The Ugly Stepsister (14 page)

Ellie read over what Tom had written. Grinning, she started typing again.

TW says: Hey.

TW says: I know you’re about. Even though you’re set as offline.

TW says: Hurry up and finish talking to Lauren.

TW says: Would it kill you to acknowledge that I’m chatting to you.

Ellie says: brb.

TW says: Most people can cope with two conversations at once.

TW says: It’s called multitasking.

TW says: Hurry up!

Ellie says: So impatient.
:D


TW says: Impatient! You’ve got to learn how to deal with more than one conversation at a time.

Ellie says: Nope. You’ll just have to learn patience.
:D


TW says: So why did you take off early?

Ellie says: Heather turned up at school looking for me.

TW says: Why couldn’t you have said that instead of ‘gone home sick’.

Ellie says: Because that was my official excuse.

TW says: Give me the real reason in future. And the official one too of course.

Ellie says: Want to go to the beach on Saturday?

TW says: Well that was certainly a major topic change.

Ellie says: Well?

TW says: Why?

Ellie says: Don’t you like going to the beach?

TW says: I don’t know anyone who hates it.

Ellie says: Do you have anything else planned for Saturday?

TW says: Sleeping in?

Ellie says: We can go to bed early Friday night.

TW says: There’s a party I want to go to.

Ellie says: So we leave around midnight.

TW says: What’s happening at the beach?

Ellie says: People from my grade are meeting up. I want to go, but I want to spend the day with you too.

TW says: Sure it isn’t because I make a good chauffeur?

Ellie says: Nah, I can catch a lift with one of the others going.

TW says: No other ulterior motives?

Ellie says: You look good in boardies
:D


TW says: lol. Sure, why not.

Ellie says: Can Sam and Lauren come too?

TW says: If they want.

Ellie says: Can Sam provide lunch?

TW says: Ahh, that’s why you’re inviting us, isn’t it?

Ellie says: Well, it was a consideration. It wasn’t like I could just ask Sam to pack up a lunch for me and not take either of you along.

TW says: Really? Does that mean you considered it?

Ellie says: Hmmm.

Ellie says: Interesting question.

Ellie says: Don’t know if I should answer it…

TW says: Just remember you want me to pick you up tomorrow afternoon when school is out so you can spend the weekend at my place.

Ellie says: I could catch a bus.

TW says: But would I let you in?

Ellie says: Yep
:D


TW says: Okay, you win. Of course I would.

Ellie says: We’ll call it a tie. I didn’t want to go to the beach unless you were coming too.

TW says: Was that so hard to tell me?

Ellie says: Excruciating.

TW says: I just asked Sam and he said yes to both questions.

Ellie says: Both?

TW says: He’s coming and he’ll make lunch. Any preferences?

Ellie says: Well…

TW says: Not pancakes.

Ellie says:
:(


TW says: You’ll live. It’s not beach food anyway.

Ellie says: Fine. Tell him to surprise me. Is he asking Lauren? Since I’m no good at multitasking
:P


TW says: Yeah. She’s coming.

Ellie says: Great.

TW says: I’ve g2g. Just wanted to see how you were before I head to the pool.

Ellie says: Sorry. Will give you both excuses next time.

TW says: Please.

Ellie says: You be online later?

TW says: Eight?

Ellie says: I’ll catch you then.

TW says: K. Later.

Ellie says: Buh-bye.

Ellie and Tom were parked in front of Lauren’s house. They waited for Sam to bring her out. Ellie didn’t want to test Lauren’s parents’ change of mind over letting Lauren socialise with her only when they were in a group. She grinned when she saw Lauren burst out her front door, half dragging Sam with her. He was looking over his shoulder, nodding to Lauren’s mother who’d followed them out. Lauren waved to her mother before she reached the car, pulling the door open.

“I thought we’d never get out of there. Just ignore her Sam. She’ll keep talking otherwise.” Lauren tugged on Sam’s hand, dragging him into the car.

Ellie laughed. “But you know how she adores Sam.”

Sam blushed as he got in the car, closing the door. “It’s not so much me as my father. She can’t stop asking me questions about him.”

“I bet she’s already planning the wedding between the two of you.” Ellie grinned when Sam went even redder.

“Behave.” Tom dropped his hand on Ellie’s thigh.

