by Willow Rose
"Can you believe it, Little Miss Jasmine? Can you? Miss Polly can't find her dolly."
Chapter 7
April 2013
"Why didn't you tell me you were seeing someone?" I asked my dad when we got back to the house. Helle had to go back to her shop where she sold trinkets or something like that according to my dad who apparently didn't really know what it was she was selling.
"I don't know," he said and sat in a chair while I served him a cup of coffee. "I thought it would be better this way."
"You mean a sneak attack on one of my most important days?" I asked with a chuckle.
My dad laughed. "Yeah, something like that."
I found a box of Danish butter cookies and gave him a couple with his coffee. I grabbed a handful myself and started eating them.
"So what did you think of her?" he asked with his mouth full.
I swallowed mine and drank some coffee while choosing my words carefully. "She seemed very nice, actually. I like her."
"Actually? You didn't expect to like her?"
I shrugged. "To be frank, no. It was quite a shock at first, and then I guess I reacted with resentment. But lunch was a good idea. Talking to her made me like her. But I have to say you didn't give her a fair chance bringing her like that. It wasn't fair towards her. You could have at least told me about her."
He ate another cookie and nodded. "Well, I was afraid you'd be angry, so I thought we should just get it over with."
I chuckled again. "You're impossible. You're lucky she still likes you after that stunt. That proves to me she's a good woman."
My dad smiled in a strange fashion. There was something about him.
Something…like…glowing? Could you say that about a guy? Well, he was glowing. He was happy and I don't think I had ever seen him happy before, not like this. It made me a little jealous. I think a little might be an understatement. Why wasn't I able to make him happy like that?
"She's a great woman," he said with that strange smile on his face. My dad never smiled much. He was grumpy about work, about his medical clinic when I was a child, he was angry at my mom for leaving him and moving to Spain the last few years, there had always been something for him to be moping about. But not now. Now he wasn't even grumbling. That was very new to me and a little odd when you've become accustomed to such different behavior. Thinking about it while sitting in front of him, he had been a lot happier lately. I had just thought it was because of him finally being able to retire from his clinic and moving closer to his daughter and grandchildren.
I smiled with a sigh. "Well as long as she makes you happy, Dad, then I am too. We should invite her over for dinner and get to know her a little better. If she is going to be in your life, then we should make her welcome."
My dad grabbed the paper and nodded. "Sounds great, sweetheart."
His face disappeared behind the local Fanoe paper where pictures from the TV show Shooting Star were plastered all over. Shooting Star was a TV reality show that featured children singing. A little like X-factor and those kinds of shows, only for children. It was the biggest talk of the island these days. The TV show was coming to Fanoe for the first time and everybody wanted their kids to audition. The show's host was a young guy in his twenties who simply went by the name of Patrick. He was the most talked about host in Danish history, a horrible drama queen and primadonna, but always fun to watch. Especially when he whined excessively into the microphone in enthusiasm.
He was the show and most people liked to see the children sing, but they watched it because of him. He was funny, witty, and very very handsome. And he wasn't afraid of acting crazy. People never knew what he would do or say next and I had a feeling neither did the producers. He always did or said something that created headlines everywhere and made people talk. That made it the most popular show in Danish television history. Me, unlike most people my age, I wasn't afraid to admit it. I liked to watch Shooting Stars and I was definitely going to go down there for the auditions. Just to see the set-up, I didn't have any children that wanted to do it, but Sophia did. She had six kids in total and she had managed to persuade two of them to audition for the show. I was naturally going to be there to support her and of course, hopefully catch a glimpse of the spectacular host.
Chapter 8
April 2013
Josephine Gyldenstjerne knew she was born for greatness. She also knew children weren't born equal and that she was among the few born to rule others. At the age of six, Josephine knew all about class distinctions and she knew her place in this world. As the daughter of a Count and Countess of Denmark, she knew she was destined to live a life of luxury.
As always in the spring, the family moved to the small island of Fanoe and lived at their residence close to the beach. And as always, Josephine was followed closely by her governess, Ms. Camilla, even when they took a rare break from her schooling and walked to the beach. Josephine adored the beach. She loved the mighty dunes and wide stretch of sand, and she particularly loved the huge ocean with nothing but water as far as you could see. Every afternoon this week she had begged Ms. Camilla to take her down there and watch the waves coming in from afar. And every day Ms. Camilla had said no, they had work to do. Until this Wednesday afternoon, when the sun was shinning from a clear blue sky and even Ms. Camilla felt the calling of the birds and the alluring spring outside of the windows of the mansion they called their vacation residence.
"England is on the other side of the ocean," Ms. Camilla said when they stopped at the top of the dunes. She pointed to make sure Josephine watched.
