by Lee Monroe
‘Oh well, never mind,’ said Polly dismissively. ‘You can meet them another time.’
I caught Ashley’s disgruntled expression and tried to signal my helplessness through eye contact.
‘Fine,’ I told Polly eventually, defeated. ‘Come over after college tomorrow. But don’t bring anything too outrageous – or revealing. It’s not my style.’
‘Trust me,’ she said solemnly. ‘I know exactly what you should wear.’ She sighed happily. ‘I’ve got to run. Stuff to do. I’ll sort out when club night is … It’s going to be amazing.’
Ashley turned to me once Polly had disappeared. ‘She’s a little overwhelming, isn’t she? I see what you mean.’
‘I know,’ I groaned. ‘And I’m regretting this already.’
‘At least she’s trying,’ Ashley said. ‘I just want us all to get along.’
I smiled at her, though inside I felt I had just been ambushed again. Polly and her brother had this way of removing your free will just by looking at you. Some people were like that, I knew. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that Ade and Polly Ellis were more than just a couple of strong personalities.
‘She’s amazing,’ gushed Dot, watching Polly. ‘She’s like Emily the Strange, but with red hair.’
‘Polly the Strange,’ I said, shaking my head. That was putting it mildly.
‘When I grow up I want to look like that,’ Dot continued, gazing at Polly’s outfit: a black net tutu, a striped black-and-yellow jumper, and purple suede creepers. Her legs were bare and pale and covered in fine freckles. On her head she had wrapped her hair in a black cotton turban-type thing, with a few red tendrils escaping. She should have looked terrible, but she looked amazing.
A footstep on the stairs behind us made me swivel to find Luca, rubbing sleep out of his eyes.
‘What’s the commotion?’ he asked blearily.
‘Are you OK?’ I frowned.
‘I’m just tired. I think I overdid it yesterday. He gave me a meaningful look and I remembered he had turned the day before. It always left him drained and fatigued for a day or two. I took his hand and linked my fingers through his. ‘Maybe you should sit this experience out,’ I whispered. ‘It won’t be pretty.’ I turned back to where Polly was still talking to my parents.
‘Who is that?’ Luca said, craning to see.
‘Polly,’ hissed Dot, still enthralled. ‘Isn’t she fabulous?’
Luca and I exchanged a look.
‘That’s Ade’s sister?’ he said. ‘She looks like a cartoon character.’ He noted my raised eyebrow and added, ‘I’ve been watching quite a few cartoons lately.’
Dot giggled. ‘She’s like a gorgeous bumblebee.’
‘Dot’s smitten,’ I said dryly. ‘Looks like Polly has another person under her spell.’
Polly broke off her conversation with my mother and realized we were all perched on the stairs, observing her. She waved and grabbed the handles of a large laundry bag at her feet.
‘I’ve got enough for all three of you,’ she said, approaching us. Her eyes were trained on Luca. ‘You must be the famous Luca?’ She dropped the bag next to me and held out her hand. ‘I’m Polly Ellis. I can only imagine what Jane’s been telling you about me. But pleased to meet you, I’m sure.’
Luca took her hand awkwardly. ‘Ade’s sister,’ he said, nodding. ‘I’ve heard a little about you, yes.’
‘Hmm.’ Polly’s eyes remained on him for a couple of seconds, before she transferred her gaze to Dot. ‘And who is this adorable little girl?’
Dot squirmed, delighted. ‘I’m nearly twelve years old actually,’ she said. ‘My name is Dorothy, but everyone calls me Dot.’
‘You’re so cute.’ Polly ruffled her hair. ‘You’re nothing like your sister.’ She flared her nostrils mischievously. ‘Not that Jane isn’t cute, of course.’ She looked down at her bag, then back at me. ‘Shall we get started?’
‘Polly’s giving Jane a makeover,’ Dot explained to a confused-looking Luca.
‘Why?’ He frowned, tugging at my arm as Polly’s bare legs were already ascending the stairs. ‘Don’t let her push you around,’ he whispered. ‘I don’t want some kind of cartoon creation as my girlfriend.’
‘Don’t worry,’ I told him. ‘I’m just trying to be friendly. You know, humour her … I think it’s better that we at least make a show of getting on with the Ellises, don’t you?’
Luca hesitated, though he still didn’t look happy. ‘I suppose so,’ he said reluctantly.
