02

Tired, hungry and drowning in fear, Norah was finally near Bellvale and a night of sleep in a proper bed. At this point, she didn’t even care if it was an adulterer’s bed. As long as it was comfortable, she would be happy. The rain pounded heavier and she turned the stereo up, her iPod had switched to The Kinks and singing softly under her breath, she paused as she passed a young woman walking on the side of the road.

Turning a bend, the girl disappeared in her rear view mirror and Norah started putting her foot on the brake. She didn’t want to stop, the adulterer bed was calling to her but she wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway if she didn’t turn around. Checking the road, she did a u-turn and headed back. Reaching over, she grabbed the knife and tucked it under her seat. Performing another turn, she pulled up beside the girl.

Leaning over, she wound the window down and the girl stopped walking, standing away from the vehicle. “Uh, hi. Can I give you a lift somewhere ?” She called out the window.

“Where are you heading ?” The girl asked warily.

“Bellvale.”

The girl paused and Norah offered her a friendly smile. “If you don’t feel safe, I understand. I can give you an umbrella instead ?”

As she was reaching into the backseat to try and find it, the door opened and the young girl hopped in. “It’s okay, I’ll accept the ride. You don’t scream ‘highway murderer’ to me.”

Already half in the backseat, Norah grabbed a towel from under a pile of books and passed it to her. “No, I prefer back roads with less traffic when I do my murdering.”

Rubbing the water from her hair, the girl grinned. “Thank God we didn’t meet on the back roads then. I’m Olivia Montoya.”

“Norah Jacobs.”

“Thank you for stopping, Norah, most people don’t stop for strangers around here.”

Norah pulled onto the road and cranked the heater up to high. “I guess I’m not most people. What were you doing walking out here at this time of night ?”

“This time of night ? It’s only eight,” Olivia grinned, wiping her face. “Well, I was out here with Rylan, my brother’s friend. He had to pick up something from the mill and I went along for company. So anyway, we’re at the mill and he gets a call from this girl he’s been seeing and poof ! Just like that, he up and leaves while I’m out answering to nature’s call. Stupid jerk.”

“So he isn’t your boyfriend then ?”

“Ew, god no. He’s attractive, I guess but he’s like a big brother to me. Just the thought makes me want to gag.”

“Sorry,” Norah smiled, eyes on the road. “Change of subject then. Where can I drop you off ?”

“The café in town, I’ve got a spare change of clothes there so I’ll slip in. Its quiz night, which I hate, but my brother’s there so he can give me a ride home.” Olivia placed the damp towel on her legs and started rubbing her legs. Norah moved the vents so they were all aiming at her and Olivia grinned. “I’m not that cold, but thanks. So, are you just passing through ?”

“No, actually I’m moving here for a month or so. I’m staying at a beach house my friend’s family owns.”

“Oh, you must mean the Jones’ house. It’s the only vacant house on the beach.”

“That’s the one. I have to get the keys from a man named…” she searched blindly for the piece of paper in the console.

“Jack Richards ?” Olivia offered. “He usually keeps the keys for them.”

“That’s the name. I might have to wait until tomorrow though, it is a bit late to be bothering him –“

“Oh no, Jack will still be awake. We’ll stop there on the way into town and pick up the keys.”

Norah glanced at Olivia. They’d known each other for maybe twenty minutes and Olivia was acting as if they’d known each other longer. “Are you sure ?”

Olivia waved her hand, the other adjusting the heater. “Of course ! It won’t take long and I’m sure you must be tired of driving. How long have you been on the road ?”

“A few days.”

“Wow, that’s insane ! What brings you to Bellvale ?”

“Ah, I’m a writer and I wanted to get away from my life for a while.” Norah tried to twist the truth as little as possible. She wasn’t the best liar and she did plan on writing while she was here.

“That’s cool, Wendy will get a kick out of a writer staying here.” Olivia pointed ahead, as the town came into sight. “Go straight through the roundabout and take the second left. Written anything I’ve heard of ?”

The forest thinned out and houses started appearing. They passed a small sign which read, Bellvale. Population est. 600. At the roundabout, she followed Olivia’s directions and went straight though.

“I haven’t written anything yet,” she answered her. “My first story is still in the development stages. I’m hoping I’ll be inspired while I’m here.”

The area became more suburban and taking the second left, Olivia told her to stop in front of the third house on the left. Lights shone through the curtains and Olivia stopped her from unbuckling her seatbelt. “Hang on.”

Jumping out, she ran up to the front door. A few seconds later the door opened and Olivia started talking to a man in his fifties. His bald head shone in the door light and thin legs looked out of place with his beer belly.

As they spoke, Norah glanced about. In the dark, there wasn’t much to see, but his garden seemed nice. It was well kept and his garbage was out on the sidewalk for collection the next day. The recycling box glittered in her car lights and looking closer, she saw it was overflowing with glass bottles.

Looking back up to the house, she saw both heads turn in her direction and she waved awkwardly. The man went back inside and Olivia headed back to the car, two thumbs up. Sliding back in, she grabbed the towel again. “Jack’s just getting the keys.”

“I could’ve done that,” Norah protested.

“Nah, no point both of us getting wet and Jack’s a bit of a grump once he’s started drinking.”

“Oh, when does he usually start ?”

“As soon as he opens his eyes, every morning.” Olivia wasn’t joking and Norah laughed breathlessly.

Knock knock.

Norah jumped, head hitting the roof of the car and flushed. Rolling down her window, Jack Richards leant over her car, one arm resting on the roof. The smell of whiskey mingled with the rain and she resisted the urge to shrink away.

“You Norah ?” His voice sounded like it was buried in gravel and she nodded.

“Yes, nice to meet –“

“Ray rang,” he interrupted. “Said you were coming. Place ain’t much, hasn’t been used in a few months and Ray’s wiring some money tomorrow so you can buy some furniture. Come by and get it. I ain’t your landlord, you break anything, you fix it yourself. Electricity and water are in my name and I’ll send you the bills. Any questions ?”

“Ah, how do I get there from here ?”

“It’s all right, Jack,” Olivia called from behind her. “I’ll show her the way.”

“Much obliged.” He passed the keys to Norah, water dripping down her arm. “See you tomorrow, don’t make it as late as this though.”

“Thank you, Jack.”

Offering nothing more than a grunt, he ambled back to the house and slammed the door. Olivia put her seat belt back on and moved her hair away from her face. “Head back to the roundabout and turn left.”

Norah did as she was told and turned the car around. “Is there a certain time I should come back tomorrow ?”

“Probably best to leave it until the afternoon.”

“Is he always like that ?”