Dianthe Rising (2 page)

"Dear Heavenly Father," she whispered and cradled the golden-eyed babe in her arms, glancing about her, and looking to her nuns.

"Sister Martha, look and see if there is anything else in the basket."

I knelt with my brown sturdy habit flowing around me and reached in the basket, pulling from underneath the knitted pink blanket a letter—tear stained and worn as if it had been read and re-read several times. Silently I handed it over to Mother Mary who read it to all the Sisters.

Dear Sisters,

I have had no choice but to give up my precious daughter. Her name is Dianthe and she was born three weeks ago on the first of May.

It is with deepest sorrows that I must throw myself upon your gracious mercy to take in my babe.

All I ask is she be given to a loving devoted Catholic family. Tell her that her mother loved her more than her own life.

My greatest wish is that your God will be able to protect her where I could not.

Her most loving mother,

Eloise

Mother Mary then looked down once more at the babe in her arms as we all wondered at the wording of the letter, but more concerned with the newborn who had been left on our steps. She called us to order, and marshalled everyone inside to sort out what to do with the unexpected gift.

After all, it is not often in real life that a baby is left on the steps of a church.

Chapter One

“Okay, the big two-oh tomorrow, Dia, my girl. What are you planning to do with yourself?”

I looked over my shoulder at my best friend, who could also be my worst enemy when the mood struck her. Standing there looking like a fashion plate with her wheat blonde hair falling in waves past her shoulders and cornflower blue eyes shining with life from her animated face. Pouting red lips set off the porcelain complexion that complemented her slender curves while her well-defined legs encased in designer jeans along with a red silk shirt that matched her glossy lips. I sighed as she negligently slung a leg over my only couch. Did she even realize how beautiful she was?

“Ugh, I’m planning on unpacking the new flat. I cannot keep living out of boxes. I haven’t had time since I moved to London with Mr. Davies running me ragged. If I’m lucky I will get most of the unpacking done and can sit down and read a few pages before bed.”

Annie let out a shocked gasp, and I grimaced as evil Diva Annie was about to make an appearance.

“You will not be unpacking your flat on your birthday. How dare you suggest such a thing. Right. We are going out on the town. Call Mr. Davies and tell him you will be unable to come in tomorrow or Thursday. You’re taking a couple of personal days and that is final, missy." She stood crossing her arms over her chest and stared me down while her sapphire eyes burned in promised retribution if I argued.

There was no way to stop her after she went on a tangent so I stood back and watched the minuscule blonde storm about my sitting room venting her rage. I used to believe Annie would grow out of this stage with adulthood. I was so wrong. Her drama increased as she got older. I played with a strand of my hair, watching how the black and gold blended. After ten years of Annie’s temper, I knew when to pick my battles.

“Hmmmm…all right, girly, I’ll take the time off. Though there isn’t anywhere to go on a Wednesday night.” That had her stopping in mid-rant as she beamed her megawatt smile at me.

“Of course there is, sweetie; this is London. You leave it to me, and I will sort everything out. We will have a wonderful time tomorrow night. Consider all the pulling we can do without the competition we would have at the weekend.”

I shuddered and warily looked at her gamin face. “You get I don’t go out on the pull, Annie. Mum and dad would have a fit if I came home with a strange bloke.”

“Ahhh, that’s the beauty of it, Dia, you’re a grownup with your own place. It’s time to live a little…or a lot.” She laughed at me while winking saucily.

“Okay. I'll tell you what, I’ll call in tomorrow. Do you want to meet up early and get ready?”

“Oh yeah,” she breathed. “I’m so gonna dress you tomorrow. No arguing, Dia, it’s your birthday, and you will look hot. We can meet in the morning and make it a girls' day,” she squealed, I gave a small cringe, and took the plunge and agreed. I convinced her to leave so I could get a little unpacking done tonight, since I certainly will not have time tomorrow.

