ELEMENTS: Acquiesce

by Kathryn Andrews

  “Cordelia?” called Lana, hammering on the door. “Are you up?”

  “I’m in the bath!” she called back. “I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

  “Happy birthday!” called Lana.

  “Happy birthday!” called Nerissa and Masika in unison.

  “Thank you!” called Cordelia.

  “We’ll wait for you in the dining hall,” said Lana.

  “Don’t be too long now,” said Nerissa.

  Cordelia gently squeezed a sponge over her shoulder, allowing the water to trickle down her back. The pain turned her stomach and made her feel sick. She tugged at the towel that was hanging by the fireplace and held it across the front of her body as she walked over to the mirror. She glanced at herself side on, twisting to get a better view of her shoulder blades. The skin looked sore and inflamed on both sides. She told herself she’d see Amathia about it if things didn’t improve over the weekend. Right now, her friends were waiting and she needed to get dressed. She pulled on her clothes, but even the soft, cotton fabric of her shirt tied her stomach in knots when it brushed against her skin. She’d never felt anything like it. Once dressed, Cordelia brushed her hair. She sat in quiet shock, staring at the unusual amount of hair coming out with the brush. She pulled the hair out from between the bristles and brushed her hair again. Great clumps were coming out. She put the brush down and combed her hair through with her fingers instead but still her hair came loose; strand upon strand of long, grey hair wrapped itself around her fingers and she desperately tried to wipe it off. Inside she was panicking.

  “What’s wrong with me?” she muttered under her breath.

  Thirty minutes had passed since her friends had knocked the door and now they were back.

  “Cordelia!” called Nerissa, “Are you ready yet?”

  “Can we come in?” asked Lana.

  “Just a moment!” called Cordelia.

  She threw the clumps of hair into the fire and opened the door. This time even more sparks flew from the fire.

  “Indoor fireworks?” said Masika. “That’s new.”

  “Why not?” asked Nerissa. “It is her birthday.”

  Lana stepped forward and hugged her friend. “Happy birthday.”

  Cordelia flinched. “Thank you.”

  “What’s wrong?” asked Lana.

  “Oh, it’s nothing,” said Cordelia. “Must have over done it with the diving practise.”

  “Here,” said Nerissa, handing Cordelia a package. “It’s a gift, from all of us.”

  Cordelia smiled. “You didn’t need to…”

  “We wanted to,” said Nerissa.

  Cordelia was touched by the kind gesture from her friends but the excitement on Nerissa’s face is what really made her smile.

  “Should I open it now?” asked Cordelia.

  Nerissa nodded like an excited puppy. Cordelia untied the string bow and carefully unfolded the brown paper to reveal something quite extraordinary. Cordelia was speechless for several moments while she studied the brass cuff watch.

  “It’s amazing,” said Cordelia, placing it on her wrist. “It has such intricate detail, it must have cost a fortune.”

  “The cost doesn’t matter,” said Lana.

  “Where did you find it?” asked Cordelia, unable to take her eyes off the watch. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

  “We met a woman on the seafront by the periwinkle stand,” said Masika. “We mentioned we were shopping for your birthday present and she told us she had the perfect gift for you.”

  “Do you really like it?” asked Nerissa.

  “I love it,” said Cordelia, smiling.

  Cordelia felt a tickle on her arm and scratched it, only to find loose strands of hair balancing on her arm. She brushed them to the floor with her hand and pretended everything was okay.

  “Have you picked out an outfit for tonight?” asked Lana.

  “Not yet,” said Cordelia.

  “Did I hear you girls discussing outfits?” asked Mazu chirpily as she entered the room. “I hope you don’t mind, the door was open.”

  “Not at all,” said Cordelia.

  “Happy birthday my dear,” said Mazu, holding Cordelia by the forearms and kissing her on each cheek.

  “Thank you.”

  “Oh, look at this,” said Mazu, admiring Cordelia’s watch, “isn’t it beautiful. Do you have an outfit to wear with this tonight?”

