The Ugly Stepsister (6 page)

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.

“You’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.

Ellie dropped onto the double seater lounge. “I don’t think I could eat another bite. I feel like I’m about to explode.”

Tom joined her. “Who was the one who asked for seconds of dessert?”

Ellie grinned. “You saw what I eat each week. How could I resist a second helping of dessert?”

Tom put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. “When do you have to be home?”

“Ahh…”

“You don’t, do you?”

“Well…”

“You want to give me the real story about last weekend?”

Ellie sighed. “Don’t wreck such a perfect night.”

“Are you ever planning to tell me?”

Ellie stared at him for several minutes. It had been so much easier to lie to him when she didn’t really know him. “I don’t know.”

“Thank you.”

“What for?”

Tom grinned. “For actually telling me the truth.”

“If I wasn’t too full to move, I’d protest that by sitting in the chair furthest from you.”

“Did you realise you’ve got no lipstick left on now?”

“Really? And you thought it was important to point that out because?”

Tom’s lips met hers in answer. They were still on the couch making out when Sam clattered down the stairs. Ellie pulled away from Tom, but he kept his arm around her and wouldn’t let her move far. He shook his head at the query on her face.

Sam held out a plastic container with two slices of shortcake in it. “For you and Lauren tomorrow. It’d probably be best to sit it on an ice brick and wrap it up in a tea towel to keep it from getting too warm in your schoolbag.”

“Thanks.”

“You said she wouldn’t sit with you for lunch.”

“Ahh… I think she was only threatening. I don’t think she really meant it. Although we are talking about your cooking. So maybe she might have.”

“Thanks for coming tonight.”

“Ahh… sure.”

“I’ll…” Sam gestured towards his room. “Well…”

Ellie pulled away from Tom so she could sit up properly. “We didn’t get through all those movies on the weekend. Did you want to watch one of them now?”

Sam glanced behind himself to check the time. “I only have half an hour before I have to go to bed.”

“Oh.”

“I can watch the start of it with you,” Sam offered.

“Only if you don’t have anything else you wanted to do before you head to bed.”

Sam shook his head. “Which one did you want to watch? They’re still down here.”

Ellie shrugged. She couldn’t remember which movies she’d picked out. “Surprise me.”

Tom pulled her back against him and she rested her head on his shoulder as Sam put the movie on. When Sam went to bed, the movie was forgotten. Ellie willingly kissed Tom, her hands roaming as freely as his. The movie returning to the menu reminded them of their surroundings.

Tom smiled. “I should probably give you a lift home. I’ve got to get up early in the morning.”

“I guess.”

“You don’t sound all that enthusiastic. Were you planning on staying again? There’s plenty of space in my bed.”

Ellie stared at him for a moment. “On the weekend, when I asked which bedroom was mine, why did you say yours?”

“You were making my brother uncomfortable. So what do you say? Are you staying?”

Ellie laughed softly. “No thanks. You’d still be complaining in the morning that you needed more sleep. And no way am I getting up that early. I get out of bed as late as possible. I usually barely make it to school on time.”

“We better move then before I start trying to talk you into staying.”

Ellie reluctantly pulled away from Tom. She picked up the container Sam had given her and waited for Tom to turn off the television. They crept quietly upstairs and when they reached the foyer, Ellie carried her sandals so she didn’t risk making too much noise as she walked out the door. All the lights, except for the foyer light, were turned off. She wondered if Teresa had gone to bed already. Tom slipped his shoes on before he headed outside, locking the door behind him.

Ellie found the drive went too quickly and they were pulling up in front of her house before she was ready to say goodnight. “Have you been at school the past couple of days?”

Tom nodded.

“I didn’t see either of you about.”

“We were there. But I could say the same. Where were you?”

“I sit in the same place every lunchtime.” She described where the tree was that she and Lauren had been sitting under since grade eight.

“I know where that is.”

“Does that mean I might see you tomorrow?”

Tom leaned forward and kissed her. “Maybe.”

Ellie smiled. “Goodnight.”

“Night, Beth.”

She considered questioning his choice of names but the faint look of amusement told her he waited for exactly that. She grinned and hopped out of the car, still holding the container. Dashing to the front door, she turned and waved to him before she let herself in. She heard him drive off as soon as the door was closed.

Ellie hid the container in the back of the fridge and, still smiling, made her way to her room. The house was quiet and dark. She knew her mum would be home and more likely asleep, but she felt like she was the only one in the house. Locking her door behind her, she turned on the light and changed into her sleepwear.