Key to My Heart: An Anthology of Sweet Romance

by Alice La Roux

  By the time I’d sprayed my legs with bug spray and set out the biscuits and chocolate, Aiden had a fire starting to take life. “You’re feeding me s’mores for dinner?”

  “Actually, I’m feeding me s’mores for dinner, but if you want some, help yourself.” I couldn’t let him get to me—well, not any more than he already had.

  After waiting a few minutes for the flames to start licking up at the sky, I poked my marshmallow with a stick and roasted it. I liked mine really well done. A bit of char never hurt anyone. Besides, it made it all the more gooey on the inside.

  It didn’t take long before the packet was empty and my sugar coma was setting in. Sitting by the fire, Aiden and I continued where we’d left off. He was so damn easy to talk to and not that bad to look at either. Despite the warmth of his jumper a shiver ran down my spine when I remembered how good it’d felt being pressed against him.

  Before I had a chance to ask for his number or find the courage to ask or even tell him how much fun I’d had hanging out with him, the inky night sky that had now fallen over us was lit up by the beaming bright lights coming from Claire’s car. Even though the head lights were blinding me, and I couldn’t actually see the car, I knew it was them from the shitty rendition of a Spice Girls song they were murdering.

  Tossing his stick in the fire, Aiden stood dusting his hands off on his shorts. When he bent down, he kissed me so softly that I almost missed it. As soon as he pulled back, I wished he’d do it again. I had a feeling that one kiss would be all it took for my whole world to shift irreversibly. I think it may have already.

  “Thanks, Gem. I had fun.”

  Stupefied, I stood and watched him bend down and collect his stuff before he headed back down the trail towards the beach. I should’ve said something. I should’ve done something. Instead, I watched him go knowing, that I’d never forget him. I’d never look at a s’more the same way. Every kangaroo encounter would have me smiling, well unless it hit my car. Aiden may have been a fleeting moment in time—an apparition—but he was all mine: a memory no one could tarnish, no one could take away. He’d given me something that would last me a life time. He was the perfect summer love, even if it only lasted a few hours.

  “How was your night?” I asked as they stumbled out of the car.

  “Nah uh. No way. We’re starting with you,” Alicia directed. “Who was that?”

  “Just a friend,” I replied, my eyes never leaving the now deserted trail. “Just a friend.”

  Chapter One

  “Dad,” I whine. “Why do I have to come? It’s boring! I’m almost 17 you know.” I storm up the stairs and the sound of Dad’s deep voice fades away as he shouts after me. I stay with Dad for the whole of the summer holidays and have done for years, ever since he and Mum got divorced. I used to love staying with him and going on holiday, but sometimes I think he forgets how old I am now. I’m too old to be going on holiday with them; I’m mature enough to stay here by myself—if only they’d understand that.

  Slamming the door behind me, I dive onto the bed, lying on my belly with my chin in my hands sulking. All I want to do is stay here while they go away. It’s boring at the caravan: no one ever goes—no one interesting anyway. I can’t go back home because Mum has gone away with her new boyfriend.

  A light rapping on the door causes my head to snap to the side at the offending noise.

  I just want to be left alone is that too hard?

  “Go away.”

  “Ellie, can I come in?” Dad calls from outside the door.

  I huff out a sigh because if I don’t let him in, he’ll just stand there and wait while tapping away. My dad is like that. I love him to pieces, but he’s as annoying as hell. Clambering from the bed, I pull open the door to see him leaning against the opposite wall.

  “Yes?”

  “Don’t be stroppy, Ell. It doesn’t suit your normal happy-go-lucky nature.”

  I know he’s being funny. Dad always tries to lighten the mood.

  “Whatever…” I plant a sarcastic grin on my face and open the door wider.

  Dad pushes off the wall and comes into my room, sitting on the bed. “Why don’t you want to come?”

  “It’s boring. There’s no one there my age. Why can’t I just stay here?”

