by Avril Sabine
“Anyone’d think it was a national secret.” Tom glanced over his shoulder before he reversed out of the car park.
“I just don’t want people thinking they can drop in whenever they feel like it.” Especially not on a weekend. “Turn right.”
“Why would we drop in unannounced?”
Ellie shrugged. “People do.” They fell silent except for the handful of directions Ellie gave. She watched Tom carefully when he pulled up in front of her house. His expression remained neutral and he said nothing.
Between the three of them they carried all the groceries inside. Ellie quickly put everything away while Tom and Sam prowled around the small house. Ellie closed the fridge, turned to move away and nearly stumbled over Tom.
“I thought you said there was a six-pack in there. I only saw two beers.” Tom gestured towards the fridge.
Ellie wasn’t about to say her mum had probably had them for breakfast. She shrugged. “So I exaggerated. Two beers, six pack,” she shrugged again. “What’s it matter? The fridge was still empty.”
Sam joined them by the fridge. “Why’s there a barrel bolt and a padlock on one of the doors?”
“I like my privacy.”
Sam’s mouth dropped open. After a few seconds pause he shook his head. “That’s your bedroom?”
“What do you keep in there? The dead bodies of your ex-boyfriends?” Tom went to check the door for himself.
“It’s to keep Frankenstein from running away,” Ellie said dryly.
“Frankenstein is actually the name of the man who created the monster. He never named his monster,” Sam said.
“Ah… okay.” Ellie followed Tom.
Tom lifted the padlock and let it drop back against the door. “Are you going to open it?”
“Why?”
“So I’m not left wondering what’s in there and asking around if anyone’s been in the sacred room that’s always bolted shut.” When Ellie remained silent, Tom said, “Well?”
She glared at him. He knew. She shouldn’t have given in so quickly earlier. Pulling out her key, she unlocked the room. She’d spent the first few years of primary school being thought odd and getting picked on. She knew what it was like to be bullied and even had the scar to prove it. When she’d changed schools, she’d made sure she fit in. Maybe she didn’t completely follow the crowd and maybe she only had one real friend. She wasn’t spending her hours away from school being someone she wasn’t, but she also didn’t have a reputation for being odd. And she wasn’t about to gain such a reputation ever again. She swung the door open and entered her room, hooking the padlock onto the barrel bolt on the other side of the door.
Tom stepped into the room. “It looks fairly ordinary to me.”
“I just don’t like my mum snooping in my stuff.” Ellie held the drawer of her duchess closed when Tom tried to open it. “I don’t like anyone snooping in my stuff.” The doorway behind Tom was empty and Ellie wondered where Sam was.
Tom glanced behind him, swinging the bedroom door shut. “Why don’t I believe your little story you told in the car about sneaking out to the party?”
“I didn’t sneak out. I tried to arrange things so I didn’t have to.” She took a step away from Tom.
Tom moved closer. “Nothing adds up about you. If your mum works as many hours as you say, why don’t you live in a more expensive house?”
“She prefers to invest her money elsewhere.” Like alcohol. That thought she was definitely keeping to herself.
“Why did you really stay at our place?”
“I already told-”
“I don’t think you’ve spoken a single word of truth since I’ve met you, Ellie.” Tom stressed her name.
Ellie suddenly grinned. “Now that’s where you’re wrong. Every time I do tell you the truth you don’t believe me.”
“Name one instance.”
She laughed softly. “When I told you to give me a minute to get my phone out so I could take a photo.”
Tom took another step forward. “Be serious.”
There was only centimetres between them. Her eyes dropped to his lips. It was tempting, but they were alone in her bedroom and she wasn’t going to risk him thinking it was an invitation for more than she was willing to offer.
“Well?”
Ellie blinked and her eyes met Tom’s. “Ahh… what?”
“Focus.”
“I was.”
“Really?”
