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  Ryder’s next words singled Jade out for even more attention. It wasn’t so much the words he used; it was more the way he focused his attention on Jade.

  He stared into her eyes. ‘You should record your songs. I think it would be a big success.’

  ‘We were thinking of doing that,’ replied Jade, staring back at him, seemingly captured by his magnetic personality.

  I didn’t butt in, and I frowned at Jade, even though no one seemed to notice.

  Ryder still held Jade’s gaze with his mesmerising eyes. ‘I could help. I have contacts in the music business. You could sell them at school and then do a concert once you have your fan base,’ he said, skirting closer to Jade’s side.

  That was it! I had enough. I spun around and let a telltale edge of hurt creep into my voice, betraying my emotions. ‘You two have it all figured out by the sounds of it.’ I felt a burning in my cheeks, and my temper flared as I stood fuming over the turn of events.

  ‘You could do worse, you know. I only want to help,’ answered Ryder, his eyes searching mine for forgiveness, his voice echoing the sentiment in his eyes.

  I wanted to scream, but his smouldering panther eyes were too much for me. I buckled under their stare. My knees shook. Why did he have this effect on me? I reconsidered, realising I’d let the jealousy vibes get the better of me. I took a deep breath and exhaled. ‘Okay, your help would be great, Ryder.’

  As soon as the words left my lips, I felt an overwhelming desire to curl up and go to sleep, as if I’d just stepped off a plane after a long-haul flight suffering from jet lag. What could that be about? I knew it wasn’t true, but I felt like Ryder had slipped a drug into my drink, turning me into a cute girly-girl who always does what she's told. I hated this feeling. His next words floored me. They were only five words, but they affected me profoundly.

  ‘Y’know, I aim to please,’ he said, with a winning smile that melted my heart.

  I couldn’t help but soften, even though I remained wary. I just wasn’t sure about Ryder yet. He seemed to know everyone. Nothing appeared to be difficult for him. The word ‘obstacle’ didn’t exist in his vocabulary. No, wasn’t a word you said to Ryder.

  I heard a noise and turned to the door, watching as Jade’s mum, Alice, walked into the shed, breaking the magical spell Ryder had cast upon us. Both of her hands were full, and she carried a tray filled with an array of Asian foods. When she spotted Ryder, she stopped in her tracks, and an expression of surprise lit up her features. Just in time, she caught herself—she had nearly tipped the food off the tray into Ryder’s lap. Embarrassed, Alice turned away from Ryder before he could notice the flushed look on her face.

  I grinned as Alice recovered with ease and smoothed down her tailored dress. ‘Oh, how nice to see your new friend, girls.’ She smiled at Ryder and said, ‘Please stay and have some food. You’re more than welcome.’

  Ryder’s face turned into an instant mask, appropriate for parents only. ‘Sorry, I’d love to, but I can’t stay too long; I have to return the video equipment.’

  ‘Oh, that’s such a shame. You must come back again. Thank you so much for recording for the girls,’ said Alice. ‘I’m sure they appreciated you helping.’

  ‘It’s my pleasure,’ said Ryder. He enunciated slowly, and the word pleasure lingered in the air, like a caress.

  The girls stood rooted to the spot, watching the scene play out before them. I couldn’t believe the exchange between Ryder and Jade’s mum. In fact, all our mouths hung open in surprise. Alice appeared to be on the verge of a spectacular hot flush. Without a doubt, she looked like she could do with one of those Chinese fans to cool herself down. Instead, she resorted to calming her heated emotions by welcoming us in her usual manner. ‘Selamat Datang. Lunch is ready.’

  As was her custom, Alice had prepared a feast. Displayed in brightly coloured Chinese bowls were spring rolls, dainty curry pastry puffs, orange-coloured prawn crackers, garlic prawns with a chilli dipping sauce, and little bowls of tasty fried rice. Alice handed out chopsticks and tiny cups of green tea. The aroma overwhelmed me, and my stomach growled, anticipating the meal.

  Jade’s dad, Peter, even appeared. He glanced at Ryder and said a brief, ‘Hi.’ He seemed more interested in the incredible array of food. He grabbed a spring roll and took a bite. ‘You know, it’s a wonder that Alice is such a good cook, considering her aunt brought her up, and she couldn’t cook at all!’ Peter hovered, crunching his spring roll and gaping, his mouth salivating.

