by M J Sherlock
I caricatured the older women on a table across from me. They appeared very la-di-da as they posed and spoke in clipped tones. My lips curved as I elongated their mouths to make them more like horses. Each horse bared colossal teeth and tongues as they neighed across at their neighbours.
An image of Niall rose in my thoughts. I sketched him in the chair opposite. Unlike the others, I drew a more lifelike version, complete with spiky hair that fell in every direction. I added miniature stars to rim his pupils. Niall gave me an electric shock if I ever touched him. I imagined if we ever kissed, the chemistry would sizzle.
Despite the good start of him passing me his phone number, nothing else followed. Disappointing. My parents wound me up about the number of boys in my friendship group. I kept telling them it meant nothing. Dad snickered. Mum tried to be sympathetic while suggesting I asked Niall out myself.
The door opened with a tinkling bell. I ignored it even when footsteps squeaked closer to me.
‘Penny for them.’ Niall stopped at my table. He was dressed in blue denim jeans and a striped black and mustard rugby top.
My face burned. I flipped my sketchbook shut. 'Sorry, I was miles away. How come you’re here?' I wished I’d worn something fancier than black leggings, a soft forest green tunic and a matching zip up hoodie.
'I enjoy Crossed Forks. All the best people eat here.'
Any girl would covet the long dark lashes that fringed his blue eyes. I focussed on appearing nonchalant and sophisticated. 'You’re not so bad yourself.’
Niall tossed me a penny and I caught it. 'A binding contract is now in place.’
‘What are you hoping your penny will buy you?’
‘Talk to me.’ He settled across from me with a hot chocolate, frothed with whipped cream and topped with a sea of mini marshmallows.
‘About what?’ I picked up my pencil and doodled on the cover of my sketchpad.
‘Anything, start with your summer in Paris.'
What could I say? 'I guilted my parents into letting me stay with my aunt in Paris. A family friend travelled with me. He spent time with us and then his Dad.' Taine had seen Imal for only a few hours, but it sounded good.
'Have I met him?' Niall spooned marshmallows into his mouth.
I used a spoon to swirl all the cappuccino froth together and licked it. 'He doesn’t go to our school. A mutual friend took me to his flat and we got chatting.' Taine would crack his sides laughing given I met him the day Vashtin died. I’d blubbed all over him.
'Your parents didn’t mind you going with a boy?' Niall waggled his eyebrows.
I tried hard not to flush. 'Didn’t tell them in advance. Introduced him to my Aunt Stella when we got there. Have you been to Paris?'
'Yes, four days this summer. Afterwards, we travelled to Normandy. Visited exciting things like the Bayeux Tapestry.’ He rolled his eyes.
We laughed.
'When were you there and who did you go with?' I forked cake into my mouth. It melted on my tongue.
'My parents. We toured the Gardens of Versailles, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame.'
‘Same. Favourite thing?’
'Double-storey trams. Which was yours?' Niall drank some hot chocolate.
'I adored it all and with my aunt living over there, we explored places on and off the tourist trail. I’ve never walked as much in all my life.' My lips curved as I thought of our trip. Touring the sights, the midnight marches, everything. Rose spectacles maybe.
'Yeah, I remember lots of walking too. Such a buzz in Paris isn’t there. So much life, so much action.’
My gaze dropped to his lips. If I traced them with my fingers, what would it feel like?
Niall looked expectant.
‘Sorry, I missed that.’
‘Other favourite things or places?’
'The Eiffel Tower all lit up was stunning. And the fruit custard tarts were divine, especially the strawberry ones.' I licked my lips and caught Niall staring, seeming mesmerised by my mouth. I hugged myself on the inside.
'Would you go out with me?' blurted Niall in a rush.
I didn’t want to put him in danger, but I wanted him. What should I do? 'I wouldn’t want to wreck our friendship group if we got together and then broke up.' I yearned to kiss him.
Niall’s shoulders slumped. 'So that’s a no then?'
Don’t give up! 'How about we spend the day together, but as friends? We can buy a picnic, visit one of my favourite places and see how we go on.'
He perked back up. 'Sure. No holding hands. Got it.' Niall stood ready to leave.
Thank God, he took it so well. 'You’ll have your hands full of picnic stuff mate.’
