A Date with Fate

by Cathy Cole

  Crunching into a carrot, she wandered back across the wide hallway to her father’s study. Locked, as usual. She took out her phone and tried him again, with the same result as before.

  “Do turn that racket off, Eve, it’s giving me a splitting headache.”

  Eve’s mother had appeared in the door of the snug with a stick of celery in her hand, her highlighted blonde hair swept up on top of her head. She was swathed in white from head to foot like a designer snowman, with a soft white pashmina draped around her neck to hide the scars from her latest round of cosmetic surgery.

  “OK, sorry.” Eve returned to the kitchen and switched the radio off. “Where’s Chloe?”

  “Your sister has tap class on Wednesdays.” Her mum paused. “Or is that Tuesdays? Perhaps it’s riding today, I can never keep up. Yelitza’s in charge of all that.”

  Eve often wondered how her mother would cope if the stolid home-help suddenly packed her bags and headed home to Venezuela.

  “And ‘OK’ is such an irritating expression, I wish you wouldn’t use it. So common and uninformative,” her mother added fussily. “You’re looking dreadfully tired, darling. That boxy black blazer does you no favours.”

  “I don’t think they designed the Heartside High uniform with my skin tone in mind, Mother,” said Eve, feeling a little stricken.

  Her mum waved her celery stick at Eve like a conductor’s baton. “Take the ghastly thing off. You know how affected I am by fabric. I feel like I’m having a conversation with a black widow spider.”

  Eve slid off her blazer and hung it up, glancing at her face in one of the hall mirrors.

  Mummy’s right, she thought fretfully. I look awful. She’d do a face pack later. Maybe deep-condition her hair.

  The thought of talking to her mother about problems was laughable. Tabitha Somerstown was only interested in success stories and perfection. A top grade at school? Tick. A main part in the school play? Tick. Mum, I think I like girls, and what’s going on at Dad’s shopping centre? was a lead balloon in the making.

  Eve limited herself to a more practical question.

  “What’s for supper?”

  “Heaven only knows,” Eve’s mother sighed, drifting away back into the snug. “I’m so dreadfully tired I can barely think, let alone cook.”

  Probably because that celery stick is the only thing you’ve eaten all day, Eve thought. She felt pretty tired herself. Munching on her carrot, she slowly climbed the stairs to her room, peeling off her hideous school uniform as she went, dreaming of the shower and her cashmere pyjamas.

  Her homework took longer than normal. After three attempts, Eve decided it qualified as her best effort and pushed it aside. Her stomach was growling too loudly to be ignored.

  Predictably, there wasn’t much for supper. Eve poked at the remains of the gluten-free spinach lasagne Yelitza had made yesterday before taking herself back upstairs. All she had to do now was stay awake until her dad came home.

  This is the voicemail of Henry Somerstown—

  Eve stepped back on to the white-carpeted landing with her phone. “When’s Daddy coming back?” she shouted down the stairs.

  There was no answer. Eve guessed that her mother had gone to one of her gym classes. She went back to her room and lay on the bed for a while, staring at the ceiling.

  When her phone rang, Eve snatched it up. “Dad?”

  “It’s Caitlin.”

  Eve froze.

  “I just wanted to say that everything’s been ordered, caterers are on standby, and I have the most heavenly outfit. The weather forecast is looking good for Saturday too. It’s all going to be so chic, I can hardly stand it.”

  Caitlin sounded so cheerful, so unbothered. Eve hated her for it.

  “Is that all?” she said abruptly.

  Caitlin’s voice didn’t change. “Did you want to talk about something else?”

  “No,” said Eve, and hung up.

  There was nothing on TV. Eve watched a film on her laptop, half an ear to the front door. Chloe and Yelitza came back at about eight-thirty, followed by her mother at nine-thirty. The house gradually quietened, until nothing could be heard but the ticking of the grandfather clock by the front door.

  The front door opened shortly after midnight. Eve instantly felt herself relax.

  “Daddy, you’re back!” she said, jumping up from the position she’d taken up halfway down the stairs. “I was worried about you.”