  He bent down to pick up one of the garlic prawns, but his wife rapped his knuckles. ‘Not for you, Peter. You got slimline salad back at the house. Come.’ He pulled a long face and followed his wife back out the door. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. Poor Peter! Punishment for mentioning Alice’s aunt, no doubt!

  Jade giggled and rolled her eyes. ‘Oh, my God! They’re gone. Hurrah! Aren’t parents embarrassing?’

  ‘You could say that,’ answered Ilaria. The girls clustered around the fragrant dishes, filling their plates from the bowls filled with food.

  It was strange, but I didn’t feel hungry. A moment ago, my famished stomach had grumbled, yet now I felt distant and preoccupied with my own thoughts. My eyes were heavy and my limbs even more so. Exhaustion settled in my bones. I sat in a chair to rest and watched the girls begin their meal.

  Once Ryder finished uploading the recording to the machine, he checked his phone. On cue, his phone pinged, signalling an incoming text message. All at once, his demeanour changed. Ryder paced in agitation and announced that he needed to leave straight away. I watched his strange behavior and wondered why he didn’t say where he intended to go.

  The more I thought about his abrupt departures, the more I realised he was always rushing off. Ryder walked toward me and stood beside my chair. I looked up at his face, closing my emotions off to him. I knew what to expect next.

  ‘I’m sorry. I have something I must do. Amelina, I promise I’ll make it up to you. Next time I’ll take you to a fantastic restaurant for dinner. In fact, I’ll take you to a secret venue that is out of this world.’

  I sat quietly. I eyeballed my friends as they returned my gaze like the Envy Goddess had bitten them hard, all except Joselyn, whose forehead burrowed into a worried frown.

  I sighed deeply and studied Ryder’s face. ‘A secret venue,’ I said, turning into that girly-girl mush, wistful twat once again. ‘All right. I’m a forgiving girl.’

  ‘Me too. If Amelina comes down with the flu, I’ll join you in her place,’ teased Jade. She grinned and flashed him a winning smile. Ilaria giggled.

  I spun around in my chair and gave Jade a dirty look. Ryder winked at Jade but reached down and pulled me towards him, his velvet lips brushing my cheek. He kissed my other cheek, lingering for a moment in the embrace. I hadn’t expected him to kiss me, and I’d responded in a hopeless manner. I’d failed to return his second embrace. I remained standing, paralyzed by my stupidity.

  God, it couldn’t have been more embarrassing. I felt certain that Jade thought I was a complete idiot. How could I have messed it up so badly? Now, without a doubt, I suspected Ryder would prefer Jade. No way would Jade have been so unsophisticated. And I knew she wouldn’t have any trouble kissing Ryder from the way she had acted tonight.

  Ryder didn’t appear to notice my discomfort, and instead, he lightened the moment. ‘Au revoir,’ he said in a sexy French voice. He swivelled on his heel and blew a kiss in the girls’ direction.

  I watched Ryder exit the shed and walk down the path toward the driveway. In the background, I heard a chorus of goodbyes fill the room.

  Puzzle Piece 19:

  Ryder Vanishes

  To vanish so fast,

  In plain sight makes me dizzy,

  Mocking my senses,

  Wish Jade would disappear too,

  No chance—she’s too boy crazy.

  I stood at the door of the shed and blinked. Slowly my overwhelming tiredness lifted, and a deli
cious sense of power enveloped me. I hugged myself. I had Ryder all to myself, and only my eyes had seen him leave. Ryder continued unaware that my eyes followed him; his face grew stern, so different from a moment ago. It made a momentary shiver travel up my spine like I was looking at a different person. He hurried as if he’d calculated each step to take him further and further away from me.

  Then to my complete and utter astonishment, Ryder vanished. I saw a flash of grey and a hint of black light, a twirling piece of fabric, and then nothing. One moment he stood before me, and the next he vanished. I scratched my head. It made little sense. A worm of anxiety worked its way into my thoughts. Maybe he walked so fast that somehow my vision couldn’t keep up. It occurred to me that Ryder and Shadow had that in common—disappearing.

  I walked back toward the table, replaying Ryder’s steps like a slow-motion reel in my mind. Perhaps he’d bewitched me. That would explain it. Either that or maybe I was going mad? I didn’t welcome either of these explanations. I sat down at the table where the girls were busy enjoying Alice’s meal. I didn’t eat or join in the conversation.

