ‘You want me to come over to play Twister?’

  ‘I guess so.’

  He chuckled. ‘You girls are an entertaining bunch.’

  ‘It’s okay, you don’t have to, I know you’ve had a busy day and you probably have other things to do with your brother, or a job to go to, or — ’

  ‘Be there in ten.’

  ‘Huh?’

  ‘The guest house. Ten minutes. I’ll warm up on the way there.’ And then he hung up.

  I kept the phone next to my ear and furrowed my brow, my mouth agape.

  ‘Sal?’ asked Mel.

  ‘He hung up.’

  ‘He hung up on you?’ Georgie asked.

  ‘No, he hung up after saying he’d be here in ten minutes.’

  ‘Woohoo!’ Mel exclaimed. ‘I only wanted you to ask him, I didn’t think he’d actually agree to it! Ooh, this is going to be fun to watch!’

  ‘Watch? But you have to play too, I can’t play it on my own, with him.’

  ‘Nope, the dare was for you to ask him over to play.’

  ‘And I’m definitely out of this game,’ Lorena said, holding her belly and convenient excuse. I was sure, though, had she not been pregnant, she wouldn’t have minded playing Twister with a stripper.

  ‘And as much as I’d love to get up close and personal with His Royal Hotness, I’d much rather see you in action on those coloured spots.’ Mel grinned, and I looked towards Georgie for moral support.

  She held her palms up. ‘Sorry, I’m needed in the kitchen.’

  ‘But we’re eating out tonight.’

  ‘Yes, but someone has to marinate the lamb for tomorrow night’s dinner.’

  ‘But — ’

  ‘Too late for an appeal, Sal, you better get ready. Warm up and stretch or something. I’ll set up the mat. Tick-tock!’ She tapped her watch.

  Oh my goodness gracious me. I felt like I was about to betray Greg. What had I got myself into?

  As Mel prepared the game, I swung my arms around in circles. Probably best if I did warm up a little, it would make it easier to manoeuvre around the mat and avoid bodily contact. Why did he agree to play Twister anyway? He knows I’m taken, so it’s not like he’s seeing it as an opportunity to hit on me or anything. Probably just wants to show off his…bendiness.

  Red jumped on the mat and bent her body in awkward angles, placing her hands and feet on different coloured spots. ‘Wow, I’m so much more flexible than I was when I was alive. This is cool!’ She moved around the mat and collapsed into a tangled lump. ‘Your turn, your turn! Hurry up, Ty.’ She checked the clock on the wall.

  Ding-dong!

  I tucked my t-shirt into my jeans and tightened my ponytail. Thank goodness I was wearing a bodysuit underneath so nothing would hang out. Not that I had much in the dangly department. And then I felt slightly exposed anyway, remembering that Ty knew exactly what I had on underneath my clothes after the gemstone predicament.

  He walked into the house and eyed me and the mat with enthusiastic anticipation. ‘Well, what are we waiting for? Let the twisting begin!’

  ‘Bride-to-be first.’ Mel ushered me to the mat and spun the wheel. ‘Okey dokes, put your left foot on a red spot.’

  Easy enough. I kicked off my shoes and did as I was told, choosing a red spot in the corner.

  Mel spun the wheel again. ‘Ty, right foot on a yellow spot.’

  Ty’s shoes were off too, and he placed his uninjured foot on a spot in the middle. Why didn’t he pick the one furthest away? Less chance for us to get tangled.

  ‘Sally, left arm on a yellow spot.’

  Rightio, I’ll just lean over here… I bent sideways and put my hand on the yellow spot at the end of the mat, aligned with the row my foot was on.

  Ty’s next move had him put his bruised foot on a red spot like me, but he chose the one right next to mine, so now our toes were touching. I inched mine back a little. My arm ached a bit and I urged Mel to hurry up.

  ‘Right foot, red spot.’

  ‘Red is the best!’ the eponymous ghost exclaimed, as she watched on the sidelines.

  I moved my foot over to the spot behind Ty’s foot, grateful to take some of the weight from my arm.