I began to unpack my flat reluctantly. I lived in a studio flat; it was the best I could afford on my salary. At least I didn’t have tons of room to fill with junk. My brother, Sean, had bought me the second hand wardrobe that sat against the far wall, but I needed another one to hold all my clothes. Guys struggled to understand how much storage space a girl needed. I had hit Ikea and bought storage boxes to put my shoes in. Everything else could be folded and put in the under bed storage.

Dad had given me the worn leather sofa from his office. I loved the sucker. When I was little, I would curl up on it and watch him work. Daddy carried me to bed so many times after falling asleep on that couch. My only other furniture in the flat was a couple of end tables, a TV, and the beat up coffee table. The kitchen was miniscule with a bar and a couple of stools under it, which served as my dining table.

The bathroom was the only room I had unpacked and that's just because it's a necessity. I desperately needed more domestic skills.

In the end, I worked on the flat for a couple hours, then called it a night. With a glance at the clock, I decided to give mum and dad a quick call to let them know I was alive.

*****

“Mclearey residence,” my father said in his familiar gruff voice, which still had a hint of Irish brogue even after all these years.

“Hi, Daddy. It’s me. I thought I should call and check in.”

“Hullo, baby girl, are you all right? There’s nothing wrong is there?” his voice softened and I could hear him settling down into his worn leather office chair.

I rolled my eyes and twirled a piece of hair as I rummaged for something to eat while I answered him. “Yes, Daddy, I’m fine. I was calling to see how you guys were.”

“As you should be, I don’t understand why you had to high tail it to London on your own. You could at least stay with your brother if you’re hell bent on being in London.”

“Daddy, we’ve talked about this, living with Sean would in no way be on my own. I’ve seen a few of the women he dates. I do not want to be around for that. Besides, he’s the same as you, he’d escort me to work and back every night. I wouldn’t have a life.”

“What girls?” my father asked a hint of annoyance in his tone. "I understand he’s a young man and sowing his wild oats, but you shouldn’t see those types of women. He’d better have more sense than to be introducing any unsavory characters to you.”

“He’s had dates over a few times when I dropped around to visit him in the past and he introduced me. There was nothing wrong with the girls; it would just be awkward for me to live there. Understand, Dad?" I inserted gently. "I've been coming to London on my own for months now for work. We talked about this. It's easier for me to live here than commute."

Grumbling under his voice, he let it go. "I don’t believe you’re ready to be on your own, baby girl. If it wasn’t for David and Sean keeping an eye on you, you would be home where you belong.”

This is why I preferred to talk to mum when I called. Dad tended to start going into the reasons for me to move straight back home.

“I get it, Daddy,” I placated him.

“I’m with Mr. Davies every day and Sean calls every night. In fact, if I do not finish my call to you, he may drive across town to check on me. He’s working, and I wouldn’t want to get him in trouble. Is mum there?" I asked sweetly. "I wanted to say hi and tell her that I love her before I head to bed for the night.”

“Hold on a second, baby, and I’ll get her.” He covered the phone with his hand but I could hear him roaring through the house.

“Mags, phone call for you, it's Dia.” After his muffled response, dad was back on the line.

“She’s coming, baby, listen, before she gets here I want to let you know I love you.”

“I know, Dad,” I said smiling. The man was so gruff when he tried to be gentle.

“If I don’t speak to you tomorrow, Happy Birthday and you behave yourself, you hear me? Do not assume I don’t know Annie Lovelace has something up her sleeve. She’s from such a good family too,” my father grumbled.

“Daddy,” I moaned. “You have to believe I won’t do anything stupid. Annie and I might go out tomorrow night for a couple of hours but I promise to be safe.”

“You’d better be, sweetheart. I love you and here’s your mother." I told him goodnight and he handed me over to my mum.

The conversation with my mother went much smoother, if along similar lines. She reminded me to take care of myself and to have a good time tomorrow. After wishing me a happy birthday and reminding me to call my brother, she hung up.

By this time, it was after nine o’clock so I decided to text Sean instead of calling him.

Hey, it’s me. Checking in. All is well. Love you, Night
.

