Chapter Six
Distractions
‘So your sister passed her exam?’ Lennie asked as he placed boxes of fruit on the stall.
‘Yeah,’ I said, eyeing him with distrust. ‘Iris did too. They’re in the higher learning building now.’
‘I missed so much while I was ill.’ He sighed, attempting a smile. ‘How are things with your father?’
‘Fine; it’s the same as it used to be.’
‘Is that what you wanted?’
‘What do you care?’ I snapped, ‘I thought you’d be happy he’s such a loyal servant again!’
For a month since coming back Father had been hinting about Ignatius, about the role I could still play.
‘Don’t you want to make something of yourself? Working for an immortal is a great achievement.’
I had to bite back my retort.
I already am.
Lennie let out a pained sigh.
‘Dimitri, I know my appearance must seem strange, but please trust me when-’
‘Trust you?’ I laughed, ‘I will never trust someone like you.’
‘Not everyone like me is associated with Ignatius.’ He said, his voice making me quiver. ‘In the future we may become your lifeline. Don’t dismiss us so easily.’
His eyes were so earnest and intense I felt guilty.
Don’t be fooled.
I looked away.
‘If that’s true, then tell me who you are. Why are you here? What were you really doing when you were ‘ill’?’
‘I can’t.’
My jaw clenched.
See, don’t trust anyone, you’ll only be disappointed.
Five minutes of the suffocating atmosphere was all I could cope with.
‘Can I go do the deliveries?’ I asked, already grabbing the hotel box.
‘Yes.’ Lennie said, ‘That can be your job from now on.’
Should I just quit? No, I can’t rely on Father to support us; even Mum won’t give up her job. Besides, if I stay near Lennie he might slip up. I’ll break their hold over Father.
I opened our front door cautiously, surprised to see Iris on the other side.
‘Hello.’ She smiled, ‘Can I come in?’
‘Annie isn’t here.’ I blurted out, ‘She’s shopping with Mum.’
‘I know.’ She grinned, ‘They went to my mother’s stall.’
‘Father isn’t here either.’ I continued, my face feeling warm. ‘He’s on a three day trading trip.’
‘I know.’ She laughed, ‘I came to see you.’
My face felt like it was on fire.
‘O-oh, c-come in.’ I moved aside, clumsily shutting the door. ‘D-do you want some tea?’
‘Sure.’ She said, leading the way. ‘When I realised no one else was here, I had to come. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you. Did you miss me?’
I stumbled into a cabinet, placing the kettle onto the already lit stove.
‘S-sorry, I’ve been busy.’
Avoiding everyone. I added silently.
‘Annie said you’re getting wrinkles from worrying about everything. You need to have more fun.’
‘Annie’s worried about me?’ I asked, startled. I’d barely seen my sister since she’d started her new class.
Iris’ light laughter stopped all thoughts in my head.
‘See? Now you’re worried about being worried!’
I frowned, automatically grabbing the kettle beginning to screech.
‘No one needs to worry about me.’
She had moved closer, right beside me. My shaking hands spilt hot water when trying to pour it into our cups.
Iris laughed again, gently taking the kettle. Her hand touched mine and I almost flinched at the pleasant tingling that followed.
‘You’re such a good person, Dimi.’ She said, placing the kettle down and raising one hand to rest on my cheek. I stopped breathing. ‘You deserve to have something good too.’
And then she kissed me.
‘Hi Cedron, haven’t seen you in a while.’ I smiled, watching as he wheeled a small cart of groceries to our stall. He raised an eyebrow.
‘Someone’s chipper this morning; are you going to reveal your secret?’
I just smiled.
‘He’s been like this for two weeks.’ Lennie said, ‘Not that I’m complaining.’
‘So where have you been?’ I insisted, ‘That other trader’s goods aren’t as fresh or cheap as yours.’
‘I had a different job in Haven, guarding the Duke’s daughter.’
‘That’s impressive.’ Lennie smiled; a strained smile. ‘I didn’t realise you had bodyguard skills.’
Cedron shrugged, unloading the cart to the stall tables.
‘It was her fifteenth birthday so there was a big festival. I was just hired for reassurance. She was a sweet kid though; she’ll make a fine ruler one day.’
‘Married off to one of the King’s sons, most likely.’ Lennie remarked. Cedron’s easy smile dropped. ‘I’d think carefully before getting too involved with the Duke, Cedron, it could only end badly.’
‘I know that, old man.’ Cedron sighed, ‘I know.’
I walked to the town’s entrance with him, taking the hotel’s delivery.
‘Cedron, do you trust Lennie?’
He stared down at me in surprise, then took a moment to give a serious answer.
‘He’s a strange old man, that’s for sure. I can’t help feeling he’s hiding his true self.’
I shifted the box in my hands nervously.