  ‘Ty, left hand, red spot.’

  ‘What is it with the colour red?’ asked Lorena. ‘Are you rigging this game, Mel?’

  I wouldn’t be surprised if someone else was rigging it. I tried to sneak a glance at Red, peering between Ty’s legs.

  Ty eyed the available red spots behind him, and in expert dancer/stripper style he bent backwards and placed his hand on one of the spots, next to my right foot. He was now balancing on one hand, his knees bent and body tilted backwards. I made sure not to look up at the rather intimate view I would have right now.

  My right hand gratefully accepted a blue spot near my other hand, my weight now more evenly distributed, until a couple of turns later when I had to move both my hands further along the mat, and the only way to get there was to go underneath Ty, through the gap his legs had created. He dropped his weight a little on my back, his butt threatening to make me lose my balance, but I nudged him back upwards. ‘Hey, no cheating,’ I said.

  A phone camera clicked. ‘Who’s taking photos?’ I asked, unable to turn my head in the direction of the sound.

  ‘Photos? What photos?’ Lorena said. ‘Do you see anyone taking photos, Georgie?’

  ‘No, no photos being taken here.’ Another click sounded.

  ‘You better not put these on Facebook,’ I said.

  A few turns later, Ty and I were almost in the opposite positions we’d been before, with me straddled over him, his hands behind him, and pelvis in the air.

  ‘Sal, put your right hand on a blue spot.’

  ‘Blue? Oh, I don’t think I can do that.’ I eyed the spot that was on the other side of Ty and would require me to stretch like an elastic band over him.

  ‘C’mon, you can do it.’

  ‘I don’t think my arm is flexible enough.’

  Ty chuckled. ‘Actually, I think your right arm is quite flexible. I have a feeling it could contort into a variety of positions and reach deep into remote locations, if the situation required.’

  I was able to catch his eye briefly, and I frowned at him. He obviously enjoyed poking fun at me. It wasn’t my fault I got a gemstone stuck down my top and had needed to initiate a retrieval mission.

  ‘See? Ty has confidence in you,’ Mel said.

  ‘Yeah, and I’ll even make it easier for you by lowering myself down a bit. My triceps are going to burn like hell, but I’ll survive.’

  ‘It’s just, it could be a little…awkward,’ I added, noting that to achieve the required position I would virtually be lying on top of him, face-to-face.

  ‘Honey, awkward would be me doing that with my belly in the way,’ said Lorena.

  Forgive me, Greg, I said to myself, then extended my right arm over Ty
’s chest and down to the blue spot, where my hand only just connected with the plastic, and my ponytail landed in Ty’s face.

  ‘Pff!’ he puffed, trying to blow it out of the way. ‘Hey, do you mind tilting your head a bit so I’m not getting a mouthful of hair?’ With a quick flick of my head I flung my ponytail off his face, my face now directly in front of his, our chests touching. ‘I’m guessing that bodysuit of yours is coming in handy right about now,’ he whispered.

  ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

  ‘You know, keeping everything…enclosed.’

  I diverted my gaze from his but his breath tickled my cheek, and his scent wafted in the air around me. He smelt different to Greg; spicier, dangerous even.

  Ty moved his left foot further forwards, which made me wobble, and when Mel instructed me to put my left hand on the blue spot below Ty’s back, Red stuck her face next to both of ours and yelled, ‘Boo!’

  I shrieked and lost my balance, my hand slipping from its spot and my legs collapsing. Whack! I landed on Ty’s chest as he lost his grip too, and my ponytail returned to its original residence in his mouth.

  ‘Pff!’ he puffed, but I quickly lifted my head and scrambled to my feet.

  My friends clapped and cheered, and Red laughed again.

  Ty held out his hand and I shook it. ‘Well played,’ he said.

  ‘So who won?’ I asked. ‘Does anyone even win this game or is the sole purpose to collapse in a heap?’

  ‘I think it’s a tie,’ said Ty with a wink, and after a few moments his pun sunk in and I ‘ahhed’ in acknowledgement.

