by Grace Davies
“Althea, you are an inspiration. You truly are. You’ve known true heartbreak and loss in your life but it hasn’t stopped you from standing up for what you believe in. I have never, will never, have to fight like you did just to love. Love is such a basic right, a necessity and the fact that you had to fight so valiantly for that right, pains me. We as humans never stop fighting. Never stop trying. It differs on what we’re fighting for, but we’re all still fighting. Everyday we’re fighting. I don’t understand fighting for my right to love but I understand fighting for my right as a female. Even in 2020, men are still getting paid much more than women even though they do the same job. It is a joke. I wish I had even the smallest ounce of bravery and passion that you have. I also wish everyone would get to experience the love you and Evelyn shared. A love full of happiness, of no judgement, of endless warmth and kindness. We need more love like yours in the world, for if we did, the world wouldn’t be such a heartless place. The world wouldn’t be full of racism and bigotry; sexism and prejudice. It would be full of happiness and joy, and I for one would love to live in a world like that. I am so in awe of you and everything you have accomplished.”
Thea’s face is overrun by emotion. Her eyes bloodshot, her cheeks tear stained. I can tell how hard it was for her to open up about that, I can see it in her eyes, in her soul.
“My darling, from what I’ve heard from my Teddy you do have the bravery and passion. You forget how you stand up for your friends, for your mother. You’re carrying on Evelyn’s legacy. You’re standing up against the arseholes; those who feel they’re entitled. You are working to create the world you wish we had, even if you don’t know it. My Evelyn was a wonderful person and I miss her terribly. But do you know what?” She pauses, looking at me intently.
“What?” I ask.
“I see all the best parts of her in you. You might not be the same in looks but you are in mind and in spirit and it warms my heart to know that in some way she is still here on this earth with us.” She squeezes my hand from across the table.
My heart feels full and warm. “I’m glad I can allow you to feel connected to her, it helps me to believe that I can do good like she did.”
“Do believe it my dear, because you have the ability to change the world if you put that brilliant mind of yours to it. There is no limit to what you can achieve.”
“I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you believe in me. I struggle with it myself but you fill me with confidence. I also have to say you have brought up the most genuine and respectful boy I think I’ve ever met, so thank you. I know it must have been heard for you losing your child but you have continued to love deeply and care for my best friend. I know he thinks the world of you, as I now do too.”
“You Millicent Anders, are a delight. My grandson is lucky to call you his friend.”
Chapter Thirteen
The rage of commissioner Preston
I emerge from the bathroom, looking much more presentable than I did when I went in. Althea’s story left me an utter mess. I still can not comprehend how someone could go through all that heartache in one lifetime. If I’m half as brave as Thea, I will consider myself a lucky girl. I scan the room unable to see my mother once again, where is she? Not invited, it seems. I notice a familiar face and make my way over.
“I was just talking about you!” Angelica smiles at me as I approach her and a boy, not much older than us.
“Oh, dear that can’t be good,” I laugh nervously.
“All good, promise. This is my brother Jayden, he had to come because my parents are busy working, but no biggy.” She looks hurt but the tone of her voice tells me she’s used to it.
“It’s not like I had anywhere important to be,” Jayden glares sarcastically at his little sister.
“Well hello to you all,” Charity appears from nowhere, uncharacteristically cheery, he eyes fixated on Jayden’s chiselled face. “I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of meeting, I’m Charity Drinckall.” She extends her bony polished hand out, as if expecting a kiss. I roll my eyes at Angelica to which she fake gags in response.
“Hey.” Jayden nods at her, his hair falling into his eyes slightly.
“May I just say you are the spitting image of Aladdin, so handsome. I’ll be your Princess Jasmine any day.” Charity winks at Jayden, running her manicured nail up and down his muscled arm.
“Dear God,” I mutter. Charity shoots daggers at me. Is it possible to have second hand embarrassment?
“You got something to say bitch?” Charity snaps at me.
