Fourteen Days Read Online Free PDF Page B

his fists. His initial thoughts—being a movie fan—were that the footsteps belonged to something supernatural. But then his rational mind took over, and the idea of a burglar seemed like the more logical explanation.
    Creeping out of the bed, fists still clenched, he edged to the door. His heart raced as the handle came within inches of his grasp. He reached for the handle and carefully turned it. Just as the door was about to open, the bedroom suddenly came alive with light.
    “What are you doing?”
    He jumped in fright. “ Dammit! ” he shouted, staring at Nicky sitting up in bed. “I almost wet my pants!”
    Chuckling, she asked, “Why are you sneaking ’round?”
    Exhaling, trying to shake off his shock, he ran a hand over his face. “I thought I heard footsteps outside the door.” He opened the door to check and found the landing empty.
    “It was probably just the rain outside. You’re a nervous wreck. Come back to bed. It’s late.”
    Nodding, he closed the door, only to open it again to double check. “Thought it was a burglar.”
    He climbed back into bed, huddling up close to her.
    Sniggering, she turned to face him. “No, I bet you thought it was a ghost, didn’t you?”
    He closed his eyes as he draped his arm over her side. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

Chapter 4
Day 4: Friday
    R ichard leaned against the kitchen worktop, waiting for the kettle to boil, contemplating whether or not to call Leah again. It had been three days since his last conversation. A quick chat to see how things were going wouldn’t do any harm. Yeah, a quick chat. No more. Even just to say hi. She’s still a friend after all. He reached for the phone and dialed the number for work. After a few seconds Leah answered. “Hi, Leah. It’s Richard. How’s—” But before he could finish she hung up the phone, leaving him with a piercing beeping sound in his ear.
    “Bitch,” he said, shaking his head in astonishment. Doesn’t she realize I’d be able to relax more knowing that everything is running smoothly? What’s wrong with her? “Stubborn cow.”
    Still frustrated, he took his coffee outside and sat on the patio. The sun was out again with no sign of rain. The heat felt good against his face as he leaned back on his plastic chair.
    Sipping his coffee, he tried to block out thoughts of work. Instead, he focused on other things, like maybe taking Nicky away for the summer. Someplace warm—away from this house. He imagined lying on a nice deserted beach, drinking ice-cold beer, watching the blue sea crash against the rocks. He thought of Nicky beside him, her smiling face, her slender body, her deep blue eyes. And then a sudden feeling of sadness and guilt washed over him. They hadn’t been away on holiday since their honeymoon, almost three years ago.
    How could I do that to her? After all she sacrificed to follow me to Bristol, leaving her family, friends, and job behind just so I could start a new job. How selfish is that! What’s wrong with me? No, it’s not selfish, it’s for our future. She knows that. Best to get some money behind us before we start a family. No point struggling. It’ll be worth it in the long run. And besides, I don’t plan to work there forever.
    Staring at the wooden fence in front of him, he couldn’t shake off the remorse in his stomach, despite his best efforts to convince himself otherwise.
    He checked the time on his cell phone. 12:14 p.m.
    Lunchtime.
    Walking back into the house, he went straight to the freezer and pulled out a frozen lasagne, kicking the door shut as he walked through to the kitchen. He popped the ready-meal into the microwave and waited. God, I miss my computer. I’d be screwed on a desert island. Can’t cope with much more of this. Wonder where she’s hidden it. Probably not in the house. Maybe at her mum’s. Or at Julie’s .
    After the microwave pinged, he removed the piping hot container and scooped its contents onto a plate. Filling a glass of water