The Ugly Stepsister

by Avril Sabine

  TW has been added to the conversation.

  TW says: Ma?

  Ellie says: :D

  Ellie says: Is that going to bother you for life?

  TW says: Makes me wonder if you do go to school. Do you?

  Ellie says: Yep.

  TW says: Not homeschooled?

  Ellie says: Nope.

  TW says: Which school?

  Ellie says: Sam- is he always so stubborn?

  Society of Australian Magicians says: Yeah.

  Ellie says: It’s almost like a disorder.

  TW says: Funny.

  Society of Australian Magicians says: They said he was untreatable :D

  Ellie says: That wouldn’t surprise me.

  TW says: You’re a pair of comedians.

  Ellie says: Yep.

  TW says: I still want to know why you stayed this weekend.

  Society of Australian Magicians says: I already asked her.

  Ellie says: Maybe it’s a disorder that runs in the family. Do your parents have trouble dropping a subject?

  TW says: I will figure it out eventually.

  Society of Australian Magicians says: He always does.

  Ellie says: What did you have for dinner tonight?

  TW says: What?

  Ellie says: The last meal of the day… dinner. You have heard of it, haven’t you?

  TW says: You’re hilarious.

  Ellie says: :D

  Ellie says: Well, what was it?

  Society of Australian Magicians says: Marinated chicken legs on a bed of rice with stir-fry veges.

  Ellie says: Who cooked it?

  Society of Australian Magicians says: Dad.

  Ellie says: What’s he cook like?

  Society of Australian Magicians says: Better than me.

  Ellie says: Wish I could have stayed for dinner. :(

  TW says: You almost moved in.

  Ellie says: Nah, I didn’t bring a suitcase

  TW says: So we lock the door if you turn up with a suitcase?

  Society of Australian Magicians says: You’re welcome to come have dinner Wednesday night if you want.

  TW says: Only if you don’t wear that makeup and dress like a bag lady.

  Society of Australian Magicians says: I’m cooking Wednesday – Dad works late that night.

  Ellie says: Sounds interesting, but I don’t know if I can make it.

  TW says: Did you suddenly become busy before or after I said no makeup?

  Society of Australian Magicians says: I don’t mind.

  TW says: Mum will.

  Society of Australian Magicians says: We can have it in our lounge room. Then she wouldn’t know.

  TW says: Dining room or our lounge room- no makeup.

  Ellie says: Sure thing, Ma.

  Society of Australian Magicians says: Is that a yes? You coming to dinner?

  Ellie says: I don’t know. I’ll have to get back to you.

  Society of Australian Magicians says: kk

  Society of Australian Magicians says: g2g. Bedtime. 9pm.

  Ellie says: K. Night.

  Society of Australian Magicians has left the conversation.

  Ellie says: What about you? Need to go to bed?

  TW says: Nah. I go when I’m tired.

  Ellie says: That seems odd. Why has Sam got a bedtime then?

  TW says: He won’t when he turns seventeen.

  Ellie says: K.

  TW says: You?

  Ellie says: Me what?

  TW says: Have a bedtime.

  Ellie says: Nah. When I’m tired.

  Ellie says: Been like that since I was thirteen.

  TW says: Unusual.

  Ellie says: *shrugs* If you think so.

  TW says: Why since you were thirteen?

  Ellie says: My father moved out. Mum’s more laidback.

  TW says: Laidback or couldn’t care less?

  Ellie says: Laidback.

  TW says: Hmm.

  Ellie says: What’s that mean?

  TW says: That I’m slowly putting the pieces of the puzzle together.

  Ellie says: You haven’t got any pieces to put together.

  TW says: More than you think.

  Ellie says: Like what.

  TW says: :D

  Ellie says: Oh don’t be a bastard.

  TW says: I might head to bed. I have swimming practice in the morning.

  Ellie says: Is that every morning?

  TW says: Weekdays only.

  Ellie says: How early do you have to get up?

  TW says: Five.

  Ellie says: Rather you than me.

  TW says: I don’t mind. And I love swimming.

  Ellie says: Why?