“No, not at all. I never knew someone could come across so desperate.”
Jayden lets out a deep laugh, drawing the attention of many a parent near us. “Sorry.”
“Desperate? Me desperate? Have you looked in the mirror lately?” My eyes roll out of my head and along the floor, desperately trying to escape the conversation. I don’t blame them.
“I’m not doing this. See you later babe,” I squeeze Angelica’s arm as I walk away. I’m in a good mood today and just being found Charity ruins it.
I finally spot my mum walking into the room. Her blonde hair pulled into a neat side bun, a checked midi dress hugging her slim figure, a pair of black kitten heels similar to mine. She looks radiant! I’ve never seen her look so beautiful. She links eyes with me and makes her way over.
“Mum you look stunning,” enveloping her in a hug.
“So do you Millie. You look beautiful. Where did you get this outfit from?”
“Lola, she let me borrow it when I was stressing about being underdressed. I thought you weren’t invited.”
“I’m sorry I’m late dear, I had to have a little chat with Principal Foundry before I came.” Oh no.
“Is everything okay? Are you fired? Am I in trouble? Are we getting kicked out?”
“Millie, stop panicking everything is fine. He was informing me of an upcoming event that he wants me to cater. It’s supposed to be quite the occasion.”
“I’m so happy for you mum, you’re finally getting a chance to do what you’re good at again.”
I hear my name called and turn around to see Lola waving us over to come and join her. I grab mum’s hand and drag her over, reluctance shadowing her face. Nausea engulfs me as we approach the Preston’s. I see Charles sneer as we approach, shooting daggers at me. He rolls his eyes breaking away from his family but not before roughly bumping into me and whispering ‘guttersnipe’ in my ear. I whip round and glare at him as he trots over to join Roman and Charity, Roman eyeing me with an odd expression on his face. Worry? Apprehension? I tear my eyes away from him and turn back to face Lola.
“Hey Millie, Miss Anders,” she bows her head when addressing my Mother. “These are my parents Eleanor Preston and Michael Preston.” Mr Preston, dressed in a uniform similar to those worn by police officers, eyes me suspiciously while his wife, clothed in a fabulous red dress, smiles politely at us both.
“Commissioner Preston,” her father says pointedly.
“Lovely to meet you,” Eleanor smiles. “Charlotte has told us so much about you Millicent.”
“All good things I hope,” I laugh nervously.
“From what I hear, you’re quite the troublemaker.”
“Not a troublemaker Sir, I just stand up for what I believe.” I can already tell Commissioner Preston will never be my biggest fan but I need to keep my cool for Lola’s sake.
“Oh God, I bet you’re one of those feminists aren’t you,” he spits the word feminist as though it leaves a nasty taste in his mouth.
“Why yes, I am Sir, I believe everyone should be treated equally no matter their gender. Don’t you?”
“That’s not what you feminists believe though is it. You want to be better than men but you never will be.” Fire burns in my stomach, radiating from my skin. I bite my tongue, I don’t need to be getting into arguments today.
Mrs Preston senses my internal battle with rage and turns to my mum. “Miss Anders, what i
s it you do as job?”
“I erm, I work as a Chef here in the kitchens.” I can see my mum feels embarrassed about her position at the school.
“So that explains it,” Lola’s dad says as though he’s had an epiphany. “I knew you couldn’t possibly be paying your own tuition here, I mean look at you both.”
“Dad,” Lola warns.
“It’s fine Lola. Yes, I am only studying here because my mother is the Chef. Yes, we don’t have a lot of money, but I can assure you I intend to make the most of my time here and work my arse off to succeed.”
The shock on his face is evident when I say arse, but I couldn’t give a shit what this guy thinks of us. I’m not ashamed of my mother, I’m proud.
“Are those my daughter’s clothes?” He grabs the hem of the dress lifting up to take a look, almost displaying my underwear to the whole room. I snatch it out of his meaty hand and step back.