“Oh, I am. I’m on my best behaviour today. I even gave Lisbeth the day off.”

“But what about Lizzie?” Tom asked.

“You can’t have everything.” She linked her fingers through Tom’s and glanced in the back. “Awfully quiet in there. No getting x-rated. My innocent eyes couldn’t cope.”

“Innocent! Yeah right,” Lauren said. “Keep your eyes forward and you won’t have a problem.”

Ellie laughed. “Just give me a minute to get my phone out and start recording. I could make a fortune online.”

Tom’s hand tightened on hers. “You’re in a good mood today.”

“Yep. I like going to the beach.”

“Hmm.”

Ellie glanced at Tom. “What?”

“Why do I think you’ve got something else planned?”

Ellie shrugged. “Because you’re permanently suspicious?”

“No, because you look like you’re up to something. Trouble.”

“The way you’re talking you’d think I was always planning something.” Lauren laughed and Ellie turned so she could grin at her friend. “And no comments from you.” She turned back to Tom. “I don’t always go out of my way to plan trouble. It tends to find me. I’m like a magnet for it.”

“Sure.”

“The whole world is a critic.” She shook her head sadly. “I don’t know how I put up with all of you.”

“Because we feed you?” Tom suggested.

“Well… that’s a good point.” Ellie grinned at Tom when he glanced at her. “Aren’t you looking forward to a day at the beach?”

“Yeah.”

“Well there you go. So am I.” And making sure Michelle and her friends set their sights on someone else to pick on. But that was between her and Lauren. Tom didn’t need to know every single thought she had. Well, maybe she’d tell him. She’d think about it.

Ellie looked around the beach at the crowd. It seemed like half her grade was there. Although that was probably an exaggeration. She spotted Michelle and waved to her with a friendly smile.

Lauren came to stand beside her. “Are we doing the right thing?”

Ellie watched Tom and Sam who were setting up a beach umbrella and blankets. “Yes. By the time today ends, every female in our grade is going to be interested in Sam.”

“Not too interested,” Lauren protested.

“Don’t you trust him?”

“Why would he want me if someone like Michelle was throwing themselves at him? She’s bikini-model-gorgeous.”

Ellie dropped her arm around Lauren’s shoulders. “Don’t sweat it. He’s not going to look at anyone other than you. He adores you. You’re his first girlfriend. He worships the ground you walk on.”

“I think Michelle wants to talk to you.”

“Yeah. Give me a couple of minutes. And get our boys half naked for me.” Ellie grinned. “Tell Tom I’ll meet him in the surf.”

“I’ve been wondering if I’ve done the right thing ever since Sam invited me.” Lauren glanced towards Michelle again. “Her tongue is sharper than every knife in Gregory’s kitchen.”

“Leave her to me. You just work on having a good day and seeing that Sam enjoys himself. And make sure he gets his shirt off when I’m over with Michelle. Even if you have to strip it off him.”

Lauren giggled. “Like that’s going to be a real hardship.”

“I know. It’s a tough job, but I’m relying on you.” With a wink to her friend, Ellie pulled her dress over her head and handed it to Lauren. She’d worn her bikini under her dress to make it easier to hit the water as soon as possible. A quick wave to Tom, who was still helping Sam set up their spot, and she strode towards Michelle.

“I couldn’t believe it when you turned up with Tom. There’s been so much talk about you pair and everyone is wondering what’s going on.” Michelle stared past Ellie’s shoulder at Tom.

“Isn’t he just die-in-his-arms gorgeous?” Ellie couldn’t resist another glance at him.

“How on earth did you manage to get your claws into him? I swear every single girl in our grade, oh what am I talking about, every single girl at our school is absolutely green.”

“Well, I don’t know about that. I’m sure not every girl. But yeah, I’m not surprised. He was certainly a hard one to catch.”

“How did you do it? And how on earth do you manage to put up with his brother? Sam is such a loser.”

Ellie leant in close to Michelle and dropped her voice. “Just between you and me.”

“Yes?”

“Him and his brother are extremely close. Best friends. I made friends with Sam first.”

Michelle drew back in surprise. “Get outta here! Really?”

Ellie nodded. “Absolutely true.”

“Wow. You’d never think it when you see them together at school.”

“Only because they’ve got different interests. But they spend heaps of time with each other and they get along better than any siblings I’ve ever known.”

