“I don't know what she is,
I don't care either,
All I know is that she is powerful,
And I want her.
I always get what I want,
She won't be any different.
Even if I die trying.”
Jaxon Cray
ONE
“Don't worry Caroline, Aeron is in good hands,” I promise my neighbour as I take her two year old son from her. “We are going to have so much fun aren't we Aeron?” The child gives me a toothy grin and waves so hard at his mum that his curly brown hair flops around wildly.
“Bye-bye mama.” He smiles and tries to shut the door on his mother who just laughs as she holds the door open with a flattened hand.
“Oh I know he is Calissa, I don't trust my baby with anyone else.” She gives me a warm smile which I reciprocate. “Jaxon will pick him up first thing tomorrow morning. Thank you again for doing this Cally.” We say our goodbyes and I shut the door.
I have been babysitting Aeron every weekend for practically his entire life. Caroline started going back to work merely a month after Aeron was born. She sought me out one day while I was in the park with Ana and asked if I was interested in sitting for her baby every now and then. I agreed. With my dad's permission of course.
I walk into my fathers living room and sit Aeron down on the sofa and put on some program with a clown teaching sign language or Makaton or something like that. I leave him alone for a minute while I run into the kitchen and grab us some snacks. Aeron loves carrot sticks. I think he is by far the only child I know that does. I plate up some carrot sticks and a tray of mixed dips and head back into the living room where Aeron still sits watching his program. When it ends and another program starts, Aeron gets bored and wants to play and of course, being the good babysitter that I am, I oblige.
We play hide and seek which is extremely easy considering he is two and always hides in the same places time and time again but I let him win, because I am nice like that.
After Aeron forces me into another six rounds, I sit him at the kitchen table to do some colouring which he happily complies. Such an easy child, I smile to myself. I am just chopping some onions to fry for spaghetti bolognaise when Ana walks into the house from the back door and smiles up at me.
“Cally, what's for dinner?” She tries getting up on her tiptoes to peer into the saucepan. I swat her away.
“Spag' bol'” I reply. “Where have you been?” I ask taking in her muddy knees and scuffed elbows.
“At Jamie’s. He has a new tree house that his dad made him. It is so cool. It has a ladder and everything. I am so jealous. Why can't dad build me a tree house?” She pouts and stamps her feet. I raise an eyebrow at her.
“Dad isn't that kind of man Ana. You know that.” In fact, I think everyone in our tiny little village knew that. My dad is a complete and utter geek. He would much rather sit at a computer all day than go outside into the garden for some fresh air. It doesn't help that his youngest daughter is an utter tomboy and absolutely loves getting down and dirty in the garden. Mum works in Paris so lives there. Her and dad make such a dysfunctional couple with mum being completely glamorous and stunning and dad, although attractive, he is a computer nerd. However, even long distance, they work. We visit her every school break or whenever we can and whenever we do, mum and dad are like two loved up teenagers that have just started being together. It is so cringey. They argue a lot too though. I have just finished college and I am going off to university. My mum thinks it would be better for me to move in with her instead of starting university in September. Dad said no without hesitation but he didn't need to speak for me. I won't go anyway.
Most nineteen year old girls would jump at the chance to live in Paris and work with their mother who works for a famous clothing line but not me. I may be girly, but that is not my cup of tea. I would much rather go to university, get my degree in teaching music and then get a job in teaching, that is something me and dad actually agree on. I also refuse to leave my sister and my dad. I am a daddy's girl through and through; though I won't admit that to my mum.
“I know,” my six year old sister says with a sigh. “I just wish he would do something like Jamie's dad does for once.” I roll my eyes at her before turning back to dinner.
“Go and play with Aeron.” I gesture to the toddler who is sat quietly at the table on the other side of the room. Ana grunts but heads over anyway and despite her frustration, Ana loves Aeron almost as much as I do.