  TW says: Always have.

  Ellie says: That’s not an answer.

  TW says: Why is pancakes, vanilla ice cream and maple syrup your favourite food?

  Ellie says: You’ve made your point.

  TW says: Where do you live?

  Ellie says: Thought you were going to bed.

  TW says: Night. :D

  Ellie says: Night.

  Chapter Eight

  Still smiling, Ellie closed down her laptop, leaving her towel draped over the back of her chair as she rose to her feet. Hearing the television on, she wandered out to the lounge room. Sharon was sprawled on the sofa, a coffee cup in one hand and a sandwich in the other.

  “Night, Mum.”

  Sharon looked up. “Did you have a good weekend?”

  “Yeah, it was all right. You?”

  “Reasonable. Did your father ring you back?”

  Ellie shook her head. “Nah. Guess it wasn’t important.”

  “Probably that stupid bitch he married wanting to make sure you bring the right sort of clothes. I don’t know what she’s on. You’re old enough to pick out your own clothes. I wonder if she’s going to keep dressing her clones like her when they’re teenagers.”

  Ellie laughed. Her stepsisters did look like clones of their mother, right down to the clothes she dressed them in. At the ages of eight and six it was starting to lose its cute factor. Not that it had ever had much of one. “Can you imagine them in ten years? All dressed the same. Wonder if that means Pamela will dress too young for her age or they’ll have to dress too old for their ages.”

  Sharon snorted. “As if Stupid Bitch would wear something that was inappropriate. They’ll have to dress too old for their age.”

  They fell silent for a moment, grinning at each other. Ellie broke the silence. “I need to get some groceries tomorrow afternoon. We’re cleaned out.”

  “I’ll leave my keycard on the bench when I head to work.”

  The familiarly of the conversation made her feel a little more in control of her life. Now if she could just get her weekends sorted out again. “Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

  Sharon nodded and turned back to the television.

  * * *

  Ellie grabbed at her textbooks as they started to slip from her arms. She couldn’t believe she’d slept through her alarm clock and ended up arriving late to school. Looking down to position the books better, she hurried around the corner of the corridor. The books skidded across the floor when she collided with someone. Looking up when they grabbed her upper arms to steady her, she met Tom’s eyes.

  Tom grinned. “Did you ditch Frankie?”

  Ellie suppressed a groan. It looked like she’d have been better off continuing to sleep rather than rush to get to class on time. “Frankie?” She shook her head thoughtfully. “No. I don’t know a Frankie.”

  “Give it up, Beth.” Tom stressed her name.

  Lauren came running around the corner, waving a textbook. “Ellie you forgot… oh.” She came to a sudden halt when she saw Tom.

  “Ellie?” Tom stepped back from her, his lips thinning.

  Ellie stared at him defiantly. “Elizabeth.”

  Lauren came forward, pushed the book at Ellie and fled back the way she’d come.

  “And that expl
ains the name you use online.” Tom bent to pick up the books.

  Ellie joined him. “You should be happy you figured out who I am. What was it?”

  “Your eyes.” He handed the books to her as they stood up.

  “I should have used coloured contacts.”

  “Demon eyes?”

  “I was thinking skull and crossbones would have looked good.”

  Tom reluctantly smiled. “Why did you stay the weekend?”

  Ellie rolled her eyes. “Get over it already. You’re annoying the hell out of me.”

  “I guess if I ask around I’ll figure it out eventually.”

  Ellie took a deep breath, trying not to let the panic show on her face. That was the last thing she wanted. “Fine. But not now. I don’t have time for this discussion. After school.”

  “What’s wrong with lunchtime?”

  “I have other plans.” Like getting Lauren to help her come up with an excuse.

  “You disappear and I will ask around.”

  “All right. You said that already.” Ellie stepped past him without another word. She was going to be extremely late for her first class. She sighed. Great start to the day. Not!

