Chapter Three
Chest heaving, I took a key from a hook next to the door and tried it in the lock. To my great relief, it unlocked the door. I ran out of the flat, practically jumped down each flight of stairs and waited inside the apartment block entrance for Nutty’s return.
He appeared minutes later, alarmed to see me shaking like a leaf. “What’s wrong?” he gasped.
“I think we may have angered a spirit. It knocked the coat stand over.”
“That fucking coat stand!” he screamed. “It’s shite!” We bounded up the stairs to the flat. Nutty picked the stand up. “Yeah - it overbalanced again - looks like there was too much weight on one side.” He examined the underside. “And the nut’s a bit loose.”
“Thank goodness for that!” I breathed, as I watched him pick the coats up. He slung them on his bedroom chair and threw the stand in the hall cupboard. “I’ll deal with that crap tomorrow. Sorry to frighten you, beautiful. Now, where’s that takeaway? I’m starving!”
We enjoyed the food then one thing led to another and Nutty broke his virtual promise to Mum not to sleep with me. He wanted me to stay the night but I had work the next day so I returned home in the early hours of the morning, after another terrifying car journey. I slowly put my key into the door and turned it as quietly as I could. As I pushed the door open, I saw the hall light was on. I sneaked in to find Mum standing in the lounge, arms folded, waiting for me with a stern look on her face.
“And what have you been up to, young lady?”
My posture stiffened. “It’s not what you think,” I lied. “His friends were there. I know it’s a bit weird, but we were doing a Ouija board and eating takeaway and listening to music and stuff. We were having such fun we didn’t realise the time. You’ll probably meet his friends soon - Isaac and Janine - they’re older than you.”
Mum smiled. “Well, I’m glad you had a good time. Ouija board, eh? Did you get any messages?”
“It spelled out Mel, but then the takeaway arrived and the session ended, so we’ll probably never know who Mel was.”
Mum laughed. “It was probably just one of them messing about anyway. What’s his place like?”
I raised my eyebrows. “You’d better sit down Mum.”
We sat down on the settee together.
“He lives in Skindlesworth.”
Mum’s face fell in horror. “That murder place?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“It’s a right dump, from what I’ve seen on the telly.”
“It isn’t a very nice place and his flat isn’t exactly the mansion he spits bars about in his tunes.”
Mum frowned. “Is this a joke?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“Goodness! I feel a bit dizzy. Would you mind getting me a glass of water?”
“Of course,” I said, rushing to the kitchen. I returned with her drink and sat back down.
“Thanks!” Mum said. She took a gulp of water. “Sorry - it’s just I’d always imagined him in a really nice place and I pictured you both having a nice meal out and stuff. I hope this Mel wasn’t one of the Skindlesworth murder victims.”
“Oh God!” I exclaimed. “I never thought of that.”
I grabbed the iPad and searched for Skindlesworth victims. To my horror, I found out the seventh victim was Melanie Pearce. She was only twenty-seven when she died. I remembered her face from the documentary. My eyes welled up with tears as I looked at the pretty, dark haired girl with big, beautiful eyes smiling brightly like she was passionately looking forward to the rest of her life. I delved deeper and, to my utter horror, I found out the girl’s body was found in her flat in Brimworth Court, where Nutty lived.
“What’s wrong?” Mum gasped, observing the shocked look on my face.
“My God - the seventh victim was Melanie Pearce and she lived in the same block of flats as Nutty!”
“Do you think someone in the group was messing about?”
“It’s possible, but it didn’t seem like it. Everyone looked genuinely shocked when the planchette spelled out the name.”
“I think I’m going to have nightmares now! This is nothing like the conversation I pictured us having when you returned from the date. I think I need a camomile tea.”
I made a cup for us both and we took a few sips before retiring to bed. Amazingly, I managed to sleep quite soundly for most of the night.
Next morning, I was awoken by Mum calling, “It’s almost eight - I’ve made you a coffee!”
I’d forgotten to set my alarm. I jumped out of bed all smiles, thinking about last night with Nutty. I sipped down the lovely strong coffee and managed a single slice of toast before my usual ritual of blasting my head with loud music whilst the caffeine kicked in. I then sent Nutty a good morning text before taking a shower and dressing. I kept listening for the text tone, but he didn’t reply. I guessed it was too early for me to have texted him - he must have been exhausted after driving all the way home in the early hours of the morning following our first night together as well as the weird events with Isaac and Janine.
Mum dropped me off at work and I made my way to the downstairs box office where Kalisha and Dana were sat sipping coffee and chatting. As soon as they saw me, they stopped speaking.
“We were just talking about you!” Dana said.
“I’d noticed!” I laughed.
“How did the date go?” Kalisha asked. “Did you go somewhere glam?”
“His place,” I said.
Both women raised their eyebrows.
“I see,” Dana said. “Naughty girl.”
“It wasn’t like that,” I lied. “It was a small party - a few of his friends came to meet me and we ate takeaway and stuff.”
“Cool!” Dana said.
“What sort of a place does he live in?” Kalisha asked.
I wasn’t going to lie. “He lives in a flat in Skindlesworth,” I said.
Kalisha’s coffee came showering out of her mouth, it was lucky she was wearing a brown jumper, as the coffee went down her front. “You’re joking - right?”
“He might be well known now - but he isn’t famous. He’s not quite making mega bucks yet.”
“I guess it’s not too easy for them to make the best living with everyone downloading free music and stuff nowadays,” Dana said as nine o’clock dawned and the phones began flashing.