‘Hey,’ Polly called down from the top of the stairs. ‘Which one is your bedroom, Jane?’
‘I’m not sure,’ I said, staring at myself in my mother’s full-length bedroom mirror. ‘It’s a little fitted for me.’
‘You look like a nineteen-fifties film star,’ said Polly, lifting my hair up at the front and backcombing it. ‘Like Ava Gardner or someone like that.’ Still holding my hair, she stepped to the side to look at my reflection. ‘You’ve got better boobs than me; I don’t fill out this dress nearly so well. She smoothed the stiff cotton down to my waist, where the dress moulded to my body. The skirt was full and swirly and stopped at the knee. The neck was a loose boat-style and the sleeves were shortish, showing my arms. Though it was grey, it had a sheen to it and I could see it brought out my eyes.
Polly turned back to my hair, pinning it up in a kind of roll on top of my head. She smoothed out the rest of it so that it hung in loose curls over my bare shoulders.
I looked down at my feet. ‘I don’t have any shoes that will go with this.’
Polly rummaged around in her laundry bag, drawing out a pair of shoes identical to her own. Teddy-boy creepers, dark grey with black piping.
‘These with ankle socks,’ she commanded. ‘Stops you looking twenty years older than you are. I call it film star rockabilly. Glamour with a bit of edge.’
Not at all sure, I sat down on my mother’s bed and put on the shoes. They fitted perfectly. How had she known my size was the same as hers? I wondered. Once the shoes were on, I stood and looked at myself again.
‘Actually, it is kind of cool,’ I admitted. ‘Sort of girly, but a bit tomboyish, too, with the shoes.’
‘See.’ Polly plumped herself down on the bed. ‘Aren’t you glad you humoured me now?’
I turned sharply. Had she heard what I’d said to Luca on the stairs? How could she have? We’d been whispering …
But Polly’s smile was not malicious. She collapsed back flamboyantly on my mother’s quilt and stretched out her arms. ‘He’s hot,’ she said then, a propos of nothing.
‘Who’s hot?’ I said, touching the hairsprayed quiff on top of my head. It was stiff and weird to the touch.
‘Luca.’ Polly sat back up. ‘I can see what all the fuss is about. And why you’re so loyal.’
‘I’m not loyal because he’s hot,’ I said frowning. ‘I’m loyal because he’s … well, he’s Luca.’
‘Sweet,’ Polly said wryly. She looked at her nails. ‘Have you two done it yet?’
‘No.’ I sat down next to her. ‘Though we sleep in the same bed together.’
‘Interesting,’ said Polly, smirking. ‘And slightly odd.’
‘It’s my parents’ house,’ I said. ‘And my little sister lives here too. No way am I doing it under this roof.’
‘That must be rather frustrating – for both of you.’
It was frustrating. And I had been thinking more about it just lately. I didn’t want to make it into some big deal between the two of us, but I didn’t want to be one of those couples who were more like brother and sister. The longer time went on without us even attempting to lose our virginities, the more awkward it would be.
I sighed. ‘We’ll do it when the time is right, I guess.’
‘Maybe Luca already has,’ Polly offered in an innocent tone.
‘No. No, he … hasn’t.’ But as I spoke, I realized I had no idea. Luca and I had never talked about it.
‘Jane …’ Polly’s face was just centimetre
s from mine. ‘What are you thinking about?’
‘Nothing,’ I replied, fixated by her weird-looking pupils. Dark and like pinpoints.
She smiled and all I could see was the curve of her pink lips.
‘So, aren’t you worried that he might start …’ She sighed, a perfect intake of breath. ‘You know, that he might get impatient?’
‘Luca’s not like that,’ I said slowly. ‘He’s deeper than that.’
‘Ooh. Deeper.’ Polly started to giggle, until she caught sight of my expression. ‘I mean, that’s lovely. Special.’ She stared hard at me. ‘So Luca’s special.’
‘Yes.’ I said, the fog descending. ‘He’s not like other boys.’
Polly didn’t take her eyes off me as she reached up and retouched the cotton bandana thing on her head. I followed the movement of her hands.
‘I know that,’ she said, and her eyes seemed to sparkle, as though they were made of magic dust. ‘I’ve always known.’
‘What … ?’ I began, desperately trying to regain some kind of sense.
