Heritage (39 page)

“That’s out of order! On both of their parts.”

“I know, but they are right!” I stuttered.

“Stop being stupid!” She exclaimed. 

“How does my father expect me to believe in myself so I can... I don’t know, defeat Lorias or whatever I’m exactly supposed to do with that situation. If he doesn’t even think I can handle being with a demon. Out of fear I’ll be corrupted?” I asked. Lifting myself out of the hold of Alex, I tried to compose myself. Wiping the tears from my cheeks with the back of my hand, I tried to stop the last remaining tears that were falling.

“It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t believe in you Elle because I do ok. Whatever happens, I know you will be strong enough to overcome it.” She smiled, standing up and brushing the stray hay off her black skirt.

“Come on. Let’s go cheer you up with a tub of Ben and Jerry’s.” 

Helping me from the floor, she smiled at me and gave me a huge hug. A tub of Ben and Jerry sounds like the best idea ever right now.  Linking her arm in mine, she led me out of the Stables off to the kitchen.

Chapter Twenty one

Jingle all the way chimed on for the one hundredth time, as I sat picking at the remaining sausage on a stick. It’s incredible how so many people could talk about the same topic, over and over again and still not be done with it.  How festive is talking about a building being torn down anyway. Parties are a time for celebrating and rejoicing in the festive time of year. Not for blaming the council for tearing down a un important landmark.  I was almost regretting the fact my father had allowed me to come to this event.  Even if it did take a couple of day’s worth of sulking before he asked what was wrong. Ever since our brief meeting three weeks ago, we hadn’t spoken much.  On my part,  it was out of fear he would continue to put me down. If it wasn’t for Alex and my grandfather who I had since recently finding him out, been talking to, I wouldn’t even be able to get out of bed in the morning.

“That man from number sixteen is hilarious!” Poppy giggled, as she sat down beside me on the couch.

“I’m sure he is,” I mumbled, tearing up the sausage in my hands.

“What is up with you? We don’t see you for three weeks and now I’m here at Beth’s annual Christmas party, and you look like we are at a funeral.”

“Nothing,” I smiled weakly. “So why is Mr Stanley funny?”

Placing the destroyed sausage back on my paper plate, I threw it onto the buffet table.

“He just did this thing...With his...Hat,” She giggled uncontrollably.

“That sounds funny,” I sighed, running my hand through my fringe. It didn’t sound funny. It sounded like Mr Stanley was doing his usual rolling his hat down his arm and flicking it back onto his balding head. I always thought it was an annoying way to get people’s attention. Poppy obviously thought otherwise, and it caught her attention, so I suppose it did work.

“Wow you really are on a low tonight!” She giggled pulling at the corners of my mouth, she turned my expression into a smile.  Despite her efforts, it dropped back to a frown when her fingers let go.

“Ok then...” She sighed. Leaning over me she pulled out a breadstick and began to nipple on it.  Well done Elle, you have now made a situation awkward.

“Sorry, I’m having a little trouble with my family,” I sighed.

“What Beth?” She asked pointing to Beth and Robin, who were chatting happily with Mrs Bennett from next door.  Oh yes Mrs Bennett, the woman who repeatedly wanders in and out of our house at her will.  It wouldn’t be that bad if she came in when she was invited, but alas she came in when she wanted. Not a good thing to do when you have someone like me living next door. I can’t possibly count the number of times, she had nearly walked in on me orbing in or out.  One of these days she will see me and maybe suffer a mini heart attack in the process.

“No, things with the Bales are fine. Better actually,” I replied. That wasn’t a Lie. Robin and I were getting on very well since she had started her Greek mythology course at college. I helped her when she was struggling. Being very well educated in the mythical creature area, I was better than a research book.  As I have learned, books don’t tend to tell you the truth anymore. They just sugar coat or dance around the cold hard facts.

“Oh that’s good right? So are you having a problem with your real family? Your father and Chris?”

“Well Poppy for once you have hit the nail right on the head,” I sighed again, leaning my elbow on the table at the side of me.  My father was the one I was having problems with and even though Logan, also known as Chris wasn’t family. He was driving me insane. Gradually slowing down to just two texts a day, he wasn’t giving up on contacting me. Lucky for me, my protection squad had doubled to four men on my guard all the time.  Glancing to the right of me, I saw rugged Dwayne standing on the street opposite the house. The request for them to not be seen by the Bales or their neighbours, had apparently fallen on death ears.

