Love on Notes

56

— You really don't need to stay and unpack my stuff, Daniel, I repeated for the tenth time.
— Liz, it's just an excuse to spend more time with you.

And that was the end of my stay at Daniel's. Trevor had been arrested three weeks earlier, but because of Daniel's injury, I'd stayed at his place to look after him until he got better. The wound hadn't been very deep but the pain it caused when he put his foot down had made it necessary to use crutches, which he'd been able to abandon this morning.

I thought back to that day. Raphael, Emmeline, Theo and Tom had intervened when neighbours had reported screams coming from my flat. Trevor's accomplice had apparently done time for attempted murder fifteen years earlier. Although the idea that I'd broken Trevor's nose reassured me, my nights hadn't been easy, nor Daniel's. We both had nightmares. Sometimes I'd be woken up by Daniel screaming in his sleep, terrified. He explained that he was reliving the scene of Trevor hitting me and trying to touch me, and not being able to save me. He was also having panic attacks, but they were less frequent. For my part, I managed to deal with the anxiety and stress better, but seeing him so distraught in the middle of the night broke my heart every time.

As his condition improved, I decided to move back into my flat. Although I loved his company, it was far too early for me to be living with him full-time. He wasn't happy about it, although he was understanding.

We finished tidying up, each in our own thoughts, and then had lunch. I could feel his anxiety. He insisted that I had to have my mobile phone with me at all times. Although Trevor's threat had been definitively neutralised, Daniel was still afraid that he had another accomplice on the loose.

About ten minutes after the end of the meal, he left my flat to go to work, his sick leave having come to an end. Being home on my own after such a long time did me a world of good.
Lying on my bed, I had so many questions running through my head. Firstly, about Daniel's famous scar on his back. Where did it come from? And above all, was it as serious as I thought? It scared me, and I hoped Daniel knew he could count on me to be there for him.

As I closed my eyes, I thought about our temporary home together and smiled at all the love that surrounded Daniel. No one could doubt the pure love his parents and sister had for him. As for Emmeline, Tom and Theo, their affection and respect for Daniel was obvious. Daniel's friendships with Raphael and Cassiopee was as strong as that between me and Eve. They had helped us enormously at the flat during the first week when I myself had headaches and a bruised rib.

As I thought about Eve, I remembered that she was on the way to my flat. She had been a great support, both emotionally and physically. She had prepared food for us, and Daniel had gotten closer to her.

As soon as she got here, she rushed to hug me.

— If you really want to send me back to hospital, you're on the right track, Eve.
— Oh yes, sorry, sorry, she said, releasing me with a smile.

I closed the door behind her, and she looked at my living room as if to see if anything had changed, but she didn't seem to notice.

After settling down on my sofa, she looked at me in a strange way.

— What's the matter?
— You look different, she said.
— Really?
— Yes, but rest assured, only in a positive way.
— Maybe it's because I'm finally regaining my freedom after all this time?
— Something like that.

To take our minds off things, we went for a walk and went to our usual café: Sérendipité. Aurore hugged me as soon as I got there.

— I've missed you so much Liz!

She spoke loudly despite the presence of customers.

— You too Aurore. How are you?
— I'm much better, thanks.

Delighted to see her rested, I smiled as a few people gave us puzzled looks.

Eve and I ordered and sat down at our usual table. I enjoyed my blueberry muffin while Eve savoured her mozzarella panini.

I asked about her relationship with Guillaume. Her smile when she heard his name was enough for me to guess that she was happy with him. I couldn't wait to see them together.

Back home, we were in the middle of preparing cocktails when Daniel asked me if everything was all right in a short message. I found it very thoughtful.

I'm with Eve, we're going to spend the evening at my place. And what about you?

His response was not long in coming.

I'm going to spend the evening with Raph. Have fun!

We ended up having dinner and getting drunk on Cosmos as the walls of the flat shook with the vibrations of the music.

After hours of talking, singing and dancing, Eve fell asleep on my mattress, with her make up on as always. As for me, I'd got so used to going to bed with Daniel that it seemed strange to go to bed without him. And that was what I was afraid of. I was always very independent and since I'd moved in with him, I couldn't get him out of my head. I pushed the thought away, convincing myself that the feeling would fade with each day. Despite this, sitting on one of my high chairs, I texted Daniel to see how his evening had gone, imagining that he would reply the next day. But he did so less than a minute later.

It went well, Raph dozed off a few minutes ago, but I couldn't fall asleep. I feel weird going to sleep without you.

I smiled at the idea that we were in the same situation.

Same here.

Okay that's nice, I didn't want to sound needy.

Never!

See you tomorrow?

Of course, I'm not sure what time Eve and I are going to get up, but can we get together once you've finished work?

Perfect, that'll be around 6 or 7pm.

I can come to your workplace, send me the address tomorrow please.

Will do, good night sweetheart.

Good night honey.

I got to my feet and joined Eve in my bedroom. With a big smile on my face, I couldn't wait to see Daniel the next day.