An ambulance wailed past.
'What have you got planned for half term?' Niall asked as we strolled to a nearby shop to buy our picnic.
'Maisie and Katherine are away. My parents are busy working.'
'Let’s explore London and picture how it used to be hundreds of years ago.'
A cyclist whizzed by, ringing his bell as he weaved in and out of cars. At the speed the drivers were moving, they might as well have parked up and walked.
'Sounds fun. Do you enjoy history then?' Visiting the Bayeux Tapestry with its echoing rooms and historic tapestry had bored me rigid. I visited aged nine.
'Sure, if you come with me. I enjoy picturing battles and imagine writing stories and illustrating them with knights and dragons, elves and wizards.'
I was done for. He was gorgeous. In Art class, Niall favoured drawing fantasy creatures. Grotesque gargoyles looming over doorways. Twisted symbols of serpents painted on to shields of hammered steel. Rumpelstiltskin type figures cackling around blazing fires. I could see him roaming the streets playing scenes in his head.
'And what about the women? Don’t you dare say all the females are helpless princesses, buxom serving wenches or ugly old crones.' I poked him in his side and then slid closer to him, unable to resist touching him. Scents of pine and wood teased my nose.
'I wouldn’t dare. They are modern, kick-ass princesses able to fight their own battles. Drop-dead gorgeous French maids as serving wenches. Beautiful siren-like witches who make men drown in their eyes.’
I tucked my arm through his. 'Sounds as if you’ve kissed the Blarney stone...'
'Indeed, I have my lady.' His eyes twinkled.
I leaned my head against his shoulder. Perfect height. 'Figures. Is it true you bend over backwards over hundreds of feet while someone holds onto you?'
'Yes, have you not been then?' He opened the shop door for me.
'No, I’d love to though. Ireland sounds as romantic as Paris.' My fingers trailed down his arm as I let him go.
'Oh, it is to be sure,' said Niall, mimicking a broad Irish accent.
We bought our picnic supplies and hopped on the tube. A toddler, in a ‘Woody’ outfit, charged around the carriage. He held a blue toy gun and yelled, ‘Bang, bang, you’re dead.’ An old man shuddered and switched off his hearing aid. I chuckled and sat as far away from the toddler as possible.
Niall plonked himself next to me, his long legs stretched out in front of him. Another man spreader. ‘Where are we off to then?'
'Looking Glass Pond.' I sent a quick text to my parents. They got antsy otherwise.
His fingers rested next to mine, touching. 'What’s there? I’ve never heard of it...'
'A medieval forest. You can picture yourself as my knight in shining armour. I'm the kick-ass princess who might deign to grant you a favour.' My little finger curled around his.
He pulled my whole hand into his and I snuggled against him. Home.
During the hour-long journey, we hopped on and off tubes and trains. We chatted about mutual friends and places we had visited when we lived in Cheshire. Alton Towers, Dunham Massey and Newborough Forest beach in Anglesey.
'How did you build these muscles?' I squeezed his biceps through his jacket, as tingles of excitement curled in my stomach. My hand li
ngered on his arm, not wanting to pull away.
'Martial arts, you name it, I’ve probably done it. I am a brown belt in one. Before exams I often do Tai Chi, it helps me unwind.' Niall rested his arm around my shoulders. ‘You move well. Strong, fluid, graceful even. What’s your secret?'
I leaned into him. 'Ballet, Yoga, Pilates and martial arts. Done Jiu-jitsu in the past although not done much since moving to London. Some fitness training but not as much as I would like. Mum goes with me to the odd class, but rarely gets back in time.'
'Sounds like your parents are out as much as my Dad. Does it bother you?' His warm hand settled on my shoulder.
'Mum’s out all the time now. She didn’t work past school hours before. Dad brings work home with him. I keep busy. I’m fine with it.' Was I trying to fool him or me? 'I tell a lie, it does rankle. It’s as if they decided I’m a mini-adult now and no longer need them. Either that or they’re suffocating. Their mood swings give me whiplash.’
'Same. Dad is busier than ever. Mum’s sick all the time. Always wanting something. I’d be lost without our friendship group.’ A shadow crossed his face.
