Beautiful Curses: Book One (3 page)

On Friday afternoon Jo and Beth caught the bus back to the farm. They entered the house through the conservatory door and dumped their bags on the nearest chair, before reaching the kitchen.

 “Spencer and James went hiking today. They probably won’t be here for a few hours. I want you to hear this new song. We’ll grab a drink and go up to my bedroom, "Jo said, seeing Beth fidgeting with her hair, looking a bit agitated.

 Beth blew out a breath and took a seat at the kitchen bench as Jo leaned into the open fridge. “What would you like? Water, fruit juice … or some of Sarah’s health mix.” Jo pulled out a container and swirled around the contents of green sludge.

 “Ugh … just water will be fine thanks,” Beth replied, screwing her nose.

 “Yeah, I think I might toss this. Sarah must have forgotten to drink it this morning. She left for London early, some design course. She won’t be home till late tonight.”

 “Where’s Gabriella?”

 Jo shrugged. “Probably catching up with her friends. I think she mentioned something about a Christmas party at Mason’s. I’m surprised you weren’t invited. Aren’t you good friends with that lot?”

 Beth stood up, widened her stance and put her hands on her hips while frowning fiercely. “Well, yer, wee, begga'. I had uther, betta, fings to do you kno. First scrubbin' the wee bairn's  dirty rags, then muckin' down the stables, and scrubbin' them floors on me poor hands and knees, but I can tell ye, it were twenty times more pleasurin' than bein' at any gatherin' with that lot of foolish upstarts ...”

 Jo laughed as Beth knelt down to curtsey. She loved hearing the old northern accent. Beth had been practicing for the last few days. The auditions for the local play were in a couple of weeks, and Beth wanted a minor part as a scullery maid.

 “You’re both highly amused with yourselves. Do we get to hear the rest of the joke?” Spencer asked, smiling at Beth as he walked into the kitchen with James in tow.

 Both girls jumped at the boys sudden appearance. Jo had no idea they’d be home so early. She quickly looked down at the huge coke stain covering her school uniform. Another disadvantage to being grey. Most of the time the other students didn’t notice her either, hence the accidental collision with Lewis Pimms and a can of coke. The local heartthrob according to the whole school girl population, but Jo just thought he was an idiot who didn’t watch where he was going. He’d just laughed and kept walking. Beth wanted to have words with him, but Jo couldn’t be bothered, it wasn’t the first time something like that had happened and it wouldn’t be the last.

 She placed her hands over the worst of it and shot a glance at Beth who wore a mortified expression while averting her gaze from Spencer. “Um … Beth’s practising her audition for the Play Writes,” Jo answered quickly.

 “Sounds cool. You don't have to stop. We could be your practise audience,” Spencer said his brightest smile on his face, while Beth's cheeks grew pinker and her arms clenched around her middle.

 Jo stumbled to think of something to say, when James said, “I haven’t heard of the
Play Writes
. Is that some kind of acting class?” He looked directly at Jo and then his eyes drifted to the coke stain covering the mid region of her uniform. She swallowed and tried to spread her fingers to hide it, but it still showed.

 “Um … Yes, kind of,” Beth answered, rescuing her right back. “They’re an amateur drama group over in Cherry Hinton who put on a production once a year. I’ve been trying to convince Jo to join with me.”

 
Great, why did she have to mention that!

 “Do you want to be an actor?” James asked Jo with a frown.

 Jo shook her head quickly. “No. I’d work behind the scences. Beth’s the actor, not me.” She turned to glare at Spencer who was still supporting a silly grin.  “Not that she likes doing on the spot performances.”

 Spencer held up his hands in surrender, his eyes still focussed on Beth, “I was only trying to be helpful, but my offer still stands. I promise to be an uncritical audience if you ever need it.”

 Beth smiled shyly. “Thanks, I’ll be sure to call on you when I next feel the urge to audition in your kitchen.”

 She looked away and Spencer smiled at her once more before he cocked his head toward Jo. “So, what happened to you today?”

 “Nothing,” she whispered. Not happy they were all staring at her.

 “Lewis Pimms,” Beth stated, before Jo could stop her.

 “Did he do that on purpose?” Spencer asked with a scowl.

 “No, him and his can of coke didn’t watch where they were going.”

 Jo wished Beth hadn’t brought it up in the first place. She already had a story, in case Sarah asked. Jo never bothered telling her family when incidents like this happened. She just let them slide and got on with it. She figured there was nothing anyone could do. Her peers never harassed or hurt her, and over the years she just accepted that no one wanted to be her friend.

 “He didn’t even apologise,” Beth continued.

“He didn’t apologise?” James scowled.

