Aisley nodded. 'That's just what I thought.'
'What's in the pot?' Chandra asked her, looking at the plastic tub she was still holding out of reach.
'Pasta carbonara. We made it in Food Tech. Want it?' she relented and handed him the pot along with the disposable cutlery that came with it.
'Really?' Chandra's face lit up. 'What are you going to eat?'
'I've got a sandwich,' Aisley said. 'You can have this.'
'Cool!'' Chandra, like most teenage boys, was eternally hungry. He grabbed the container and got stuck into it.
Amused, Aisley dug in her bag for her sandwich.
Several minutes later, the plastic tub was empty and Chandra looked very content. 'Thanks!' he told Aisley, putting his arm around her. 'That was awesome,'
'You're welcome,' she said, smiling at him.
This was the first opportunity Freya had had to see them together properly. She'd been busy with hockey practise for the last couple of lunchtimes. 'Oh, about time, you guys!' she cried, looking pleased.
Archie chose that moment to arrive. He bounced into the middle of the group just in time to see Aisley and Chandra exchange a kiss. 'What the hell?' he squawked, looking appalled.
'Really?' Cate rolled her eyes at him. 'You hadn't noticed? Where have you been? Under a rock? Honestly!'
'Archie lacks observation skills,' stated Lucan.
Archie ignored both Cate and Lucan's comments, flapping his long arms around in despair. 'Aw no! No, no, no!' he lamented loudly.
The others all looked at him.
Archie shook his head in mock-despair. 'Now we're all going to be subjected to gross displays of public affection all day long,' he whined. 'What, with the snogging, and the groping, and the tongues!'
'We're a bit more discreet than that, Arch,' Aisley protested.
Archie put his hands on his hips and hung his head, pretending to be heartbroken at what the world was coming to.
Cate snorted, 'Oh lordy, lordy!'
Suddenly, Chandra leapt to his feet and threw himself at Archie. 'You're jealous!' he cried, wrapping his arms around Archie's waist and kissing his cheek. 'My devious plan has worked!' Archie tried unsuccessfully to bat him off. 'I've been waiting so long to hear those words from you, honey bunch,' Chandra panted, 'Snogging, groping, and best of all … tongues!' He grabbed Archie's head and licked him on the face.
The others fell about, laughing. It was highly entertaining!
'Let's do it!' Chandra begged Archie. 'You and me, baby! Right here, right now!'
Archie finally shoved him off. 'Ewww,' he whined. 'Get your tongue out of my ear.'
'My tongue's not in your ear,' growled Chandra. 'Not yet. Let's have a little foreplay first!'
Archie managed to get Chandra into a headlock and the two boys staggered about, laughing and snorting. They eventually tripped over each other's feet and fell in a heap, upside-down in the flowerbed. They almost kicked Freya's lunch over in the process, but Freya didn't so much as flinch. She just calmly moved her lunch to the other side of her and smiled serenely at Aisley. 'You want that?' she gestured with her thumb at the tangle of arms and legs floundering in the flowerbed behind her. 'Hey girl, you're welcome to it.'
Aisley's final class for the day was sport and she was running late. Swearing, she threw her books into her locker, grabbed her sports bag, and hurried down the corridor towards the gym. There were masses of kids in the halls in the five minutes during class change over and Aisley had to elbow her way through. What a nightmare! Too late, she realised she should have gone outside and across the hard courts instead of coming this way. That was a mistake. Now she'd be late for sure.
Deciding to take a risky shortcut, she squished into the science wing and tried to push through the crowd. Over the general noise, she heard Bliss Anderson laughing loudly somewhere nearby. Bliss had a shrill voice, like fingernails scratching down a blackboard. Aisley looked over and saw her waiting with a crowd of others outside one of the science rooms. They were all mucking around, so the teacher obviously hadn't arrived yet. As far as Aisley could tell, Bliss hadn't noticed her. That was an enormous relief.
Over the last few days, Bliss had been giving her more foul looks than usual and Aisley honestly had no clue why. She glanced warily at Bliss, trying to stay out of sight as she passed her by. But suddenly, she got a nasty shock. The person who appeared to be making Bliss laugh so much … was Chandra! He was with Drew King and several other boys, and they were all fooling about and pushing each other around.
