Gemma rolled the tricycle into place before slipping the scooter into a small gap beside it and straightening her back. ‘Oh, hi. Sorry, I was... I didn’t see you.’
‘Do you have a minute?’ He stepped forward, letting go of the door, which began to creak shut behind him.
‘No, don’t…’ Jumping forward, Gemma shot her hand out towards the door, but it was too late, the click of the latch sounded, and they were plunged into darkness. Sighing, she completed her sentence, ‘Don’t let the door shut.’
‘Oh, sorry. I’ll just…’ Turning, he pushed at it, trying again and again when it didn’t budge. ‘It won’t open.’
‘Nope, it won’t. The lock catches.’ She tugged at the neckline of her jumper. She didn’t need this. Not today. And not with him.She hated small spaces at the best of times, but to be stuck in such a space with the man she…
‘That’s why Annie asked for it to be repaired.’ His voice was a whisper, and in the darkness she could just imagine him slapping his hand across his forehead.
‘Yep, that’s right.’ She shifted position and heard a clatter behind her. Holding her breath, she waited as whatever it was she’d knocked settled back into position, relieved that nothing had fallen on either of them. She patted the pocket of her trousers. Why hadn’t she brought her mobile with her?
Jonathan cleared his throat, and a few seconds later, a beam of light shone from his mobile, straight into Gemma’s eyes. Moving it, Jonathan grimaced, waved his mobile around, the light from the torch app illuminating the bikes, tricycles and scooters surrounding them. ‘Sorry. There must be something we can open it with.’
‘There isn’t.’ Gemma settled her back against the shelf at the back of the shed and tried to steady her breathing. ‘It’s the lock. It clicked shut, which is why we put a doorstop there, only I just knocked it when I was pulling the tricycle in.’
‘And I stepped away, letting the door shut behind me.’
‘Yep.’ She let out a small burst of laughter before wiping her hand across her forehead, the perspiration on her hand glistening on her skin in the torchlight. ‘Sorry, I… It’s a laugh or cry moment.’
‘Please don’t cry.’ He frowned and stepped towards her, carefully picking his way around the bikes and scooters.
She forced a grin, curling her hands into fists by her sides. ‘I won’t. Annie should be back out in a few minutes. She’s just taking a call. She’ll see there are still bikes and scooters to be put away so she’ll come to help.’
‘Right.’ Jonathan nodded and took another step closer. ‘You’re claustrophobic, aren’t you?’
‘No, not really.’ She swallowed. She couldn’t admit the extent of her phobia, not now, not in this situation. If she did, it would only make things worse. Instead, she tried to focus on the spicy aroma of his aftershave mixing with the mustiness of the shed. ‘I just don’t like being trapped in small spaces, that’s all.’
Reaching out, he rubbed her forearm. ‘I’m sorry. I should have listened to Annie and I should have prioritised getting the lock fixed. It’s not safe.’
Shaking her head, she looked up at him. ‘You couldn’t. There’s so much that needs fixing around here, the hall roof for one. Plus, you’ve only just started the job, you can’t possibly know what needs to be done.’
‘No, but…’ He set his jaw, his hand still on her arm. ‘This should never have happened. What if you’d been trapped in here on your own, and Annie wasn’t about? You could have been in here all night…’
‘Please don’t.’ Gemma squeaked as she reached out to grasp him, gripping his arms with her hands. Before she knew what was happening, he’d enveloped her in his arms, and she lay her head against his chest, the steady beating of his heart slowing her rapid breathing. They’d be okay. Annie would be back in a few minutes. It wouldn’t be long.
‘Do you know her number? I could call her. Joanne has gone home for the day, or else I’d have rung the office.’ His breath tickled the top of her head as he spoke.
She shook her head, still clinging to him. She began counting in her head: one elephant, two elephants, three elephants... Annie had said she’d only be a couple of minutes on the phone, and it must have been at least that by now.
Taking his arms from around her, Jonathan cupped her elbows and tilted her face up so they were looking at each other. ‘I will get this fixed. I promise.’
Wishing his arms were still wrapped around her, she mumbled, ‘Thanks.’
‘Gemma! Gemma!’ Annie’s voice grew louder the closer she got to the shed.
Reluctantly pulling away from him, Gemma squeezed past him and picked her way quickly over to the door, banging on it as soon as she reached it. ‘Annie. In here!’
‘Oh, this damn door. I told you it’d end up trapping someone inside. And you, of all people, what with your claustrophobia. Of course, I know you don’t call it that, Gem, but that’s what it is. Didn’t I tell Mr Higgs about the lock, too? I damn well did. He won’t be hearing the last of this...’ Annie continued mumbling as she fiddled with the lock and finally yanked the door open.
As the dim light from outside shone into the shed, Gemma held her hand over her eyes as she hurried to freedom. The rain was pelting down now, but she didn’t care. In fact, she loved it. The feel of the cold water on her face and quickly soaking through her jumper to her skin proved to her she was outside, that she was free. She’d happily stay out here and get drenched if it meant she didn’t have to go back in there anytime soon. She stepped aside as Jonathan followed her out.
‘Oh, Mr Higgs. I...’ Annie’s face paled as she realised the subject of her ranting had indeed heard everything she’d said.
Holding his hand up, palm forward, Jonathan shook his head slightly. ‘You’re right, it does need fixing, and I’ll get onto that first thing in the morning. I’m sorry for not taking your request seriously.’
‘Well, I... thank you.’ Annie stuttered before turning to Gemma and laying her hand on her colleague’s shoulder. ‘You go on in and get yourself a cuppa. I’ll finish off here.’