“Yes father, Millie didn’t have any clothes to wear so I let her borrow mine. I was being kind.” I can tell Lola is struggling containing her anger.
“Charlotte Elizabeth Preston you must not and I repeat NOT give you clothes, that I paid good money for, to rejects like her. Of course she can’t afford clothes when she has a mother like that, doing a man’s job, that doesn’t mean she can get her scrounger hands on your expensive clothes. All of which, may I add, are far too nice and far too small for her. I mean look at the size of her.”
I can no longer see clearly due to the tears pooling my eyes, compromising my vision. I can feel my anger vibrate inside me, my heart hammering in my chest, my nails digging crescents in my palms. I see my mum get ready to call him out but I get there first.
“Do you know how disrespectful you’re being right now? How you, a man of no younger than 50, are talking to a fifteen year old.’ He gasps, sneering when I comment on his age. ‘Men like you think you’re so superior, so entitled. News flash: you’re not. You’re not even anything. Making your sexist, derogatory comments. You say a Chef is a man’s job? First of all, there’s no such thing as a ‘man’s job’ but secondly when is the last time you cooked a meal? I’d say never. I guarantee it’s either your wife or your staff who provide you with meals. For hundreds of years, men like you have believed the woman’s place is in the kitchen, but now it’s a man’s job? Yeah okay. You’d do anything to make women feel inferior. Just because you have a penis does not give you the right to squash us down to fit your ridiculous ideals of what a woman should be. A real woman is strong, independent and will stand up for what she believes in. That woman is me. So don’t you dare say another bad word about my mum, about anyone. You’re a insecure child who thinks he needs to be all powerful to compensate for his lack of personality. My mum may be a Chef but at least she works to provide for her family. You will never know what that is like because lucky for you, you have had money since the day you were born. You just get everything handed to you on a plate and it shows. I might have no money but at least I’m a good person. At least I don’t tear others down for their beliefs or the way they look. At least I’m capable of making friends, great friends like your daughter who thankfully gets none of her personality from you.” My mum wraps her hand around my arm signalling for me to stop.
I look up at Commissioner Preston, my body trembling in fury. His eyes burn into my soul, his face turning as red as the devil himself.
“Listen here you,” he screams shoving his fat finger in my face. “I am the Commissioner of the Police. I am a valued member of the community. You are nothing, you’re worthless. What gives you, a fat guttersnipe fifteen-year-old girl, the right to talk to me in that way?”
“Well, if you’re going to be a dick, I’m going to call you out on it.” I regret it instantly as the words come out my mouth. His sausage like hand reaching out, smacking me straight across the face with such force it knocks me to the floor.
The room silent, except for my quiet whimpering’s, visible shock on everyone’s face. Anger radiating from Commissioner Preston’s. I see his shadow over me. “Stay away from me, stay away from my family and stay away from my daughter.” He yells aggressively in my face.
I use all the strength I have to get up and run. To run away from him. Away from my mum. Away from that room and go to the only place I feel safe. The tree.
Chapter Fourteen
The likeness of damaged souls
I don’t stop running until I reach the tree. Reach my safe place. I throw myself on the floor and let the tears fall. I feel them trickle down my face and see them splash on Lola’s dress. My heart is pounding in my chest, threatening to burst through my skin. I can hardly remember what has just happened, it feels like a dream. No, a nightmare. I feel awful for Lola, growing up with a vile man like that in the house. I hope he’s never been violent with her like he was with me. Through the sound of my heartbeat thudding in my ears, I hear someone’s faint breathing. I look up through the shield of tears barricading my eyes and see a concerned Roman. Never have I been so happy to see someone.
“Hey.” I sniffle, frantically wiping away my tears, praying I don’t have mascara all over my face.
“Hey, I figured you’d be out here.” He gives me a shy smile, sitting down next to me.
“Well, it’s the place I feel safest, the place I knew no one would find me. Well except you.” Truth be told I was sort of hoping he’d come find me.
