“Oh of course, the Kingsleys’ place.”
Evangeline laughed at Zach’s statement, and grinned in Imogen’s direction. It was then that Eve spotted her friend Violet, and Zach gave her a smile.
“Eve, why don’t you walk with your mate over there?” She gave him a haughty look, but left – obviously deciding it would be better to walk with Violet than stay with her brother when she clearly wasn’t wanted. Imogen grinned as he sent her away; wanting to be alone with her couldn’t be a bad thing – perhaps she wasn’t the only one to have noticed the way they had seemed to click over the last couple of days…
***
They arrived at school together, five minutes late, having walked leisurely. They’d spent the time complaining about parents, family and school, discussed music, films…during those fifteen minutes, it looked like they had a lot in common. They’d walked fairly close and Imogen had felt Zach’s hand brush against hers several times; her heart began hammering faster every time. She’d only known him a couple of days, but it seemed like he could greatly improve life with the Kingsleys.
Unfortunately the first lesson was, again, French. Fortunately, this meant Imogen got an hour of sitting next to Zach to start her day.
“Miss Kingsley, Mr Monroe. Would you care to explain to me and the class why you feel the need to disrupt learning and be,” she paused, glancing at her watch, “six minutes and thirty-four seconds late?” This question caused Imogen to roll her eyes at the teacher for the second day running, much to the amusement of the class.
“Well…” With a grin towards Imogen, Zach answered the question for both of them. “Imogen and I were a little busy.” The suggestive tone in his voice received a wolf whistle from a couple of students, a glare from Sara and Miss Morgan and an appreciative laugh from Imogen.
“Not appropriate. Sit down,” Miss Morgan said. She was clearly used to Zach playing up, but perhaps she had expected better from Imogen, what with the surname she’d adopted. Sara, who’d clearly hoped that Imogen was skiving, looked rather annoyed as she sat next to her, but turned back to her work. This only improved Imogen’s mood; for a day at school, it was beginning well.
After a torturous hour of French verbs, the bell went for the next lesson which, a glance at her timetable told her, was maths. She sighed: maths had never been her strong point.
“You got Gates?” Zach asked, and Imogen looked confused before another quick look at her timetable told her she had a Mr Gates for maths. She nodded, and Zach smiled with a glint in his eye. “Good. I sit next to your dopey cousin and I’ve been waiting for an excuse to get her to move. Although she is good to copy off…” Imogen simply sneered, trying to conceal the fact that her heart was fluttering inside her body like millions of butterflies in a confined space; he wanted to sit with her!
“Please, at least say adopted-cousin. I don’t want people to think I’m actually related to her.” The disgust in her voice made Zach laugh, and they made their way to the classroom, Imogen glad he had decided to spend the time with her as she had no idea where she was going.
“Sara, get out of Imogen’s seat,” was all Zach had to say for Sara to roll her eyes but move over to a spare seat all the same. Imogen chuckled and sat down.
***
The week passed faster than any school week Imogen could remember. The lunch hall was stifling that Friday as they crowded in to get their food. The hot temperatures had lasted through September, and with so many bodies in one room - not to mention bright lights and the nearby kitchens - the heat was almost unbearable.
“So,” Evangeline said, taking a bite of her cookie before eating her lunch. “Apparently, this is going to be the last hot weekend of the year - we’re lucky to still have these temperatures so late in September, or so they say. I think we should go swimming tomorrow.”
“Where?” Carrie asked, holding hands with James under the table. Imogen smirked; did she think none of them noticed?
As they began to discuss the outdoor swimming pool that was only twenty minutes away, Imogen found her attention wandering - as it had done so many times that week - to Zachary Monroe. He was sat opposite her, as he had he had done every day that week, and was in conversation with Daryl about their plans for a night out the following weekend. Imogen sipped her Diet Coke and watched as he laughed at something Daryl had said. His face was tanned from the regular sun they had been lucky to have this year and his dark hair fell just short of his eyes. He ran a hand through it and suddenly Imogen found him looking right back at he. He grinned that devastating smile that showed his straight white teeth, and she immediately blushed and looked away. What are you doing? She mentally kicked herself. Since when did she stare at boys and blush if they looked her way?
“Hello, Earth to Imogen!” Eve was calling, and Imogen’s head turned, hoping they would put the redness of her cheeks down to the heat in the room.
“Sorry,” Imogen said. “What did you say?”
“Are you in? For swimming tomorrow? Twelve-ish.”
Imogen nodded. “I’ll have to check with Ella, but yeah, sounds good.
“Zach can drive, so that’s five of us sorted - so who can get lifts?”
Imogen thought that Ella would probably be happy to give her a lift, but didn’t volunteer; she wanted to be in that car. Not just to see Zach, but so she could arrive with them. This whole friend thing was new to her - she didn’t want to just turn up alone.
That evening she waited until Ella was washing up alone, having shooed everyone else out to get on with homework, work or just watching TV, to approach her.