  “What are you doing up, Eve?” her father asked as he set down his briefcase and hung up his coat.

  “Waiting for you, of course,” said Eve happily.

  Her father rubbed his hands through his hair. “Shouldn’t you be in bed? You have school tomorrow.”

  “You have work tomorrow and you’re up,” Eve pointed out. “I’ll make us some tea.”

  He sighed. “Tea sounds great. I don’t suppose there’s anything to eat?”

  “I could boil you an egg?” Eve suggested, glad to be useful.

  Cooking wasn’t Eve’s strong point, but she knew how to do a perfect boiled egg. It was all in the timing. She set the egg carefully in a white china egg cup, then fanned some chopped carrots around the egg cup to look like toast soldiers. Along with the biscuits and juice, her mother had thrown out the bread as well.

  “A feast,” her father remarked, chinking tea mugs with her.

  Eve sat quietly and watched him eat. Questions were tumbling around in her head, but she couldn’t make herself speak them out loud.

  I have to talk to him, she thought desperately. I just have to. This might be my only chance.

  Her father wasn’t in a talkative mood either. He finished his egg, crunched through his carrots and drained his tea to the last dregs before he looked up at her.

  Tell him about Caitlin. Tell him about the shopping centre. “I’m having a great time organizing the party on Saturday,” said Eve brightly, trying to ignore the voice in her head. “It’s all looking really fantastic.”

  “That’s good.”

  Eve noticed the dark shadows under her father’s eyes. The shopping centre needled at her mind.

  “I will always love you no matter what,” she blurted. “You know that, don’t you?”

  He looked weary. “That’s good to know, Evie. I don’t feel too lovable at the moment.”

  Eve sensed that he wanted to tell her something. She wished that he would. She stacked his plate and mug in the dishwasher.

  “Something’s bothering you,” her father said behind her. “Isn’t it?”

  Biting her lip, Eve turned back to face him. Where should she start?

  “I went to the shopping centre on Friday night,” she said at last, trying to quell her nerves.

  He whitened. “What?”

  Eve saw that she’d shaken him. “There was a group of us,” she rushed on. “We just went to have a look. Is everything OK on the construction site, Daddy?”

  “Everything’s fine,” he began soothingly.

  “It’s not fine!” Eve felt close to tears. “There are whole walls that haven’t been built. Wires everywhere. I thought you said you were doing finishing touches!”

  “Please don’t worry, Evie,” he said, moving towards her and grasping her hands tightly. “There have been a few . . . challenges, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. I will do whatever it takes to make the shopping centre a success. I would never let you down. You’re too precious. You do believe me, don’t you?”

  His eyes were intent, his hands warm in hers. Eve felt a bit better. She wiped her eyes. “Of course I believe you, Daddy,” she said, willing it to be true.

  He kissed her on the top of her head. “That’s my girl. Now off you go to bed. Heartside High’s most beautiful princess needs her sleep.”

  Eve kissed him back on the cheek gratefully. She wished
she could talk to him about Caitlin as well, but she was feeling too tired and fragile for that now.

  “I will always love you, no matter what,” he said unexpectedly. “Remember that.”

  Eve felt exhausted as she headed up to bed, but calm. Her dad would make everything right with the shopping centre. She wondered if on some level he already knew about the struggles she was having about Caitlin.

  He loves me no matter what, she repeated to herself, yawning and climbing the stairs to her room.

  The thought was like balm. It made all the difference in the world.

  SIXTEEN

  The island air was warm, scented with the heavenly smells of spicy grilled chicken as it spat and sizzled over the enormous fire pit behind the swagged, striped marquee. Eve stood among the flares on the beach and watched the party boat approaching across the waves, the lights of Heartside Bay sparkling on the horizon. The butterflies in her stomach were having a party all of their own.

  The steel band struck up on the beach beside Eve, making her jump a little. As the light-bedecked boat bumped up gently against the jetty and Eve heard the excited chatter of the guests, she started to relax. Everything was going to be perfect. She adjusted her sea-blue sequinned dress and wiggled her pedicured toes in the cool sand, then lifted her arms and waved as the crowd swept off the boat.