  “It doesn’t matter. I’m sure it’ll come out in the wash,” Jo said, eager to end the conversation. She pulled Beth’s sleeve. “Come on, let’s go.” Jo picked up her school bag and literally dragged Beth out of the kitchen, not willing to look at James or Spencer's sympathetic faces any longer.

Later that night they'd all piled into James's car and drove into the village.

 The cinema foyer bustled with locals and Jo noticed Gabriella wave to a few, while keeping Spencer’s arm in a tight grip. “We’ll go and get the tickets for everyone,” she said.

 Beth glanced at James, who shrugged. “That’s okay we can pay for our own.”

 “Don’t be silly, Peter gave me money for all of us. I think he wanted us to have a good time.” Gabriella smiled confidently.

 “That was nice of him. What if I go and get some popcorn and drinks?” Beth offered.

 “Great, you and James do that and we’ll get the tickets and save seats.” Gabriella went to walk away with Spencer in tow, then called over her shoulder, “Jo can meet you outside and show you where we’re sitting.”

 Jo tapped her fingers on her arm as she waited. Beth and James were taking a long time. The sound of the previews echoed through the door just as they appeared. Beth wore a smug grin and Jo eyed her suspiciously.

“Hey, sorry we took so long. I had the pleasure of introducing James to Lewis.”

 "Lewis?”

 “Well, it was more of an impromptu meet and greet,” James said with a matching grin.

 Jo narrowed her eyes. Then she looked over his shoulder and spotted Lewis Pimms making his way down through the foyer with his normal crowd of friends. He didn’t look very happy. Then Jo saw the orange stain on his white shirt and Lauren Gardner dabbing a napkin at his chest, being overly zealous in her cleaning efforts.

 “You didn’t?” Jo gasped, looking at James wide eyed.

 “Accidents happen. What can I say, I tripped. Here’s your drink. Sorry, lost half of it,” James continued grinning as he handed it to her.

 Jo shook her head, a smile twitching at her lips as she took the almost empty cup. Slightly amused and flattered, that James would go to those lengths to stand up for her.

Just another bow to add to his roguish hero status.

Then she remembered Lewis and how he was well known for winning most fights, in and out of school. She didn’t want him messing with James, so she quickly rushed into the darkened movie theatre, hoping he’d follow. It wouldn’t take Lewis long to put two and two together. He may be the biggest idiot she knew, but he wasn’t stupid.

After the movie ended, Spencer led the way down the aisle and out of the cinema. Jo kept a watchful eye on the crowd, hoping Lewis had gone home to change his shirt so they didn’t run into him again.

 As everyone grouped together in the street, Spencer looked at Beth. “Are you able to come for a coffee or do you need to go home?”

 “Um … I probably should go home.”

 Spencer nodded and looked down the road, his hands jammed into his jacket pockets.

 Beth gazed in the same direction for a moment, and no one spoke. Then Beth turned back, her face lit up. “You could always come to my house. Mum has this fantastic blend her sister sends from London and we have a wicked coffee machine. I know mum won’t mind as long as I’m home.” Beth shrugged. “She worries…”

 “Sounds good,” Spencer answered beaming at her.

 “Fine with me,” James said.

 “She makes brilliant coffee,” Jo agreed, although surprised by Beth’s offer and the way she looked so happy all of a sudden.

 “I could always postpone my plans with Denise.” Gabriella held up her mobile.

 “I think you might be too late for that,” Jo said, seeing Denise approach.

 Gabriella turned to look in the same direction.

 “Hiya, sorry I’m late. Are you ready to go?” Denise called to Gabriella, standing a few feet back from their group, not bothering to acknowledge anyone else.

 Jo didn’t flinch. Gabriella’s friends always ignored her, but she was surprised Denise didn’t want to meet James and Spencer. Gabriella was always telling Spencer how her friends constantly asked about who he had hooked up with in London.

 Gabriella caressed her ring for a split second, a look of indecision on her face, but the look disappeared quickly, replaced by a broad smile. “I’ll see you all later.” Gabriella turned and took Denise’s arm, then called over her shoulder, “Tell Peter I’ll be in by midnight. I don’t think he wanted any of us
later
than that.” She gave Spencer a pointed look, before she turned away with Denise.

 The four of them stood and watched her for a moment, until she disappeared around the corner.

Spencer started walking off with Beth, while James shook his head, muttering,“Looks like we have a curfew then.”

 “Looks like it," Jo replied, catching his eye. "I guess we better get moving, so we’re not
later
than ... what time did she say again?

"I believe it was
no later
than two, or possibly three, or maybe even tomorrow morning.” James smiled at Jo and she chuckled.

For once, James didn’t seem to be under Gabriella’s spell like every other living, breathing male.