Ellie smiled. Well, on the reason why she’d wanted a photo of him. He really was heart-skip-a-beat gorgeous and he was standing in her bedroom. Pity. “Why’s the answer so important to you?”
“I don’t like being lied to.”
“Then why are you still here? And don’t tell me because you want to know the truth. I already told you and you’re still here. I think this is a bit obsessive even for you.”
Tom stared at her a moment longer before he strode to the bedroom door and pulled it open. Ellie stared after him in surprise. She hurried into the kitchen in time to hear him snap at his brother.
“Let’s go, Sam.”
Sam waved towards the dishes in the sink. “I haven’t cleaned up yet.”
Ellie looked at Sam. Those dishes certainly hadn’t been dirty earlier. “What-”
Sam interrupted her. “Sorry. I cook when… that is… there’s a cake in the oven. Take it out when the timer goes. You’ll need more strawberry jam. The jar’s nearly empty.”
“Cake?” Ellie stared at him incredulously. “Where did you get the ingredients from?”
“You bought eggs and milk today.” He shrugged. “There was sugar and flour in the cupboard and butter in the fridge.”
“That’s it? That’s all you need for a cake?” Ellie looked from Sam to the stove.
He nodded, shrugged uncertainly and then glanced at his brother. “Flavour. I used the strawberry jam. I’ve got to go.” He hurried towards the front door.
When Tom started to follow his brother, Ellie grabbed his arm. She checked Sam was outside before she spoke softly. “What just happened?”
“Don’t hurt my brother.” Tom pulled away from her and followed Sam to the car.
“I’ve stepped into an alternate universe,” Ellie muttered before she followed them. She reached the car as Tom started it. She rapped on the passenger window and waited for it to open. “Thank you. For the cake.” She smiled at Sam.
“Wednesday? Are you coming to dinner?” Sam asked.
Why did he have to have puppy dog eyes? “Ahh… sure. Why not?”
“You don’t have to,” Sam said. “I mean you don’t have to feel like you have to.”
Ellie shook her head. “A free meal. What’s not to like?”
Sam turned to Tom. “Can you pick Beth up?”
“It’s Ellie. And only if she can be ready at six.”
Sam turned back to her. “I think you’re more a Beth than an Ellie. See you Wednesday.” He smiled before he pressed the button to close the window.
Ellie waved as they drove off, feeling confused. She slowly turned and walked back inside. “What have I gotten myself into?”
She was still asking herself the same question Wednesday night, when six o’clock was rapidly approaching, as she stared at the clothes hanging in her wardrobe. She glanced at the time on her alarm clock again. Only nineteen minutes until Tom arrived. She ran her hands across the clothes, shifting them slightly as she did. Nothing seemed right. All she could picture was the immaculate lounge room and the frosty reception Teresa had first given her. She glanced at the time again. Eighteen minutes. She jumped when someone knocked on the front door.
Chapter Ten
Ellie peered out her window, which faced the verandah. She swore when she saw Tom standing impatiently by the front door. Tightening the sash on her dressing gown, she hurried to the front door as he knocked on it again. She tugged at her hem, wishing it went below mid thigh. Ellie held the door half open and stared at Tom.
“Yo
u’re early.”
“Are you going to make me stand on the doorstep while I wait for you or are you going to let me in?”
Ellie stepped out of the doorway, trying to ignore the anger she heard in his tone. “I’ve only got to get dressed and then I’m ready.”
Tom looked at the watch he wore tonight. “You’ve got fifteen minutes.”
Ellie considered a few comebacks but discarded them. She wasn’t going to start the night off with a fight. It looked like that was all Tom was interested in. Instead, she nodded and headed back to her bedroom. She pulled a dress off a hanger and threw her dressing gown on the bed, pulling the dress over her head. It was a soft yellow with thin straps and a full skirt that nearly reached her knees. She pulled on a pair of sandals with a low heel, touched up her lipstick and grabbed her small handbag. Dropping her lipstick in her handbag, along with her mobile phone, she locked her room behind her.