  Narrowing his eyes at me, he thinks over my request for a second. If I flutter my eyelashes, maybe he’ll let me then? Giving him a sweet and innocent smile, I rest my head on his shoulder.

  “How about we make a deal? You come this year, and next year I promise I’ll leave you at home. Think of it as our last holiday as a family…”

  “Family, really? You, me, a step mother and an annoying 9 year old brother... yeah great.”

  “Ellie, stop being a brat,” he answers in a firm tone. “That stepmother as you call her does everything for you. Now, sort out what you’re taking and get your case packed unless you want me or your stepmother to do it for you.” His palm covers the side of my head and and angles it towards him to kiss my temple, his way of diffusing the situation between us. His arm stays wrapped around my shoulders as he sighs. “This attitude of yours is starting to wear really thin. Now cheer up. My Ellie was such a happy child. You know there’re lots of families that don’t get what you get.”

  Oh here it comes: the ‘be grateful for what you have,’ speech.

  “Fine dad. It’s a deal.”

  “Why are you so hell bent on staying here anyway? What you’re planning?”

  “Do you not trust me, Dad?” I wait for an answer with my eyes open wide in anticipation.

  “Yes Ellie, I trust you… but I just don’t trust your friends.” With that he gets up and moves toward the door. “Pack your case; we’re leaving early in the morning.”

  Why doesn’t he trust my friends?

  I don’t have time to think on that statement long because he walks back in, dragging my suitcase behind with a smirk plastered on his face.

  Never mind my friends, what does he mean by early?

  “How early dad.”

  “No later than six.” With a wink, he leaves me alone with my suitcase and closes the door behind him.

  Ugh, and I don’t even get a lie in.

  Dad’s footsteps fade away so I decide to get it over with. I pull item after item out of my drawers and wardrobe and throw them until they’re on the floor in a pile. I may as well pack. I’m not going to get away with not going, and there’s no way I’m letting anyone else pack my case and trawl through my personal stuff. Flinging open the case, I throw in jumpers, jeans, shorts and t-shirts because after all it’s British weather, and you can’t be certain. I throw some summer dresses in and some vest tops.

  Once my clothes are packed, I go around my bedroom collecting stuff to take with us: my iPod for the journey, chargers and my iPad. Everything I need is on there. The last thing to pick up when I’m up and ready is my phone. I leave everything in the corner of my room stacked up and ready to be put in the car, and I venture downstairs.

  “All packed and ready to go.” I force a fake smile onto my face as I walk through the front room and into the kitchen. I grab a can of coke and some chocolate then walk back the way I came.

  “That wasn’t so hard was it, angel?” My eyes roll up into my head as I walk past my dad and back up the stairs to my room. I text my best friend and tell her I won’t be staying at home, that we’re leaving early in the morning for St.Ives and that I’ll message her tomorrow when I get there.

  I get changed into my pj’s and jump into bed, snuggling down and getting some sleep ready for my early morning wake up call.

  Chapter Two

  After the long drive down to Cornwall, we pull into the caravan site and drive down the concreted paths until we find ours. My dad and step-mum bought this about three years ago. They pay to have it cleaned and keep the maintenance up on it, and most of the season they hire it out to other families. We usually keep it for two weeks of the holidays so Dad can have a break. I used to love
coming here when I was younger, but we’ve been coming here for years. My dad loves it here. So does my brother. Personally, I wish we could go abroad or something. At least there’d be something to actually do: like swimming in the pool or lying at the side getting a tan on my pasty skin. That would be even better. Maybe I’d want to go on holiday then.

  Everything looks the same as it always does—nothing changes.

  “Come on then, out you come.” Dad claps his hands together, getting us to move as he opens my door on his way around to the boot of the car. He begins to unload the cases and I grab my stuff from the seat into my arms, twisting my body towards the door, stretching out my legs as I swing them around and plant my boot-covered feet on the ground before pushing myself up and out. The sun is shining and I can’t wait to get on the beach. As much as I don’t tell Dad this, I do love St. Ives; it’s just so quiet.