I hadn’t known his Mum was ill. How had it never come up before? ‘What’s up with her?’
‘Exhaustion and auto immune diseases. The doctors are clueless. Dad’s out so much, I end up running around after her.’ Niall pulled his arm back and fiddled with his phone. ‘I dreaded moving. Worried I’d be trapped at home. Before, the highlight of the week was catching a bus to Warrington.'
'Nantwich sounds similar. My highlight was going to Crewe or Stoke-on-Trent.’
'I can’t get over you living so close to Chav-Central...'
'Excuse me. We are not all Chavs...' I poked him in the side and attempted to tickle him when, luckily for him, they announced our stop.
Everything was normal. Clear skies. Cool sun. Birds twittering. The rippling stream where we demolished our picnic. Everything was normal right up until we went to Looking Glass Pond. I was in a romantic funk when I felt an urgent need to get home. Like I should be anywhere but there. I shivered as a wind gusted out of nowhere. The sun disappeared and the sky darkened despite the lack of clouds.
'You okay?' Niall came to a standstill. ‘You’ve gone green, as if someone danced a jig on your grave.’
Electricity hummed in the air with a crack and sizzle. An acrid stench stung my nostrils. The blue outline of a portal shimmered into place. What the-? The hairs on the back of my neck rose. The portal could take us anywhere.
‘Let’s get out of here.’ I set off at a run back towards the station.
Niall wheeled around and caught up with me. 'Did you see that blue light?'
I nearly missed a step but didn’t comment. Why could he it when my parents, Katherine and Maisie were oblivious to all things Cloaken? What did it mean? Imal wasn’t a Guardian but he could retain stuff about the Cloaken. It could mean nothing. Why the urgent need to flee? I rolled my shoulders to release the pain in my neck. Nothing made sense. Niall lent me his jacket as I couldn’t get warm as I sat on the tube lost in thought. Why had I seen my first English portal while out with Niall? What could I say? How could I explain? I pulled a tissue out my pocket and shredded it.
Niall saw me to the door and my heart clenched. He didn’t kiss me. My bottom lip jutted out as he turned and left with a simple, ‘Good Night.’ How disappointing. I went inside as his footfalls echoed down the street.
My parents were home early for once. Mum was biting her lip as if deciding whether to give me The Talk. I fervently hoped she refrained.
'What’s for tea?' I asked.
'Not so fast, young lady,' said Dad. 'Tell us about your date.'
'Yeah, sooooo going to happen. Tell me about all the girls you dated before Mum.'
Dad gave me a mock stare, laughed and ruffled my hair. 'Don’t get in too deep. First love is intense but soon fizzles. I don’t want you heartbroken.'
'And tea is?’
‘Sausages and you can help make the mash.' Mum beckoned me to follow her into the kitchen.
'Don’t lecture. I had a lovely day. I promise to take it slow. Don’t spoil it.'
'Oh honey, we don’t want to spoil anything. But he’s your first proper boyfriend and you’re at a vulnerable age.'
'Relax. Trust me. It’s all too new. I’m not ready to talk.'
'Fair enough. Get peeling the potatoes then.'
Over food, Dad shared stories from his misspent youth and his first dates with Mum. TMI!
We played Xbox Kinect games as a family. Ducking, weaving and leaning to help our characters progress through the game. Afterwards, I caught up on my favourite show before going up to bed, oblivious to how much my world was about to change. Later I was so glad I’d had a gorgeous day first. Everyone deserves at least one perfect day.
Chapter 17: Worlds Collide
'What’s gone on today? I felt tsunami waves of joy, excitement and then fear rolling off from you.' Taine sounded anxious as he contacted me via the Étoile.
I was horrified. 'Seriously, you can tune into my emotions?'
'Never as forceful as today. What happened?'
I gave a half-laugh of embarrassment. 'Me and Niall almost got together,' I mumbled. He didn't catch it and I ended up repeating myself more loudly.
'What - Oh - Oh - Okay, so you’re fine then?' His voice went up an octave before settling down.
'Yeah, I took him to a forest but had a weird feeling at Looking Glass Pond.' I shivered.
'What happened?’
‘A portal formed out of nowhere. I only realised when the weather changed.’