She held his gaze a moment before she spoke. “I’m ready.”
Tom moved towards her, his eyes travelling from her head to her feet and back again. “So I see.”
Once again Ellie discarded the first comment that came to mind. No stirring up trouble, she reminded herself. “I can’t wait to eat what your brother’s making for dinner. That cake he made was unbelievable. I couldn’t believe it came out of ingredients I had lying around the house.”
“Don’t mention it in front of our mother.” Tom stared at her for a moment before he strode to the front door.
Ellie hurried after him. She hadn’t seen either of them at school the last two days so she hadn’t been able to thank Sam yet. He also hadn’t been online. She locked the front door behind her, leaving the verandah light on. “What’s wrong with her knowing?”
Tom held the passenger door open for her. “Were you hoping for the truth or would you like me to spin you some bullshit like you do for me?”
“Oh forget it.” Ellie dropped into the car seat and stared straight ahead. She jumped slightly when Tom slammed the door. A heavy sigh escaped and she wondered if she should’ve said no to dinner. But she hadn’t been able to. Sam had let her stay an entire weekend without questions, fed her and tried to entertain her. She hadn’t had the heart to say no when faced with his hopeful expression.
Tom slid into the driver’s seat and started the car. “If it comes up, I invited you.”
“Why?”
“Because the rule in the house is no dating until seventeen.”
“But I’m not dating your brother.”
“My mother believes males and females can’t be friends.”
“At all?”
“There are a few exceptions.”
Ellie was suddenly thinking the night mightn’t be too bad after all. Or at least it should be interesting. “Like what?”
“If you’re gay or with someone else. But then she usually follows that up by saying that gay doesn’t stop you from being bi and having a partner doesn’t stop you from sleeping around on them.”
Ellie grinned. “Does that mean I’ve got to pretend to be gay or in a relationship?”
“No.”
“Or….” She looked Tom up and down. “Maybe she’s expecting me to be dating you, since you supposedly invited me.” Was this why he was angry?
Tom glanced over his shoulder and pulled up on the side of the road. He drew on the handbrake and pushed the gear stick into neutral. “Are you planning on making problems tonight?”
“Are you looking for a fight tonight?”
“Quit doing that. Just answer the question I asked.”
Ellie shook her head. “No. Now how about you answer my question.”
Tom leaned back in his seat and temporarily closed his eyes. “Probably.”
“Why?”
Tom turned back to face her. A streetlight streamed in the windscreen of the car leaving half his face in shadows. “My brother has two friends and they’re both geekier than he is. Why are you even talking to my brother let alone hanging out with him?”
Ellie’s first instinct was to lie, and then she thought what the hell, he reckoned he wanted the truth. “I don’t know. Well, actually, I sort of do. He’s really weird and sometimes he completely creeps me out. Then he goes and does something sweet like baking me a divine cake. But even with all that, I don’t know if I’d be here tonight if it wasn’t for you.”
Tom stared at her several minutes before he reached out and cupped her cheek. He ran his thumb across her skin as he continued to stare at her. Ellie moved forward impatiently, her lips meeting his. His hand slid behind her head and Ellie’s hands reached for him. One went round his waist, the other rested high on his chest. Minutes passed before Tom pulled away slightly.
Ellie smiled up at him. “I hate bucket seats.”
Tom stared at her for a split second before he laughed. “I think I might too.” He swiftly kissed her again before he let her go and leaned back in his seat. He released the handbrake and put the car into gear.
Ellie continued to smile as they drove. When they got closer to their destination, she pulled out her lipstick and repaired the damage. She glanced over to Tom who laughed softly. “What?”
He shook his head as he pulled up in front of his house.
“Tell me.”
“I was just wondering if I should make that a waste of your time.”
Ellie grinned. “And your conclusion?”
“Anticipation improves everything.”
