by Caragh Bell
‘Coming up,’ said Laura, popping two more slices of bread in the toaster. ‘What would you like on it? I like Nutella on mine, but there’s jam too.’
‘Nutella?’ asked Aurora, confused.
‘Nut-ell-a,’ repeated William slowly. ‘Please tell me that you’ve heard of it.’
Aurora shook her head. ‘I’m afraid not.’
‘Nutella,’ said Laura briskly, ‘is a chocolate spread with hazelnuts. I spread it on toast or pancakes and it’s quite yummy.’
‘I’ll have that then,’ said Aurora in delight. ‘It sounds wonderful.’
She took a seat at the table and Bilbo the dog licked her feet. Bending down, she scratched his ears and hugged him against her legs in contentment.
Laura pushed a plate with two slices of toast in front of her, along with a knife. ‘Knock yourself out,’ she prompted, pointing to the jar.
Aurora spread a thick layer of Nutella onto a slice and took a bite.
‘Wow!’ she sighed in delight. ‘This is so nice.’
‘Good,’ said William. ‘There’s plenty more where that came from.’
‘Tea?’ asked Laura.
Aurora shook her head. ‘I’d like some juice, please.’
William pushed an empty glass towards her and pointed to the carton of Tropicana. ‘Help yourself.’
The kitchen was warm and cluttered, dominated by an island unit in the middle of the tiled floor. Aurora drank in the rows of cookery books stacked by the larder, the magnets on the fridge and the dresser filled with Delft ware. Framed photographs lined the shelf by the window: ones of Gloria and Andrew, her late husband, three of James, William and Laura at different stages of their childhood and one of an old lady blowing out candles on a cake. Aurora got to her feet and approached the shelf, anxious to see what James looked like as a little boy. Sure enough, there was a shot of him on his mother’s knee, smiling madly with dark curls and grubby knees. He looked almost the same except that he didn’t have stubble. She moved along the pictures until her gaze rested on Gloria and her dead husband. He resembled James in colouring: both men were dark and had brown eyes. Laura and William looked like their mother with their fair hair.
‘What did your daddy do for a living?’ Aurora asked Laura, resuming her seat at the table.
‘Our daddy,’ William mimicked.
Laura glared at William. ‘That’s okay, Aurora. Our dad was a doctor. A paediatrician, in fact.’
‘Do you miss him?’
‘Sorry?’ Laura stiffened.
‘I mean, he only died a few years ago. Was it terribly difficult?’ She took another bite of toast and chewed thoughtfully.
Laura regarded her for a moment and then spoke softly. ‘I did at the beginning. I was only nine when he died – the same age as you now. I was his little girl, his pet. He would come home from work every day and I’d jump into his arms.’ She bit her lip. ‘Then after a while, I started to forget him. I changed schools and made new friends and suddenly it was hard to remember his face or the sound of his voice.’ She looked stricken for a moment. ‘Mum said it was natural, that time heals and the pain fades.’
William twiddled his teaspoon. ‘I miss him,’ he said quietly. ‘I miss him a lot. James is cool, but he’s not my dad. No one will ever replace my dad.’
Aurora munched on the crust of her bread. ‘Well, you’re lucky to have memories. I have none of my mother. I sometimes wish that I could meet her – just once. Just to smell her perfume or touch her skin. Daddy showed me videos of her singing but the quality was too bad. Then he would get sad and we always ended up turning them off.’ She sighed. ‘I’m sorry your daddy died but at least you got to know him.’
‘I guess you’re right.’ Laura sipped her tea gloomily. ‘Well, that’s the festive spirit well and truly ruined. Cheers, Aurora.’
William pulled himself together. ‘It’s time for me to sing then,’ he proclaimed as Mariah Carey came on the radio. ‘Oooooh, babeeee!’
Bilbo started to bark frantically when William began to sing.
Laura put her head in her hands. ‘Listen to the dog, Will. Put a sock in it.’
Aurora giggled. William, rather than take his sister’s advice, was now standing on his chair using his spoon as a microphone and screeching at the top of his lungs.
‘What the heck?’ James appeared, wearing a pair of sweatpants and a black T-shirt. His feet were bare also and his stubble was even more pronounced. ‘William, singing Mariah Carey at this early hour is completely out of order!’ He ruffled Aurora’s hair as he passed. ‘Hey, Borealis, did you sleep well?’
