by Aria Sparke
‘Promise me something, Lily.’
I raised my eyebrows.
‘I want you to join a sports class, so you can make more friends.’
Surprised, I didn’t see that one coming, but I could appreciate her point. When you lose friends or family, it’s safer to have a wider circle of friends otherwise you could end up alone like I was now.
When we were given our subject choices, I’d deliberately shied away from the optional sports classes and hadn’t bothered reading the list of sports available. ‘I don’t know, Dr. Acres. Organized team sports aren’t really my thing.’
‘Call me Leah, please.’
‘Okay. Lately, when I’ve felt the urge to exercise I just put on my running shoes and head out the door.’
‘Lately? What about before you came to Wicklow?’
I sighed. ‘Dad and I used to practice everything from pitching in the backyard to ....’ A lump rose in my throat. ‘Since I was little, we did every form of martial arts we could—karate, aikido and even kick boxing. I started judo when I was only five and was more interested in collecting judo belts than dolls. Dad was pretty protective, but I can understand why because I’m, or was, their only child.’
Leah smiled reassuringly.
‘I don’t know if I could do it without him though.’
‘What’s the worst thing that could happen?’
I smiled wryly. ‘Digging up painful memories, I suppose.’
‘You could try.’
Nodding in agreement, I felt as though I was surrendering to something scary. ‘It’s just that it was our thing. I don’t know how it will feel alone.’
‘You’ll make new friends. It doesn’t have to be martial arts. You could choose something entirely different like football or basketball, so long as it’s physical and social.’
‘I get it.’ Although I didn’t want to, I agreed to her request. I decided I could always drop out if it became unbearable.
‘Good for you, Lily. I’m absolutely certain it will help.’
‘Thanks.’ After the session I felt strangely relieved of a weight that had been hanging over me since that day in the library. As she walked me to the door, I noticed a number of IV poles and pointed at them. ‘What are they for?’
‘We have a few students with medical conditions requiring transfusions.’
‘Hemophiliacs?’
‘Mmm, something like that.’ Leah held the door open. ‘If you’d like another chat, pencil in another session with Mrs. Hasham. It was lovely to meet you, Lily.’
I left the clinic with lightness in my step, ready to take on the Coopers and Anya combined.
* * *
CHAPTER 11
Flynn: The Art of Romance
Martin and I waited in the gym for the others in the advanced self-defense class to turn up. We had jogged a few laps over the oval as the twilight faded before returning to the gym to stretch.
‘Why the tragic face?’ Martin asked.
‘Lily—I haven’t seen her since yesterday evening.’
‘Mmm, how many hours is that?’
‘We didn’t part on good terms.’
Martin raised his eyebrows.
‘She told me to get out—actually she yelled it.’
Martin chuckled.
‘I’m serious.’
‘I saw Lily today when she was heading into the clinic just as I was leaving and she seemed okay.’
‘When?’
‘The period before lunch.’
‘She said she had an appointment because she was still getting over the flu.’
‘You asked her why she was visiting Leah? Wasn’t that a bit personal?’
Martin shook his head. ‘Do you think I’m that stupid?’
‘Well.’ I grinned at him.
‘She told me after I probed her about missing psych yesterday.’
‘How did you explain being at the clinic?’
‘Flu jabs. I thought she’d believe it since she’s just getting over the flu herself.’
Retying my shoelaces, I watched and greeted some of the others entering the gym.
‘So, are you going to give me the gruesome details? Come on, I’m all ears,’ Martin said looking at me curiously.
‘I visited her room yesterday evening and tried everything.’
‘You?’ He sounded incredulous. ‘Tried everything?’
‘Not exactly. I would’ve though given a chance.’
He whistled. ‘Well, well, well ... finally.’
I described my embarrassing encounter.
‘Yes, you’ve obviously done something wrong for her to act like that. Have you asked Anya? Lily may have confided in her.’
‘Good point, but wouldn’t that be unscrupulous?’
Martin rolled his eyes. ‘You’re too ethical for your own good. You need to move with the times.’
‘I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to ask her.’
‘You’re rusty with women—that’s your main problem. You can’t leave all that behind for years and expect to be an expert like ...’
‘You?’
‘My encounters may be superficial, but they’re numerous and that’s what makes me a master of romance. If you need pointers, I’m here for you.’ He grinned.
‘Romance?’ I burst into laughter. ‘I’ll concede you’re the master of the chase but that’s all.’
‘At least I try.’ Martin patted me on the back. ‘Give her time and space.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘Have you talked to her about Emma?’
‘I can’t.’ Shame bubbled up once again like a rotten tide. I ignored it hoping it would go away.
‘And your commitment issues?’
‘That’s a joke coming from you.’
‘The difference is I never tried—or wanted it.’
I knew he was right.
* * *
CHAPTER 12
Elise’s Diary
After the appointment with Leah, I was folding my fresh laundry when my foot caught something under the bed. It was the cardboard box holding all my mother’s papers. I dragged the box out, brushed away the cobwebs and upturned it on the bed. As I rummaged through my mother’s belongings, a surge of tears welled up, but I held them in and kept going.
