But now I sleep alone

Chapter 14

Charlie spends all afternoon working on the tracks. She gets through a couple today, not wanting to rush things. She calls us through to listen to what she's done so far and they sound great. She's cleaned them up and they really sound exactly like how we visioned them.
I can see Charlie is getting tired as she comes through into the lounge area where she tells us she's booked a taxi to take us back. Her mom is due back at 5 she says and it's 4 now. We gather our stuff together and I help Charlie carry her gear too as we head to the cab. It's bigger than average to fit us all in and Charlie still manages to end up next to me, her hand now clutching mine. She's been smiling a lot more today and it's as if a switch in her has been flicked on. We climb out back at her place and she invites the other guys in. She makes us all coffee and lights the fire in the main lounge and makes it cosy before she goes back in the kitchen to start preparing the evening meal for her and her mom. She invited all of us but we decided it might confuse her mom too much, so we are going back to the guest house in a few minutes to eat over there.
The doorbell rings and Charlie goes to answer it. She takes her moms arm and leads her in, introducing us. Her mom smiles and tells us we are all very handsome young men, making Jaime laugh. He wasn't expecting that and he thanks her for the compliment. She looks directly at me.
"My daughter is in love with you, you know. She's around here somewhere I think" she whispers in a secretive manner. It would be funny if it wasn't so tragic. Charlie looks sad but kind of resigned to the fact that her mom is always going to be like this. She squeezes her moms hand gently and leads her to the chair next to the fire before going to make her a cup of tea. I follow her through to the kitchen and see her staring through the window, a sad expression on her beautiful face.
I pull her into my arms for a hug, gently pushing her hair behind her ear. She rests her forehead against my chest as she sighs deeply, trying so hard not to get upset. She stays like that for a few moments, composing herself before getting on with preparing the meal. I pitch in and help where I can as she looks ready to drop by now and we soon have pans bubbling away and a delicious smell wafting around the room.
The guys and I head back over to the guest house a little while later, leaving them to eat in peace. I don't want to leave Charlie but I don't want to intrude either.
Mike sees how down I am and pulls me to one side.
"Go back over in a while. Charlie obviously needs you there and we have to go in a few days. Make the most of your time together for now" he advises. I nod. I might just do that.
I go for a shower after we've eaten and tidied away and as I dress afterwards, I glance across at the main house. I see Charlie on the balcony of her room, a blanket wrapped around her as she stares into the distance. It looks like she's staring at the sea. The urge to comfort her takes over me and I dress as quickly as I can and tell the guys I'm going back to see her and that I will possibly spend the night with her. Jaime and Mike start sniggering.
"What?" I protest.
"We were wondering how long it would take. Vic said less than 24 hours, I said 2 days and Mike, 3" Jaime tells me. I can't stop the blush appearing on my face.
"I love her. Leave me alone ya bullies" I say, shaking my head in amusement at them as I make my way to the door.