  Alice walked into the shed and interrupted my thoughts. She caught my eye and smiled. ‘I’ve come to tidy away the food. Are you alright, Amelina? You seem very distracted. That young man is a distraction. You didn’t eat anything.’

  ‘M’fine, Alice, just tired, I guess.’ I brushed my hand over my face. I had been behaving in an odd, dream-like manner, and I needed to get my act together. It’s true that I hadn’t eaten Alice’s lovely food, and guilt gnawed at my heart. I said the first random remark that came into my head. ‘I love your new dress.’

  Alice appeared pleased and touched. She wasn’t a stranger to compliments with her slim figure, attractive short black hair, and elegant, manicured nails. But this compliment must have seemed random.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said, smiling as she stacked and cleared the plates away.

  Jade devoured the last morsel of her lunch and licked her lips. ‘Ummm, Ryder’s delicious. I’m impressed.’

  ‘Knock it off, Jade,’ I replied. I was not in the mood to discuss Ryder’s looks with her.

  ‘Come on, Amelina. I’m a natural flirt, you know that. I wouldn’t steal my best friend’s boyfriend, now would I?’ She wiggled her eyebrows in an attempt to be funny.

  I stopped to pause, wondering whether Jade would stoop so low. Remembering the way Jade had eyed him, all encouraging and wide-eyed looking. The prize was too precious. To say that the odds stacked in Jade’s favour would be an understatement. With her looks and personality, she always got the guys. Somehow, I knew I would have to keep the two of them apart, or else I didn’t stand a morsel of a chance. Then my life would really be a double-headed curse.

  Words to a future song swirled and etched in my heart:

  A shadow blots my landscape,

  Black-hearted drifter,

  Vanishing deceiver,

  Bewitching fellow,

  Alluring hero,

  Blight on my heart.

  Puzzle Piece 20:

  Aunt Karissa’s Visit

  Persistent chatter,

  Eccentric mannerisms,

  That gossipy style,

  Barrage of words swallowed, gulped,

  Silenced by sweet Earl Grey tea.

  I didn’t feel comfortable talking to my parents about sensitive issues. Instead, I often turned to my Aunt Karissa when I needed someone to confide in. I loved my flamboyant aunt, and I couldn’t wait to see her.

  I always knew when Aunt Karissa had arrived. Strong perfume announced her entrance, wafting from every pore of her body. Her loud booming voice vibrated the rafters as she walked through the door. Whenever she visited, the house woke up and appeared alive again. The central heating hummed and light drifted into every part of the house from the otherwise murky windows.

  My Aunt Karissa’s passion for dogs culminated in her choice of a dashing red setter called Toby. He had a difficult temperament due in part to my aunt’s inability to train him. Luckily, Shadow was out hunting mice when Toby bounded into the house in search of adventure.

  Karissa Flavell ticked all the boxes that my mum Eleanor had crosses, for. My eccentric aunt flourished whilst being an enthusiastic gossip. She always wore colourful, exuberant, large clothes that hung like an ill-fitting wardrobe, a few sizes too big for her. Karissa’s weight fluctuated so much that sometimes I would have to do a double take to make sure the woman before me was my aunt. Today I saw a trace of chocolate at the corner of her lips and a telltale widening around her hips. I smiled. Once again, her sweet tooth had got the better of her.

  Karissa enveloped me in a tight, corset-cinching hug. I broke free and gasped, struggling for breath. Toby barked, wagged his tail, and leaped against my legs to garner my affection. Aunt Karissa peered into my face. ‘How’s my favourite niece? You’re so thin. You need a large slice of home-made apple pie, my dear. Has your mum been starving you again? Where is she?’

  Karissa didn’t seem to notice the effect her breath-squeezing hug had on me. She didn’t even look for Mum. She absently patted Toby’s head to settle the dog and waited for my response. I felt lightheaded, but I recovered enough to say two breathless words in reply. ‘Food shopping.’

  Aunt Karissa shook her head and clucked her tongue. ‘Oh dear, I wish I had time to bring something with me. That means we’re in for Eleanor’s specialities—burnt supper, or, even worse, microwave cuisine.’

  I squeezed out a laugh. Toby carried on, seeking attention like a demented puppy. I pushed the dog away, trying to curb his jumping fit.