  My stepmother opens up the caravan, and I follow her, going straight through to the bedrooms and claiming mine before my brother has the chance to get the biggest one. Dumping my iPad and iPod on the bed, I slide my phone into my back pocket and go back out into the living area of the caravan, plonking my bum down on the narrow seats. This caravan is pretty cool: it’s an updated one. We have a flat screen telly with some digital channels, but honestly I don’t spend a lot of time in here. I’m usually in my room apart from when they make me go out.

  Dad begins to bring the suitcases in and my stepmum brings in the shopping. “Ellie can you start putting the food away please?”

  “Me? Why me. Why can’t Damon do it?”

  “Because, Ell, you’re the oldest. Damon is outside on his scooter staying from under our feet while we unpack the car so please just do it…”

  “God sake I have to do everything.”

  “Aw, poor neglected child.” Bending down to my level, Dad puts his cheek to mine. “I’m sure you’ll survive.” He completely ignores the tut I send him and walks back out of the caravan.

  I’m putting the last of the stuff in the cupboard as Dad walks back in. “It’s a beautiful day today. What are you doing to do with yourself?”

  “Do I have options?” I shrug. “It’s not like there’s anyone around to do anything with or like I have any friends.”

  I put the last tin of beans on the shelf then head off for my bedroom. Putting my earphones into my ears I press play on my iPod and slide that back into my pocket slumping down on the bed to scroll through my phone. Hitting the message icon, I pull up my best friend, Shannon’s number and write out a text to her.

  I’m here, I’m bored already and signal is terrible if you don’t hear from me again, send for help as I’ve probably died from boredom.

  Later. Don’t have too much fun without me.

  I try to log into Facebook, but the crappy signal in this caravan stops me from getting in. “Ugh.” With a sigh I pull myself up and slide it back in my pocket along with my iPod and grab my kindle.

  “I’m going for a walk; won’t be long.”

  I get an inch from the door and Dad speaks. “Why don’t you take your brother for some company?”

  I take a bud from my ear and twist around to look their way. “No thanks.”

  “What will you do on your own?”

  Lifting my hand with my kindle in, I wave it at him. “Read for a bit in peace and maybe get some signal on my phone.” I place the bud back in my ear and walk out of the van, stopping on the bottom step of the decking and looking out into the distance. Seeing the cliffs and the calming sea, I decide to go that way. The waves roll as they crash against the cliffs, the smell of the sea opening my airways. I may have exaggerated a little bit back at home: I do love this place. It takes a while to remember why. I walk straight on until I’m reaching the path that leads straight to the beach. Walking to the bottom, I walk across the sand until I reach the rocks and climb up to the top.

  Setting myself down, I take my iPod and phone from my pocket. I find my camera and set it to take a selfie. Puckering my lips, I click the button on my phone and send it to Shannon. She still hasn’t replied to the last text I sent yet. Oh will she will now. I click a few more times taking photos from different angles and send those too. Opening up my Instagram app, I post the pictures with a caption and wait for the notifications.

  Within seconds my phone pings with a message back from Shannon.

  Hey bestie. How’s Cornwall? Are you missing me yet?

  What do you think? The best thing about this holiday is this…

  Angling my phone, I take a picture of the beach and my surroundings. I also manage to get the two guys that are surfing in the background and send it to her. The three bubbles start as soon as my message sends, so I wait to see what she says.

  Ugh, that’s so unfair. I wish I was there.

  Really? You’re just saying that.

  No really. It’s so much better than being stuck here.

  I suppose it is really nice here and I do love the beach.

  Realising I’ve probably been up here for the best part of an hour, I start to carefully make my way down the cliffs. The good thing is I’ve got my faithful doc Marten boots on, so at least I won’t slip.