Among the papers and notebooks was a child’s diary with a small gold lock holding it closed. After searching for the key and not finding it, I struck the lock with my shoe, but it wouldn’t budge. I needed a hammer.
Before stepping into the corridor outside my room, I quickly checked to see if anyone was around. Reaching the stairwell, I grabbed a brick holding the door open and sneaked it back to my room. The brick smashed the small lock easily although I felt guilty destroying it.
Once the diary was open, I gasped at the sight of my mother’s elegant handwriting and the lavender scent wafting from the pages. It was an expected jolt of intimacy, the essence of her and it brought tears to my eyes as I read the first page:
Dear Lily,
If you’re reading this, I know you’ve experienced great loss and sadness. I’m so sorry. If there was anything I could’ve done to spare you, I would have.
I pushed my knuckles into my eyes to stop the tears but eventually managed to continue reading the blurred writing.
I’m writing this from Piermont House. A fellow patient smuggled this diary in for me. Where do I begin? I’m fearful for my life and know my time is limited to tell my ... no, our story.
Reading these lines, I couldn’t tell if she was unhinged by illness or whether these were simply notes for a new novel. I kept reading.
First, I must tell you something I’ve never spoken about before. My family came from Marblehead and moved south in 1692 before settling ...
After flipping my laptop open, I searched Marblehead 1692 and discovered that in nearby Salem at this time, twenty people were executed after the witch trials. Puzzled, I wondered why she had never mentioned her history before and why her family had left the region. Surely these were just creative
notes.
I turned the page because she had stopped writing as though interrupted. On the next page, the handwriting seemed wobbly as though she was under pressure or unwell.
There’s so much I need to tell you, Lily, but I’m not sure where to begin.
Do you remember many years ago when you were worried about your friend Sandra after a series of nightmares?
I inhaled sharply at the memory because it was still raw. Sandra was my best friend up until I was ten or so. Just thinking about the nightmares made me feel ill. Night after night I’d been woken by them until I decided to tell Sandra she had to see a doctor. I frightened her enough that she told her mother, who confronted me the next day and warned me off talking about it again. I distinctly remember standing frozen at the school gates in the drizzle after her angry barrage. Kids hurried past, but no one noticed my distress. I was only a child who cared deeply for her best friend, but Sandra’s mother frightened me, so I kept quiet until the nightmares became terrifying daydreams. One afternoon I spoke up again directly to her mother, who was at the school gates waiting for Sandra. I pleaded with her to take Sandra to the doctor, but it was already too late. Sandra missed school the next day and the day after when my mother told me she was in hospital with leukemia. I still remember the imploding grief long before my vision was realized. A month later Sandra died and her mother never spoke to me again. To this day I never shook the guilt, believing I hadn’t tried hard enough, yet I was only a child.
Returning to my mother’s diary, I continued reading.
Think hard and long about other times you’ve had strange dreams or inklings of events or people around you. I never spoke to you about them, but this gift of sight and prediction is your heritage. I know this because I share the same ability as did many of our family. When you turn 18, this gift will gather force. Be ready.
I’ll try to fill these pages while I’m able because I fear they’ve tracked me here and the monster will soon come after me.
A monster? My head swam as I remembered she had spoken of a monster at St Auburn’s Hospital. Surely these were only notes for a new novel. What else could they be? I’d never know if the stress of losing Dad had caused her to spiral into a crazy unreality.
Lying on the bed, I slipped into a dreamless sleep until I woke with the moon shining through the open window. It was 10 pm. I’d missed dinner yet wasn’t hungry. I thought about what Leah had suggested and knowing Flynn was a night owl, I decided to pay him a visit.
Wandering downstairs to the men’s floor where the lights were still on in most rooms, I was amazed how the college seemed to come alive at night. Before knocking on Flynn’s door, I heard many voices inside. Someone opened the door, and I saw the room was packed with students sitting around drinking beer and eating chips or laughing and talking. A few people cheered and greeted me loudly as though they’d been drinking for a while.
‘Lily!’ Flynn clambered to his feet and wove swiftly through the group.
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t know ...’ I knew my face was going red, so I backed out, but Flynn raced after me.
‘Whoa, wait up, please, Lily. What’s the rush?’
‘I ... I didn’t know you had guests,’ I stammered.
‘Guests?’ He laughed. ‘It’s Liam’s birthday. Do you want to come back and join us? I would’ve asked you, but ...’
‘No, I just, um ... wanted to talk. I can come back tomorrow.’
He took my hand. ‘We can talk now in your room if you’d prefer.’
‘What about your friends?’
‘They’ll wait. The party’s just warming up. Anyway, they won’t even realize I’m gone.’
As we walked to my room, I recalled how much I loved the feel of his hand, the way it fitted mine. When we were sitting on the bed in my room with the door securely closed, I faced him and tried to ignore my desire to feel his body against mine.
‘Well? Are you going to tell me what this is all about? I’m going mad not knowing.’
Burying my face in my hands, I groaned.
‘Talk to me, please Lily.’ Flynn sounded desperate.