  “I’ll find something,” said Cordelia.

  “Indeed you will,” said Mazu, “but you’ll be wanting something new for such a special occasion, you all will, which is why I’m taking you shopping.”

  The girls’ eyes lit up and they squealed with excitement, hugging Mazu and thanking her.

  “I’ll meet you outside in a second,” said Cordelia, “I just want to do something with my hair.”

  “Don’t be long,” said Mazu, “or all the best dresses will be gone.”

  Looking in the mirror, Cordelia toyed with her hair before tying it in a pony tail. She pulled on her boots, picked up her jacket and closed the chamber door behind her. In the tunnel Cordelia came face to face with Morwen Vanora. Cordelia stared at the ground in an attempt to avoid the woman but Morwen stood in her path.

  “I saw you last night, at the amphitheatre,” scowled Morwen.

  Cordelia lifted her eyes and Morwen glared at her with such resentment.

  “You may be able to fool everyone else,” she hissed, “but you don’t fool me.”

  Cordelia never said a word. She held Morwen’s stare which seemed to irritate the woman so much that her eyes became bloodshot. Eventually, Morwen stepped aside and Cordelia carried on her way.

  Outside, the sun shone brightly in the clear blue sky. The horses quietly grazed on the lush, green grass on the cliff top and a gentle sea breeze ruffled the water below. It was warm and peaceful outside, a striking contrast to the icy atmosphere Cordelia had experienced moments before. She skipped over to the others waiting in the cart.

  “Will I have time to stop at the tavern on the way?” asked Cordelia.

  “I don’t see why not,” said Mazu, “but we want to be in the shop by ten or we’ll be late for lunch.”

  “Your hair looks good like that,” said Lana.

  Cordelia smiled.

  “I think you should wear it down tonight though,” said Nerissa. “It’s too pretty to hide out of the way.”

  Cordelia chose not to pass comment on how she’d be wearing her hair.

  It was still fairly quiet as they rode into town. Mazu stopped the horse at the rear of the tavern. Cordelia stepped down from the cart and tried the handle. The door was locked. She knocked three times and waited patiently.

  Breck opened an upstairs window and called down, “Hang on, I’ll be right there!”

  He rushed down the stairs and opened the door. He was short of breath and half dressed, wearing only his trousers and clutching a small package wrapped in brown paper. He rested one arm on the door frame and smiled at Cordelia in a way that made her weak at the knees.

  “Happy birthday,” he said.

  Cordelia gawked at Breck’s chest moving up and down as he caught his breath.

  “Are you coming in?” he asked.

  Cordelia glanced at the others waiting in the cart then focused on her watch.

  “Only for a minute,” she said and stepped inside. “I’ve just…”

  Breck planted a kiss on her lips before she could finish her sentence. Cordelia surrendered for a moment or two before pushing him away.

  “What if someone sees us?” she whispered. “Where’s Flynn?”

  “He’s in the bath.”

  “Will you tell him I’ll be in later? Mazu’s taking us dress shopping.” Cordelia checked the time on her watch. It was nine forty five.

  “That’s a nice watch,” said Breck.

  “It was a gift, from the girls.”

  “Speaking of gifts, I’ve one for you, in exchange for a kiss,” said Breck,
playfully hiding the package behind his back.

  “You’re such a tease,” said Cordelia, standing on tip toes to reach Breck’s lips.

  He handed her the package. The twinkle in his eyes suggested it was something special and he waited with quiet anticipation for her response. Cordelia could tell by the shape and feel of the package that it was probably a book but she never could have known just how thoughtful a gift this would be. She peeled the paper back and gasped for breath.

  “Jane Eyre,” whispered Cordelia, running her fingers over the cover. “You remembered.”

  She gazed into Breck’s eyes and in this moment she realised just how much he really loved her. They shared an unspoken desire to be alone together but knew they would have to wait. Cordelia checked her watch again, the time was nine fifty.

  “I love it,” said Cordelia, hugging him tight, “but I have to go. Thank you so much.” She kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll see you this evening.”

