Chapter 4

Sometimes, the last thing you want comes in first,

Sometimes, the first thing you want never comes,

And I know, the waiting is all you can do, sometimes. . .

One month later . . .

Violet would nod off, but occasionally, and only for a couple of minutes. She'd then snap awake, a splitting headache pounding in her head.

Quigley would sometimes stay up with Violet, but mostly she blackmailed him to go to bed. He would feel the velvet jewellry box, which he'd hidden under Violet's pillow.

You could say that Violet's insomnia put a wedge between them. Quigley was left with a longing, a desire to be with Violet. It felt like they were continents apart, when the reality was, in fact, that they lived together, even rooms apart from each other.

On one particular, important day, Quigley had the day off. He was tidying up after Violet's mess from the night before: popcorn, chips, blankets, teddies and DVDs galore.

Unexpectedly, the doorbell rang.

He took his time getting it, slouching, his fingers numb. When he finally opened it and saw his visitor, he made to slam the door.

But the visitor stuck out his foot, and forced his way in.

"You know I'm stronger than you." Duncan grinned, though it was more of a sneer.

"GET OUT!" Quigley roared, and tried to shove Duncan out, but Duncan twisted out of Quigley's grip and shoved him to the floor, planting his foot on Quigley's chest.

"Finally, you're under me, where you belong." Duncan snarled. "Where's Vi Vi?"

Quigley growled, and Duncan's left foot stepped on Quigley's left hand.

"What do you want?" Quigley asked, his breathing returning to normal.

"Violet, of course." Duncan raised his eyebrow cockily and leaned closer to Quigley's face, almost fascinated. "I see time has treated you well. . . or not. What about her?" His voice lowered to a whisper. "Has she still got her beauty?"

Quigley's right hand sprang over Duncan's foot, and Duncan suddenly found himself on the floor.

"What are you planning?" Quigley demanded. "What are you going to do?"

Duncan's hands caught Quigley's foot, and Quigley toppled to the floor. Duncan stepped over him and grabbed a photo of Violet on the nearby coffee table.

"You'll see." he whispered softly, almost as if he was talking to Violet, and set the photo back onto the table.

He made to walk out, but paused, saying one final sentence before leaving the house. It sent a chill down Quigley's spine.

"I'm surprised you haven't asked her to marry you yet."