‘Okay.’ A flash from last week filled my head. ‘A few days ago I saw you with Anya on the oval in the rain. You kissed and it drove me crazy.’
A look of surprise followed by one of amusement and relief spread across his face. He scratched at his head. ‘I wish you’d told me this earlier.’
‘Why, so you could dream up an excuse?’ I blurted angrily. He wasn’t embarrassed at all unless there was another explanation as Leah had hinted.
‘You do know Anya’s my sister?’
‘What?’ A wave of hot and cold passed through my body. ‘How could she be?’
‘Anya, Martin and I are triplets.’
‘Rubbish. She ... you would have told me.’
‘I assumed you knew. Anya often has difficulties with our mother and they’d had a fight the day before. It was nothing. She asked me to meet her before we traveled to Wicklow that morning. After we walked and talked about my mother in the rain, Anya gave me a kiss for listening and being a good brother.’
‘Okay.’ I was still struggling.
‘My mother’s rather old and conservative. Sometimes Anya overly shares details of her social life like she did over the weekend and it ended in fireworks.’
‘Why doesn’t she keep it to herself?’
‘Honestly? Anya loves drama—she feeds on it—it’s a genetic thing.’
‘What about you?’
Flynn laughed. ‘Definitely not. Anyway, enough about my strange family and I’m really sorry if you were upset.’
‘She said you guys come from a rich European family, but that means she does too. Why didn’t she tell me?’
Flynn ran his fingers through his hair. ‘Anya has issues. Sometimes she pretends to not be part of the family although there’s no escaping your past and family is there?’ He frowned. ‘So is this why I was getting the cold shoulder?’
I smiled wryly.
‘Can we try again, please, Lily?’
‘I guess.’ I wasn’t comfortable with Flynn’s request because his family revelation had left me reeling. I needed to let the news about the triplets filter in and to find equilibrium again. Part of me wanted to draw him in and kiss him, but the discovery and its implications had thrown me further off balance. Even after just agreeing to try again, I felt I was being rushed and acting foolishly. Questions started popping into my mind and they were disturbing. Not so long ago Flynn had told me he and Martin were twins, so why didn’t he mention they were triplets at the same time? I knew there had to be more to the story and he was hiding something.
* * *
CHAPTER 13
Kate
A week later with a pounding heart, I ignored my fear and signed on the dotted line for a combined fitness and self-defense class. I had come back to my roots. It was the only logical choice as I didn’t have the competitiveness for team sports like soccer and couldn’t sit still long enough for yoga. Self-defense also made a lot of sense after the murder in Wicklow. When I handed Mrs. Hasham the form, I was terrified at the thought of joining a group by myself. In the past I’d always joined classes with Dad, so taking this step was confronting.
Dressed in tights and a white t-shirt with my hair swept back in a ponytail, I arrived at the gym on Monday afternoon with sweaty palms and a flipping heart. The huge gym, which sat behind the library and dining room, was decked out with basketball hoops, stationary bikes, treadmills, climbing ropes and weight machines. On the far wall, an array of climbing handholds stretched to the ceiling and nearby a wired enclosure held balls, bats and other equipment. I liked the feel of the place as there were no mirrors lining the walls and it didn’t smell of stale sweat. Even so, I loitered awkwardly about the doorway with my arms folded across my chest, while watching a group of students chatting and stretching. When Professor Ruberio walked into the room in track pants and a t-shirt with a whistle around his neck, I was
surprised and relieved. He was nothing like the burly, loud-mouthed instructor I’d expected.
Alexis blew the whistle and beckoned me over to the group before introducing me.
They students smiled and called out to me.
Maybe I was going to enjoy this class.
‘Alright guys, you know the routine. Let’s start the warm-up. Lily, tag on the back and follow the lead. If it’s too much, just stop and rest and join in when you can.’
The students jogged around the hall in a single file. So far so good. When they filed out the open doors to the ovals, I was happier. We jogged around the perimeter of one oval under a heavy gray sky with the ever-present drizzle keeping us cool as the pace increased. From the back of the line, the boy ahead of me dashed to the front and took the lead. Soon the last person ahead of me followed his lead, so I decided to join in and sprinted to the front of the group. This was fun. Eventually after several laps, we headed back to the gym.
‘Are we done?’ I asked a frizzy-haired girl, who was stretching her shoulder beside me.
She grinned as a couple of boys turned to me and laughed. ‘No, we’ve just begun. But don’t worry we’re only doing skills and technique today.’
‘Okay,’ I said, feeling apprehensive.
‘What’s on today, Alexis?’ a skinny, pale-skinned boy asked.
‘Knives.’
‘Did he just say knives?’ I asked the frizzy-haired girl scarcely able to believe what I’d heard. Although I’d tried every martial arts class in my old suburb, I hadn’t handled weapons before. It shocked me.
‘Don’t worry you’ll love it. By the way, my name’s Kate.’ She released her hair from a hair band and shook it free before gathering it more tightly.
I smiled. ‘Hi, Kate.’
Three students ran to the wire enclosure, and each dragged a dummy on wheels to the far side of the gym. When they turned them toward us, I realized the dummies were painted to look like people with faces, arms and legs.