‘Yes,’ she beamed. ‘It was really comfy on those duvets.’
He smiled at her and took a bottle of milk from the fridge. Pushing Rosencrantz off the kitchen chair at the head of the table, he sat down.
‘Laura’s snoring didn’t disturb, I hope?’ he grinned, pouring some muesli into a bowl.
‘Ha, bloody ha,’ his sister replied. ‘We all know who the Snore King around here is.’
‘Not me, surely,’ mocked James. ‘I’ve never had complaints in that department.’ He poured some milk into his bowl.
The winter sunlight streamed through the kitchen window, highlighting the dust particles floating in the air. The sink was full of dishes from the night before and two empty wine goblets stood on the counter, waiting to be handwashed. Gloria and Henry had obviously had a nightcap when they returned.
‘So, what’s Father Christmas bringing you?’ asked Aurora, drinking a glass of juice.
Laura glanced at William who stifled a laugh. Father Christmas? Really?
‘Lots of things,’ said James meaningfully, glancing at his siblings. ‘Right, guys? Lots of nice things.’
‘Oh, of course,’ said William. ‘I want a new PlayStation and Lolly there wants more make-up to hide her ugly face.’
‘At least I attempt to hide my ugly face,’ Laura shot back. ‘You subject us to yours without a second thought.’
‘Have you been good all year?’ continued Aurora, ignoring the bickering. ‘I made a big effort this past month.’
‘I’ve been positively angelic,’ said William seriously. ‘In fact, I’ve been so good I’ll probably get extra presents.’
Laura made an ‘ahem’ sound. ‘Right, all. I’m off for a shower. I’m meeting Ella down the High Street later.’
James jerked his head in Aurora’s direction and stared pleadingly at his sister.
Laura sighed. ‘Aurora? Would you like to join us?’
‘You mean, meet your friends?’
‘Why, yes. If you like.’
‘I’d love to!’ she squeaked. ‘Oh, thank you, Laura!’
James felt his heart swell. He loved to see her happy. Even though she had only been in his life for a short time, he felt like she was part of the family. It was a Bilbo situation all over again. He would rescue Aurora in the same way. Now, if only Henry would pull his finger out and propose.
Chapter Seven
‘Ella! We’re over here!’ Laura waved frantically at her friend.
They had arranged to meet by the fountain on the square.
Laura and Ella had been best friends since nursery. Both blonde and outspoken, they could easily have disliked each other and competed. However, they became firm friends as they shared similar outlooks and opinions. Make-up, boys, Justin Timberlake and gossip were what they lived for, in that order.
Ella saw and started to push through the crowds of Goths who habitually loitered around the square in packs.
‘All right?’ she said, kissing Laura on the cheek. ‘Happy Christmas!’
‘Happy Christmas to you too!’
Ella looked older than her thirteen and a half years. Her blonde hair was mostly covered with a purple woollen hat and her black coat was zipped up to the chin to keep out the cold. Slung over her shoulder was a brown-leather bag with a logo of a bush on the front. Aurora had seen Gloria carrying the same type of bag.
‘Who’s this?’ asked
Ella, turning to Aurora. She regarded the dark-haired child in wonder. Dressed in a red coat and black woolly hat, she looked like a little doll.
‘She’s Gloria’s boyfriend’s child,’ said Laura. ‘Remember I mentioned her yesterday?’ She glared meaningfully at her friend, urging her not to repeat the negative things she had ranted about before the Sinclairs’ arrival.
Ella nodded and winked. Sure she remembered. This was the usurper, the threat to Laura’s position in the family, the burden that her best friend did not want to take on, the thorn in her side. Why then was she present on their shopping trip?
‘I’m Aurora,’ said the little girl, holding out her hand.
‘Like Sleeping Beauty?’ said Ella, raising an eyebrow. ‘I loved that film when I was a little girl.’
Aurora nodded.
Laura linked arms with her. ‘We’re great friends now,’ she said meaningfully to Ella. ‘In fact, we’re sharing a room.’
Ella nodded knowingly. ‘Well, that’s super news,’ she said warmly. ‘Aurora! That’s some name. It’s far better than boring old Ella or Laura.’ She rummaged in her bag and pulled out a box of cigarettes. ‘Want one?’ she offered, holding out a box of Marlboro Lights.