  Cordelia climbed back into the cart.

  “Everything okay?” asked Mazu.

  “Yes thank you,” replied Cordelia.

  The girls made sideways glances at each other and giggled when Cordelia blushed.

  The horse and cart made its way along Albert Road and stopped outside the lace and linen shop.

  “I can’t go in there,” said Cordelia, panicked, “not after last time.”

  “Oh, you’re not worried about that are you?” asked Mazu, “That’s all in the past and the damage was fixed. See, nothing wrong with these windows.”

  “What if she remembers me?”

  “Cordelia, it’s been three months since you were last here, there’s probably been hundreds of customers in and out since then.”

  Cordelia dithered by the cart as Mazu and her three friends walked towards the door.

  “Are you joining us?” asked Mazu.

  Cordelia reluctantly entered the shop and the brass bell rang overhead. The shop was still dimly lit and it smelt of must and lavender just as before. Cordelia instantly noticed another room to the left of the doorway that she hadn’t seen before. Her eyes lit up and her three friends squeezed past her in the narrow entrance to get into the room.

  “Don’t be nervous,” said a strangely familiar voice.

  The old woman was standing behind the wooden counter on the other side of the entrance.

  “I used to eat my lunch in there,” said the old woman, “but it didn’t seem to be a very good use of the space.”

  The woman made a valid point. The room she had been using for the shop was long and narrow but this room was far bigger and grander. Cordelia’s eyes slowly scanned the beautiful dresses in the room, gowns of every colour and style.

  “I like to offer the latest fashion,” said the woman, “the ladies from Limerick have come to expect it. They have very high standards.”

  The ladies from Limerick weren’t the only ones with high standards. Cordelia watched Mazu inquisitively; she admired the way she conducted herself with such grace and confidence, always impeccably dressed and always seemed to know exactly what she wanted and how to ask for it.

  “We’re buying four dresses today,” said Mazu, “four of your very best.”

  “A special occasion is it?” asked the old woman.

  “Cordelia turns sixteen today,” said Mazu, proudly.

  The old woman frowned and peered through her eye glass. Just as before, she had not recognised Cordelia in the dim light. The woman gasped.

  “There’s no need for concern,” said Mazu, “we won’t be breaking any windows today, will we Cordelia?”

  Cordelia shook her head.

  “You’re the fisherman’s daughter, aren’t you? They say he’s back from the dead.”

  Lana and the twins stopped fondling the dresses, wondering what might happen next.

  “That would be impossible, wouldn’t it?” said Mazu. “He was simply lost and now he’s found.”

  “It’s a miracle,” said the woman.

  “A miracle would be finding four dresses before lunch time,” replied Mazu.

  “I’ll be next door if you need any help,” said the woman. “There’s a fitting room behind the curtain,” and she pointed to a corner of the room.

  A mannequin displaying a midnight blue dress attracted Cordelia’s attention. Her eyes lit up.

  “It’s beautiful,” said Mazu, “it would look perfect with your hair.”

  “I couldn’t,” said Cordelia, “something this beautiful must cost a fortune.”

  “At least try it on,” said Mazu.

  “Yes,” said Nerissa, “you must.”

  “Excuse me,” called Mazu to the old woman. “May we have your assistance please?”

  The old woman shuffled towards them.

  “Cordelia would like to try on this dress,” said Mazu, gesturing towards the mannequin.

  “It’s a very expensive dress,” said the old woman.

  “And we’re looking for the best,” smiled Mazu.

  The old woman removed the dress from the mannequin and hung it behind the curtain for Cordelia to try on while Mazu assisted Lana and the twins with their choices. Cordelia grimaced in silence at the discomfort of her clothes rubbing against her shoulder blades. The pain caused her cheeks to flush red and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. ‘At least the dress will cover the marks,’ she thought. The dress had navy lace covering the arms, chest and back but she struggled to fasten it. Hot and flustered she yelped in frustration.