But Josephine didn't care. She knew all that and even more. She closed her eyes and breathed in the salty air blowing in from exotic places far, far away. She imagined a small boy at the shore in England standing just like she did and breathing in the same air, just hours earlier before it blew across the North Sea. She chuckled at the thought and opened her eyes. Ms. Camilla was still talking about England and trying to teach her stuff that she already knew. Josephine had spent most of her life reading and learning about other countries, but she was never taken anywhere, not even when her parents travelled to all kinds of places all over the world. No, she had to stay and get her education she was told when she pleaded with them to take her along for an adventure. She had obligations. There was going to be a day when she would be able to travel and see the world as well, just not now. Education was more important.
So Josephine had to just dream about all of those exotic foreign places for now, but one day she was going to see them all. No one was ever going to stop her from doing that. Not even her absent parents who only spent time with her when they quizzed her on her knowledge and what she had learned in school so far. They never even ate together, since Josephine was supposed to eat with her governess and was only supposed to see her parents when she entered their chambers every evening at seven forty-five to say goodnight. If she was lucky her mother would come and listen in during her lessons every now and then, and she would get to hug her afterwards, even if it was only a short hug.
Once they took her with them to a gallery opening where they were invited as guests of honor. Josephine had enjoyed that immensely. Especially when all the photographers were yelling and taking pictures and asking her to smile for them. That was a lot of fun. But it had only happened that one time. She was hoping for more.
"So tell me Josephine," Ms. Camilla said. "How many people live in London, the capital of England?"
Josephine sighed. "Do I have to? I want to just enjoy the sound of the waves and the fresh air."
"Yes, I know. But learning is important, too. You know that."
Josephine sighed again and looked up at her governess. How she loathed the woman. She was the person closest to her, but sometimes Josephine wondered if she was even human at all. Sometimes she would imagine her being a robot that her parents had bought to mind her. Josephine would picture her in her chambers putting in new batteries or charging herself up by plugging into the wall outle
t. That always made Josephine laugh.
"So? I know you know this one, Josephine. I'm taking it easy on you now."
"Twelve million people," she answered. "Making it the largest city in Europe. The country of England is one of the world's most famous and wealthiest. The country is seventy-four times smaller than the United States. The people of England consume more tea per capita than in any other country in the world. Most police officers in England do not carry guns with them unless it is an extreme emergency. The oldest zoo in the world opened in England, in the city of London, in 1828. In Medieval England, beer was a common breakfast beverage. Shoelaces were invented in England in 1790. England is home to the famous rock and roll band The Beatles, as well as The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, and many other rock bands."
Josephine breathed and looked up at Ms. Camilla waiting for her reaction. Ms. Camilla nodded with tight lips. "Very well then. If you insist on making fun of me, then maybe I should talk to your parents."
Josephine stopped smiling. She shook her head. "Sorry," she said.
"Maybe it was a mistake to come out here. Let's get back and finish our work," Ms. Camilla said.
Josephine felt the tears pressing. She really wanted to go down to the beach first. She wanted to put her feet in the ocean and feel how cold it was. She wanted to breathe the salty air for at least a few minutes more, she wanted to run across the sand even if her dress might get sandy or wet. She just wanted to have a little fun for once.
Is that so hard to understand?
Ms. Camilla grabbed her arm. Josephine pulled it out of her grip. "I don't want to," she said with tears in her voice. She knew she sounded like a small child with her shrill voice, but enough was enough.
"What are you saying? Miss Josephine Gyldenstjerne. You are to obey whatever I tell you to do. If I say we go back, we go back immediately. It's not up for discussion. Would you rather have your father send you away to boarding school?"
Josephine snorted. Her heart was racing and she didn't know what to do. She only knew that she was determined not to go with the governess back to that boring old house and all the boring books. She stomped her feet like a four-year-old.
"I want to go down to the beach!"
"But we have just been to the beach," Ms. Camilla said.
"I want to go all the way down there. I want to have my feet in the sand. I want to feel the ocean. I want to make a sandcastle!"
"Miss Josephine!" Ms. Camilla was yelling now, dismayed. "Are you raising your voice to me? Because I will not have that. You come here this instant and follow me back to the house. I will have to call up your parents and have them come up with a proper punishment for this behavior. Never have I…" Ms. Camilla put her hand in her pocket and pulled out a cellphone. "I'm calling them now. They should know what is going on. Your father will be very angry. He is at a very important meeting today and has no time to deal with this. And your mother is getting ready to go to Skagen for a couple of days. She has to meet with the jeweler about the earrings she ordered and try on the dress for the Royal wedding next month." She looked at Josephine who had started to back up. "Come back here, young lady."
Josephine shook her head. "No," she said. "You're gonna call them anyway. I might as well have my fun first." Then she turned around and started descending towards the beach.
"Miss Josephine!" she heard her governess call behind her, but she didn't care one bit. She ran and felt the wind lift her hair and it was almost as if she was flying. She couldn't help laughing and smiling while she ran down the dunes and into the sand where she felt it tickle her toes in the sandals. Finally, finally she was going to feel the ocean. Finally she was on her own. Ms. Camilla was probably still yelling but the wind drowned out her voice much to Josephine's pleasure. She pulled up her dress to better run faster, something she hadn't been allowed to do for a very long time, except during her tennis lessons with Mr. Henrik. It felt so good that she had to laugh as loudly as she could and scream out her joy.