“Very true,” Kalisha agreed. “But everyone was taking pictures of him at the party - he is quite famous.”
“I think a few people recognised him and took photos and then word spread and everyone was doing it,” I said.
About half way through the morning, I received a text from Suki. It was her day off. Hiya! Can we meet when you finish work? Dying to hear about your date with Nutty!
Sure! I texted back. I’m working in the phone room until six. Meet in the foyer?
She replied without hesitation. Ok. Can’t wait!
I still hadn’t heard from Nutty though. All day long, I kept my phone in front of me, checking the screen every few seconds for a reply to my text. Worrying thoughts bombarded my brain all afternoon. Had he screwed me for a bet with Dudley? Had he gone off me? Had he crashed on the way home? Had he been literally scared to death by Melanie’s ghost? Had the Skindlesworth murderer struck again?
Just after six, Suki and I met in the foyer by the downstairs box office. We stepped out into the frosty evening air and made our way to The Bell - a pub close to the theatre which had autographed photos of actors all over its cream and black timbered walls. We ordered a drink each and sat down.
Suki took a gulp of cider and grinned. “Did you have a good time?”
My face fell. “Yes, but …”
Suki’s eye’s widened. “What’s wrong?”
“I texted him this morning and he hasn’t replied.”
“Oh dear!” Suki said sadly. “Looks like you and me might not be lucky in love - or perhaps he’s lost his phone.”
I sighed sadly. “Hope that’s al
l it is.”
“There might be a good explanation for it. Do you feel like talking about the date, or …”
“It wasn’t quite as expected,” I said.
“Where did you go?”
“His place - he lives in Skindlesworth.”
Suki’s jaw dropped.
“Yeah - it’s a right dump. His flat isn’t too nice, but I was thrilled to be with him - if only for one evening.”
Suki put down her glass and leaned towards me. “Does he live in one of those horrid grey concrete tower blocks they’re always showing on the news?”
I let out a half-laugh. “I’m afraid so!”
Then my text tone sounded. Nutty had finally replied!
“Oh my God!” I said, showing the screen to Suki. “It’s him!”
I anxiously read the text. Hi gorgeous! Sorry I haven’t been in touch till now - ran out of credit. How are you? X
“He ran out of credit,” I whispered to Suki.
“Ran out of credit, eh? He really does sound poor.”
“I don’t care!” I said, full of joy. “My appetite has suddenly returned. Can you order me the carrot and coriander soup? I’ll pay you back.”
“No need,” said Suki. “Soup’s on me! I think I’ll have the same.” She slinked over to the bar, smiling brightly.
I replied to Nutty’s text: Hi. I’ll admit I was a little worried! I’m fine thanks - in the pub with Suki. How are you? X
I’m fine. I’ll leave you to enjoy the drink then. Have a great eve and phone me when you’re home x
Will do! xxx
Suki returned and knocked back the remains of her cider. “Tell me all about it then!”
“Well, yeah - his place is a bit old and depressing looking, but clean. We had a takeaway and you’ll never guess what happened next.”
Suki leaned forward with interest. “What?”
“I’ll give you three guesses.”
Suki giggled. “You slept with him! Who wouldn’t?”
“My business,” I replied. “Something more unusual happened.”
Suki grinned, obviously looking forward to the challenge. “Now let me see … A film crew and newspaper reporter turned up and you’re now famous?”
“No! Try again.”
Still smiling, Suki placed her hand on her chin thoughtfully. “Goodness. This is hard. Oh, I know! You were having a romantic meal until the candle tipped over and set fire to the table cloth!”
“No candlelit dinner, I’m afraid. I’ll give you an extra guess.”
“I don’t know. A ghost appeared?”
“OMG - you’re so close!”
Suki looked at me in horror. “What the …?”
“A pair of his friends turned up with a Ouija board and we may have made brief contact with a Skindlesworth murder victim!”
Suki looked at me like I was crackers. “This is a joke, right?”
“I’m afraid not. I don’t think anyone was faking it either - they all looked real scared.”
“Did you find out who the murderer was?”
“No - the board just spelled out Mel - who was one of the victims and she lived in the same block of flats as Nutty. It might just be a coincidence.”
“Wow! Do you think she died in Nutty’s flat?”
“I hope not!”
Suki looked like her head was reeling. “What a weird first date! No wonder he calls himself Nutty Bonkers. Are you seeing him again?”
“We’re speaking later.”
“Just hope your next date isn’t a trip around a haunted castle, or something.”
At that moment, Dudley walked past the window arm in arm with an elderly lady.
“Oh God,” I said. “Do you think that’s his mum - or one of his women?”
“Most likely his mum,” Suki said.
“I wouldn’t be too sure,” I answered.
Suki burst into fits of giggles just as our soup arrived. She was laughing so much it was ages before she could eat. After enjoying the soup, we decided to share a taxi home, as the frosty pavements glistened so white we were worried we might slip and fall in our heels.
When I arrived home, Mum was chatting on the phone to her best friend Jane. When the pair of them got together they could talk for England. I waved and went straight to my room to phone Nutty, gazing at his posters as I waited for him to answer, still not able to quite believe he was now in my life. We chatted for almost an hour and arranged to meet on Saturday. I agreed to get the train after work, as Nutty was appearing at a rave in Newcastle-upon-Tyne the night before and would be tired from the performing and travelling. I was glad, as I found travelling on trains less traumatic than zooming along motorways at ridiculous speeds.