  “Is everything alright in there?” asked Mazu.

  Cordelia took a deep breath. “Everything’s grand, thank you.”

  “D’you need a hand doing it up?” asked Mazu.

  Cordelia let out another yelp when Nixie appeared beside her and started fastening her dress.

  “Everything’s fine!” said Cordelia.

  “You didn’t think I’d miss a girl’s day out did you?” whispered Nixie. “Even if you were mean to me.”

  “I’m sorry about that,” whispered Cordelia. “I wasn’t myself.”

  Nixie carefully fastened the dress over Cordelia’s shoulder blades. “Be careful.”

  “Are you talking to someone in there?” asked Mazu, pulling the curtain across just as Nixie had finished. “Nixie, how good of you to join us.”

  “I was helping Cordelia with her dress,” said Nixie.

  “I see,” said Mazu curiously. “Let’s have a look then, come out here where we can see you properly.”

  Cordelia walked gracefully into the middle of the room.

  “You look so pretty,” said Nerissa.

  “It brings out the colour of your eyes,” said Lana.

  “Do you think you can manage not to chop this one to pieces?” asked Mazu.

  Cordelia smiled and nodded.

  “How are we getting on in here?” asked the old woman reentering the room.

  Mazu shot daggers at Nixie who quickly vanished into thin air.

  The old woman stood still and raised her eye glass. “You look wonderful,” she said, and her eyes twinkled with delight just as they had done the first time Cordelia met her.

  When everyone had chosen their outfits, Mazu paid the old woman and stepped outside where she bypassed the horse and cart and continued walking up the street.

  “Where are we going?” asked Masika.

  “The bakers,” said Mazu. “If you can’t have a treat on your birthday, when can you?”

  The smell of fresh baking wafted out the door where the mermaids’ noses were almost touching the glass window panes as they admired the cakes. Mazu entered the shop and returned with a very large box.

  “What’s in there?” asked Nerissa.

  “A birthday cake, of course,” said Mazu. “A very special birthday cake.”

  They returned to the lighthouse in time for a surprise birthday lunch. Cordelia felt a little awkward with all the attention and the weird looks from Morwen and Max didn’t exactly put her at ease but she was grateful to
feel that she belonged somewhere, or at least that others wanted her there. Just when Cordelia thought she was fit to burst from eating so much food, Mazu revealed the cake. Cordelia had never seen such a masterpiece before; it was exquisite.

  Having turned down an invitation for an afternoon swim with her friends on the grounds that she would surely sink after eating so much food, Cordelia spent the next few hours alone in her chamber. She read through her textbooks, searching for information relating to the symptoms she was experiencing but to no avail.

  “You won’t find the answers in there,” said Nixie, appearing at the end of Cordelia’s bed.

  “There must be an answer somewhere,” said Cordelia, “there has to be.”

  “How can there be?” said Nixie, “This has never happened before.”

  “What’s never happened before?”

  “You.” Nixie turned to walk through the wall.

  “Nixie, wait,” pleaded Cordelia. “Tell me what you know.”

  Nixie stopped and turned to face Cordelia. “You’re a prodigy,” she said, “the only one of your kind. Merfolk cannot write about what they do not know.”

  “Morwen’s been right all along. I’m not like the rest of you,” said Cordelia, dismayed.

  “That doesn’t mean you don’t belong,” said Nixie. “Where’s the point in being the same as everyone else? You were born for greater things and it’s time you started believing it. Now don’t you have a party to get ready for?”

  “Who else knows about me? Who knows that I’m not like the rest of you?”

  “Nobody,” said Nixie. “Not really.”

  “What about Triton and Mazu? They must know.”

  Nixie shook her head.

  “But they took me in.”

  “They took a chance,” said Nixie, “a gamble that you’d inherited your father’s genes.”

  “I’m like my mother too, aren’t I?” said Cordelia.

  “It’s what’s in here that counts,” said Nixie, raising a hand to her heart. “You’ll work it out, I know you will, but first you must believe in yourself.”