Dinner went down a treat. As always. The kids love my spaghetti bolognaise and even though my dad is at a conference in Cardiff, I have boxed him some up and put it in the freezer. He would be pissed if he thought I had made this dinner and not considered making him any; here or not.
I bathe Aeron and put him into some pyjamas and then we watch a film with Ana and I let her choose which film that is. Of course she picks Frozen, it is by far her favourite film of all time and I think we have watched it at least three hundred times since it was released from the cinema.
Aeron falls asleep somewhere around the snowman singing about summer and so I carefully carry him up to my room and place him in the travel cot that I set up earlier that day. I went out and bought the travel cot from my best friend Tessa's older sister last year for times I babysit Aeron. I have never regretted it.
When I am sure Aeron is comfortable, I make my way back downstairs and sit with my sister while she watches the rest of the film. I pull out my phone and text Tessa.
Me: Bored!! What ya doing?
I twirl my phone between my fingers waiting for a reply. Tessa, being the good friend she is, replies within seconds. Yay.
Tessa: Nothing. dad's @ pub :( wanna come over??
Me: OMG! Ur allowed visitors??
Tessa: Well dads out so yeah, come over :)
Me: I can't :( Babysitting. Aeron sleeping, Ana is watching TV. Dad in Cardiff. Come here!!
Tessa: K, won't be long. X
It's not long before I hear a car pull up in front of my house and I pretty much squeal with happiness when I hop off the sofa and skip to the front door. Pulling it open, I clearly have startled Tessa because her eyes are wide and her hand is in the form of a fist and hovering in mid-air. I beam at her.
“Don't just stand there. Get in here.” I pull her in and we embrace in a tight hug. I feel like I need to explain something. Tessa and I have been friends since we were in nappies. Last year, her mum and dad started fighting and so her mum has moved in with Tessa's sister Christina while her dad drinks his anger away. Paul is an angry drunk. With no-one but Tessa around; well, who do you think gets the brunt of his drunken anger? He isn't a horrible man though, that's the thing. He was always the cool parent. The one we would turn to when we wanted something. The one who would let us get away with murder when we were kids. It's just that ever since he started drinking, he became a complete different person.
So that brings me to my excitement to see my best friend. Due to her dad giving her an oh so amazing black eye two weeks ago, Tessa and I haven't seen each other in two weeks. Paul refused to let Tessa out of the house until it completely healed and he also refused to let me around there too. He doesn't start on her when I am there, but he also doesn't start on her when she isn't there (obviously).
“I have missed you!” Her squeak is muffled but I can hear the happiness in her voice. I pull out of her arms, hold her at arms length and study her face. Her usually tan skin is pale and there are dark rings around her pretty blue eyes. Tessa is one to wear make-up. A lot of it. However, today, she isn't wearing a single bit of it. Her pink lips are dry and cracked and her dark red hair which is usually smooth and styled, is in
a mess of a bun on the top of her head.
“Wow Tess. You look awful.” I grimace at my bluntness.
“Oh thanks Cal. Just what all girls wanna hear.” I roll my eyes and lead her away from the living room where Ana is still watching her film.
We grab a drink each from the fridge and sit out in the garden on the large padded swing by the patio heater. I love July. Even here on the out-skirts of Suffolk, it is still warm at night. After a brief silence, Tessa speaks up.
“Mum doesn't believe me,” I gasp. “She thinks that I am making things up to get her to come home. I even asked if I could come to her instead and she told me to enjoy the independence since he was barely home.” She scoffs and takes a sip of her 7UP.
“Are you serious?” Tessa nods and I feel anger boiling through my blood. “Why don't you just move out? You are nineteen now. You don't need your parents permission to do anything.” I watch her visibly shrink back at what I have said. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No, no- of course not. I had the same argument with him the day he – hit me.” I take her hand in my free one. “I told him that I was going to the cinema with Mike to watch that new Liam Neeson film and he flipped. Saying stuff like I am a disappointment and a disgrace and when I told him that I was nineteen and can do what I like, he-” Tears fall freely down her face and I place our drinks on the floor beside us and then drag her into my arms. “Mum didn't believe me.” She sobs. “I told her everything. She said that she knew he was an angry drunk but he would never hit their kids and I was to stop lying.” She is hysterical by this point and my heart aches for her. I hate it when Tessa is upset. I would do anything for this girl. Anything.