  I readjusted my clothing and hair and escaped to the kitchen for a glass of water. Sweat had collected on my forehead and my lower back, and my muscles felt strained.

  ‘So what prompted this game of Twister?’ Ty asked.

  ‘Sally said she hadn’t played it in years and wanted to give it a go. None of us were keen so she said she’d ask you instead, ain’t that right, Sal?’

  I shot Mel a ‘look’. ‘She’s joking, of course. It was a dare, Ty. They dared me to do it.’

  Ty tipped his head back. ‘Ahh, I see. And you went through with it, kudos to you. I’m honoured to be the subject of your dare.’ He grinned. ‘And I haven’t played it in years either. Was fun! If you’ve got an able body, use it, I say. Too many people don’t.’

  ‘Ah yeah, I’m guilty of that sometimes,’ said Mel. ‘But I figure chasing five kids around is enough bending and stretching for me.’

  ‘Coffee, anyone?’ Georgie asked, joining me in the kitchen and flipping the switch on the kettle. She was met with four yes’s. A half hour later Ty rinsed his mug out and put it in the dishwasher. Still sucking up.

  ‘I better get going. This is the most time I’ve spent at a hen’s party, I’m usually in and out in an hour.’

  ‘You’re definitely doing some overtime with us,’ said Lorena.

  ‘It’s my pleasure,’ he replied.

  ‘Big night ahead?’ Lorena walked him to the door and we followed.

  ‘Got an early evening booking to get to, then it’s back home to cook dinner with Cody, show him how to make spaghetti bolognaise correctly. He likes to mix up different ingredients, and last time he used strawberry jam in place of the tomato bolognaise sauce.’

  ‘Ew, that would have tasted…interesting,’ Georgie said. ‘Can’t say I’ve tried that combo before.’

  ‘I don’t recommend it. He ate it, laughing the whole time, but I ended up with eggs on toast that night.’ He smiled.

  ‘So Cody lives with you?’ I asked.

  He nodded. ‘It’s just the two of us.’

  ‘Well, I hope the meal turns out right, and um, all the best with your, er…’

  ‘Strip? Thanks.’

  And he was gone again. And we stood at the door watching him leave again. This was becoming a habit.

  CHAPTER 11

  After a few too many yawns in quick succession I retreated to my room for a brief nap. The comforting weight of the lavender eye pillow relaxed me, and the scent reminded me of my mother’s hand cream. And that reminded me that I needed to remember to call her on Monday night to discuss the wedding day logistics and timetable. We’d be getting ready at her place so she could share in my special day, as our house wasn’t the most wheelchair friendly, though we planned to work on making it so after the wedding. Once Greg’s bonus came in we’d be able to pay for it.

  I breathed slowly and took solace in the peace and quiet for a change, my body relishing the rest after a busy couple of days and not much sleep thanks to an unwelcome guest. I drifted in and out of sleep, thinking about my future life with Greg. Greg and Sally — together forever. This was it, no turning back, I’d found The One and my new life would begin in a week’s time.

  ‘Are you sure you’re ready for a lifetime commitment to him?’ I thought I’d dreamt the question, but I lifted the eye pillow a tad to see it was Red speaking, softly, seriously, as she sat on the edge of the bed.

  ‘Red, I’m trying to rest.’

  ‘I’ve given you half an hour; I was a good girl, or ghost. Despite wanting to chat I kept my mouth shut, but now, why don’t we talk? Tell me, are you really ready for marriage?’

  I shifted my upper body higher on the pillow so I was semi-reclined and placed the eye pillow next to me. ‘Of course I am, that’s why I’m getting married.’ I waved my left hand with my simple and stylish engagement ring in front of her.

  ‘But have you really thought about it? I mean, one guy for the rest of your life. No more new-relationship bliss, no more excitement of that first kiss, no more…you know what…with anyone else?’

  ‘I’m thirty. I’ve been there and done that. Greg still makes me feel excited and desired and happy, and I’m looking forward to being his wife, thank you very much.’ I crossed my arms over my chest.