“Wow.” Michelle looked over towards Tom and Sam again.

Ellie grinned when Lauren removed Sam’s shirt and Michelle grabbed her arm with a sudden indrawn breath. She managed to stay silent for a few minutes longer, but when Lauren started to rub sunscreen on Sam, Michelle’s grip tightened on her arm. “Are you alright? You’ve gone awfully quiet.” She managed to make her expression suitably serious.

Michelle met her gaze. “Baby Face has a body.”

“Of course he does. You need something to attach a head to.”

Michelle rolled her eyes. “Abs, muscles, my god, who’d think that was hidden under his shirt. Where’d he get it?”

“I told you, him and Tom are best friends. He trains with his brother on the weekend to keep him company.”

“Pity he looks like he’s barely thirteen and can’t string more than two words together.”

Ellie shrugged. “And a guy who prefers to listen is a problem because?”

Michelle grinned. “Of course it’s not a problem. But is that really how you hooked up with Tom?”

Ellie nodded. “Yep.”

“How long have you been with Tom?”

Ellie shrugged. “A couple of weeks or there about. Why?”

“Oh, you poor thing. Isn’t five weeks his longest relationship?”

“Who wants to worry about something like that?” Ellie waved the concern away. “I’m planning to enjoy every second I do have with him.”

Michelle watched Tom as he ditched his shirt and put sunscreen on his chest. “How can you stand to let him out of your reach? You never know who might snatch him away from you.”

Ellie shrugged. “If I’ve got to keep that close a watch on him then I’m not interested.”

“You’re crazy. Oh. Oh. He’s coming this way.”

Ellie smiled as Tom walked towards her, after he’d poured more sunscreen in his hand. “Have a problem?” she asked when he reached her.

“I could have asked Lauren to help out, but she seemed a little preoccupied.”

“I can help,” Michelle hurriedly offered.

“Have you met Michelle before, Tom?”

“Not that I recall.”

Ellie took some of the sunscreen from his hand. “She goes to our school.” She started to rub the sunscreen into his back.

Before Michelle could say anything else, David joined their group. “What is everyone doing standing around? This is a beach. We should be hitting the waves.”

Ellie stepped back in front of Tom. “All done.”

Tom held up his hand that still had sunscreen in it. “Need any?”

“Might as well. Although I smeared it all over myself before we left this morning.”

“Now that wasn’t very nice of you. I thought that was meant to be my job.” Tom spread the sunscreen between both his hands before he ran them down her arms.

“We?” Michelle looked between each of them.

Ellie nodded. “I’ve been staying at Tom’s place on the weekend.” Her eyes shifted to David. “Come on then. We’re ready to hit the waves. You coming, David?”

“No fear.”

Ellie linked her fingers through Tom’s. “I wish I’d brought a body board with me. It looks great out there today.”

“I brought my surfboard,” David offered.

Ellie shook her head and laughed. “No way. I want to enjoy myself not spend my day being dumped.”

“If you don’t mind, I’ll borrow it later,” Tom said.

Michelle hurried to join them. “You surf?” Her eyes were glued to Tom, who shrugged in answer.

“No probs. Give me a yell when you want a go,” David said.

They reached the water’s edge and splashed into the shallows. Ellie waved to Lauren and Sam who were already in the water. Lauren gestured her over with a grin. Ellie nodded and turned to Tom. “Feel like a swim?” She grinned.

Tom laughed. “Stupid question.”

They ran through the shallows towards deeper water.

By the middle of the day Ellie was glad to lie under the shade of the beach umbrella. She was ready for a break from the water but her lips were permanently curved in a smile. She was also dying to see what food Sam had prepared for lunch. He didn’t disappoint her.

Once she’d eaten, she lay back and closed her eyes for a bit, falling asleep. The next thing she knew, she was being kissed by Tom. Her eyes slowly opened and he drew back to smile down at her.

“You’re not going to sleep the whole day away are you?”

“The beach always does that to me. How long was I asleep?”

“Nearly two hours. You’re missing all the fun.”

“Don’t listen to him, Ellie. He crashed out too. And he’d still be sleeping if someone inviting him to play beach volleyball hadn’t woken him. They’ve got a net set up and everything,” Lauren said.

“I don’t know. I can’t trust a word you say.” Ellie shook her head with an appropriately sad expression.

“Hmm. I know exactly how you feel.”