“I’ve been asked to go swimming tomorrow,” Imogen said, finding the words to ask permission didn’t come easily. At the homes she’d never asked to do anything, because she’d not cared about getting into trouble. Things couldn’t really get worse. But here… Abby seemed happy, and there were perks to living here that Imogen had not foreseen.
“That sounds nice!” Ella said with a genuine smile. “Whereabouts?”
“Apparently there’s an open air pool about twenty minutes away?”
“Oh yes, I know the one. Well I can give you a lift there, William or Millie can watch the kids.”
It seemed asking permission wasn’t necessary - it had already been granted.
“Who are you going with?” Ella asked, pleased Imogen seemed to be making friends.
“Some girls I met in my class…” Imogen said, not feeling the need to give too much detail. “Carrie, Violet, Eve…” Or to give surnames, for that matter. She didn’t mention the guys - she didn’t want Ella to disapprove.
“Well that sounds lovely, especially in this weather!”
“I think I’m okay getting there… one of the girls has a lift,” she said vaguely. “But…”
Ella paused washing up and turned round at Imogen’s long delay.
“What is it?” she asked.
Imogen shrugged. It wasn’t in her nature to ask to favours. She had no experience of it. “I don’t have anything to wear for swimming…”
“Oh!” Ella said, and then smiled. “We can sort that. What time are you swimming?”
“Twelve.”
“Well, if you can get up a little bit earlier than usual for a weekend, we’ll nip to the mall early and get something. How does that sound?”
“I haven’t got any money…”
“Don’t be silly. That’s what I’m for! We can go just us two if you like, or take Abby.”
For a moment, Imogen was touched by her thoughtfulness. She had never had reason to have swimming stuff - she’d not been swimming in many years. Probably not since her mother died, she mused.
***
The next day she was up and dressed by 9, surprising Ella by being in the kitchen drinking coffee two hours before she was normally even heard moving around on a weekend. Abby was, of course, dressed and ready to go, being a much earlier riser than Imogen and having Ella to dress her.
The drive to the mall was filled with
Abby’s chatter and Ella’s chat, although Imogen stayed fairly quiet.
“Me swim!” Abby said as they got out of the car and walked towards the mall, Abby and Imogen hand in hand. Ella watched Imogen’s face fall as her little sister asked for something she clearly didn’t want to give.
“Not today, Abigail,” Ella interrupted. “We’re going to get the paddling pool out! We can go swimming tomorrow if you like.”
Abby seemed placated by this and swung on Imogen’s hand.
“She’s never been swimming,” Imogen said softly. “She doesn’t have anything to wear either.”
“Well, good job we’re here then.”
They wandered round a couple of shops, Imogen letting Ella lead the way as she didn’t know the layout of the mall. If she were honest, she didn’t know many of the shops; she’d not had money of her own to spend, and hadn’t had anyone to go shopping with since she lost her mother.
It was in the second shop that Imogen saw the bikini she wanted. Black (of course), halter-neck, with a white trim and boxer style shorts. She glanced at it while Ella was distracted with something Abby was looking at, then checked the price tag. Not too pricey - hopefully Ella would be happy with it. While Imogen didn’t like having to ask someone else to buy it, she hadn’t exactly had time to get a job, and she had no saved money, so she didn’t really have much of a choice.
“Found something?” Ella asked, reappearing with Abby’s hand in hers.
Imogen gestured at the bikini.
“Are you going to try it on then?”
“Yeah, okay,” Imogen said, wavering slightly before taking two different sizes in. “You’ve got Abby?”
“This monkey’s not escaping, don’t worry!” Ella said with a laugh.
***
A short while later Imogen and Abby were happily walking through the mall hand in hand, a bag containing the bikini swinging in Imogen’s spare hand. Ella watched them together for a few moments, hanging back slightly. Abby chattered away and Imogen answered as if everything the four-year-old said was the most important thing in the world. When Abby ran over to a shop window full of toys to stare in wonder at it, Imogen glanced around and caught Ella’s eye with a small smile.
Ella looked at her watch; they had to get going in half an hour to be home in time for Imogen’s swimming trip. “Ten minutes in the toy shop Abigail, okay? Then a quick stop to get you a swim suit before we go home!”
Abby nodded solemnly and took a step forward toward the shop, dragging Imogen with her. Imogen wasn’t sure Abby would ever even remember being in a toy shop; their mother had never been able to take her small baby daughter, and while Imogen had looked in windows with her, she’d always been wary about going in and having to say no to buying anything, since she’d rarely had pocket money. She thought she remembered one foster family taking her once - but she would have only been one then and would hardly remember that.
Imogen watched Abby’s face taking in the neat rows of dolls; the animal play sets and the board games; the fancy dress outfits and the trains. She loved to watch her sister’s innocent wonder about the world; felt so pleased - and slightly jealous at times, it was true - that her sister couldn’t remember the hurt that they’d suffered. Perhaps, in time, if things worked out, this would be the only family she would remember. And Imogen thought that could only be a positive. Yes they could be irritating, and nauseatingly nice, and perhaps a tad judgemental, but they were definitely good, and kind, and loving.