Laura shook her head. ‘I’ve given up. James smelt the smoke off me last weekend and nearly blew a gasket. He threatened to tell Gloria and everything.’
‘Bloody square,’ her friend scoffed. ‘Honestly, since your dad died, he has become so boring.’ She lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply. ‘Having said that, he’s pretty fit. I still definitely would.’
Laura pretended to vomit. ‘Stop that right now, Ella Taylor. Out of order!’
‘What?’ she questioned innocently. ‘He has a great body, that’s all I’m saying.’
Aurora gazed at her. ‘How old are you?’ she asked, wide-eyed.
‘Thirteen,’ Ella replied. ‘However, I don’t broadcast it. Life is hard for under-agers, therefore I try to look as old as I can. How old would you say I am? Just looking at me now?’ She put her shoulders back and posed with her cigarette.
Aurora bit her lip. ‘About seventeen? You definitely look older than Will.’
‘I like you,’ Ella said with a grin. ‘That’s exactly what I wanted to hear. Now, let’s get on. I have to find a present for my mother and she’s virtually impossible to buy for.’ She started to walk in the direction of the shops. ‘Plus, I’ve bugger-all money. That school dance cleaned me out. What a disaster! Nigel Brown charged me ten quid for a smidgen of vodka and Mary Jane Andersen was slavering over Will for most of the evening …’
‘She wanted to bonk him,’ Aurora informed her authoritatively.
Ella stopped short. ‘Say again?’ She burst out laughing. ‘Blimey, Aurora, you hit the nail on the head.’ She shook her head. ‘He was having none of it though. I mean, she’s the school bike anyway – did I tell you how she was all over Simon in the canteen last Tuesday, Laura? I mean, come on. As if he would.’
‘Who’s Simon?’ asked Aurora.
‘The love of my life,’ said Ella with a sigh. ‘He’s a god, a perfect being. I absolutely adore him. He’s fifteen and plays rugby. Oh, Aurora, he’s all I want!’
Laura shrugged. ‘Boys have no standards, Ella. That’s why I’m saving myself for a real man.’ She pointed to a massive billboard with a poster of David Beckham. ‘I mean, he’s perfect. Pots of money, great abs and did I mention he’s loaded?’
Ella stared at his image. ‘He’s not the worst,’ she admitted. ‘However, Simon plays drums in a band, did I mention that before?’
‘Once or twice,’ smiled Laura. ‘Oh, Ella, you’re in dire straits.’ She paused outside Starbucks. ‘Who would like a hot chocolate to heat us up?’
Aurora immediately thought of Freddie. How she missed him. Then she banished that thought from her mind. She would be back at home in a few days and all this would be a dream.
‘Yes, please,’ she beamed. ‘With marshmallows.’
‘Come on,’ laughed Ella, ‘Lord knows what they’ll write on Aurora’s cup. They never get the name right.’
They got home around four. Henry and Gloria were sitting on the sofa when the three girls entered the sitting room.
‘Daddy!’ cried Aurora, catapulting herself on her father. ‘We had the best time! Ella took me to a shop called Claire’s Accessories and I got this.’ She showed him a silver bracelet with a star. ‘Then we looked for a present for her mother and then we got ice cream and –’
‘Ice cream?’ said Henry. ‘In this weather? Are you barking mad?’
‘Oh no, Daddy, it was delicious.’ Aurora was glowing. ‘I had cookies and cream with chocolate sauce.’
Ella stepped forward and held out her hand. ‘Hello,’ she said formally. ‘I’m Ella Taylor, Laura’s best friend.’
‘Delighted,’ he replied, shaking her hand.
‘Happy Christmas, Gloria,’ she said then. ‘Mum said to thank you for the card.’
‘Are you all set?’ asked Gloria, smiling.
‘Pretty much.’
Laura tapped her foot impatiently. ‘Ella? Let’s go upstairs.’
‘Oh right, of course.’ She backed away. ‘Aurora, would you like to join us?’
The little girl jumped up. ‘Oh, yes, please.’
‘So, your daddy is pretty old,’ observed Ella, painting her nails on Laura’s bed. ‘He must have been a fine age when you were born.’
Aurora shrugged. ‘He’s always looked the same to me. My mother was his second wife.’
