Bloodstone Page 12

  I gave my aunt our private signal for not now, let’s talk later. I met her eyes, and Karissa registered the signal and winked at me. I unpacked the groceries while Toby kept on trying to steal anything that looked vaguely edible and getting in the way of everybody, especially Mum, who resorted to giving him the evil eye when Karissa wasn’t paying attention. At long last, the groceries were safely deposited away. Toby lay down, his red tail fanning the floor in a gesture of defeat.

  Puzzle Piece 21:

  Snores, Dates, and Bribery

  It’s bribery time,

  Sweet form of tea and biscuit,

  Estimate will win,

  It almost formulaic,

  Taste buds always surrender.

  As I considered my date that night with Ryder, it dawned on me that I would have to tell my mum. Any changes to her schedule were always unsettling, and even more so when Toby visited. The dog irritated her, so I knew there was only one way to get on her good side. I resorted to sneaky bribery, a cup of tea and Mum’s favourite biscuit.

  When I offered to make tea, Mum’s beady eyes surveyed me with a curious look that said it all. I knew it was hard to get anything past her. Mum and Aunt Karissa sat down at the kitchen table while I made the tea. Aunt Karissa continued to jabber on and on. I peeked out of the corner of my eye and watched Mum as she nodded in agreement with a glazed expression fixed on her face. I smiled to myself realising that butting into the conversation would be a challenge.

  Eventually, I succeeded—even Aunt Karissa couldn’t talk with her mouth full of biscuit. I cleared my throat, and a bubble of nervous tension accumulated in the pit of my stomach. ‘Mum, I forgot to tell you I’m going out tonight with a friend.’

  ‘You forgot? I doubt it. What friend’s that?’ asked Mum, picking up her cup and gulping down her tea.

  ‘His name’s Ryder.’

  ‘I haven’t heard his name before, Amelina. Where did you meet him?’ Her eyes narrowed and her lips stretched in a thin line across her face.

  I fidgeted and looked at my aunt for support. I shifted my eyes to Mum. ‘Oh, one day when I stumbled upon him down the river path, and he helped me.’

  ‘What do you mean? Helped you how?’ Curious now, she placed her cup down on the table with a clatter.

  Nervous, I opened my mouth to respond. No sound came out. I swallowed hard and said, ‘I fell, and he helped me up.’

  Mum slammed her hand on the table. ‘Amelina! I knew it. Well, I’m glad that’s all that happened. I’ve told you countless times how dangerous it is along the river pathway. What were you doing down there?’

  ‘I was taking photos for my art portfolio.’ I lowered my eyes and stared at the tabletop.

  I lifted my head and returned her stare through my eyelashes, but she didn’t look impressed. I knew I had to get on her right side, so I choked down my guilt and fixed my gaze straight into her eyes. ‘I’m sorry, Mum, I should have listened to you.’

  My mum’s reaction didn’t surprise me. She did livid like no one else, and the fact that I had ventured down the river path on my own made her even angrier. She asked more questions than I had answers for.

  ‘Where does he live? Where does he go to school? How old is he?’ Each question followed the other, hammering me without mercy. Not once did she say that she was glad that Ryder had helped me. No, she did what she did best; she continued to tell me off for going there.

  ‘Amelina, answer me!’

  I shut my mouth. I couldn’t take any more. I’d had enough. Yet I stood my ground. Mum wasn’t about to stop me from having a tiny morsel of much needed fun. No way. Judging by the expression on my aunt’s face, she appeared to find this conversation amusing beyond belief. She sat riveted to the edge of her seat, behaving like she was watching some TV drama. I could see Esme staring at me from the looking glass down the hall. Her expression wasn’t filled with amusement; it was filled with horror.

  Aunt Karissa contemplated me curiously, as if she knew there must be more to the story. She raised a quizzical eyebrow. Meanwhile, from the mirror, Esme’s eyebrows knotted together in a hairy fit of anxiety. My aunt rested her ample bosom on the table; the weight of her substantial assets must have been too much to bear. ‘How romantic, and you met him down the river path. What an appealing mystery. I imagine it must have been a stunning day, my dear. What does he look like, all rugged and handsome?’