  By the time the bell rang for lunch, Ellie was desperate to talk to Lauren. She didn’t have a clue what she could tell Tom. Her home life might be a little different, but it was no one’s business except hers. It looked like she was going to have to go to her father’s place every weekend. She hated to even think about it and wasn’t sure which was worse. Spending the night at the train station or putting up with Pamela. Staying at Brodie’s house certainly wasn’t an option. Once had been one time too many and neither her nor Lauren had spoken to him since. Even when he’d tried to apologise.

  Ellie reached the tree her and Lauren always sat under and dropped to the ground. Her stomach grumbled and she ignored it. Until she went shopping that afternoon there was no food in the house. Her mum’s party friends always cleaned the fridge and cupboards out. She normally stashed some food in her room, but she’d been too worried about where she was going to stay to remember. Finding bread in the fridge last night had almost been a miracle.

  Lauren dropped down beside Ellie. “You have to tell me everything about your weekend.” She bit into her sandwich.

  “Seriously, it wasn’t that interesting.” She tried not to stare at Lauren’s food.

  Lauren shook her head. “You’re not getting out of it that easily. What did Sam say when he found out he went home with Cinderella and woke up with the ugly stepsister?”

  Ellie laughed. “I’m not sure he remembered. You had already got a few drinks into him before I continued. He didn’t remember me at all. But Tom kept hassling me about why I was there. Seriously, it wasn’t as easy as I’d thought it’d be.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Tom’s determined to find out why I stayed the weekend. Help me think up a good excuse.” Ellie tried to ignore the sandwich Lauren was eating. She knew Lauren would willingly hand it over, but it wouldn’t be fair to let her friend go hungry. There hadn’t even been anything in the house for breakfast.

  “How about it was an elaborate set up so you could attend the party without parental permission, but part of the planning fell through and you had nowhere to stay for the weekend because your best friend was grounded.”

  Ellie looked thoughtful. “Pretty good. Better not say best friend since you were at the party too.”

  Lauren grinned. “Good point.”

  “I don’t think I’ll be able to help you clean your room this arve. He’s expecting me to meet him after school and explain everything.”

  “Aww Ellie! Come on. I’m desperate.”

  “So am I.”

  Lauren sighed. “Okay. How about Tuesday? We’ll only have until five though.”

  “Yeah. Tuesday’s free.”

  “Great! Now tell me every detail. Even the boring stuff.”

  Ellie grinned and the rest of the lunch hour was spent discussing the weekend in depth. When the bell rang, Ellie reluctantly dragged herself to her next class. She knew the rest of the day would crawl by. She couldn’t believe she’d forgotten to stash some food. In each classroom she kept watch on the hands of the clock, her stomach feeling hollow. A few minutes before the last bell rang, she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket as a text came through. While the teacher was busy, she pulled it out and held it under the desk. She glanced down. It was from Tom. He’d sent directions of where to meet. Frowning, she returned the phone to her pocket, hoping he didn’t want to grill her too long. She was desperate to get something to eat.

  Tom was leaning against the bonnet of his car when she reached him. She frowned when she saw a couple of his friends standing nearby. He better not expect her to tell him in front of them. Although the story she’d come up with wasn’t too bad. Unless of course you knew how laidback Sharon was. Ellie began to worry. What if he’d asked around about her and learned her mum let her do pretty much anything. It was too late now. She didn’t have another story to tell him. As she reached the car, she saw Sam in the backseat.

  Tom pushed away from the car. “Well, hop in the front. I don’t have all day.” He turned to his friends. “See ya tomorrow.” He slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

  Ellie hurried around and hopped in. She barely had time to buckle up before he was reversing out of the car park. She turned towards the back of the car. “Hi, Sam.”

  Sam nodded solemnly.

  Ellie sat forward again. “Think you could drop me at the same shopping centre?”

  “What’s wrong with letting me drop you at home?”

  “I’ve got to get some groceries. The place is Mother Hubbard bare.” Her stomach grumbled as if to underline the statement.

  Tom looked sceptical. “There’s nothing at all in your fridge?”