But the door had opened. We both looked up to see Luca standing there.
‘Hey,’ I said immediately getting up off the bed as if I was guilty. Though of what, I didn’t know.
‘You look great,’ he said carefully, his eyes travelling up and down me. ‘Transformed.’
‘Doesn’t she?’ Polly swung her legs over the end of the bed. ‘I knew she would.’
I felt naked all of a sudden. Exposed and uncomfortable.
‘I’m going to get changed now,’ I said, noticing how Luca switched his eyes over to Polly. In a second, I saw something I didn’t want to see. Fear shot through me.
‘I should get going.’ Polly stretched, her arms long and languorous. She eased herself up, and stood, her bare legs making her look a little like a Titian A pink princess.
‘I’ll leave you to get an early night,’ she said, as she loaded a heap of clothes, combs and make-up into her bag. She straightened up and smiled at Luca. ‘I think you’re expected at Grandpa Pete’s place tomorrow. My mum wants things straightened out.’
Luca looked startled. ‘Tomorrow? Sure …’ And then his face lit up, in a way I hadn’t seen it do for a while. He was staring at Polly as though all his Christmases had come at once. ‘That’s great,’ he told her. ‘I’ll be there first thing.’
‘Is there any change?’ I said. ‘Is he conscious?’
Polly shrugged. ‘He’s still in a coma,’ she said. ‘Mum’s in a state.’
‘Is there anything we can do?’ Luca asked.
She hesitated. ‘You can come to the club night on Saturday. Ade and I need cheering up.’
‘Sure,’ I said quickly, glancing at Luca. ‘We’d like that.’
‘Good.’ She picked up the bag and swung it over her shoulder. ‘I want you to see the other side of us. We’re not that bad underneath, you know.’ Her eyes brightened a little when she added. ‘We’re just a couple of mixed-up kids, really …’
In an instant she was gone, leaving Luca and me alone in my mum’s bedroom.
‘I’ll see myself out,’ she called, halfway down the stairs. ‘I’m sure you two have a lot to talk about.’
As Luca frowned, I sighed, sitting back down on the bed. ‘She’s an odd girl, all right,’ I said. ‘The way she said “We’re just a couple of mixed-up kids” – it was like she was reciting it. Like she’d heard someone else say it too many times.’
‘I know.’ Luca sat down next to me. ‘I still don’t trust either of them. I mean, for whatever reason she seems to be making an effort with you – with me … And I’d like to think it was because she regrets how she and Ade have behaved towards us. But I don’t buy it.’
‘Me neither,’ I said, perturbed. ‘I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t think we have a choice. And maybe if we go along with what she wants, we’ll find out the truth.’
I looked at him and a ripple of anxiety went through me.
‘Keep your friends close …’ Luca began, reaching out and tugging gently at my hair.
‘And your enemies closer,’ I supplied. ‘Isn’t that what they say?’
Luca nodded, looking at my dress. ‘But if we have to go to this club night then you should really wear that – you look beautiful.’
‘You think?’ I tried to hide my smile. ‘It’s not a bit too much?’
He leaned forward and kissed my shoulder. His arm crept around my waist.
His lips moved to my neck, kissing me gently, and my body leaned into his.
‘Luca?’ I said in faux protest, but still a little taken aback. It wasn’t like him to be so … amorous.
‘Every time I look at you,’ he whispered, his breath hot and sweet in my ear, ‘I just want to …’ He half sighed then, his hand moving closer to my breast.
‘Luca.’ I wriggled away from him, flushed. ‘I want to … do it, too. I mean,’ I felt my face ablaze, ‘I really want to. But we can’t.’
Luca stopped touching me and, for a second, he looked irritated, but I could see him wrestling with his instincts. ‘I know.’ He sighed. ‘It’s OK. It’s difficult here with your family.’
I nodded, biting my lip. I felt all kinds of things, but inadequate came top of the list. I wanted to feel right about it, but the truth was it wasn’t just the fact that we were under my parents’ roof. It was something about Luca. He seemed changed somehow. More aggressive. I had glimpsed another side of him.
‘But we need to … We can’t go on just kissing and skirting round it.’
‘I know,’ I said, my heart thudding, because I had disappointed him somehow. That’s how it felt, anyway. ‘And we will. Soon. Just … not now.’