  ‘Well, the place is tidy,’ Aunt Karissa said, glancing around the lounge. ‘How does your mum do it? I’m terrible for clutter myself, and I can’t seem to get on top of things. As soon as I tidy up, more mess appears out of nowhere and makes matters worse. I wonder what her secret is. Perhaps she has a male cleaner that pops in every day to clear away the clutter. I bet your mum doesn’t want to admit it. Maybe he’s ridiculously handsome,’ said Aunt Karissa with a wink.

  I rolled my eyes at my aunt. ‘I doubt that. I don’t think she’d notice. She never stops cleaning.’

  ‘What a shame! Life is too short for tedium. That’s my motto. Make it yours, my dear; it’s much more fun.’ With a deliberate smile, she opened her mirrored compact and teased her eyelashes with mascara. With flair, she flipped her hair over her shoulder.

  Aunt Karissa always came with a gift for me, and this visit was no exception. She rummaged around in her enormous handbag and pulled out a two-tiered box of chocolates wrapped in silky paper, tied with a bow, and handed it to me.

  ‘Thanks, Aunt Karissa. Another present! The art set, ahem, it was… extraordinary, and now this.’ My aunt smiled. That bit of chocolate stuck in the corner of her mouth made her curved smile remind me of a chocolate orange slice.

  I tore the wrapping off of the box and passed the treats to my aunt, but she politely refused. ‘I’m on one of my wretched diets, quel dommage! Amelina, you must keep them for a very special occasion. I’m sure you’ll know when it’s the right time to indulge yourself. Besides, I’ve no doubt you will find the right time to share them. They’re not for the likes of me.’

  I wondered what my aunt meant by saying, ‘the right time.’ Was this another of her coded messages? I closed the lid and placed the dubious chocolates on the kitchen table. What a temptation for Toby. The dog couldn’t resist sticking his long muzzle on the table and sniffing them. I knew chocolate was bad for animals and pushed the box further from the nosy dog’s reach. Aunt Karissa caught him in the act and pulled him away. Instead of telling him off, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a doggy treat as a reward for not gobbling the box down straight away. Apparently, in my aunt’s book, sniffing was okay! Discreetly, I placed my hand over my mouth and stifled a laugh.

  I longed to share with her all the strange happenings of late, and of course news about Ryder, but I didn’t get a chance. Aunt Karissa talked n
onstop about all manner of things, including the local gossip from the town of Ely.

  ‘Well, my neighbour’s wife has run off with someone half her age, can you imagine it? It caused quite a stir. The woman seemed like such a quiet, reserved lady. The funny thing was she kept going out every evening while her husband worked the night shift. He continued working, and she was otherwise engaged!’

  I listened with one ear and thought about how anybody listening to my aunt would believe Ely ranked amongst the most notorious places to live in the UK. I tried to change the topic of conversation but didn’t succeed. Stopping my aunt’s rattling on about the town was like trying to slow down a billowing, hot-air balloon after it had managed to soar into the sky. Finally, in frustration, I resorted to gently tapping her shoulder in a desperate attempt to get her attention. ‘Aunt Karissa, there’s something I wanted to ask you.’

  ‘Of course there is, dear, I can’t wait to hear your news. Oh, where was I?’ She smoothed her hair out of her eyes and added, ‘Oh, yes, it’s always the quiet ones that get up to mischief,’ she concluded with a gleam in her eye.

  The shrill ring of the doorbell sounded, and the ringing persisted nonstop. I jumped at the sound and heard Mum shouting loudly when there was no response. Toby took this as a sign that he had every right to jump up and down, barking like crazy until someone let her in. Aunt Karissa carried on talking at full throttle, oblivious to everything else, and I couldn’t move away from her without seeming rude.

  I heard the key turning in the door. Mum stormed into the kitchen like an erupting volcano, nearly treading on Toby. ‘Why can’t you come when I ring the doorbell, Amelina? I couldn’t find my keys. Don’t just stand there, come and unpack the groceries.’

  Mum exchanged a brief hello with my aunt, who tried to placate her. ‘Eleanor dear, I’m so sorry. I got so engrossed. Amelina and I were having a lovely chat, weren’t we, dear? Oh, heavens, what was it you wanted to tell me, Amelina? I got side-tracked. I’m such a dreadful chatterbox.’