“Of course, you feel safe here with me and all this muscle,” he flexes his arms. “No one could get past these guns of steel.”
I can’t help but laugh at how hard he is straining, trying to make his biceps as bulky as possible. “Yeah, very steel like.”
“I’ll have you know; they could cause some damage. Quite like that fist of yours,” he winks at me reminding me of when I went too far and gave him a black eye.
I roll my eyes, “I’m never gonna live that down, am I?”
“Never,” he sticks his tongue out. “Do you want to talk about it?”
All that happened half an hour ago comes flooding back to me and the tears begin to flow again. I don’t even care how pathetic I must look in front of Roman, I just let my emotions take over.
“Mil don’t cry,” he scoots closer wrapping his arm around me. “He was so out of line; I mean even before he slapped you. People like him are jerks, all they care about is money. I know many like him, they’re all friends with my father.” I look up at him but stay silent.
“I get it now,” he looks at the floor. “That must be what you thought of me when we first met, especially as I was so rude to you. It’s not true. I mean, I don’t know how you cope having to make your own things or having to get everything second hand but I’ve never lived like that. I’ve always lived in the comfort of my family’s fortune. I do admire you though, I would never be able to be as brave as you and still remain a happy person. Well, when you aren’t calling out all the bad people with that viscous tongue of yours.” I laugh quietly as my tears begin to dry.
“I don’t think of you like that anymore, I know you’re not like them.” I smile at him.
“I want to be a better person, I do. It’s just living with my father it’s difficult to know what a good person is.” He goes quiet and begins playing with his ring.
I place my hand on his, “you’re not a bad person Roman. You’re trying to change and that is the sign of a truly good person. You see the way your father acts and recognise it is not the way people should behave. Who your family is does not define you. You’re a Kingsbury, so what? It’s just a name. You’re so much more than that.”
“You’re a good ‘acquaintance’ Millie.” He uses air quotes to mock me. I roll my eyes giving him a shove. “Enough about me, tell me how you’re feeling. I’m here to listen.”
I take a deep breath. “Besides being unbelievably angry, I just feel guilty.”
“Guilty? For what? You did the right thing.”
“Not for shouting at Commissioner Preston, he got what was coming to him. I feel
guilty because he is Lola’s father and now, she’s going to hate me. I called him out in front of everyone, I was right of course, but that must have been so embarrassing for her. And you heard him, ‘stay away from my daughter’, I’ve lost my best friend because of my stupid mouth and anger issues.”
“Millie, you haven’t lost your best friend.”
“I have. I’ll have lost all my friends. Not to mention my poor mum. I was on thin ice with Foundry anyway, now she’s definitely going to lose her job and it’s all my fault. Maybe I should just leave before Foundry has a chance to kick me out.” I attempt to stand but Roman pulls me back down so I land on his lap. I quickly slide off but stay next to him. “What?”
“Listen to me. You have not lost your best friend. I went over after you ran off to shout at Preston and check on Lola as I knew you’d be worrying about her and she was more worried about you. I told her I’d check on you as I knew where you’d be. She doesn’t hate you; she cares about you. You really think Lola will listen to her father? Do you not know her at all? I don’t know her very well, only as Charles’ sister but trust me she’s like you, she won’t do something unless she wants to and no way will she want to stay away from you. As for your mum, I don’t think she’ll lose her job. Foundry isn’t that stupid. Her food is impeccable and he may not be the biggest fan of you but he’d be crazy to kick out his brightest, most dedicated student. If he does kick you out, I will march into his office and threaten to take away all the money my family puts into the school. There is no way I’m letting you leave.”
I sit staring at Roman in awe. He checked on Lola? He shouted at Preston? He’d really threaten Foundry just so I can stay?
“Roman, I’m confused. Why are you threatening to do that for me? You couldn’t stand me a few weeks ago. Why check on my friend? Why shout at Commissioner Preston? He’s your best friend’s father. What about your father?”