Free Desperately Seeking Heaven by Jill Steeples

from the other side of the bedroom door, sinking dejectedly onto the bed. Not only did I have to find something suitable to wear from the pile of rags on my bed, but I then I had to go and face my very discerning house guest who had an unnerving habit of hovering with intent. Now I knew why I enjoyed the single life so much. Not having to worry about anybody’s opinion but my own. I threw on my jeans and long tunic top in an exotic floral print rejected earlier because they were far too casual, but in the absence of anything better, I deemed them perfect for a night in the pub.
    ‘Alice, come out! I’m getting very bored out here.’
    Quickly, I applied a lick of mascara, a brush of bronzer and a smearing of lip gloss and opened the bedroom door.
    ‘Whoa, look at you!’ Jimmy reeled backwards from the door, taking in my appearance. ‘Very nice,’ he said appraisingly.
    ‘Thanks,’ I said, blushing.
    ‘I thought I’d do us a stir fry. Will only take a few minutes and then we can settle down and watch I’m a Celebrity. Personally, I can’t see why anyone would put themselves through the humiliation of being on that show, but I know a couple of the people on it tonight so it should be good for a laugh. Oh and I picked up some of your favourites!’ He held up a couple of shiny bags of chocolates to tempt me.
    I shook my head, smiling indulgently. The apparent ease with which Jimmy seemed able to source all manner of things; chocolate, wine, specialist cheeses, was something of a worry.
    ‘Where did you get those?’
    ‘Oh don’t worry about it. My treat. It’s really quite easy to get hold of things here if you know how.’
    ‘Jimmy? Please don’t tell me you stole them.’
    ‘Alice, really! What do you take me for? A common thief? No, I didn’t steal them. I just did a bit of judicious stock taking down at the local supermarket. No one’s any the wiser!’
    ‘That is shocking, Jimmy,’ I said, laughing. ‘Really, what would your legion of fans say if they knew?’
    ‘Ah well, that just goes to show how circumstances change. One day I’m a highly successful TV presenter, the next I’m an impoverished ghost. Needs must and all that. But don’t worry, no one will be held accountable. All the paperwork is present and correct!’
    ‘Well. Thank you. I think. I’ll save them for later if you don’t mind.’
    ‘Oh right, of course.’ Jimmy’s grey eyes narrowed and his shoulders slumped as he looked me up and down again in that way that did funny things to my insides.
    ‘You’re out tonight, aren’t you? I’d completely forgotten.’ His tone was light but his disappointment was palpable and I don’t know if it was the way he looked at me or the promise of that stir fry, but I realised the last thing I wanted to do was to go out and leave him behind.
    Thinking about it, after the emotional trauma of yesterday’s funeral, I was being heartless even considering it. I was his only friend in the world and my priority had to be looking after him. There’d be plenty of time for socialising after he’d left. That was if he ever left.
    I peeled off my jacket and hung it over the back of a chair.
    ‘Well, I was meant to be,’ I said, trying to make it sound as though it was no big deal, ‘but to be honest I really don’t fancy it now.’ I was sure Damon would understand. There’d be loads of people at his leaving do and it would be unlikely he’d even notice I was missing. I’d text him later to explain. ‘The offer of dinner and a night in front of the box sounds much more appealing.’
    ‘No. Don’t go changing your plans on my account. You look stunning, you should go out and enjoy yourself. I’ll be fine here on my own. I might even look up a few old friends.’
    ‘That settles it then,’ I said laughing. ‘I’m definitely not going out now. I don’t think you should wander too far from home. It might not be safe out there and it might muck up our plans to get you over to the other