  Stepping from the last cliff onto the wet sand, I walk up the beach to get onto the dry and walk towards the path again. Stopping for just a minute, I turn my face to the sky, feeling the warm heat of the sun beating down. Instead of walking any further, I drop down to my bum and lie back in the sand. On hearing the chatter of male voices, I prop myself up on my elbows and see two lads coming out of the sea in wetsuits, carrying surfboards. They stick the boards into the sand and sit talking amongst themselves. I feel the vibration of my phone before I hear my ringtone. One lad turns his head to see where it’s coming from. His hair drops into his eyes as he watches me. His long fingers thread into the strands as he pushes it back away from his face. I scramble around to get my phone, and not even looking at the screen, I cut it off. I’m quickly looking back up as the boys stand with their wetsuits pulled down to the waist. The floppy haired one looks over and lifts his chin at me, a cheeky grin set on his mouth then he turns, grabs his board and runs back to the water’s edge. I wait a few more minutes until I see them both out in the waves and sitting on their boards. It’s not until he turns his back that I get up and begin the steady walk back.

  Chapter Three

  When I wake up, the sun is blaring, and from what I can see of the sky through the small caravan window, it’s going to be a nice day. I drag myself from my bed and head out into the living space of the van. My dad is making coffee for him and my stepmum, so I grab some juice from the fridge and go outside and sit on the decking instead.

  Dad joins me soon after. “What are you doing today pidge?” he asks as he pulls out a chair beside me and sits down with his coffee. “Do you want to come shopping?”

  “Do I have to?” I take a sip of the ice cold juice while I wait for Dad’s answer.

  “No, but what else are you going to do instead?” he leans back into the chair as he drinks his coffee. “As you informed me before we came, you’re almost seventeen. Can I make you?”

  I shrug, and I don’t even have to force a smile for him. “I was thinking of going down to the beach if that’s okay?”

  “Ellie, of course it is. Why do you think I’m here to fight you all the time? I just want you happy that’s all.” Leaning across, he kisses my head with a smile set on his face. “You go to the beach; we may come down to you later.”

  A sneaky smile makes its way to my lips, pulling at the corners of my mouth.

  “You should smile more pidgeon; it suits you.” He stands from the chair and grabs his mug, going back inside the caravan and leaving me alone.

  The smell of bacon wafts out of the small door and windows, making my tummy rumble, and instead of sitting out here alone I go inside and wait for my bacon sandwich.

  The beach is busy. I find a spot towards the back but away from the shade so I can at least get some sun and go ba
ck with some sort of tan. This is one of the unusual summers where we’ve had more good days than bad since May, and it’s been hot for a change. So I’m going to soak up the sun while I’ve got the chance. Putting my earphone buds into my ears, I press play on my iPod and wait for the tones of Eminem to come through then close my eyes after lying back on my towel.

  I wake with a start when freezing cold water is being thrown over me.

  “Ahhh! Oh my God.” I shoot up from the towel checking my iPod to make sure it isn’t wet, but I had the good sense to keep it covered from the sun. “I’m going to get you for that you little…”

  “Ellie.” Dad stops me from finishing my sentence as Damon my little brother runs off towards the water.

  All the time I’ve been here today, I thought surfer boy might have been back but he hasn’t.

  “Why don’t you go down to the water; you’re burning. You know you shouldn’t sleep in the sun.”

  Crawling up from my position on my belly, I sit up and put on more cream.

  “Why don’t you find your brother for me?”

  Taking the buds from my ears, I stand from the towel looking to see if I can see Damon. When I can’t see him, I start walking down the beach and across until I find him jumping the waves. I sit in the shallow part where the tide comes in and soak my body with handfuls of water, cooling down my skin. As I’m smoothing the water down my arms, that’s when I see him. With a tiny knowing smile, he comes towards me—well I think it’s me. Looking around me, I don’t see anyone he has his eye on. When I turn back he’s standing beside me.

  “I thought it was you. I didn’t recognise you at first without your dockers on.”

  I look down at my pink painted toenails wiggling them in the water. “Yeah, my boots aren’t waterproof.”