Luca held my gaze, the usual softness in his eyes replaced by something sharper, harder.
‘Of course.’ He got to his feet. ‘You’re right.’ He put his hands in his pockets and I could see how tense he was. ‘I’d better get to bed. I have an early start.’
‘OK,’ I said quietly, the beginnings of desperation growing in me. ‘But you can stay here, in my bed. If you like.’
He half smiled, but it looked forced. ‘Thanks. But I think I’ll sleep in my room tonight. You know, where there’s no distraction.’
‘Right. Yes,’ I said, standing there in my stupid dress with my stupid backcombed hair. ‘Well, I’ll see you in the morning then.’
Luca moved towards the door, turning just as he got there. ‘Probably not. It’ll be practically dawn when I get up. We’ll talk tomorrow though …’ He tried for a reassuring tone, but it came out flat.
Before I could reply he was gone, the door silently shutting behind him. Looking at the clock I saw it was barely nine. I sank down on the bed, closing my eyes. It felt like a quiet catastrophe had just occurred.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
‘Your teeth are fluorescent,’ said Ashley, swaying precariously in front of me. She stuck her straw into her mouth then drew back, her nose wrinkling. ‘I have no idea what I’m drinking, but I’m pretty sure it’s not the alcohol-free cocktail I ordered.’ She frowned down into her sickly-looking pink drink. ‘I think Ade’s trying to get me drunk.’
‘Uh-huh.’ I smiled, taking her glass out of her hands and putting it on the counter, accidentally nudging the arm of a tall girl dressed entirely in leather.
‘Careful,’ she said sharply, swinging round to give us the full benefit of her heavily made-up face. She had a thick layer of foundation on and her eyes were barely discernable in the midst of all the black eye-liner. ‘I hope you two babies have ID?’
I rolled my eyes at Ashley, who let out a shrill giggle.
‘Haven’t you got a horrible pink bedroom somewhere you need to get back to?’ said the girl, sneering and reaching up to touch her heavily lacquered short hair. I had a sudden urge to poke at it, though the fierce look on her face was a pretty good deterrent.
‘Excuse me for breathing,’ murmured Ashley, then hiccuped.
I shook my head
and, taking her arm, steered Ashley away from the bar, into the crowds who were swaying to some droning nouveau punk that the DJ was playing.
‘Have you seen the others?’ I shouted over the noise. ‘Luca went to the bathroom ages ago.’
Ashley blinked. ‘That’s true. And Ade was talking to Polly over there …’ She stabbed into a corner of the vast room with her finger. ‘But he’s not there any more.’
I nodded, trying not to feel worried. I had to chill out. We were supposed to be having a good time. But Luca had been gone an awfully long while. I took off my denim jacket. It was baking hot, but I had just felt too self-conscious in my dress.
Ashley’s eyes widened when she saw it. ‘Amazing dress, Jane. You look … amazing.’
I couldn’t help laughing. ‘So, to be clear, I look amazing, right?’
‘You do.’ She swayed forward.
‘Ashley,’ I said, grabbing her arms. ‘I think you are drunk. Someone must have given Ade the wrong drink. Here …’ I glanced around, looking for somewhere to take her. ‘There’s a free area over there. Let’s sit for a while.’
But Ashley had gone pale. ‘I think I’m going to be sick,’ she said, putting her hand over her mouth. ‘I think there was alcohol in that drink.’
‘You don’t say,’ I muttered. ‘OK. I’ll take you home. I just need to find the others.’
‘No need,’ said Ashley, hiccuping again. ‘Ade’s here.’ She waved at him.
‘What’s going on?’ Ade suddenly appeared so close beside me that as I turned I nearly buried my face in his faded black T-shirt. I could see his pecs and his strong, lightly freckled arms against the dark cotton. I turned quickly back to Ashley.
‘Ashley’s not feeling good,’ I said, trying to keep the disapproval out of my voice. ‘I think she needs to go home.’
‘You OK, honey?’ he said, stroking her hair. ‘Want me to get you a cab?’
I swivelled, to properly express my disdain with hostile eye contact.
‘Maybe you should take her?’ I said glaring at him.
‘I was going to suggest that, too,’ he said calmly.
‘Of course you were.’ I put my arm around Ashley. ‘When she was passed out on this disgusting floor, no doubt.’