  ‘But what if a couple of years down the track you meet someone else and think — crap, did I make the wrong decision? Wouldn’t you rather stay single a bit longer, just to be extra sure?’

  ‘I’m already extra sure. And why are you asking me all this?’

  ‘I’m being a friend, making sure you know what you’re getting into.’

  ‘This isn’t a crime syndicate, it’s a marriage. I know exactly what I’m getting into.’

  Red stood, paced around the room, then stopped in front of the bed. ‘Isn’t Ty a dream? So gorgeous and nice and charming, don’t you think?’

  ‘He’s reasonable.’

  ‘I can think of lots of words to describe him but reasonable ain’t one of them. Not that he isn’t, but it’s not exactly the most flattering term to use. Ty is exciting, and generous, and caring, and kind, and talented, and savvy, and dedicated, and determined, and…hot as hell, of course.’ She touched her finger to her arm and made a sizzling sound. ‘Don’t you feel even a hint of attraction towards him?’

  ‘I’m engaged to someone else, there’s no need for me to be attracted to him.’

  ‘You’re avoiding the question. Are you attracted to him?’

  ‘Red, what does it matter?’

  ‘You are, aren’t you.’

  ‘I’m impressed by him, he does such good work with those people, and he’s aspiring to new heights as a doctor. It’s commendable.’

  ‘I didn’t ask your opinion on his occupational choices, I’m asking about that inner, natural attraction that comes up of its own accord. Those feelings you can’t help but feel. I think he has them for you, but of course, he wouldn’t act on them. He’s a good man.’

  ‘As if he likes me in that way. He’s just a flirt, it’s his job to be a flirt. And anyway, regardless of how incredibly beautiful he is and those “feelings”, as you call them, they’re just silly hormones, they’re nothing compared to the love I have for Greg.’

  ‘So it hasn’t crossed your mind that maybe, just maybe, you could have jumped the gun a little with Greg and wished you had more time to “shop the market”?’

&nb
sp; ‘No! I don’t.’ I pulled a cushion onto my lap and squeezed it. ‘Are you here as some sort of temptation challenge, to get me to question my commitment to Greg before the big day?’

  ‘I’m here to make sure you make the right decision.’

  ‘I already have made the right decision.’ I stood and approached her, careful not to raise my voice so loud that my friends would hear. ‘And if you ask me, I think you’re here for a very different reason.’

  ‘Oh yeah, what’s that?’

  ‘I think you’re jealous and you’re here to try and break me and Greg up.’ I jabbed my finger towards her in an accusatory manner. ‘I’m sorry that you’re…’ I waved my hands about, trying to think of an appropriate way to say ‘dead’, ‘…in this predicament, and I’m sorry that things didn’t work out between you and Greg when you were alive, but that doesn’t give you the right to come waltzing into my life in a pathetic attempt to steal my fiancé from me!’

  Red planted her hands on her hips. ‘I am not trying to steal him from you! How could I even do that, huh? In case you haven’t noticed, I’m dead!’ She tugged at her pyjamas.

  ‘Then you’re trying to stop me from having him. It’s like if you can’t have him no one can!’

  ‘Sally, Sally.’ She shook her head. ‘I’m not jealous. I’m just trying to get you to see things from a different perspective, to see whether you really have made the right decision or not.’

  ‘You don’t even know me, how can you even begin to know what’s right for me?’

  ‘I know what’s wrong for you,’ she said. ‘Or more accurately, who’s wrong for you,’ she mumbled, turning away.

  ‘What did you say?’

  She turned around, chewing her bottom lip. ‘I didn’t want to tell you yet, wanted you to enjoy as much of your weekend as possible before you found out the truth.’

  I furrowed my brow, waiting for her to continue.

  She whooshed out a deep breath. ‘Greg’s not the man you think he is. I’m sorry Sally, but he’s having an affair.’ Red lowered her head.

  Oh the nerve of the woman! How dare she make up lies to try and stop me from marrying him so she can get her way!