Chapter 9
April 2013
The water felt amazing touching Josephine's feet and covering her expensive sandals. She chuckled and looked down as a wave came in and it reached her knees. Even if she had lifted up her dress it still got wet on the bottom, but she didn't care. Not about the dress, not about her parents, or even about Ms. Camilla who was probably still yelling at her from the dunes. She didn't even care enough to look back and see if she had followed her or was coming for her. It didn't matter. All that mattered was that Josephine had a few minutes to herself doing exactly what she felt like.
She laughed out loud again and stomped her feet making the water splash up high. She closed her eyes and danced while soaking her dress and thighs in the ice cold water. When she opened them again, she spotted someone at the beach, someone walking a dog. Josephine looked at where she had come down to the beach and spotted Ms. Camilla still standing up there, probably just waiting for her to come back, since she couldn't walk in the sand with her high heeled shoes and she was too prim and proper to take them off. Josephine waved at her, then ran towards the dog that was playing in the water just like she was.
"Be careful, he's a little playful," the owner said as Josephine approached the dog and it started jumping around her in joy. Josephine laughed and looked at the owner. An old lady wearing a green rain jacket with the hood covering her head.
"Can I pet him?"
Josephine was filled with joy once again as the old lady nodded with a gentle smile. She wasn't allowed to have pets and the only dogs she ever saw were the ones her dad used on his hunts with his friends. They weren't playful and friendly like this one. Josephine laughed when it jumped her. She touched its ears and face and felt how incredibly soft it was.
"Django," the owner said and walked closer. She grabbed the collar and pulled him down from Josephine. "We don't jump on people. Especially not small girls in very pretty dresses."
"Is that his name?" Josephine asked. "Django?"
The old lady smiled. "That it is. Do you like it?"
"I love it. It's so cute."
The old lady chuckled. "I thought so, too."
"Is it gonna rain soon?" Josephine asked.
The old lady looked confused. "I don't think so. The weatherman on TV this morning said sunshine all day."
"Why are you wearing a rain jacket, then?"
The old lady chuckled. "Oh that." She leaned over and looked into Josephine's eyes. Josephine liked her eyes, they were nice and friendly. "That is just for fun."
Josephine laughed. "That is funny."
Django started licking her hand and Josephine chuckled. Oh how she had always wanted a dog like this one, a friend to keep her company during the long days, a friend she could walk with outside in the yard or at the beach like the old lady. She looked at the woman in the thick raincoat and suddenly spotted something sticking out from inside of the coat.
"What's that?" she said.
"This thing?" the lady asked and pulled out the most beautiful old doll that Josephine had ever seen. She showed it to Josephine.
"Yes, that. Is it yours?"
The old lady nodded. "That's my dolly. Do you like her?"
Josephine nodded eagerly. Like any other six-year-old girl, she could never get enough of dolls. "I love it. Does it have a name?"
The old lady nodded with a big smile. "It does. Her name is Little Miss Jasmine. Do you want to try and hold her?"
Django was running around playfully in the water still as Josephine was handed the doll. She looked at it with stars in her eyes. "She is so beautiful."
"It's an old doll. My daughter used to play with it. The one eye is broken, but she is still pretty, I think."
"Your daughter is very lucky."
The old lady tilted her head and looked at Josephine. "I have more at my house. Would you like to see them?"
Chapter 10
April 2013
"What a beautiful day, huh?" said Hanne,the producer.
She was
standing next to Patrick on the top deck of the small ferry. Patrick looked at the island approaching in the distance through his dark sunglasses. He smoked his cigarette and blew out smoke that the wind instantly carried away.
"So are you ready to take in a new town?" she continued. "We've never been to Fanoe before. They are really excited about us coming. The newspaper has been writing about it for weeks and the local TV-station has been talking non-stop about it as well. It's a big thing for a small community like this. It gives a lot of great publicity for the show and you know how important that is. So put on your famous smile and give them a fantastic show, alright?"
Patrick scoffed and smoked again. He hated these so-called pep talks that Hanne always wanted to have before entering a new city. Like this was going to be any different than the rest, just because it was a small island in the middle of nowhere. It was all the same. Little did Hanne know that for Patrick this was actually going to be very different than all the other places they had been. He had something special planned, something that would bring him much joy.
"You're not hung-over again, are you?" she asked and tried to look into his eyes through the glasses. "I need you at your best."
"I'm fine," he grumbled. He wasn't hungover. He was still riding the rush of last night’s kill, but the buzz had started to wear off. He hadn't been able to sleep once he got back to the hotel room. The adrenalin had been rushing through his veins, so instead he had taken the car and driven around the town for hours, racing every car he could see on the road.
"Good. Cause you are our guy, you know that. Without you there would—"
"…be no show, I know," Patrick said. "I'm just saving my energy for later. You know, to give them what they came for."