Abigail picked up a delicate looking doll, with dark brown curls and rosy red cheeks. She wore a blue pinafore dress and had eyes that could blink.
“Lovely…” Abby said.
Imogen had a quick look at the price tag. It was £25 - money she certainly didn’t have. “Let’s put that one back, shall we love?” Imogen tried to move on but Abby stood firm her hands clasped around the doll, her bottom lip quivering. She said something Imogen couldn’t really understand, but got the gist. She wanted the doll.
“I’m sorry…” Imogen began, but was interrupted by Ella.
“How about we get it as a late birthday present Imogen?” Ella asked. “After all, Abby’s birthday wasn’t that long ago, and you didn’t live with me then so I didn’t get a chance to buy her anything.”
Abby’s face immediately brightened, and Imogen turned to look at Ella. Ella looked a little apprehensive - was she worried she had said the wrong thing? Did she not want to buy the doll?
Slowly, Imogen nodded the agreement she felt was needed, and felt her heart swell as Abby beamed while the doll was taken to the till. Imogen took her hand and they followed Ella; Imogen whispered in Abby’s ear: “Make sure you say thank you!”
Outside, Abby said thank you and started singing to herself as she made off with the doll towards the car, her swimming costume forgotten.
“Thank you,” Imogen said.
“I wish I could make up for all the years you have both not had everything you wanted, but I can’t - making both of you happy now is all I can try.”
Imogen didn’t know what to say to that, but felt a lump in her throat at the thought that someone else cared about her little sister as much as she did.
***
Due to the delay in arriving home, Imogen hadn’t had time to change before they arrived at the swimming pool, and so on arrival she headed for the changing rooms while the others went to lay out their towels and claim the best sunbathing spots. They were lucky that the sun was shining warm and bright on them, and the pool was not too overcrowded.
She glanced at herself in the mirror and felt pleased with her choice. The bikini showed off the assets that she wanted it to, but she felt as though it would still be sturdy enough to swim in without showing off more that she would want. Even so, she felt self-conscious walking back out to her friends in just a bikini, and so threw her dress back over the top and hurried out to rejoin her friends.
They had taken over a large section of the area surrounding the pool, laying their towels next to one another to cover the ground. She arrived at the spot as Zach crossed his arms, grabbed the hem of his white t-shirt and pulled it over his head.
She tried not to stare - at least that’s what she told herself - but the sight of James, Daryl and Danny doing exactly the same did not catch her attention. It was Zach who made her feel like she was frozen to th spot; his muscles defined in his arms and chest beneath a smattering of dark hair. Had she been looking at his face, she might have noticed him looking back at her winking - but she was far too focussed on the rest of him.
“Last one in the water buys dinner,” James shouted, and the boys teared off, jumping into the pool (much to the disgruntled looks of the lifeguard).
Imogen managed to shake herself out of the trance she had seemingly been in and - hoping no-one else had noticed her momentary madness - lay out her towel next to the other girls. They had already stripped off and were watching the boys over the tops of their sunglasses as the water glittered and danced in the sun. Seeing the others in their bikinis gave Imogen the courage to pull her dress over her head and dump it on the floor, stretching out to lie on her stomach next to Eve.
This had not gone unnoticed by the boys in the pool who, after racing each other up and down the pool were now taking things a little more leisurely.
“God she is hot,” Danny said, glancing over at the girls.
“Which one?” James asked.
“Imogen. I mean, I knew she was good looking but who knew she looked like that underneath her clothes? I certainly wouldn’t kick her out of bed.”
No-one else seemed keen to agree with him when they saw the thunderous look in Zach’s eyes.
“Don’t talk about her like that,” he said, menace lacing his words.
Danny looked a little confused as Zach dived back into the water, speedily swimming a furious front crawl up and down the lengths.
“What did I say?”
James splashed him. “It’s so obvious there’s something
between the two of them - he’s obviously keen and she can’t take her eyes off him.”
“So nothing’s actually happened? Not sure when he got the rights to all the women.”
“Feel free to say that to him,” Daryl said with a smirk. Danny looked a bit sulky, but stopped talking.
“Look at Evangeline in that little pink bikini though…” James said, and this time Daryl had a murderous look in his eyes - although one he tried very hard to hide. “Not that I’d dare touch her - if Zach’s that protective over a girl he’s fancied for five minutes, imagine what he’d be like if someone were dating his sister! Plus Carrie would make my life not worth living. But hey, watching all of them in bikinis has certainly improved my Saturday.”
Tired of swimming, the boys dripped their way back over to the girls, two of then in far worse moods than when they had entered the water.
Family Portrait (Kingsley Family Trilogy Book 1) Page 4
