There must be some way to help boost the business, I think to myself.
When I get back to the office, I spend some time researching online advertising and exploring ways in which Dad could branch out. I bookmark a couple of ideas and then shut down my computer for the day.
As I walk to the bus stop, I notice a weird stencil on the pavement. It looks like it’s been done with some sort of chalky substance. There’s a big red heart, inside of which is the number six. Inside the hole in the six is one of those QR codes. It instantly reminds me of Jay’s picture in the newspaper, where he’d been holding a six of hearts. He’d also left that exact card on my phone when he’d made it miraculously disappear and then appear.
Pulling said phone out of my handbag, I scan the code and wait to see what happens. A slick website pops up, all done in black and electric blue. An image of a man on a stage makes up the background. His back is turned to the audience, his arms spread out like an eagle. It takes a second for me to realise it’s Jay, because he’s topless and I haven’t seen him topless before. His tattoos dance along his skin, looking almost alive. Beneath the image are just a few lines.
July 26th, 8 p.m.
The Paint Cellar,
Temple Bar,
Dublin 2.
And that’s all there is, just one page, no other info at all. I hurry to the bus now, eager to get home and question Jay about the mysterious website. What’s going to happen on that date and at that location?
My pores tingle with excitement.
Ten
At home I find Jay in the kitchen with Jessie. He’s writing furiously into an old moleskin notepad, while Jessie listens to music on a pair of ultra-hip headphones, bobbing her head to the beat. What catches my attention most of all, though, is the cage that’s been placed by the window containing two beautiful white doves.
“Oh, my God, they’re so pretty,” I exclaim, going over to get a better look.
Jay puts down his pen, stands up, and walks toward me. “You like my girls, huh?” he murmurs, his hand coming to rest on my shoulder.
“I really do. Are they yours?”
“Yep. Jessie was keeping them for me at her place.”
“What are their names?”
“This one’s Ellen,” says Jay, pointing to the one on the left. “And this one’s Portia. If you haven’t already guessed, I let Jessie name them. She thinks it’s funny.”
“Ah. But how can you tell them apart? They both look identical to me.”
“They’ve got different personalities. Ellen’s the chatty one. Portia’s the sleepy one.”
“I see,” I reply before continuing excitedly, “Are you going to be keeping them here from now on?”
“Sure am.” He smiles indulgently, his face close to mine.
“I’m so happy! I haven’t had a pet since my cat died.”
Jay starts rubbing my shoulder now, the friendly gesture causing a little more than a friendly reaction in me. I want him to slip his hand beneath the fabric and touch me skin on skin. We watch the birds for a minute or two, and then I remember what I really wanted to talk to him about, so I pull my phone from my bag. Bringing up the website again, I show it to him.
“So, uh, what’s this all about?”
Jay stands back and rubs a hand along his stubble, grinning. “Ah, you saw that, did you? I should have guessed my little Watson would want to solve the mystery.”
My little Watson. Yeah, I think I like the sound of that.
“So, come on, don’t leave me in anticipation,” I prompt.
Jessie pulls off her headphones. “Hey, Matilda,” she says, giving me a casual nod. I quickly say hello back before returning my attention to Jay.
“I’m doing a show this Friday. What you saw was an advertisement. Jessie and I spent the whole morning spray-chalking the stencils all around the city.”
I go to the fridge and open it up to see what’s for dinner. Surprisingly, it’s stocked full of food. Jay must have gone shopping. That was nice of him. “That’s a really cool idea, but do you think it will be effective? Most people might think it’s just street art.”
“Oh, it’ll work,” says Jay. “People love shit that’s all obscure and mysterious. They’ll go just to see what it’s all about. Though my fans will know it’s me the second they see the symbol.”
“If you build it, they will come,” says Jessie, sitting cross-legged on her seat like Buddha. She sounds mildly stoned, but I think that’s just her way.
“Okay.” Jay laughs.
“What does that symbol mean, anyway?” I ask.
“Ah, now, that would be telling.”
“So many secrets,” I tease, pulling some chicken and a few vegetables out of the fridge. “You’re like a naughty husband who’s having an affair.”
Jay grabs a carrot out of my hand and takes a big bite. He stares at me as he chews, swallows. With a wink, he says, “I’m not the cheating kind, but I sure can be naughty.”
Well, I don’t doubt that. Turning away, I start preparing my chicken stir-fry, making enough for everyone, including Dad, who should be home any minute.
“So,” I begin casually, “am I invited to this show? Or is it too exclusive for the likes of me?”
“Of course not, Watson! You’re going to be my guest of honour,” Jay exclaims, all boisterous.
I laugh and shake my head before replying jokingly, “Look, Jay, I’m know I’m the image of Emma Watson and everything, but you don’t have to keep going on about it.”
I place a cover over the stir-fry to let it simmer. When I turn around, he’s right in front of me, studying my face for what feels like forever. “Nah, you’re more like a brunette Scarlett Johansson,” he murmurs low, penning me in.
I harrumph. “Sure, if she had a facial disfigurement.”
His hand comes up to cup the side of my face and part of my neck, where my scar lines my skin. My breathing hitches at his warm touch. God, how long has it been since I’ve been touched like this? Have I ever been touched like this? He levels his eyes on me seriously, his thumb brushing back and forth, as he murmurs, “Because this makes you so unappealing.”
I don’t have to be a genius to tell he’s being sarcastic. Wow. This is the second time in the last twenty-four hours that he’s mentioned my appeal. Should I start getting my hopes up?
Jessie makes quick work of ruining the moment by making a little vomiting sound. “Ugh, you two need to get a room,” she says before putting her headphones back on.
Jay tugs on my hand and leads me out to the back garden, where the sun is shining down warmly. “I created a magic trick just for you. I think I have it perfected.”
“For me? Seriously?” I ask in delight. He hands me what looks like a small beige chicken’s egg, placing it in my upturned palm.
“It’s an egg,” I say, stating the obvious.
Jay nods. “Just keep watching.” He passes his hand over it once, and it starts to crack, like maybe there’s a tiny chick inside. Then he passes his hand over the top of it again, and it cracks completely open. I gasp with surprise as five gorgeous red and black butterflies with white spots practically explode from the shell, their wings flapping through the air. They flutter all around me, and my heart lifts when one of them comes to sit on my shoulder.
“Oh, wow,” I whisper, smiling like crazy and trying my hardest not to move. Another comes and sits on my hand, tickling me and making me giggle.
When I look at Jay, his eyes are shining bright under the sun as he soaks up my reaction, his mouth curving ever so slightly at the edges. I’m not even going to ask him how he did it. I’m locked in his spell, and I don’t want to break it.
“That was amazing,” I say to him when the butterflies have all finally flown away.
Stepping closer, he takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Look at those eyes, so full of wonder. I love your reactions. They make me feel like I can reclaim the childhood I never had.”