“Stay here with me.”
“Oh I plan to.” She laughs and although it sounds strained, it is the closest thing I have heard from a laugh in months.
“I don't mean just for tonight Tess. I mean long term. For however long you need.” Tessa pushes away from my arms and studies my face. Probably to see if I am being sincere or not.
“Are you serious Cal?” I nod.
“Like a heart attack babe. Move in here. We have the extra rooms. Dad loves you, mum, well she is in Paris so it wouldn't effect her. Analeese loves you more than she loves me and this has been a second home to you for your entire life. Why not make it your first home?” I am hopeful. Please God let her say yes. I just want her safe. She will be safe here. I know she will. Please say yes. Say yes. Say yes.
“Okay.” YES!!!!!!!!! I squeak and practically bounce up and down in my seat causing the swing to jump around uncontrollably. Tessa laughs and this time is sounds genuine and that warms my heart.
After Ana has gone to bed, Tessa and I sit in the garden talking nonsense with each other. Just careless rubbish like teenage girls do. Mainly crap about boys, celebrities and latest soap gossip. Typical crap.
“So is Jaxon picking up Aeron again tomorrow?” Tessa asks me with a nudge to my left arm. I give her a dirty look and huff.
“Yeah, unfortunately.” Jaxon and I have never gotten along. I have tried many times to be nice and all I get in return is a grunt here and there. It is like he refuses to talk to someone that is three years younger than him and female. It isn't like I am falling over my feet for him. I just babysit his little brother for crying out loud. So because of his arrogance, I don't say a word to him unless it is regarding his brother.
“I think he likes you.” Tessa says with a mouthful of the Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream she grabbed from the freezer earlier. I look at her like she is insane. “Oh come on Cally. You definitely aren't ugly. You have the longest blonde hair I have seen on a non-famous person. Your eyes are like fire embers. Sometimes they look as if they actually glow. You have a nose that some people would pay for and lips that even Angelina Jolie would be jealous of. Although they aren't as juicy as hers.” She giggles. I do too. “Let's not mention your body. You eat so much junk food I am surprised you aren't rolling down the street instead of jogging every day.” She has a point there. Even if I didn't jog, I would probably still be thin. It seems to be impossible for me to put on weight. Which seems to be bad for my bra size since my boobs stopped growing when I was sixteen. Nothing like Tessa who is 5'8, curvy with big boobs. She eats like a pig and never puts on weight either. Although she looks as if she has lost some over the past few weeks. I don't mention that though. I don't want to upset her again when she seems to be the perkiest I have seen her in a long time.
“Okay okay, stop ogling me.” I laugh. “So tell me how things with Mike are.” Changing the subject has always been a strong suit of mine.
“Well, he's not really spoken to me since I stood him up a few weeks ago. I don't blame him though. I am a living train wreck.” Her lips form into a frown and I mentally hit myself for bringing up something that in a way involves her dad. “I rang him yesterday and his brother answered. I guess he isn't ready to talk to me; two weeks or not.”
“Oh, well that is his loss. He obviously doesn't see how great you are.” She smiles at me though it appears forced.
“Cally, I am tired. You don't mind if I go to bed do you?”
“Why are you asking me?” I laugh. “Your home now too Tess. Come on, let me lock up.”
We head into the kitchen where I lock up the back-door and turn off the lights and then I lock the front door before we go upstairs. I half expect Tessa to go into the spare room but instead she follows me into mine. I check on Aeron who is still sound asleep and then get ready for bed. Once in bed, I pull my quilt over me and I feel Tessa do the same.
“Night Cally. Thank you for being there for me.”