‘Let’s listen to some music,’ Laura suggested, popping open the CD compartment on her stereo. She inserted a Destiny’s Child CD and pressed ‘play’.
Suddenly, the door swung open to reveal William wearing a blue woollen jumper with a giant Santa on the front.
‘Ella Taylor!’ he said, stopping dead. ‘No one told me that you were in the house.’
‘Well, here I am,’ she replied, blowing on her nails.
He flopped down on the bed.
Ella held up her hands and inspected them. ‘Did you escape from Mary Jane after I left the last night?’
William shuddered. ‘You bet. There was no way I was letting her near me.’
‘I don’t blame you,’ said Ella. ‘I hope Simon was as well-behaved.’
William said nothing. He knew that Ella was bordering on obsessed with his classmate. She didn’t need to know that he had got off with Tina Sheeran behind the bicycle shed. As girls went, Ella was cool. He had known her since she was four years old and she wasn’t your typical whiney girl. You could have a laugh with her and she always knew the gossip at school. He sometimes bought cigarettes for her, but only sometimes. James would kill him if he knew.
James appeared at the door and knocked to announce his presence.
‘Henry’s son Sebastian has arrived,’ he announced. ‘Mum wants you to come down and say hello.’
Aurora shrank backwards. ‘Seb’s here?’
‘Yes – he and his wife. They’ve just joined Henry in the lounge.’ He grinned. ‘Mum didn’t expect them until later so she’s been caught on the hop.’
‘Is George here too?’ Aurora’s voice had a slight tremor.
‘No. He rang to say that he’s sick and sends his apologies.’ James focused in on the little girl. ‘Hey, Borealis, are you all right? You’ve gone as pale as a ghost.’
Aurora nodded wordlessly, her brown eyes huge. Her brothers filled her with trepidation. All her life they had treated her like an annoying insect that they would like to swat.
James held out his hand and she gladly took it. ‘Right, get a move on, gang. We have to appear polite.’
Sebastian Sinclair surveyed the room. So, this was the home of his father’s intended. It was the complete opposite of his birthplace with its pastel colours and common prints of famous paintings on the wall. Three dogs roamed freely and the result was hair all over his expensive suit. His wife, Cressida, sat rigidly beside him, clearly uncomfortable.
She smiled politely when Henry handed her a glass of wine. Her dark-brown hair was cut in a stylish bob and her slim frame was dressed top-to-toe in Chanel. Not once did she open her mouth except to greet the family. Sebastian didn’t like it when she talked; he made it quite clear that she was to be seen and not heard.
Sebastian was similar in height to his famous father; both were tall, slim and had blue eyes. However, where Henry’s eyes twinkled with warmth, Sebastian’s were cold. He swirled his whiskey around the glass and watched his father laugh uproariously at something Gloria had said. She flicked her hair and her bracelets jangled. They really were the epitome of a loved-up couple, holding hands and laughing at each other’s jokes.
Sebastian pursed his lips. With this bourgeois environment, he was pretty damn sure that this Gloria Dixon had an ulterior motive. Of course she had her sights set on his wealthy father. Marriage to a famous playwright would do wonders for her credibility at the bridge club. Oh, why was his father such a fool when it came to women? That Grace had been the same: a no-good gold-digger who was after the family fortune.
Suddenly there was a thundering sound from the hallway as the children came downstairs. William burst into the room, followed by Laura and then Ella, all laughing loudly.
‘As expected, I beat you all,’ boasted William, puffing out his chest. ‘Losers!’ he added, making an L-shape with his fingers.
‘You had a head start, Will,’ argued Laura breathlessly. ‘Bloody cheat. Plus you have much longer legs.’
Gloria cleared her throat and gave them a pointed look. ‘William, Laura! We have guests. This is Sebastian, Henry’s son, and his wife Cressida.’
William held out his hand amiably. ‘Welcome to the madhouse,’ he quipped, winking at Cressida. ‘Happy Christmas.’
Sebastian forced a smile. ‘Delighted,’ he muttered, shaking William’s hand loosely.
Cressida smiled but it didn’t meet her eyes. She had no interest in meeting Henry’s lover’s family. Especially the children. She loathed children. That was the one saving grace of the pre-nuptial agreement that Sebastian had forced her to sign. They both shared the same opinion when it came to procreating: it was to be avoided.