But it wasn't the fooling about that shocked Aisley. It was what came next. As Aisley watched, Bliss reached out and grabbed the front of Chandra's shirt with both hands. She pulled him close to her and draped her arms around his shoulders with a familiarity that suggested she'd done it before, and maybe often. The worst thing from Aisley's perspective was that Chandra didn't even attempt to push her away. On the contrary, he appeared to be enjoying the attention.
Aisley stared. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. She found herself being pushed along with the crowd. The second bell rang marking the beginning of the next class. Now she was very late for sport, but all of a sudden that didn't seem so important. She couldn't help herself and she looked back over her shoulder towards the Science room again. It was difficult to see properly over the heads in the crowded corridor, but she could clearly see Bliss leaning against Chandra. She still had one arm draped around his neck.
Aisley watched, swallowing hard, as Bliss ruffled Chandra's hair … put her hand on his cheek … rested her head on his shoulder. What was going on! Chandra still didn't push her away. Why didn't he push her away? What the hell? Confused, Aisley let the crowd carry her on, leaving Chandra and Bliss far behind. What had she just seen? Maybe it was just a crowd of kids mucking around. It was just that one of them happened to be her boyfriend and another happened to be her least favourite person at school. Surely there was nothing to it …
By the time Aisley got to sports class she'd managed to reason with herself a little. She must have misunderstood what she saw and she was overreacting. When her teacher scolded her for being so late, she felt like crying.
The teacher, who liked to pride himself on his good relationship with his students, saw she was upset and went easy on her. Aisley threw herself into the game of volleyball that was going on and managed to push the incident in the science hallway to the back of her mind. Physical exercise was a great way to balance mind and body, so after sports class Aisley felt more sensible. She'd regained her perspective.
When Chandra walked her home that afternoon, he was the same as always. So she didn't mention the hallway incident. Spoken out loud, she was certain it would sound silly, like she was making a big deal out of nothing. He was being very funny and making her laugh by telling her about his cat Pippin's bad habits. By the time he kissed her goodbye, she felt reassured. He was her boyfriend, after all.
Chapter Nine
The Vandal and Pizza Night
Friday evening
The get-together at Sheldon's Seat the next Friday evening would be the final chance Aisley's group would have to be all together in the same place at the same time. So they wanted to make the most of it. Their group's presentation day was on the following Friday, on the last day of term.
Aisley was in the kitchen with her mother filling up some bowls with potato chips when she realised the time. It was almost seven o'clock, when everyone was arriving. 'I'm going upstairs to get changed,' she told Shay.
Shay looked her up and down and smiled. 'What?' she teased. 'Tracky dacks not good enough for a pizza and study night?
Aisley shrugged. 'I just want to get changed, that's all. It's not a crime, is it?'
'No,' Shay said casually, heading for the lounge where Grant was watching television. 'After all, you want to look your best for Ch … I mean, for all your friends.'
Aisley blushed, hurrying away up the hall before Shay could say anything else.
'I was
a teenager too, once upon a time.' Her mum's words floated down the hall after her. 'I get it!'
Half frustrated, half amused, Aisley dashed up the stairs two at a time. It's not like I've got his freaking name tattooed across my face! she thought. She was in such a dither she almost tripped over her brother as she hurried across the mezzanine bridge to her room.
Wade had parked himself cross-legged right in the middle of the walkway.
'Wade!' Aisley complained as she bumped into him. 'What the hell?'
Wade glanced up, eyes bright with excitement. 'I think I've found something, Aisley. Look at this.' He was picking and prying at part of the sculpture on one of the upright posts.
'You're going to damage it,' Aisley warned.
'That's just it though. I don't think I will. I think it might be a secret compartment.'
Impatiently, Aisley watched him scraping away with his fingernails. 'All I can see is mum telling you off when she finds out what you've done,' she said.
Wade dug into his back pocket and produced a screwdriver, which he used to dig into the wood.
Aisley went to snatch it away. 'Seriously, Wade!' she barked. 'You are going to do some permanent damage. Stop it!'
Infuriatingly, Wade held the screwdriver out of reach.
