Afterlife - Stephanie Hudson Page 0,89

wasn't looking forward to the ride home knowing it would be nonstop Sophia this and Sophia that. But she was smart. Even after RJ's bombardment she never really revealed anything about herself. She just kept the conversation casual and kept enquiring about RJ, reflecting each question back on itself. Of course RJ didn't notice.

As predicted all the way home RJ talked nonstop about Sophia but it was sweet really and I didn't have to tell her about my new role in Afterlife as I just didn't get the chance. She was still talking about Sophia Draven when she dropped me off. It was only then that panic started to set in.

Thankfully no one was home yet so I didn't have to hide my worries. I decided to cook Spaghetti Bolognaise as it was quick and Libby and Frank could just heat it up in the microwave. I got the mince beef or ground beef as they called it here out of the fridge and heated a little oil in a frying pan ready to brown it. I chopped an onion and some peppers. I was like a robot on autopilot. I was cooking without even thinking about what I was doing.

My mind was in full panic. Why hadn't I just said No? Or maybe subconsciously I wanted to work up there, just to be closer to him. I was most definitely a glutton for punishment. I stirred the meaty mixture with the sauce and cooked vegetables after I had drained the fat and added herbs and spices to give it a little kick. But I still wasn't concentrating and burnt my hand on the stove. It woke me out of my zombie state and I ran over to the sink to put some cold water on it but it was too late, it was already starting to blister. Great that's all I needed.... more scars!

I heard keys in the door and realised the time was getting on. I dried off my hand and examined the big red blotch on the side of my palm near my little finger. Thankfully Frank walked in instead of Libby.

“Oh hey Frank, how are you?” I hid my hand before he could see it, which I really didn't need to because the smell of a freshly cooked meal was enough to draw his attention.

“Hey, yeah I'm good, better now I've come home to this... mmm.” He went straight over to the pot and lifted the lid releasing the aroma of Italian herbs and tomatoes.

“All she needs to do is cook the pasta, ok, and try not to let her burn it.” I patted him on the back as I walked past making my way upstairs.

“Are you kidding that woman could burn ice cream!” He laughed at his own joke sounding like Doctor Hibbert off the Simpson's. I was running up the stairs when I remembered I was starting earlier and would have to get a lift so I went back downstairs into the kitchen where I found Frank burning his mouth with a spoon in his hand.

“Ah caught ya!” He dropped the spoon and held up his hands

“Ok you got me, I'm busted. What time you working tonight?” He was such a great guy, like a real brother. And that wasn't just because he would do anything for me. My sister was lucky but if you ever told her that, it was always him that was the lucky one! Which I would have to agree, he was too.

“They asked me to come in early, at seven if that's ok?” I prayed there wasn't a game on tonight or one that he would miss because of me. It was one of his favourite things to do.

“That's perfect, cause I wanted to watch the highlights at eight and now I will have loads of time, that is if your sister’s not watching Desperate Housewives or any crap like that...umm but don't tell her I said that!” I smiled and made a lips sealed gesture across with my hand. It was time to go and get ready, so I jumped in the shower and let my worries continue under the warmth of the water that rained down on me.

Because I knew that this would be yet another night I was never going to forget.

Chapter 16 – First night take two

I got to work in a fluster having only five minutes to spare. I wasn't sure what to do so I went up to Jerry who was behind the