‘Be more careful. Don’t tell him anything.' Taine’s voice was tight and clipped.
'I know. I know. I have a brain.’ My voice rose. How dare he tell me what to do? I massaged the back of my neck. Pain spiked as a headache formed. ‘How was I to know a portal would open?’
'Don’t drop your guard. You’ll put us all in danger.’
I managed to brush my teeth before the Étoile flashed again. Stella. Zero privacy. I told my story again but this time waxed lyrical on how gorgeous and muscled Niall was.
'When I first met Taine, I wondered if he was your boyfriend but you’re more like siblings. When did you go to Looking Glass Pond?'
'About three - why?'
'It’s as if you screamed.' She sounded as freaked out as I was that they could tap into my emotions.
Heat crawled from my chest to my face. 'I’m more upset you both felt it.’
'The last time I felt anything that fierce was the day Taine’s parents died.’ Her voice hitched. ‘I almost had a heart attack!'
'But why did my feelings transfer? The location or me and Niall?' I needed to work out how to stop it.
'Perhaps both,' said Stella. ‘What do you know of him?'
'Niall moved here after us. His Dad changed jobs. He’s a martial arts nut and we’re together for most of our lessons.'
'Be careful. Just because others can’t remember, doesn’t mean he won’t. Looking Glass Pond is special. Don’t take any more friends there.'
'Subject closed. Nothing is going to happen.’ I unzipped my hoodie as I flushed with heat. They were both poking their noses in on what should have been a private moment. I was mortified.
'Get in touch if anything worries you.'
'Love you.'
Less than five minutes later my Étoile flashed again. I considered ignoring Annie before finally answering.
'Go to the northern gate of Hyde Park at midday in two days’ time. Meet Vashtin’s successor, Wyatt…’ She gave me a full description. ‘Wyatt may appear as a black and white cat.’ Shapeshifter or illusion? ‘The Venator are drawing closer. Be on your guard.’ She cut off without letting me speak. Sooooo irritating.
Whose side was she on? What had I ever done to the Venator? All I wanted was time to explore my new relationship. Everything conspired against me. My thoughts spilled over into my electronic journal. The violence of m
y internal scream shrieked across the page. I was seething, wanted to hit something or beat someone up. I felt like a simmering volcano ready to spew. After thumping my pillows in frustration, I gave up on trying to rest. I went down to the garage instead and taped my hands. A black punch bag hung from a metal frame. I pummelled and kicked it until my feet and hands grew sore and my body groaned in protest. The punch bag ratcheted back and forth, squeaking and thudding with each blow.
Dad appeared in the doorway, bewildered. 'For the love of God, stop. What’s with the racket? It’s two in the morning. We’ve got to be up in four hours for work.'
I rarely saw him ruffled. 'Sorry Dad, I didn’t mean to wake you. My head felt like it would burst. I took it out on this.’ Unwrapping my hands, I folded the strips leaving them on the side.
Dad’s face creased with concern. 'Niall’s not pressuring you is he?'
'Love it when you go all protective. Sorry for waking you.’ I moved towards him.
'You know you can tell us anything right?' Dad messed my hair as I passed.
'Good to know. Night.' I smoothed my hair back into place as I climbed upstairs.
'Sweet dreams.' Dad trotted off back to bed.
Locking the bathroom door, I stripped off and got in the shower. The force of the hot water massaged my shoulders and my tension evaporated. I felt blessed, a Daddy’s girl again. Adored, wanted, cherished. What more could I want? Life was complicated but beautiful. I smiled, as I thought of my 'almost' date. I dried myself, changed and got into bed. Pulling the quilt over me and tucking a hand under my face, I fell asleep.
Next morning, my phone buzzed as a text arrived. I groaned but picked it up anyway. It was worth it. Niall invited me to go on the London Eye followed by a cruise along the River Thames. We agreed to meet at the station an hour later but first I needed to select my outfit.
My ‘floordrobe’ rose as I discarded outfit after outfit. I wore blue jeans and a figure-hugging, tie-dyed t-shirt that fell to my thighs. Then I focused on my makeup and drew attention to my eyes with gold eyeshadow, thin black eyeliner and mascara. I contoured my face and added highlighter. With a slash of rose lipstick, my makeup was complete.