  Mum frowned, and an ugly red furrow deepened across her forehead. She shook her head with displeasure and glared at both of us. Aunt Karissa had gone too far. She knew it and I knew it. Mum’s glare was enough to send her off, so she retreated upstairs to the guest bedroom to put her suitcase away. I watched as Toby followed her, his eyes downcast and his tail drooping as if he’d been the guilty troublemaker.

  The sound of my mobile beeping saved me from further questioning. I grabbed my phone and hoped it was Ilaria getting back to me about the sleepover for Joselyn’s birthday party. Sure enough, Ilaria’s text message read: It’s okay for Sunday night, hope you can come.

  I wondered what Mum would say about me going out on Sunday night as well. I sighed deeply.

  ‘Mum, Joselyn’s birthday party sleepover is Sunday night. Ilaria needs to know if I can come.’ Mum crossed her arms and leaned in towards me as a withering look spread across her face. I recoiled and edged away.

  ‘Really, Amelina, first you arrange a date with a boy I know nothing about.’

  ‘Mum, I…’

  ‘And then you want to go to a sleepover on Sunday night while your Aunt Karissa visits. You know how your aunt’s visits are, um… stressful what with her dog, and her endless talking.’

  I heard a sound and turned to look behind me. Aunt Karissa had crept downstairs in time to overhear Mum’s admission. A pained expression lingered on her face. From the hall mirror, Esme’s sad reflection demonstrated her disappointment that she couldn’t go with me to the sleepover.

  Mum jumped out of her chair and fiddled around, picking up ornaments and putting them back as a way of avoiding an apology. Aunt Karissa stood there, not sure what to say either.

  Ready for any kind of interruption, I heard Dad letting himself in the front door. His laboured breathing echoed and came in quick gasps as he made it down the hall to the lounge.

  ‘Fancy a cup of tea, Dad?’ I asked, making my way out of the kitchen as I headed straight for the lounge and pulled out a chair for him. He looked like he needed one.

  ‘Yes, please,’ he replied, sinking into the chair.

  I returned to the kitchen to prepare the tea, and Aunt Karissa popped into the lounge and greeted Dad with a brusque nod as she settled into a chair. Down the hall, I could see Toby had settled at her feet, nuzzling his face on the carpet, ready for his nap. I heard Mum join them, and she said a quick ‘Hi’ to Dad. I never heard Dad’s reply.

  I gathered up Dad’s cup and walked down the hall. The adults weren’t talking. Even Toby joined with this conspiracy of silence. Great. Fantastic. I paused and wondered how I would get what I wanted? Seizing the moment, I walked into the room and handed Dad his tea. I took a deep breath and gathered my courage. The time had come to discover my mother’s decision, but I was afraid to know the answer.

  ‘Oh, Mum, please can I go? It’s Joselyn’s birthday.’ I pleaded my case, looking at Aunt Karissa for much-needed support.

  I glanced over at Dad, but he had already fallen asleep, his drink untouched beside him. A gentle snoring escaped his half-open lips.

  ‘Well, it would have been nice to get some notice. You must have known about this ages ago, Amelina,’ growled Mum.

  Aunt Karissa took this as a cue to interrupt the conversation before it turned nasty. ‘I hope you don’t mind me butting in, Eleanor dear. I know I do prattle on a bit… um… Toby and I are sorry if we upset you earlier. We don’t mean to, we’re just excited to visit. I’m sure in all the commotion of our arrival, Amelina forgot to tell you. You know what young people are like, heads like sieves full
of youthful daydreams. I don’t mind if she goes out; after all, you’re only young once.’

  I looked at Mum with a hopeful glance. How could she say no to that? What a hatchet ice breaker. Aunt Karissa held the title of best aunt ever.

  A hesitant smile hovered over Mum’s lips. ‘Okay, that’s um… very, kind of you Karissa. Oh, what a racket. Stop snoring, Mark!’

  I rolled my eyes in horror as Dad took that admonition as his moment to snore even louder. Mum shook her head but did nothing to stop the continuous drone of his snoring. ‘All right, Amelina, if you must go, do. In that case, maybe you’d better see that young man some other time.’

  ‘What young man?’ Dad cleared his throat and sat up.

  ‘Now you wake up! What a racket you’ve been making. I could hardly hear myself think.’

  ‘I don’t snore,’ replied Dad. He ran his hands through his hair.