  “Butter, half a jar of jam and a six-pack. I don’t think school would’ve been happy if I’d brought beer for lunch.” She turned when Sam tapped her on the shoulder. She looked at the clear plastic container he held out, her gaze drawn to the slice of cake inside. Maybe he used the right name on his messenger after all. He was a magician. “Thanks.” Taking the container, she opened it, biting into the cake. Apple and cinnamon exploded in her mouth. “Mmm, heavenly. Who made this?”

  “I did,” Sam said softly.

  “You’re a magician in the kitchen.” Ellie reluctantly popped the last piece of cake in her mouth, handing the container back to him.

  Sam shoved the container in his schoolbag. “Are you coming for dinner Wednesday night?”

  “Ahh…”

  “What’s the issue now?” Tom demanded. “We know who you are and before the day ends I’ll know where you live. Whether or not you give me your address.”

  “How?”

  Tom smiled cryptically. “You have secrets…”

  “You look beautiful without that other makeup,” Sam said.

  Ellie looked back to see him watching her again. “Ahh… thanks.”

  “So why did you crash at our place on the weekend?”

  Ellie faced forward so she could answer Tom’s question. She took a deep breath and told the story her and Lauren had cooked up. She waited for Tom’s comment. Instead he said nothing. He turned into the car park of the shopping centre and found an empty spot. When he opened his door, Ellie blurted out, “What are you doing?”

  Tom smiled. “Going shopping with you, then dropping you home.”

  Ellie opened her mouth to argue. She met his determined stare. “Fine! You can push the trolley.” She left her schoolbag in the car and only took her handbag. It was about a quarter of the size of the one she’d used on the weekend. Heading for the supermarket, she stopped near the trolleys and looked pointedly at Tom.

  Chapter Nine

  Tom grinned as he pulled a trolley out of the bay and followed her into the supermarket. Sam trailed quietly behind his brother throughout most of the expedition. He didn’t remain quiet w
hen they reached the frozen department and Ellie placed a selection of pre-cooked meals in the trolley.

  “They aren’t very healthy.”

  “I don’t cook. Besides, I put fruit in there.” Ellie pointed to the five apples.

  When Sam opened his mouth to speak again, Tom interrupted him. “Forget it, Sam. It’s her health. Or lack of.”

  “Not everyone has someone to teach them to cook. And the Home Ec teacher strongly advised me not to take the subject again after I managed to cause seven fires in grade eight.” Ellie glared at Tom.

  Tom looked at her in disbelief before he burst out laughing. “Seven?”

  “Yes. I refuse to take credit for the eighth one. I wasn’t at fault that time.”

  “Seven?”

  Ellie’s hands went to her hips as she continued to glare at Tom. “What are you? Deaf?”

  “I’ll teach you,” Sam said.

  “Maybe you better teach her at her house. Mum and Dad wouldn’t be too happy if she burnt the house down,” Tom said.

  Ellie ignored Tom and turned to Sam. She shrugged. “I don’t know. It doesn’t seem much point. I’d only be cooking for myself.”

  “Don’t you live with your mum?” Sam asked.

  Ellie nodded. “Yeah, but she works long hours during the week. I barely get to see her let alone eat a meal with her.”

  “Oh.” Sam fell silent again.

  Ellie headed for the checkout and waited in line. She was glad it didn’t take long. The packet of chips she’d thrown into the trolley was starting to look really good. She opened them up as soon as she’d paid for the groceries with her mum’s keycard and they were headed back to the car.

  “Who’d you steal the card off? Or isn’t your name Elizabeth? Are you really Sharon Malloy?” Tom loaded the bags of groceries into the boot of his car.

  “It’s my mum’s. She doesn’t have time to go shopping. She works twelve hours a day Monday to Thursday and half a day on Friday. By the weekend she’s ready to relax, not go shopping.”

  Tom hopped in the car and started it as soon as everyone was in. “So where do you live?”

  Ellie hesitated before she told him. At least getting a lift home with the groceries would be a lot easier than buying them two shopping bags at a time and walking back and forth to the shop until it was done. Her mum might not notice the odd twenty or thirty dollars cash withdrawn when she payed for groceries but she complained if too much money was taken out. That meant a taxi was out of the question if she wanted to have any money to spend on herself.