Why u txting? Is something wrong?
Sean sent back.

No tired. Going 2 bed. Zzzzzz
.

Before I could hit send the phone began to ring.

With a sigh, I answered. “Hi, Sean, I was texting you to tell you I was going to bed.”

“And you couldn’t call me and tell me that, why?” he demanded.

“Because I was under the mistaken impression it would be easier to message you and head straight to bed, that’s why," I said resignedly. I don’t see why I tried it, as I knew it was a useless endeavor. He always insisted on voice contact when communicating.

“You do get how easy it would be for someone to text and pretend to be you. I have to make sure it’s you and that you’re safe,” he complained.

“Yeah, because that’s totally normal and not going overboard,” I grumped. I raised a finger he couldn't see and waved it in the air. “Stop, right there, Sean. I’m tired and I’m going to bed. I was calling to tell you I’m safe and home in one piece. And that I’m going out tomorrow night.”

“Why and with whom?” he demanded.

I tried to stop myself from gritting my teeth when I answered him, “With Annie and in case you didn’t remember, it's for my birthday, we are having a quiet girls' night out.”

“Fine,” he grumbled. “I don’t care what time it is, but you text me to let me know you’re home and use your safe phrase,” he finished.

“Really?” I asked. It amazed me the extent of his paranoia.

“Yes,” unfortunately he was deadly serious.

“Fine, I’ll text you tomorrow night when I get home so you can see that I’m safe and haven’t been carried off by fairies.”

He thought it was hilarious, since as a child I pretended we had fairies in the garden. I went as far as leaving milk and honey out for them.

“Make sure that you do,” he bossed back. “I love you, baby girl, and Happy Birthday.”

Sighing, I told him, “You’re exactly like daddy, you do realize that?”

“Yup,” he said with amusement and hung up.

Hardly able to keep my eyes open anymore, I ate a quick sandwich, finishing it off with a diet coke, then answered the call of my new bed.

Chapter Two

After a girls' day out with Annie, I was tired but she was ready to pull out the big guns. Now we were preparing for our girls' night out, and I couldn’t work out where she found the energy.

I looked around wearily at the destroyed remains of my recently tidy flat. The insides of my wardrobe were scattered across the bed, like the casualties of war. Random shoes and lingerie littered the floor, and all I could do was stare in amazed horror. I honestly had no idea if I should mourn or just go with the madness that was Annie. Luckily, she decided for me.

“Oh, wow! You have to wear this with this,” she crowed as she held up a bustier I’d bought to go with a Halloween costume. Alongside it was my black, too tight to breathe jeans. The bustier was also black but the red trim and crystal beading shooting through it gave it a little color.

“Umm…Annie, that bustier has a peasant blouse that goes underneath it. Without the blouse, it would barely contain my boobs. Much less, leave anything to the imagination."

“Well yeah, that’s kind of the point, lollipop.” Annie rolled her eyes in exasperation at me but carried on with her logic. "It’s your birthday, and we’re going to go wild. My plan is to get you looking like the hotness you are—get you drunk—and get you laid. In that order.”

“Okay, but I swear to God if my brother ever finds out about this, then you’re going down with me. You know every police officer in the city knows Sean. If word gets back to him that his baby sister was out trawling the streets
we
," I pointed from her then to me, “are so dead.”

“Piece of pie, sweetie. He’ll never know. London is a huge place, and we are not going to cause trouble or chat up any of the boys in blue. Now do as Annie says and go put this on.” Annie pushed me toward the bathroom after throwing a red thong at me. “Don’t worry, I saw the horror on your face. I’ll tidy up in here while you’re getting dressed. You do know I’m a cleaning ninja?” She held her hands and leg up like the karate kid, as she started making bad karate movie sounds. “She can sneak in, clean and be out before you ever knew you’ve been hit by the amazing Annie San,” she mimicked a part from an old karate movie.

“Umm…might want to stop talking in the third person, Annie, you are sounding more nuts than normal.”