“Family are messed up Elle. I should know that,” she mumbled, through the crumbs of breadsticks in her mouth.

“Shit. Yeah, sorry Poppy how is the divorce?” I asked. Through all of my own drama, I had forgotten about what Poppy was going through.  Having lived with her mother and father all her life, she was struggling to cope with the fact that they were splitting up.  I wish I could wake up, and the only drama I had going on was the divorce of my parents.  Then at least I would have known my parents when they were together. Well don’t I sound pathetic. Elle stop thinking about the bad things in your life.

“It’s ok I guess. My dad is fighting for custody of me, Ollie and Pippa...”

“Is that bad?” I asked. I knew she had the same relationship with her Dad that I had, and she wasn’t exactly close to her mother either.

“No,  it’s great, it’s just... I don’t want to upset my mum, but you know what It’s a party. Let’s go mingle,” She smiled. Pulling me by the hand, she dragged me through the crowd of middle aged men and women and into the kitchen.

Standing in the Kitchen Marc and his best friend Piers, were sneaking alcoholic drinks from the fridge.

“Aren’t you guys a little too young to be drinking?” Poppy asked, taking the bottle of beer out of Marc’s hand and placing it back in the fridge.

“Party pooper!” He sighed, leaving the kitchen with Piers in tow. Towering miles above Marc, Piers practically had to duck under the light in the kitchen to leave the room.

“Hello Girls,” Chimed Betty Hawks as she entered the kitchen through the back door. Her curly grey hair was windswept as she made her way over to the kitchen table.

“Hey Betty,” we both called as we leant against the kitchen counter tops.

“My, aren’t you girls getting big. You look all grown up in your lovely dresses.” She smiled.

Glancing down at the blue spotty ruffle dress I had on, I smiled back at her. Lifting the glasses that were hanging on a string around her neck she put then on her nose.

“Poppy look at you, your hair is lovely what do they call that...”

“Oh it’s a fish plait. It’s all the rage these days.” Tugging on the blonde plait that lay on her shoulder, she smiled sweetly at Betty.

“And you Elle. You look beautiful and are growing up to be a lovely young lady, so I hear from you mother.”

Beth has been saying good things about me. That make me feel a lot better about myself. Who would have thought my fake family cared about me more than my real one. I’m sure there’s some irony in there somewhere.

“Thanks,” I replied.

“Girls why don’t you join us in the living room. There are some people who want to speak to you Elle,” asked Bruce as he ushered us from the kitchen, back into the cluttered living room.

Stepping back into the heavily decorated room, my eyes adjusted to the mass amount of gold and red that covered the usually beige room. A huge Christmas tree stood inside the frame of the bay window, draped in gold and red tinsel. On each branch hung a red or gold bauble. Beth truly loved the red and gold Christmas theme.

“Elle, How lovely to see you.” Jimmy the pervert cricket sniffed. On most occasions,  I would walk away from his conversation, but as Bruce ushered me to talk to him, there was no escaping.

“Hello Jimmy,” I smiled sweetly, hoping he wouldn’t get the wrong idea like he usually did. Running his dirty hands through his short dark hair, he smiled back at me and turned to smile at Poppy. I could feel Poppy shiver beside me making me also shudder.

“How are things?” He asked with a hint of flirtation in his voice. I think I may vomit. Being a forty five year old bachelor, Jimmy thought he was a hit with the ladies. Never in my life have I seen him with an actual partner. However, I did see him attempting to obtain younger girls. He lives in a world of his own if he thinks he could get anyone half his age.

“Things are good. How are things with you?” I asked. I never was one for idle conversations, it all seems so pointless. Why waste time talking to people you don’t want to if it wasn’t in any way going to benefit you, especially if that conversation was with a creepy middle aged mechanic.

“Can’t complain,” he smiled licking his lips seductively.

“Ok Ew,” Poppy exclaimed, taking me by the arm and leading me away from perverted man. Shuddering again, I glanced back at the window much to my dismay Dwayne was still stood outside. Maybe he didn’t see the threat of a human pervert looming, or if it wasn’t a demon, I suppose he thought I could deal with it myself.

