by W. J. May
“We’d best get goin’ back afore it gets dark outside. Temperature will drop way down once the sun sets.”
True to what Argyle said, Simon could already feel how much colder it was on their way back. No doubt it would be even more chilled once darkness fell. They made it back just as it was hitting twilight, and made it into the house to thaw by the warmth of the fire Argyle’s father had going in the den.
Chapter 4
“About time you boys turned back up.” Argyle’s mother was putting food on the large table that was behind them between the den and the kitchen. Simon wondered how they all stayed so thin if the food was already as heavy as the dishes he saw her setting out, but maybe it wasn’t always like this. Still, he was already full from the late lunch in town. He noted that Beth was not at the table as everyone else seated themselves.
“Oh, good. I’m starved!” Argyle’s statement drew a sharp look from Simon. How? And where would he put it? He resigned himself to eating at least a bit more, knowing he would regret it if he disappointed Argyle’s mother. She seemed very nice, and he didn’t want to be rude.
When he finished, he felt like he had eaten enough for a small village. The food was beyond delicious. He’d even gone for a second helping when it was offered. “I think I’m going to go out for walk. Argyle, you want to come with me?”
Argyle looked as stuffed as he felt. “No, I’m going up to my room to play some games. Don’t get much of a chance to do that at school, ya know? Sure you don’t want to relax? We walked a good bit as it is today and it’s getting really cold out there.”
“I’ll be fine. The cold doesn’t really bother me. Just want to see what Scotland looks like at night.”
“Tah. I see it all the time. Enjoy yourself.”
Simon stood by the front door, putting his coat and hat on before slipping into his gloves. He wasn’t sure where he was going, but he would figure it out. Best not to go very far in the dark and in this weather, but he really did need to at least walk around the farm to settle some of the food he had eaten.
He wasn’t prepared, however, for how cold and dark it had gotten outside. By the time he reached the large barn at the back of the property, he felt half frozen. Darting inside, out of the chilling wind, he decided he would stay inside for a moment to warm up before going back in the house.
“What’re you doing?”
Simon jumped at the sound of Beth’s voice. Great! What was she doing out here? It was going to look like he had come out to meet her or something. He growled at himself. Why am I being so paranoid? I’ve done nothing wrong. “I should ask you the same.” He studied her as she sat on a bench positioned on one wall not far from the door. She was wrapped in a heavy blanket, reading a book.
“This is my hiding place.”
“What’re you hiding from?”
“Good question. What’re you hiding from?”
“Me? Nothing. I was just walking off dinner and it got a bit too chilled. I ducked in here to thaw out for a moment… or two.”
“I just like the privacy.”
“Don’t you have a room for that? I would think it would be much more warm and comfortable than a wooden bench in the barn.”
“I just like it out here.”
“You weren’t at dinner.”
“I wasn’t hungry. Me mum makes too much food. I’m still full from lunch. You weren’t at lunch.”
“No. Your brother fed me lunch in town and I was still full from it, but didn’t want to offend your mom by not eating.”
“Yes, she does get a bit bent out of shape when people turn down her cookin’. That’s why I told her I had homework and snuck out here.”
“I’ll let you get back to your book. I shouldn’t be out here.”
“Shouldn’t be out here with the likes of me, you mean. I don’t bite, ya know.”
“I’m not worried about you biting. I’m worried about your father tanning my hide if he thinks I came out here to see you.”
“I wouldn’t worry about that none. After dinner, he always reads and falls asleep in his chair. He’ll be there until Mum stirs him for bed.”
“Still, I just shouldn’t be out here alone with you. It might not seem proper.”
“Proper. Really?! What year are you living in?” she laughed.
Simon smiled. He liked the sound of her laughter. He hoped she did it more often.
“So, tell me about yer school. Me da won’t let me hear of it from Argyle. What’s it like being in a school for wayward boys? Are there many fights?” She set her book down.
“Wayward boys? Oh. No, there aren’t many fights. Everyone’s busy minding their manners and tending their own business.”
“Why did you say it like that? I can’t imagine what poor, sweet Argyle must’ve done to get sent there. No one will tell me that either. Do you know?”
Simon grew increasingly uncomfortable. He didn’t want to lie to her, but certainly was in no position to tell her the truth. He looked at her for a moment and then looked away as he spoke. “I can’t really say anything about all that. I’m going to go back to the house. You shouldn’t stay too long or you’ll catch cold.”
“Poppy-cock! No one wants to ever tell me anything.”
Simon quickly made his way out the door rather than saying anything else. It was as if he couldn’t get away fast enough. Not only was he put in a bad position of lying to her or telling her something it was apparent she was not meant to know, but he felt that same attraction he had earlier. His heart was racing just from looking into her beautiful, blue-eyed face. All he wanted to do was run his fingers through her long dark curls and hold her close.
Hurrying back to the house and stripping off his winter wear, Simon hung it all on the coatrack inside the front door. Peering toward the den, he could see Argyle’s father asleep in his chair, just as Beth had said he would be. He went upstairs and knocked on Argyle’s door.
“Come in.”
