When I moved to London it was an unusually warm June. I was twenty-five, nervous, and woefully naive. Friends were getting engaged, married, having babies. Some were finishing doctorates or travelling. And I had long since come to the conclusion that the kind of raw, explosive attraction I had read about or seen on the TV didn't exist for everyone. At least, up until that point, not for me. I didn't mind so much, too caught up in the euphoria of moving to a new country and a new job all by myself.
So when I met Benjamin Reece, it completely floored me.
*****
"Yeah, mum its great- a gorgeous place. All hardwood floors and tall ceilings and a kitchen island. It's going to be hard to give the place back in six months." I laughed into the phone, scanning my eyes over the plush office I was standing in. Rather than attempt to find a reasonably priced flat somewhere outside of London and far away from my work, I had opted to house sit for a rich couple in Kensington. It had been a last minute gig, found through a girl I knew from back home in Melbourne. The couple were going to Spain for six months and had been understandably thrilled at finding someone to stay at the house.
"The cat comes and goes but he's quite friendly. He has a cat flap so no need to fuss over him- his name is Dorian- Dorian Grey. That was my ex-husband's idea." Lily Emmers was beautiful, and had a broad white toothed smile. She had gestured carelessly to the grey cat licking its paw. "We'll be back in November, not sure what date yet but I'll ring you a week in advance. We really appreciate this Grace- it's been a nightmare trying to find a sitter."
And then they had left, taking with them my promises to email updates and the like. And then, with no more than an exchange of numbers and keys, I had the place all to myself- well, myself and Dorian. That was yesterday. I had slept like a log through the night, jet-lag not quite gone after only a week.
"I worry about you all alone in a foreign city though, Petal," my mum said into the receiver, snapping me back to the present "Can't you get a roommate or something?"
"I have a roommate." I smiled as Dorian purred and dodged sleekly between my legs.
"I meant of the non-furry variety."
"I can't just invite someone to live in a house that isn't mine, ma. Besides I'm perfectly safe. I keep my phone and a golf club next to my bed while I sleep."
"Well at least you're taking the time to yourself. Golfing sounds fun."
"The club is in case there's an intruder and I need a weapon, mum." I said dryly.
"Darling your- hang on, Bill- your father wants a word. Here."
"Gracie!" my dad had a rough, deep burr. Traces of Scottish could still be heard in his voice but for the most part he sounded Australian.
"Hi, dad."
"You're being careful, arentya darling? Not wandering by yourself at night or anything like that, eh?"
"No, dad."
"Good girl, good girl. How's the paper? We've been reading all your articles on the Ipad."
"Thanks, dad. The paper is great, I work with some really funny people."
"They can't be all that funny, they're English."
"Ha ha dad."
"No really, Gracie darling make lots of friends, okay? And call us in a few days with an update, won't you?"
"I will dad. I really like it here, but don't worry I have plans to meet up with Kate in a few weeks."
Kate was my dad's sister's daughter, my cousin. She went to university in Glasgow but was heading to London for a few days to see me.
"Good gel. Don't forget to go see your Gran soon. She's excited to not have you all the way across the pond anymore."
"I promised her I'd get away from work at first chance and come and see her, but this weekend I need to settle in you know?"
"Alright Gracie. Hey, you be safe okay? We love you. Danny says hi, he says he's sent you a message over FaceBook and that you should reply to it."
I smiled, my brother Danny loved sending me inappropriate and hilarious pictures while I was supposed to be working. Suddenly I felt a bit homesick.
"Ok daddy. I love you too. Talk soon?"
"Talk soon darling."
I hung up the phone, sighing. A soft meow made me smile and I scooped up Dorian and nuzzled his fur.
"Hungry, are you?" I murmured to the cat, who mewed politely in response.
Setting him down, I took one step towards the door when I heard it.
A man's soft curse, the back door closing. Footsteps. Not daring to breathe, I blinked slowly and willed my feet to move. Police. I needed the police. And a weapon? Or should I hide? No, I'm not risking a Glenn-Close in the shower type situation. No thank you. The best defense was a good offence. I cautiously crossed from the office to the main bedroom where I had been sleeping, through the door that connected the two rooms. Gently picking up my cellphone and the famous golf club I inched back into the office, clutching my phone to my chest.
The sound of someone's heavy footsteps up the stairs met my ears and I raised the golf club, before a man walked into the office and gave a strangled yelp of surprise. He immediately jumped back and raised his hands.
"Hey! Whoa! Easy! I'm sorry I'm-"
