Page 23 of Kiss Me Like You Mean It

It looks lovely, but it’s quite clearly closed. There are huddled shapes on the porch that must be covered furniture, several of the windows are boarded up, and there’s a tall ladder propped up against one wall; a work bench sits out on the front lawn.

‘Er, sorry, Bud, are you sure this is the right place?’ I ask, but he’s already out of the car, heaving my giant suitcase out the boot. I cling to the handle of my carry-on.

A groan sounds from behind me and I turn, realising it’s the front door being wedged open. A woman appears, sweeping a torch over us. She’s in her early sixties perhaps, tall and angular with bright red hair. She wears a purple silk kimono over a brightly clashing floral jumpsuit and she gives me a thorough once over.

‘Oh, honey, you’re gorgeous!’ she exclaims, delighted, coming towards me with her fingers outstretched. She keeps the torch trained on me, momentarily dazzling, so that I feel suddenly like I’m under interrogation at a black-ops site. ‘And your energy is so bright!’

‘Um, thank you?’ I manage, blinking and taking her hand, which is warm and soft. Rather than shaking it, she pulls me in for a lavender-scented hug.

‘I’m Magda,’ she says when she lets me go, and I try not to look too flustered, smoothing down my shirt.

‘Nice to meet you,’ I say, still unsure who she is or what’s going on. ‘I’m Lee.’

‘Thanks, Bud,’ Magda calls over my shoulder, giving the taxi driver/funeral director a broad wink. ‘You did good. We’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘Later, Magda,’ Bud grunts, pouring himself back into the car and pulling away in a spray of gravel.

This is when I notice a girl standing behind Magda. I don’t spend a lot of time with children so I have no idea how old she is, but she’s quite small. Her fair hair hangs in two long plaits, and there’s a smattering of freckles across her nose. She observes me steadily through brown eyes, magnified behind her glasses.

‘This is Phoebe,’ Magda says brightly.

‘Oh, you’re the one who made the sign for the airport.’ I try a smile.

Phoebe treats me to another long, measuring look. ‘You don’t look much like a wicked stepmother,’ she says finally. ‘Except for the shoes.’

I glance down at my heels, currently sinking into the gravel driveway. Probably not the most practical choice, but if ever I needed my emotional support footwear it’s today. ‘Um, thank you?’ I say again. I know I’m not the most socially aware person in the world, but it definitely feels like the greetings I’m getting from people in this town are… weird?

‘Phoebe, honey,’ Magda says, shooting her a look. Some sort of silent communication seems to happen between the two of them. ‘Why don’t we go inside?’

I glance at the building. ‘I don’t think I can stay here,’ I say. ‘Isn’t it closed?’ All of a sudden it seems very dark. The ghoulish glow from Magda’s torch is the only light as the sky has rapidly deepened to a sombre navy, the first stars blinking awake.

‘Oh, you’re not staying here,’ Magda beams. ‘Ordinarily we’d love to have you of course, but the whole place is getting spruced up right now. It’s long overdue!’

‘Right,’ I nod. ‘So… sorry, I’m a bit confused. Is Nico here? Nico Hart? I’m supposed to be meeting him.’

‘He’ll be here soon,’ Magda says, and now the brightness seems forced. Something fishy is definitely going on. Have I escaped Bud’s clutches unscathed, only to be kidnapped by this unlikely duo? Suddenly the big empty house looks more menacing than magical. I try to remember the self-defence moves Gran showed me. The little one doesn’t look like much of a threat, but perhaps she’s a biter. I eye them both warily, taking a step back.

‘Okay, I think I should maybe go and find my hotel—’

‘There isn’t another hotel,’ Phoebe says. ‘You’re staying with me. Me and my dad.’

A strangled laugh escapes me. ‘That’s kind of you, but no, thank you,’ I take another step back. ‘I think there’s been some sort of misunderstanding. I’m looking for my friend. I’m just going to…’

I grab the handles on my cases and hastily turn to walk away, but as I do, my heel sinks further into the gravel, and my ankle twists. I let out a hiss of pain, and stumble forward, my knee buckling. Throwing my hands out, I close my eyes, bracing for the impact of hitting the ground.

This is going to hurt.

Before that can happen, a pair of strong hands wrap around my upper arms. Instead of falling onto the gravel driveway, I hit the warm, firm planes of someone big and male. There’s a smell I know, a gorgeous, spicy smell mixed in with sawdust, and I peel my eyes open, exhaling a huff of relief.

‘Nico,’ I breathe.

His fingers tighten on my arms and he looks down at me. In the light from the torch his profile is gilded, beautiful.

‘Lee?’ Nico’s eyes widen. ‘What the hell are you doing here?’

Chapter Nine

Nico