Ellie laughed. “So, are you going to play?”

“Come join us?”

“Does it involve moving much?”

Tom lightly kissed her. “Come play and you can have afternoon tea when the game’s over. If you don’t play you’ll never find out what I brought for you.”

“Will I like it?”

“You’ll hate yourself if you miss out on it.”

Ellie sat up. “Alright. Where’s the game?”

The game was fairly informal and the aim was to have fun rather than score points. When everyone started to head back to the water to cool off, Tom took Ellie to the beach umbrella. Lauren and Sam were nowhere to be seen.

“Wait here.”

“Where are you going?” Ellie sat on the blanket.

Tom smiled. “It’s a surprise.”

“A food surprise?”

Tom nodded.

“The one you were telling me about?”

“The sooner you quit with the questions the quicker I’ll be back and you can have your surprise.”

Ellie mimicked zipping her lips. She grinned when Tom started to walk away, heading for the shop across the road from the beach. She eyed the large esky that sat under the umbrella with her. It was tempting. And she was all alone. A quick peek and no one would know any different. Ellie nearly groaned when Michelle joined her on the blanket.

“Where’s Tom? Did he ditch you already?”

Ellie smiled, leaning forward to confide, “He’s planned a surprise for me.”

“Really?” Michelle glanced around. “Then where is he?”

“How would I know? Something to do with the surprise.”

“Oh. Oh. He’s coming now. And he’s carrying something in a plastic bag. It doesn’t look very big. It can’t be much of a surprise.”

Ellie’s smile slipped. She wanted to tell Michelle where to go, but knew that was social suicide. “It’s food, Michelle.”

Michelle frowned. “How can food be a surprise?”

“Because they cook.”

“Who does?”

“Tom’s family. I guess you could call it a family hobby.”

Michelle looked at her in surprise. “You can’t cook at all. Does he know?”

“Yep and he thinks it’s funny.”

“Are you sure?”

Ellie nodded. “Absolutely.” She smiled at Tom as he sat by the esky. “You took your time. I was beginning to wonder if you’d gotten lost.”

“Anticipation improves everything.”

“I don’t know about that. All my wait seems to have done is made me hungrier.”

“Ellie said your family cooks as a hobby. If you made her something to eat, why did you need to go to the shop?”

Ellie tried to hold back the annoyance Michelle’s interruption caused. It suddenly evaporated as she saw what Tom took out of the esky and put in a bowl. “Oh, you didn’t! I can’t believe it.” She grinned when he pulled a small tub of vanilla ice cream out of the plastic bag. “You are perfect.”

“You did request pancakes, vanilla ice cream and maple syrup.” Tom poured the maple syrup and handed the bowl to Ellie.

“Why would you want to eat something like that at the beach? That’s weird,” Michelle said.

“It was a joke,” Tom said shortly.

“Oh! That makes more sense.”

Ellie ignored Michelle as she took a bite. She looked over to Tom who watched her with a similar expression to what she’d seen on his brother and father’s face. She broke off a piece of the pancake and ate it plain. “It’s different.”

“Is that good or bad?” Tom asked.

“Definitely good. I don’t know what Sam did to it, but it’s even better than ever.” Ellie took another mouthful.

Tom smiled. “I made it.”

Ellie pointed at him. “You are going to cook me a meal.”

“Really Ellie, that’s no way to talk to someone who’s just gone out of their way to make you food.” Michelle rolled her eyes. “You’re meant to show a little gratitude.”

Tom grinned at Ellie. “Now Michelle has pointed it out, I’ve noticed you haven’t thanked me for all the effort I went to. I had to sneak upstairs really early in the morning so you wouldn’t know what I was up to.”

“If it’s gratitude you’re looking for I’ll try and do my best. Let me see.” Ellie looked thoughtful as she had another mouthful. “I’m going to marry you and become as big as a house.”

“Ellie!” Michelle looked utterly shocked.

Tom laughed. “I can’t take a proposal seriously unless it’s done on one knee with a ring held out.”

“Nope, can’t do that. I’m too busy eating this divine meal.”

Michelle shook her head. “I’d like to try some. It’s only a pancake. Really, Ellie, you’re being extremely weird about it.”

Ellie barely managed not to snarl at Michelle. Why did she have to stick around and ruin this moment?