“Elle, it’s good to see you again,” Called Edna Rose as she pulled me into a suffocating embrace.

“Edna,” I chocked as she released the crushing pressure she had on my lungs.

“And who is this lovely vision standing next to you,” She asked admiring Poppy as she stood proud next to me.

“This is my friend Poppy. She goes to Sainsdun college with me,” I introduced Poppy as Edna began to crush her against her bosoms.

As much as Poppy loved being adored. I’m sure she didn’t enjoy the crushing embrace that was crushing her windpipe.

“Nice to meet you Edna,” She choked.

Patting Poppy gently and discreetly on the back, I chuckled silently. Smiling at them we moved along the greetings line towards another elderly couple. Whilst making small talk with Joan and Kevin Doyle. I couldn’t help but feel worried about Dwayne, who had since disappeared from the street across the road.

“I’m sorry what?” I asked coming back into the conversation that was going on around me.

“Joan was just asking how college was going,” Poppy spoke whilst giving me a worried look. Smiling reassuringly at her, I turned back to Joan.

“It’s going well, thank you for asking,” I mumbled, glancing to and fro from bay window to her.

“That’s good then...” His voice became mumbled as I searched the empty street.  Something’s not right, I can feel it my gut. He shouldn’t be off his post for that long.

“Elle?” Poppy hissed nudging me with her elbow.

“Oh sorry what?...” I replied, my eyes still fixed on the window wiling Dwayne to come into sight, so I could stop worrying.

“Are you ok?” Joan asked. Her voice dragged my eyes away from the empty spot, that should have been filled with an angel.

“Err..Yes...No,  actually. I think I’m going to go outside and get some fresh air.”

“Do you want me to come with you?” Poppy asked, sounding worried and looked like she would kill me if I left her with Joan and Kevin.

“No,  It’s ok,” I replied. Mouthing sorry to her, I left her to make small talk with the leaders of our Salvation Army core.  Ignoring her glaring eyes, I escaped through the mass of elderly couples and towards the front door.

“Elle, where are you going?” Beth asked, just as I reached for the door handle.

“The truth?” I asked.

She looked at me weary for a couple of seconds before nodding.

“You know the guys that were protecting me?” I asked pausing to see if she could handle the truth. She nodded with no change of her expression, I suppose it’s going well so far.

“Well one of them isn’t on his post...”

Her face dropped a little before she composed herself and began to nod. She was starting to look like a nodding dog.

“So I was going to check what’s wrong.” Watching her expression, my voice slowed down the words. Out of fear she would self combust in a pile on the floor.

“Is that ok?” I asked, watching for any signs of combustion.

“Yes that’s fine... Just be careful,” She smiled wearily and gave me a small hug. She wasn’t happy about this situation, I could tell. Her hands shook as she released me from the embrace.

“I promise I won’t let anyone get hurt,” I promised.

Her face regained its usual smile which faltered slightly at the edges. Taking her hands from my shoulder, she headed back into the living room. Leaving me to open the door and step out into the cold brisk wind.

The street was empty and filled with the dim light from the lampposts and light escaping through the drawn curtains of the Bales house. The rest of the street was dark and dreary. A broken light from a lamppost created a dark shadow across Edna’s house, across the street.

“This isn’t creepy at all,” I whispered, folding my arms to conserve the heat around my body. I really should have brought a coat out with me, it's freezing. Turning back towards the warm house, a silent whimper stopped me in my tracks.

“Adabelle,” He whimpered, as I spotted him in a ball on the frosted grass. Running over the road down the small alley way that led to the back fields, I kneeled down beside Dwayne, as he lay bleeding on the ground.

“What happened?” I asked, holding his head on my knees and whipping away his black hair from his face.

“Adabelle get out of here they are coming for you,” He whispered, as his eyes began to slowly close.

“No Dwayne Stay with me. Who else is on Patrol?” I asked tapping his face to keep him conscious.

“Leo is around the...”

“Come on Dwayne!” I cried, as his eyes began to roll back into his head.  His breathing slowed as his head dropped lifelessly onto my lap.