  “This place looks awesome!” Ollie gasped, giving Eve a hug. In his surfer shorts and Hawaiian shirt, he looked every inch the beach dude. “Even better than I pictured it when I was here.”

  “When were you ever here, Ollie?” Lila’s pink crop top showed off her long slender body and her flowing skirt brushed the sand, sparkly flip-flops peeping out from underneath. She glanced down, startled as a smiling white-tuxed waiter draped a beautiful orchid lei around her neck. “Oh my goodness, these are so pretty!”

  “Lucky distraction,” Ollie whispered to Eve as Lila laughed at something the waiter whispered in her ear. “Some things are better kept a secret. I love the band. Show me the dance floor and let’s get this party started!”

  Polly looked gorgeous wearing a vintage fifties-style dress printed with beach umbrellas, her hair dyed a warm chestnut-brown that brought out her hazel eyes. Rhi wore an emerald-green jumpsuit with her curly hair left loose and natural around her face. Max had opted for tight blue trunks and an open-necked shirt in the style of James Bond. As for Josh, he looked much the same as ever, shirt and jumper and skinny jeans with a battered beach hat on his head.

  Eve savoured the awe in her friends’ eyes as they took in the beachside scene and started to relax.

  I can do this, she thought. And everyone knows it.

  Adjusting the white orchid in her hair, she moved among the guests, laughing and chatting and encouraging everyone to try the punch: a pineapple and mint combination that she and Caitlin had invented together.

  “It’s gorgeous, so refreshing. You’ll love it.”

  “Caitlin’s just getting off the boat,” said Rhi, gently stroking the petals on her orchid lei. “Who’s she with?”

  Eve steeled herself and turned round.

  Caitlin looked stunning in a pearly green mermaid dress, her hair swept gently back from her face, her eyes bright and warm. A tall blonde girl was with her, freckled and laughing beneath a pink straw fedora. They were holding hands.

  “Darling,” said Caitlin, kissing Eve warmly on both cheeks. “This all looks too chic. Who is your party planner? You must give me her number.”

  The girl beside her laughed, and pushed her hat back off her open, friendly face. “Hi, I’m Jessica, Cait’s girlfriend,” she said, smiling. “It’s great to meet you, Eve. Cait’s had so much fun planning this with you.”

  Eve shook Jessica’s hand as if she was in a dream. “Have a drink,” she found herself saying. “Coats and bags can be left in the marquee. Please excuse me, I have a hundred things to do. . .”

  She walked across to a darker, quieter part of the beach and stood there, shaking.

  Caitlin was gay.

  After a moment, Eve hurried up to a private spot beside the marquee where she could watch the party guests without being seen herself. Her friends were milling around the jetty and the marquee, queuing at the fire pit for barbecued chicken and swaying to the steel band. Eve started to panic. They would see Caitlin with Jessica, they would remember how Eve had kissed Caitlin in that stupid dare at Heartwell Manor. They would see Eve standing at her own party without a date – and they would know.

  Everyone would know.

  Eve gazed down on the boys, willing herself to fancy someone, to line someone up to flirt with and maybe kiss before the evening was out. As if drawn by a magnet, her eyes kept finding Caitlin and Jessica.

  The two girls were sitting by the fire pit, together with Ollie and Polly, Josh and Lila. Everyone was laughing about something, chattering away as if they’d known each other for ages. Ollie took Jessica’s hat and put it on his own head. Caitlin looked amazing in her green dress, glittering like an emerald in the firelight.

  Eve closed her eyes, struggling to think clearly. Her friends seemed OK about Caitlin and Jessica. They were both beautiful, confident girls. How could they be so open about their sexuality? She felt more envious than ever. She couldn’t hide her feelings for much longer. She’d hidden them for such a long time already.

  Painting a smile on her face, Eve emerged from the shadows, walking among her guests, smiling and laughing without hearing a single word anyone said to her.