Aisley pulled rank as big sister and held out her hand. 'Give it here.'
'No.'
'Wade!'
'No!' he persisted. 'I am telling you Aisley, I'm on to something here. When you push the panel just here in a certain way, it feels like it's loose.'
'You're making it loose, you macadamia!' Aisley heard the french doors open and close followed by the sound of Archie's voice. He was speaking with Shay in the kitchen. People were arriving and she hadn't even got changed yet. She tried one more time. 'You're going to wreck the most beautiful feature in this house. Mum and dad are going to kill you.'
Wade looked cross. 'I'm on the brink of an amazing discovery,' he snapped. 'But when I find it, I won't share it with you because you're being really annoying!'
'Fine! Whatever!' Aisley flounced off to her room, done with Wade and his vandalism. He'd just have to answer to the wrath of his parents and she'd get to enjoy the show. He couldn't say she didn't warn him.
She slammed her door and quickly changed into jeans and her favourite top. Looking in the mirror, she brushed out her long hair and tried to decide what to do with it. Up, or down? To the side maybe? In the end, she left her hair loose and it tumbled halfway down her back, a cascade of beautiful chestnut waves and ringlets. A little mascara and eyeliner and she called it good. Aisley wasn't a vain girl. She had to believe Chandra liked her for who she was otherwise what was the point?
For a moment the memory of Bliss and Chandra in the science hallway intruded, but she pushed it away. She still hadn't questioned him about that, not wanting to seem like a nosy and needy kind of girlfriend. There had to be some logical explanation. Yesterday, Bliss had passed her in the school ground and hissed at her.
'I was there first, so back off!'
Now what did she mean by that? Aisley stared at her reflection in the mirror. She had seen no evidence of Chandra being in any kind of relationship with any girl other than her. But then, he didn't spend every minute in her company. They did have their own lives. Aisley was the first to remind everyone that she wasn't his mum and that he was free to do his own thing. Maybe his own thing was having multiple relationships … Aisley stared thoughtfully at herself in the mirror and chewed her lip. After all, they hadn't been together for very long. Perhaps she didn't know Chandra as well as she thought. She'd just assumed … It was just that they seemed so … special … her and him.
Suddenly, Aisley got annoyed and frowned at her reflection in the mirror. Enough! This was supposed to be a fun night and she wasn't going to let something stupid that Bliss Anderson said ruin it. She gave her hair one final fluff and headed downstairs, ignoring Wade completely as she passed by.
Downstairs in the kitchen she discovered that her mother had returned to the lounge and was curled up on the couch next to Grant. Aisley went looking and found Archie loitering suspiciously in the wine cellar. He had his back to her as Aisley stood at the top of the steps watching him.
'What are you doing, Arch?' she asked suddenly.
Archie jumped in fright and almost knocked a couple of fifty-year-old wine bottles to the stone floor, where they most certainly would've been smashed to pieces. 'Jee-zuz Aisley!' he screamed.
Aisley squealed with laughter, covering her mouth with her hands. She jumped up and down on the spot, cackling wildly.
Archie emerged from the wine cellar looking grumpy. 'You could've given me a freaking heart attack,' he snarled.
Aisley wiped her eyes and sighed. 'I'm sorry,' she said. 'But that was so funny.' Another giggle escaped her, and then another.
'Yes, really sorry you are,' Archie grumbled. 'Like hell, I think!'
'No, I am. I am.' She hugged his arm consolingly.
He glared down at her.
'Please forgive me,' she begged, trying not to laugh again. She wiped her eyes. 'What were you looking for in there anyway?'
Instantly mollified, Archie grabbed a handful of chips from the nearest bowl. 'Lily Sheldon's ghost,' he stage-whispered.
'And did you see her?'
'No,' admitted Archie. 'But your dad didn't do a great job on that floor in there. It's all wobbly.'
'Lay off my dad,' said Aisley defensively. 'He said he got it as level as he could. The floor underneath is solid rock, you know.'
'So?' Archie leaned against the bench and munched more chips. 'Miners drill through solid rock. Just ask Michael Sheldon's ghost … if you should ever meet him.'