  ‘Neither do I,’ added Aunt Karissa, laughing. ‘I just rumble sweetly.’

  I turned in amazement to witness Mum as she rolled her eyes and threw her hands up into the air. I swear Mum’s eyes spun around loosely like a washing machine cycle on fast spin. ‘Amelina has a date with someone she met down the river path.’

  Dad’s face wrinkled further. I observed as deep grooves made a subterranean home in his prematurely aged skin. His voice wavered as he spoke. ‘Oh, I don’t like the sound of that. All sorts frequent that pathway. It’s not safe, you know; hasn’t been for a long while.’

  Aunt Karissa shook her head. I felt sure that my aunt would have wagged her finger if she could get away with it, and Toby would have joined in fanning his tail, but he was still asleep. ‘Oh, you can’t keep her wrapped up in cotton wool forever, Mark. For heaven’s sake, let her have some fun! This place is like a clean and tidy morgue.’

  In the mirror hanging over the settee, Esme was mouthing silently, ‘No,’ repeatedly, and then nodding her head and saying, ‘Yes.’ That Esme continued to do my head in. Perhaps she was saying ‘No’ to Ryder, and ‘Yes’ to the morgue bit. Who knew?

  I silently watched as Dad wandered off down the hall. His slow progress made me grimace. His shoulders curved downwards, and I imagined a defeated expression was firmly planted on his face. Toby woke up and stood, shaking his entire body as red fur floated in the air. The dog lowered his head and followed Dad out of the room. The dog’s erect ears pressed against his furry head as he mimicked Dad’s slow steps with his own sleepy ones, walking in a sympathetic solidarity of dog and man.

  Aunt Karissa turned towards Mum and spoke in a coaxing voice. ‘Let her go. He sounds like such an interesting young man. He came to her rescue.’

  Mum’s grim features tightened into a mask of determination. Aunt Karissa saw the fierce reluctance but knew how to win her over. ‘I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you and I go for a girl’s night out? It would be fab, just like old times? It’s been ages since we last went out. I’ll treat you to dinner.’

  I smiled. Aunt Karissa had the winning formula. I also knew she couldn’t abide Mum’s culinary inability and was praying for an opportunity to eat out. Mum hated cooking. It was the perfect solution.

  Toby and Dad sauntered back into the room. I noticed Dad carried a tiny glass filled with an amber liquid, a shot of alcohol. Toby licked his lips as if he had just received a naughty treat. Dad paused next to his chair and sat down, his knees creaking in noisy protest. Toby copied each of Dad’s moves, right up to adopting a weary expression on his face. Dad unfurled his newspaper, creasing it at the crossword page. Toby sat by his feet, his big brown hero-worshipping eyes never leaving him.

  Aunt Karissa noticed the hero worship but didn’t seem to mind. ‘If you don’t mind, Mark?’

  ‘Mind what, Karissa?’

  ‘If Eleanor and I go out tonight?’

  I spun around to see the look on Dad’s face. I had to hear his response. Dad glanced up from his crossword. I could tell from his relaxed expression, the prospect of a night in with no interruptions delighted him. His wrinkled face creased into a disconcerting trench of a smile. Toby licked his hand.

  ‘No problem.’ He reached down and patted Toby’s head in a reassuring manner. Dad grabbed the shot glass and tossed back the amber liquid, flinching as the alcohol took his breath away.

  Mum paused for a moment to consider. An evening out along with the bonus of not having to cook must have sounded too tempting to her. She beamed a rare smile. For a moment, I worried if that meant she’d get terrified looks from passing strangers. I knew Mum was used to how folks talked about us. She’d lived with it for years. She’d developed a thick skin.

  ‘Alright, against my better judgment, your aunt has convinced me.’

  A great sense of relief flooded through me. I hugged my aunt and bent down to scratch Toby between his ears. He whirled around in a circle, barking and wagging his tail in an excited response.

  ‘Thanks, Mum. And you, too, Dad.’ Mum nodded, and Dad’s only answer was a grumbled ‘Humph.’

  My Aunt Karissa whispered in my ear, ‘Don’t forget to tell me all about Ryder when you get back! I promise I’ll be all ears. A sleepover, too, what a weekend! Oh, I do wish I was young again.’

  Luckily, I had won this battle. I smiled at my aunt and rushed back to text Ilaria the good news.