  The marquee looked spectacular, the central poles decked out to look like palm trees. Tables and chairs were set out in groups, coconut-shell candles glowing on bright woven tablecloths. People were starting to come inside, plates piled high with barbecued chicken and salad. Mellow reggae music played in here, a different vibe to the pumping beats outside the tent flaps.

  “The punch is nearly gone,” said a waiter near Eve’s ear, making her jump out of her skin. “Shall we start serving the bottled juices?”

  “Whoops,” said Caitlin, appearing beside the waiter. “I had no idea your friends would drink so much so quickly, Eve darling. I guess it’s the sign of a successful party.”

  Eve felt her composure start to slip. She lifted a finger and pointed hard at Caitlin.

  “You were responsible for ordering the drinks. And now look what’s happened!”

  Caitlin looked surprised. “We have plenty of cold bottled juices and sodas, darling. And anyway, they’ve started serving the food now. Pineapple and mint is completely gorgeous by itself, but utterly vile alongside barbecued chicken.”

  “We shouldn’t have run out of punch,” Eve shouted. She moved closer to Caitlin and poked her in the chest. “It’s going to make me look stupid if we run out of punch. I can’t look stupid at my own party! I knew I should have done this by myself. I can’t trust you. I can’t trust anyone!”

  “Eve,” said Caitlin gently. “Slow down. What’s going on?”

  “You know what’s going on!” Eve was feeling almost hysterical. “You . . . her . . . punch. . .”

  “Goodness me, it sounds like you’re challenging me to a duel.”

  “Don’t laugh at me,” Eve howled.

  “Come on, we need to talk.”

  Eve felt Caitlin grab her hand and yank her out of the marquee, into the darkness.

  “I understand how you’re feeling, Eve,” said Caitlin in a low voice. “Talk to me. I’m listening.”

  “I don’t want to feel like this,” Eve shouted, pummelling at Caitlin, fighting to get away from her. “I want to feel normal.”

  Caitlin wiped the tears from Eve’s cheeks. “You’ll ruin your make-up with all these tears.”

  Eve took a deep, shaking breath and composed herself.

  “I really do understand,” Caitlin said quietly. “Not long ago, I was you.”

  “You and
Jessica. . .”

  “We’ve been together for a couple of months. Jessi is the first person I’ve felt comfortable with. My first girlfriend.” Caitlin giggled. “It sounds so strange. But right too.”

  “Did you ever . . . date boys?” Eve managed to ask.

  Caitlin waved a hand. “Don’t go there. Hideous. I tried and tried but it was all a lie. So exhausting.”

  “I’m so tired of it all,” Eve hiccupped.

  The tears flowed despite her best efforts. Caitlin put a comforting arm round Eve’s waist.

  “I liked our kiss,” Eve whispered, burying her burning face in Caitlin’s shoulder.

  “Me too,” said Caitlin into her hair. “Don’t tell Jessi.”

  Eve giggled wanly. This was such a strange conversation. “How do you know?” she said at last. “You know, once and for all, if you’re. . .?”

  Caitlin patted her arm. “One day you will meet someone you fit with,” she said simply. “That’s when you know.”

  Eve felt a little happier thinking someone as cool and gorgeous as Caitlin could be gay. And maybe there were still boys out there who would fit with her, like Caitlin said. The prospect gave her a little hope.

  A strange thought struck her. “Does my dad know about you?”

  “Probably,” said Caitlin. “I took Jessi to one of my father’s parties a month ago. Your dad was there.”

  I’ll always love you no matter what. Could her dad have suspected Eve’s confusion? Could he have brought Caitlin into Eve’s life for a reason? Eve didn’t know whether she felt anxious or relieved at the thought.

  “Friends again?” said Caitlin.

  It felt really nice, hugging Caitlin. But just as friends, Eve reminded herself.

  There was a scream of anger down on the beach that made them both turn and look. Lila was nose to nose with Polly.

  SEVENTEEN

  “Tell me,” Lila was hissing in outrage. “How long have you two been seeing each other?”