I gasped and threw the phone down, wishing with all my heart that the women had been wrong but I knew she wasn’t mistaken. It was Imagin’s house; there was no mistaking that number. It was the number I called at least once a day; the number I had frantically dialled when upset about a boyfriend, the number of my best friend. I picked up the phone deciding to call back Imagin, hoping in vain that it was all an illusion, only to be greeted by the incessant beeping of an engaged number.
I sprinted upstairs, my eyes focused in front of me, but everything else blurred around me. I felt dizzy and nauseous but knew I had to get some clothes on and get over to her flat.
I pulled on my old faded tracksuit bottoms and a baggy blue t-shirt, which had been lying in a heap closest to the door. I didn’t even think to put on socks as I slipped on my old trainers, and left my long wet hair to soak a wet patch on the back of my t-shirt.
Down the stairs I ran, grabbing the keys from the hall table as I hurried out of the front door, forgetting to lock or even make sure it was closed as I slammed it behind me.
The entire car journey over to her flat, was filled with one excruciating thought after another, combined with the good memories of the times we had spent together. I couldn’t help but wonder whether I would ever meet up with her for lunch again, go to the cinema, or gossip over a coffee. We had been friends since three and had hardly ever fallen out, I couldn’t imagine what I would do if she were to die.
By the time I had almost arrived my body was visibly shaking, and I could hardly control the wheel, I couldn’t bear to think of what I might find when I got there. I tried to imagine positive thoughts, but I was haunted by the idea of a murderer in Imagin’s flat.
I skidded into her front drive, and quickly stumbled out of the car door. I ran up to the front entrance of the flats, and pulled the door open. I could feel and hear my heart pounding in my chest as I ran up the old concrete stairs, louder even was my bare feet slapping against the cold floor.
When I got to door no.21, I could hear nothing coming from inside. I wanted to knock but couldn’t get my shaking hand to reach for the door. I took a deep breath and stepped forward grabbing the door handle, hoping that I would not find it already open. The doorknob stood firm in my sweaty palm, I grasped for the knocker and banged three loud times. The sound echoed down the staircase, and reverberated off the walls.
Unexpectedly the door opened, and with a huge leap I stumbled backwards terrified that I would be greeted by a killer. No killer stood in the doorway though, just the familiar face of Imagin.
“Ella,” she said sounding surprised to see me, “What are you doing here? Your hair is dripping wet!”
“I got your call” I replied breathless and stunned, “are you alright?”
“Yeah I’m fine why wouldn’t I be?” she answered sounding confused.
At that moment my heart burst with relief, I lunged forward giving her a huge hug and burst into tears.
“What about the phone call with the scream then? It came up with your number.” I asked.
Immediately she started laughing.
“What!” I exclaimed.
“I know what’s happened,” she said looking at me with a smile on her lips. “I rented a scary movie, and was watching it on the sofa, I must have been sitting on the phone and pressed the speed dial number for your house by mistake! You know what I’m like with scary scenes I must have screamed when you answered!”
I couldn’t believe what had happened and how terrified I had been all over a horror movie! I wanted to yell in frustration, because of all the agony I’d been through, but at the same time I wanted to laugh hysterically.
“Look,” she said “I’m still calling you on the phone,” she giggled. I picked it up and looked at the screen, sure enough there was the message ‘calling Ella’.
I felt all the tension that had been in my body for the last half an hour subside, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I explained the story to Imagin over a cup of tea and we had a good laugh as always. She found it hysterical how I had managed to get myself into such a state but on the other hand she was also greatly touched by my reaction and concern for her.
That night when I arrived back home to find my cold bath, I smiled realising the humour of the situation, but at the same time wondered about what could have been.