‘…But his advice has always been sound, so I think if he was going to stab me in the back one day, he’d warn me first. If he’s let you in on his secret, I think you’re safe, kid.’
‘What if he didn’t tell me? I accidentally found out.’
‘In that case, if he hasn’t killed you yet and still treating you like a friend, he must have decided to trust you.’
I flinched.
‘There’s something about you-’
‘Dimitri? What are you doing here?’
I looked up, seeing Father catch up to my side. I stopped.
‘Father?’ I stared, beginning to panic. ‘What’s wrong? Is Mum okay?’
Father frowned.
‘What are you babbling about? She’s fine. Don’t you ever listen when I talk to you? I’m leaving for another trading run. Now answer me, what are you doing here?’
‘I-I was seeing Cedron to the entrance, then going to do the deliveries.’ I said, head down.
Father noticed Cedron then, his eyes widening.
‘A fellow countryman?’
‘Indeed.’ Cedron smiled, ‘Although one not as gifted.’
Father noticed his eyes for the first time and scoffed in disgust.
‘Hardly a countryman then. Have you been sprouting heresy to my son?’
‘I have said nothing. He has the right to decide.’
‘Boy!’ I jumped. ‘Leave now, I don’t want you to see this man again.’
‘But-’
Father turned to face me and I trembled.
‘If you ever listen to this man’s nonsense I will disown you, understood?’
Cedron gave a quick wink behind Father. My throat was too dry to speak. I nodded, turned, and walked away as fast as I could.
What was that about?
‘You have frown wrinkles again.’ Iris teased, poking my forehead.
‘Sorry.’ I said, leaning down on my pillow. After sleeping under the bed so long I’d forgotten how soft it was. ‘Do you think Annie’s still prowling the kitchen?’
Iris laughed, lying down next to me. My heart was pounding in my ears.
‘Are you still that nervous being alone with me?’
‘It’s not that. It’s…I’m worried about your reputation.’
‘My what?’
‘If grown-ups go into a bedroom alone, people talk about it.’
‘We’re not grown-ups.’
‘I know, but I’m still worried.’
‘Dimi, people don’t care about kids going in a room to kiss.’
I frowned.
‘What do grown-ups do differently then?’
Iris’ face suddenly looked strained, trying to stay neutral.
‘Haven’t your parents given you the talk yet?’
‘The talk?’
‘You know, about what married people do.’
‘Oh, no. Father said he’ll tell me on my thirteenth birthday.’
‘Well, trust me, kids don’t do it, and that’s the only thing that people talk about. We definitely don’t do that. We haven’t even kissed properly.’
‘We haven’t?’
‘No, I saw some older kids behind school do it once. Want to try?’
Before I could answer she leaned closer and kissed me.
‘Keep your mouth open.’ She said, and kissed me again. I felt something enter my mouth and instinctively drew back.
‘W-what?’ I spluttered. Iris just laughed, but her eyes looked disappointed.
‘That’s what they did, used their tongues.’ She sighed, climbing off the bed. ‘Come on, I feel cruel leaving Annie alone.’
Aaron wasn’t in the kitchen the next morning. I frowned until I heard someone giggling near the staff stairs. I put the deliver down, moving closer. Aaron was with a girl I’d seen at breakfast for the last week. Their lips were locked, and I spotted his tongue slip into her mouth.
I quickly retraced my steps and began the breakfast alone. I was halfway through when Aaron emerged with the girl, clearing his throat.
‘Oh, hello Dint. You know Sara, right?’
‘Table six.’ I said, smiling, hoping my face wasn’t bright red.
She smiled politely and turned back to Aaron, giving a little wave before heading into the eating room.
‘Thanks for giving us some space, man.’ Aaron grinned. ‘That girl is one great kisser.’
‘No problem.’
Breakfast was almost ready before I’d worked up the courage to ask.
‘How do you kiss with your tongue?’
‘How? You stick it in there and massage her tongue with yours.’ He shrugged at my blank look. ‘Why, you got a girl?’
I nodded.
‘You have? For how long?’
‘Two weeks, but now she wants to use tongues and-’ I didn’t finish, too embarrassed.
‘Well, I guess you have your little secrets.’ He said, one hand going to his chest in mock-hurt. ‘Why don’t you practice first?’
He picked up an egg and winked at me before beginning to kiss it. I gaped as he planted soft kisses, then began to gently massage it with his tongue.
He looks ridiculous!
‘You try it,’ He said, tossing me an egg.
I stared at it, wrinkling my nose.
‘You wanna impress your girl, right?’
I started to kiss the egg like Aaron had, then poked my tongue out to lick it. There was a crack and my mouth was flooded with egg yolk.
Aaron fell to the floor while I spat out yolk. My whole body shook and I was laughing too, clutching my ribs from lack of air.
‘Hey, where’s my breakfast?’ A customer demanded.
Scribbled Thoughts 