Things weren’t working out as he had planned. She just wasn’t responding, and he didn’t know what he’d done wrong this time. He read the books again. Watched the YouTube videos. He’d followed each step meticulously.
With the first girl, he now realized he had hammered the orbital too hard. She’d haemorrhaged and there had been nothing he could do to save her. The poor thing had seized. But this one, he looked down, she was like a zombie, and that just wouldn’t do.
He kissed her forehead as he tucked the blankets in tightly around her and wiped the drool that stuck to the side of her face. ‘I’m sorry, sweetheart. I think we’re going to have to part ways soon. I really hoped you would snap out of this’ – he waved his hand – ‘state you’re in.’
Maybe if she sleeps? Yes, that might help. When he came home from work this evening, she’d be downstairs waiting for him. He had to remain positive. But he still couldn’t shake the feeling that she wasn’t the one. In his heart, he always knew. It was always Kate Moloney. The moment he saw her, a connection had been made. He needed his Kate.
I have to see her.
He looked at his watch. If he left now, there would still be time to go round to her flat. She wouldn’t have left for work yet.
He grabbed his coat, jogged down the flights of stairs, and out of the door.
The roads were fairly clear and it only took him half an hour to reach Kate’s home. He parked at the end of the road and waited. He figured he had at least another half an hour before she left, but she surprised him this morning.
His breath caught as he watched her bounce down the steps. So beautiful. That’s my girl. Pride swelled within his heart.
He put on the glasses, fixed the hair beneath the cap and checked himself in the mirror. He cleared his throat and tested out his deep voice. Perfect. He had been practising.
He started the engine and pulled away from the kerb slowly, so as not to attract any unwanted attention. As he came up beside her, he grabbed the map from the passenger seat and rolled down the window.
‘Excuse me, miss. I wondered if you could help me?’
Kate continued to walk. She was staring straight ahead and when a gust of wind blew her hair, he noticed the earbuds in her ears.
He tapped his horn and chastised himself when he noticed her jump. He didn’t want her to be afraid of him. She removed an earphone and looked in the car window.
‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I’m a little lost. I wondered if you could help me?’ Kate cocked her head, as if she was deciding whether or not to help the stranger before her.
‘Where are you going?’ Oh, her accent. Like music to my ears.
‘I’m looking for Anchor House. Do you know if it’s around here?’
‘Ah no. Sorry. I’m not familiar with that place. There’s a shop on the corner; maybe they’d be able to help you?’ She pointed to the end of the road.
‘Pardon? Can you come a little closer, I didn’t hear that?’
Instead, she spoke louder. Something was making her wary. Surely it couldn’t be him.
‘Try the shop down the road.’ She looked at her watch. ‘I wish I could be of more help, but I have to go.’ Her pace quickened and she looked back at him before she crossed the road, no doubt heading to the bus stop.
She stole another look in his direction. He had to stop himself from waving. She wanted to see me again. He folded the map up and shoved it in the glove box before pulling out and heading into work.
‘Living Doll’ came on the radio and he cranked it up louder.
It’s fate.
They were playing their song. The feeling of euphoria would last throughout the day.
Yes. It’s time. We’ll be reunited once again, my darling Kate.
He nearly passed the building because he was so caught up in thoughts of Kate. He took out his pass and held it against the flat surface, waiting for the beep to let him know the bar would rise. The parking lot was busy; he hadn’t been to this station in a while. Maybe he would see a friendly face or two, but first he would need to change.