Ellie laughed as Tom hopped out. She was waiting beside the car when he reached her side. Locking the car, he took her hand, entwining his fingers in hers. They were nearly at the front door when Ellie stopped and tugged on his hand.
Tom turned towards her. “What?”
“Do you have a girlfriend?” When he shook his head she frowned. “Why not?”
“Don’t sound disappointed.”
“I’m not. But well, you don’t look like you’ve got a lack of girls chasing you.”
Tom grinned. “Was that a compliment?”
“Okay, fine. Answering a question with a question is an annoying and irritating habit. Now please answer me properly.”
“We broke up a couple of weeks ago because I refused to go to a party with her instead of a swim meet.”
Before Ellie had a chance to reply, the front door opened and Sam stood there. Tom strode towards the house, pulling Ellie with him. She reluctantly entered the front door. Slipping off her sandals, she left them lined up with the other shoes already there, waiting for Tom to remove his shoes.
“Hi, Beth.” Sam smiled shyly.
“Ahh… hi.” Ellie glanced at Tom.
Tom rolled his eyes. “You make her sound like she has a multiple personality disorder.”
Ellie grinned. “Don’t worry. It’s Lizzie who’s the crazy one.”
“Well let me know when she’s about and I’ll hide the knives,” Tom said.
“Nah, you only have to hide the knives when Lisbeth is about.” Ellie glanced around, looking for Teresa. “Where’s your mum?”
“In the study,” Sam said.
Ellie relaxed, coming further into the house. “I wanted to thank you for the cake. You’re an absolute genius in the kitchen. I shared it with Lauren. She said if you’re not careful she’ll kidnap you and chain you to her kitchen and make you cook food like that for her every day.”
Sam blushed. “It was only a cake,” he mumbled.
Ellie shook her head. “Nah-uh. We decided each slice was a piece of heaven.”
“Leave him alone.” Tom draped his arm around her shoulders. “It’s not nice to torment your host.”
“I’m not tormenting. Seriously. Lauren told me if I don’t bring her something just as delicious tomorrow I’ll be sitting on my own for lunch.”
Sam’s face went even redder before he mumbled, “I better check dinner.”
Tom pulled her towards him, wrapping his arms loosely around her waist. “That wasn’t very nice.”
Ellie draped
her arms around his neck and smiled. “That was me being nice.”
“Then you better warn me when you let Lisbeth loose. I don’t think we’ll live through it.”
Ellie chuckled. When Tom’s head lowered, she said, “I thought you mentioned something about anticipation?”
“You just don’t want me to wreck your lipstick.”
Ellie grinned. “That too.” A sound behind her had her turning her head. She tried to pull away from Tom when she saw his mother coming towards them.
Tom kept one arm around her. “Mum, you remember Beth?”
Teresa nodded. “The actress.”
“That was the last day. I don’t think I’ll do any more acting. It was much harder than I expected it to be.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I think you’re a natural,” Tom said.
Ellie grinned. “Thank you.”
Sam joined them again. “Dinner’s ready.”
The four of them wandered over to the table and Sam gestured to seats as he said each of their names. As soon as they were all seated, Sam served. Ellie could barely wait for Sam to join them at the table so she could start eating. The smells made her mouth water. As soon as someone else started to eat, she began.
“What’s this called?” Ellie gestured towards the meal with her fork.
“Cajun crawfish and shrimp etouffe.”
Ellie stared at him. “Shrimp what?”
“Eh-too-fay.” Sam said the word slowly.
“I’ve never heard of it in my life, but it tastes wonderful.”
“It’s an authentic Louisiana recipe.”
“Ahh… okay.” She didn’t know much about Louisiana, but after tonight she could say that their food was awesome.
The meal was mostly quiet, with a few easy questions from Teresa. Following the main meal they had chocolate strawberry shortcake for dessert. Teresa excused herself, the moment dinner was ended, to return to her study. Ellie offered to help clean up but Sam sent her and Tom to the downstairs lounge room.