Argyle had been hard to rouse from the headphones of his game, but finally heard him knocking and answered. Simon went in and plopped down on a bean-bag chair beside him, watching as he played some intricate medieval warfare game.
“Man, you’re really good at this.”
“Yeah. I’ve got skills at electronic games; not so good at actual warfare, I fear.”
“How do you know? You’ve never been in a war.”
“I’ve heard me da talk about it, what it takes to be a good soldier. I just don’t see me like that.”
“Well, you still have a bit before you have to worry about anything like that. Your tatù is still a while off.”
“I guess. You wanna play?”
Simon shook his head at the offered game controller. Argyle laid it aside and went to the shelf that housed the numerous music chips he owned. He popped one in the player, and some alternative Scottish rock filled the room. It was different, but not half bad.
“Your sister was asking me about the reform school we’re in.”
“When?”
“I saw her outside when I went for a walk.”
“Tah. You must have been in the barn. She thinks no one knows she sneaks out there, but we all do. I don’t know why she thinks anyone cares.”
“But why does she think we’re in some sort of penal school?”
“I got in trouble right before I went, at my old school. Our parents don’t want her to know what kind of school it really is.”
“Why not? She’s family, so why does it matter? Guilder can’t control you at home, you know.”
“In case ya haven’t noticed, she’s a wee bit high strung, that one. She’ll be wantin’ to know all about it and asking why she can’t get in.”
“I’ve heard they might be letting girls in.”
“I doubt that; just a rumor like that one about some lad who was supposedly the kid of two tatùed parents.”
“Really? I never heard that one.” He glanced around the room, looking for something to turn the conver
sation around with. He’d heard the rumors and was fascinated by them. Could you imagine the skills someone would have with two tatùs combined? He swallowed. He had a secret himself. Hopefully, everyone was of the same mindset as Argyle, and just thought it was a bit of hogwash. He didn’t need the trouble being found out would bring upon him.
“Supposedly the kid’s never turned up. Like I said, it’s just a rumor, like the one about girls. You’ll see.”
“I suppose I will eventually.” Simon was still more bothered by knowing there was a rumor about him than he was about whether or not girls would one day be allowed into the school. He and Argyle talked a bit more before finally deciding to settle in for bedtime. Simon stepped out of his friend’s bedroom door, only to find himself face to face with Beth who was headed toward her own room. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting you out here.”
“I wasn’t expectin’ you either, but I can’t say I’m disappointed.”
“Goodnight, Beth.” He felt extremely awkward, and she certainly wasn’t making it a bit easier to stay away from her as her father had instructed.
She laughed again. “You sure are nervous. I can see why you’re friends with Argyle; except you seem different. You’re fit and athletic; I could tell that from last night after your shower.” She winked and it made him blush. “You’re not really Arygle’s sort of friend, and yet you are.” She stared blatantly at him before nodding. “G’night, Simon.”
Her smile could melt solid metal. Simon was quite sure of it. It stayed with him long after he made his way to his room. He lay there in the darkness, wondering if his interest in her stemmed from all the times he had admired her photo in Argyle’s room or was just a reaction to being told she was off limits. Of course, it could be that he just liked her. What wasn’t there to like? She was beautiful and spunky. He lay in bed for quite a while, thinking about her, and wondered if she thought of him at all, then decided that was silly. She barely knew him.
Chapter 5
The following morning found him back at the table for another huge meal. Unlike the night before, he found he felt famished and ate a good plateful. Argyle still ate more. For such a thin fellow, Simon just wasn’t sure where Argyle put all the food he inhaled on a regular basis. Beth, on the other hand, took her time and ate average portions, finishing before everyone else and excusing herself from the table. Simon tried to avoid watching her as she left the room, especially with her father’s eyes on him.
“What’re you boys planning to do today?” Argyle’s mother asked.
“Sod anything if I can.” Argyle looked as if he had not slept at all the night before. Simon figured Argyle most likely went back to games after he had left for bed and stayed up for all or most of the night.
“Well, that’s going to be exciting for Simon if you sleep the day away while he twiddles his thumbs.”
“He can go to town with me.”
Everyone turned to look at Beth, who had chimed in as she made her way to the coatrack to get bundled up against the weather.
“He isn’t your guest to entertain.”
The meaning behind the words was clear enough to Simon coming from her father, but her mother didn’t seem to be as opposed to the idea.
“There’s nothing wrong with him going with her. It’ll be good to have someone else along in case she runs into any trouble along the way. I worry about her gallivanting’ all over the place alone. Girl hasn’t an ounce of fear, even when she should.”
“Come on, Simon. Argyle’s just gonna sleep all day anyway, the lazy oaf. I have a few errands first, but some time afterward. We can duck into the Claribel and catch a film if ya want.”
“That sounds perfect.” Her mother’s support of the outing drew a look from her father, but Simon quickly saw that their mother was not one to be swayed any more than he was as she gave him a look right back.
“Okay. I guess.” He didn’t want to admit he was pleased with the prospect of spending the day with Beth. He did his best to act as if he was doing it simply because he had nothing better to do. He didn’t want to cross her father. Still, he was willing to risk even that to spend the day in town with her.