'My dad is not a miner and this is not a mine,' said Aisley, pinching a chip from his hand. 'He's a handyman and I think he did a damn fine job on his wine cellar.'
Archie held up his hands in defeat. 'Alright, alright,' he said. 'I don't want to be the fellow to cast doubts on your dad's abilities. Not while he's paying for my pizza anyway.' He scanned the kitchen. 'Speaking of which, where is my pizza? A man's got to eat you know?'
'Patience. Mum's ordered them,' said Aisley, getting soft drinks from the fridge. 'I'm sure you won't starve. In the meantime, have another chip.'
Archie crammed as many potato chips as he could into his mouth at once, his cheeks bulging grotesquely.
'Gosh, you look so handsome, Arch,' Aisley said sarcastically.
Cate stepped in through the French doors. 'Now there's a chick magnet if ever I saw one,' she agreed.
Archie struck a pose. Cate smiled her prettiest smile at Archie. 'You are looking hot, Arch,' she crooned. 'Oh, if only Aasha could see you now.'
Archie turned to Aisley with a told you so look on his face.
'I found him looking for Lily's ghost in the wine cellar,' Aisley told Cate.
Cate looked a bit pale. 'Did you see it?' she asked Archie.
'Nope' spluttered Archie, mouth still full. 'Wobbly floor!' He sprayed bits of chip at her when he said floor.
'Ugh!' Cate grimaced. 'Losing your sex appeal. Fast!'
Archie spread his hands. 'Why?'
Cate rolled her eyes. 'If you don't know by pure good manners, then I can't explain it to you,' she said dryly.
Chandra arrived, tapping on the glass as he stepped inside. Aisley took a deep breath to still her nerves and welcomed him with a pretty smile.
'Don't ask,' Archie told Chandra. 'Pizza's aren't here yet. The service is appalling.'
Chandra ignored him as he crossed the kitchen to where Aisley was standing. He slipped his arms around her waist and greeted her with a kiss.
Archie pulled a face at Cate. 'The man needs to get his priorities right,' he said. 'Pizza first, snog second.'
Cate slung her arm around his neck. 'You're such a romantic, Archie,' she said sarcastically. 'Don't ever change.'
Archie grinned happily.
An hour later, fired up by a couple of fa
mily-sized pizzas and plenty of coke, Aisley and her friends were running at full power, research-wise, in the library. Earlier, Grant had set up a floodlight for them that he sometimes used when doing outdoor work at night. Consequently, the room was lit up like a crime scene and there was not a single gloomy corner to be found. They bustled about, lifting down higher boxes and lining them all up in rows so they could make their way through them from start to finish. If they came across a box they'd already searched the week before, they stacked it at the side of the room. Cate was being quite anal about the order in which things were stacked.
'No! Naughty!' she scolded Lucan as he tried to dump a pile of newspapers on top of an old suitcase full of candelabras.
'Wha …' Lucan said, mouth hanging open and eyes wide.
'This is the household pile Lucan.' She spoke to him like he was a three-year-old. 'You want the paper pile. It's over there.' She pointed, Lucan obeyed.
'Oi! Hitler!' Chandra called to her across the room. He was holding a pile of old clothes. 'Where's the "shit to be burned" pile, 'cause I've got some?'
Cate tut-tutted him. 'A museum might like those clothes, Chandra,' she barked. 'Golly gosh!' She marched over to him. 'Fold them … no, not like that!' She stood over him, watching his every move. 'No! Fold them carefully! Here, let me do it! Lordy, lordy!' She snatched them from him and sat on the floor to fold up all the moth-eaten coats and trousers properly.
Chandra pulled a face at her and started rummaging in another box.
Freya was quietly going through invoices, bills, and any other paperwork she could find, cataloguing them all into different piles. She'd labelled the piles "definitely interesting", "maybe interesting", and "not interesting". The "not" pile was the largest by far. The "maybe" pile was respectable. The "definite" pile was pathetic. She only had two or three sheets of paper in it and one of them was the sculptor's invoice for the plaque they hadn't yet found. 'You'd think,' she cried, 'That in a room full of boxes, we'd find more than this!' She held up her "definite" pile and shook it vigorously.
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