“Always will be Tess. Night.” I squeeze her shoulder briefly and then close my eyes. It isn't long before sleep takes over.
TWO
The downside of babysitting a two year old? Early wake-up calls. Aeron knows how to climb out of his cot and so to wake me up, he jumps all over me at 6:50am. Usually I wouldn't care but it is Saturday morning and Tessa and I didn't go to bed until almost two in the morning. I don't function well on less than eight hours sleep. I am grouchy and unsociable.
I leave Tessa in bed and take Aeron downstairs to make him breakfast. Walking into the kitchen, I come to a halt. The back door is wide open. I could have sworn I locked it last night. In fact, I know I did. I know it isn't Ana because her bedroom door was wide open when I passed it and she was still snoring away in bed. Maybe my dad is home? No, he isn't due back until later tonight. With the frown still on my face, I close the door and bolt it. I turn back to Aeron who is looking at me in confusion and plaster on a smile.
“Right Aeron, what you want for breakfast?” I ask him cheerfully as I pick him up and smother him in kisses. He squirms in my arms until I release him.
“Cheewios.” Aww. He still knows how to make me a puddle of goo with his cuteness. I go about making him his 'Cheewios' and then sit him at the kitchen table. I make myself and Tessa a cup of tea and then prepare Ana's breakfast too. Ana has the same breakfast everyday. Golden Nuggets. I was sure she would be bored of them by now considering she has eaten nothing but them in the mornings for two years straight but no, she requests them every time myself or dad goes shopping. I personally think they are gross and would rather stick to my fruit smoothies. Today, banana and strawberry with some vanilla flavoured natural yoghurt.
I have just poured my now made up smoothie in to a glass when Tessa walks into the kitchen looking ten times better than she did when she turned up yesterday. There is colour back in her cheeks, the rings under her eyes have faded and she is wearing a bright smile. It melts my heart when I see her like this.
“Morning!” She sings and takes a small sip of her tea. “Mmm. You know exactly how I have my tea.” She smiles.
“Of course I do. That is what eighteen years of friendship entails babe.” I grin and then take a seat at the kitchen table next to where she has just sat. “How are you feeling today?”
“I am good. Really go
od actually. I haven't slept that well in like forever. Thank you for letting me stay here Cal. I wouldn't know what I would do without you.” She looks down at her cup and although she isn't looking at me, I know she is hiding the tears that have just formed in her eyes. “On a lighter note, I want to do something new with my nails and you have the best nail varnish collection ever sooo...” I smirk at her request.
“You know where it is. Pick me a colour out. Nothing pink though. I would rather make my self throw up.” Tessa laughs as she jumps up from her seat and runs out of the room. Ana wanders in seconds after Tessa leaves. “Breakfast is on the table.” I tell her. She sleepily makes her way over to me and sits down where Tessa was just sat. She pours the milk into her cereal and then digs in making happy eating noises as she does so.
Tessa bounds in the room carrying three pots of nail varnish. An electric blue, a midnight purple and a light pink. I hope that pink is not for me. Seeing my unimpressed face, Tessa jumps in.
“This isn't for you, don't worry. It is for Analeese. I thought that she might want to join us when we paint our nails?” She looks over at my still half asleep sister and gives her a pleading smile. Ana grins up at her.
“Really? You want me to join in with you while you do girly things?”
“Yeah sure, why not?” I smile at her. “You are a girl too. I would much rather you look like one instead of a boy.” I scrunch my nose and see in the corner of my eye that Tessa is doing the same.
“Okay. Let me go and get dressed.” She finishes off her cereal in one large bite that makes my eyes widen and then she runs out of the room and up the stairs.
“Wow. She's an eager beaver ain’t' she.” Tessa chuckles.
“Yeah, I don't really do anything with her anymore. I think she was a bit jealous last night when I left her alone watching that film while I sat in the garden with you.” I bite my lip.
Demonic Angel (A Touch Of Magic) Page 1