“Then get a move on. I can’t wait all day for ya!”
“Don’t rush the boy, Beth. That’s rude.” Her mother was making the same face at her that she had made at her father.
“Thank you for breakfast. I’ll get going so I don’t hold her up any longer.”
“You’re welcome, Simon. See that she gets there and back in one piece, would ya?”
“Yes, ma’am. I will.”
Simon avoided looking at Beth’s father. He could almost feel the older man’s eyes boring into him from across the table. Rather than risk making any eye contact that might somehow force the issue of his not going, he quickly ducked away from the table and grabbed his coat and hat, donning his gloves as Beth opened the door. The wind howled outside, whistling along the eaves of the house as it sang along the corners. He and Beth huddled together out of necessity as they pushed their way against it into town. Even out in the bitter cold, it was nice to be close to her.
They stopped at a shop that looked full of girly-style things.
“Come in here, Simon. It’s too cold for you to wait out there!”
“That’s okay. I don’t want to crowd you while you take care of your business.”
“Don’t be silly. Get in here, now!”
Simon didn’t resist as she reached out the door and pulled him into the warm dressmaker’s shop. He felt a little awkward among all the frilly things hanging about, and walked quickly over to where men’s suits were hanging instead. Beth was already at the counter, asking about a dress that was being made for her. He tried not to eavesdrop, but it was hard not to overhear the conversation.
“Yes, it’s finished. Let’s get you into it and make sure all is proper with the measurements.”
“Great. I can’t wait to see it. It is the most perfect dress for the Christmas party with school.”
“It did turn out rather well. I think you’ll be pleased.”
“Simon, would you mind terribly?”
He held out his arms to accept the coat and gloves she offered, then her purse. He stood waiting with the pile of things as she went to the back and tried on her dress. Ordinarily, he would have felt incredibly out of place in a dress shop, holding a female’s things. With Beth, he didn’t mind at all. He had to wonder what it was about her that intrigued him so much. Then the answer walked out of the dressing room.
“Well, what do you think? Do you like it?” She twirled so he could see the back and front of the sapphire-colored dress.
He stared, sure his mouth was hanging open. He coughed and tried to cover up his reaction. “It’s the most perfect dress I’ve ever seen, I think.” Really? He said that to her? By the way, Beth, I’m completely uncool.
“You mean it? You don’t think it is too feminine for me?”
“Fe-Feminine?” He liked that word describing Beth. “It’s girly, but isn’t that the point with a dress like that? You look beautiful.”
Beth stepped up on a small pedestal flanked by several mirrors and twirled around again. The dressmaker brought her a pair of black heels pulled from a nearby shelf to show her the length of the dress with shoes. Beth slipped into them and looked herself up and down with a huge smile. The color brought the color of her eyes out and made them even more vexing.
Simon literally could not take his eyes off of her.
“Thank you, Simon. Do you really like it, or are you just trying to be nice?”
“I think it is a great dress. You’re gorgeous—I mean it’s gorgeous on you.”
“Thanks! I’m wearing it to the winter ball with Hanson Muldrow. He’s a bit of a cad, but Dad insisted I accept his offer.”
“What’s the winter ball?”
“It’s just a dance they have every year for those of us going into the upper level grades. I’m really excited about it.”
; “I can see that. I’m sure that Hanson Muldrow will love the dress, as well.” He hated Muldrow already. Probably an idiot only interested in one thing. “We have a dance twice a year at school, too. Girls from a nearby school are invited.” He clenched his jaw. Why was he telling her this? “So who’s Hanson Mudface?”
Beth laughed and waved her hand. “I’m not really concerned with him. He’s an utter bore. Dumb as a box of rocks, really. I’m honestly hoping to blow him off as soon as possible and just hang out with my girlfriends.”
Simon knew he was jealous of the dip-weed, but couldn’t admit it out loud. Even if she was trying to brush him off, Simon was still jealous. This guy would want to a dance and who knows what else. Swallowing hard, he tried to turn his head before she looked back up at him so she couldn’t see his expression. He wasn’t sure what bothered him more: the fact she had a date with someone else or the fact that the guy had her father’s approval. Simon certainly did not and he knew why: All because of a freakin’ tatù. He had thought it was because Beth’s father didn’t want her being too cozy with boys, but this proved otherwise. What did her father have against him? It couldn’t really be about tatùs. He had one himself, and his wife knew nothing of it.
“Okay. Let me get changed and we’ll get off to the next stop.”
“I’ll be right here.”
Simon watched as she turned to go back to the dressing room. He was still watching as she disappeared behind a pair of double doors, seeing her in the blue dress until the very end. When she returned, she was back in her jeans, sweater, and winter boots. She gathered her things from him, not bothering to put them on before opening the door.
“What’re you doing? You’ll freeze out there with no coat or gloves.”
“Tah. We’re only going a few doors down. Hardly worth slipping them on and off for that distance, even in this weather.”
Sure enough, she turned into a doorway just down from the one they had exited and made her way through large racks of clothing until she reached a jewelry counter at the back. It was at that moment that he noticed the swatch of blue fabric in her hand.