Tom pointed behind Michelle. “I think someone is trying to get your attention over there.” When Michelle started to turn away, he spoke again. “We’ll catch up with you in the water. We should be back in soon. You’ll probably want to put more sunscreen on before you go in again. You’re starting to look a little pink. I’d hate to see you get sunburned.”

“Thank you, Tom. That’s thoughtful of you to notice.” Michelle rose to her feet. “I’ll see you both soon.”

As soon as Michelle was out of earshot, Tom turned to Ellie. “What do you see in that girl?”

“You really don’t want to know.”

“Because?”

“It’s not very nice.”

“Then why put up with her?”

“Because offending her is like insulting the king or queen of a country. I’d have to change my name and relocate overseas.”

Tom laughed. “I’m sure it can’t be that bad.”

“Michelle is one of the main people who teases your brother.” Ellie put her hand on Tom’s arm when he looked like he’d rise to his feet. “Be nice to her.”

“Why would I be nice to that bitch?”

“Because it’s all under control.”

“Is that what today was all about? The trouble you were planning?”

Ellie shrugged. “Sort of.”

“Come on Ellie. You know I’ll drag it out of you eventually.”

Ellie sighed and had another mouthful of her food. It was nearly finished. She eyed the esky. “Do you have any more in there? Surely you didn’t cook just one.”

“The rest are at home. No changing the subject.”

Ellie finished eating her pancake and handed the bowl to Tom. “Lauren was really worried about you not being at school next year to reduce some of the bullying. Neither of us are popular enough that it’d make a difference in the way Sam’s treated.”

“So Lauren was in on this too?”

Ellie shook her head. “Not really. I told her I’d take care of it.” She smiled. “Unlike some people she has complete faith in my plans.”

“So what is the plan?”

“You have to keep being nice to Michelle and everything else will fall into place.”

“Ellie.”

She couldn’t miss the warning in his tone. “I really hate having to explain all the tiny details. People usually look at me like I’m some slime left behind in a pond that’s dried up.”

“Unlike most people I already know you don’t mind manipulating and lying to make things go the way you want them to. You might as well tell me everything.”

“Michelle pointed out that your longest relationship is five weeks. But I already knew that.”

“Ours will be longer.”

“How do you know?”

“Because you don’t spend every minute of the day and night being self centred and shallow. And I spend nearly every weekend peeling away all the new layers to find out what you’re up to.”

Ellie laughed, thinking of Lauren’s comment about Easter eggs in clothes. “Okay, but if you mess up my plan I’m going to be very annoyed with you.”

“You never know, I might even be able to improve on it.”

“I told her Sam is your best friend and I hooked up with you by becoming his friend. I explained that you spend a lot of your weekends with your brother.”

“How is that going to get her to lay off him?”

Ellie moved closer to Tom and smiled up at him. “Because she’s expecting us to be only short term, so she’s going to become friends with Sam. When she eventually gives up on you she won’t be able to suddenly turn on Sam without looking like a complete bitch. Unless Sam does something utterly stupid, which I can’t see him doing because he’s shy rather than an idiot. So she’ll have to stay friendly towards him. And if Michelle is friends with him, all her friends will be and all the guys who desperately want to hook up with her.”

“And I thought you were leaving Lisbeth at home today.”

Ellie grinned. “She obviously snuck along.”

“So how do I thank you for looking out for my little brother?”

“You don’t. That was an example of me being self centred and shallow.”

Tom shook his head. “Now you’ve really lost me.”

Ellie sighed. “And I guess that means you’re expecting an explanation.” She wasn’t happy to see Tom nod. “Okay. Lauren is my best friend. If something upsets her, it upsets me. And if someone is picking on her, they’ll eventually start on me, because I can’t stand back and let them. And if she stays with your brother that will happen with the way he’s treated. So I’m just looking out for myself.”

Tom shook his head. “No. You’re looking out for your friend. That isn’t shallow.” He groaned.

“What?”

“Are you sure I have to be nice to the queen bitch?”

Ellie laughed. “Now that’s a name I can enjoy using. Yes, you do. Why?”

“Because she’s heading for the water and waving us over.”

“We can drown our sorrows with pancakes, vanilla ice cream and maple syrup when we get home.”

Tom laughed and rose to his feet, pulling Ellie with him. “No wonder you fit into my family so well. That’s exactly the way we think about food. A solution to every problem.”