  Puzzle Piece 22:

  Anxiety Attack

  Parents can crush love,

  With tragic withering looks,

  Bewitched I may be,

  But am I doomed to remain?

  Alone, in this misery.

  My initial elation turned to a full-scale anxiety attack when I surveyed my surroundings. What would Ryder make of my strange house, and my even more bizarre parents? I hoped he wouldn’t walk in, see them, do a massive freak out, and disappear. I shivered in anticipation and climbed the stairs to my room.

  Now wasn’t the time to have a worry fit—now was the time to get ready. I had to make a good impression; Ryder was a year older than me. I didn’t want to appear like an innocent schoolgirl. A sense of anxiety welled up in me. At only fifteen, and one of the youngest in my year group, I felt inadequate next to this sixth-former. I had to look my best, and I knew makeup would help. I clicked on my computer and selected my favourite YouTube makeup video. I needed inspiration and a bit of confidence right now.

  A great noise sounded from downstairs, disrupting my concentration. I rushed down and witnessed the return of Shadow. Poor Toby. The dog was beside himself. Shadow glared at Toby with disdain, his tail swishing, his black fur exploding around him resembling a spiked ball flail. Toby yelped and barked in fear, but his hind legs shivered as if Shadow posed a significant threat. It was so bad that we had to separate them. Aunt Karissa helped by offering to take Toby out for a walk. I agreed, realising my aunt was a godsend to sense the issue.

  Shadow revelled, once again free to roam the house. The cat slinked around the corner, and I could swear that he smirked. He followed me back upstairs and watched my various wardrobe choices as I tried on each selection and then discarded them on a heap on my bed. By 6pm I had a messy pile of clothes accumulating, and I was no closer to choosing. Shadow took this as his cue to plonk himself on top of the pile of my clothes. He purred, enjoying being in the centre of and surrounded by my best outfits.

  I wagged my finger at him. ‘Shadow, you’ll get fur everywhere.’ He stared back at me, his green eyes glowing rebelliously. I gave him a gentle nudge. He replied with a short, reproachful meow and settled himself on top of my laundry basket, his glistening eyes watching me.

  I had to make a decision. Delving into my wardrobe, I snatched the perfect dress: a lovely, simple dress, constructed of a luxurious, exotic red fabric. I added a black belt, matching shoes, a long-beaded necklace and a pair of crystal earrings. From the bed, I noticed Shadow’s whiskers twitched in approval. Rushing, I applied my makeup and attempted to tidy my room.

  I glanced into the mirror and realised that this made me seem at least a year older. Suc
cess. I smiled in approval at my reflection. Esme smiled back, but the half-smile she gave me disturbed me.

  ‘Please tell me you aren’t going out with that strange guy you met down the river?’

  ‘I am,’ I replied.

  ‘No, you mustn’t!’

  Her face blanched. I glanced at my watch. I didn’t have time for this; I was going to be late. Esme would have to take a chill pill. She’d been spending too much time listening to my mother.

  ‘Bye,’ I said, allowing one last glance over my shoulder at my reflection in the mirror.

  ‘Amelina you mustn’t go,’ Esme shouted after me, but she had left it too late; I’d already started to make my way down the stairs. I made a mental note not to encourage Esme’s histrionics. She excelled at putting a downer on everything.

  When my aunt saw me, she passed comment. ‘You look fantastic, Amelina; I love your dress. I’m sure your young man will be smitten. You’re so lovely.’

  ‘Thanks,’ I said, smiling. ‘I thought I was never going to get ready. Shadow was such a nuisance.’ And Esme acted all overanxious, like a second mum. I purposely didn’t glance in the mirror to see Esme’s angry scowl.

  Aunt Karissa laughed. ‘Shadow’s a bit of a rascal. Just like my Toby. But that seems to be his appeal, a bit like boys really!’

  ‘Yes, the cheeky ones are always much more attractive.’ I giggled.

  ‘Do tell. What’s Ryder like?’ asked Aunt Karissa, rolling her eyes like a schoolgirl.

  ‘Heart-stoppingly handsome! The butterflies in my tummy are so horrible, I swear they are doing triple somersaults and multiple backflips.’

  ‘Oh, you poor thing, got it bad, haven’t you?’ Aunt Karissa smirked and glanced at me with a gleam in her eye.