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Post by Bee on Jan 14, 2011 1:52:11 GMT
What a horrible fight Declan is far too overprotective!!!
Can't wait for more!
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Post by sophie on Jan 14, 2011 15:34:18 GMT
Thanks! It was a bit of an overreaction, but I think it's fairly typical of Dec. Will try and redeem him here!
Declan slammed out of the house and strode along the street, still feeling incredibly angry. He couldn't believe that his daughter had lied to him like that and underneath the anger, Declan felt hurt as well. India never lied. He kept on walking, not really knowing where he was going, but it felt good to be outside and not having to talk to anyone and think about what to say to India. Declan's conscience niggled slightly as well, telling him that he was wrong to have shouted so much, wrong to have called her a liar, but he ignored it and marched on grimfaced.
"Declan!"
Declan stopped, startled, and looked up to see his mother crossing the road towards him.
"What are you doing home from work?" she asked.
"Burst pipe," said Declan as way of explanation and Rebecca looked a little startled.
"Where are you going?"
Declan shrugged.
"Just a walk."
"Has something happened?" asked Rebecca shrewdly. "Have you been fighting with India?"
Declan didn't answer but wondered how it was that mothers knew everything and Rebecca made an impatient sound.
"Come on, let's go back to my place and have a cup of tea."
"Aw, Mum –"
"Now," said Rebecca in her sternest voice and Declan meekly followed her. Even he still knew when to listen to his mum.
"What happened?" asked Rebecca finally, bringing two steaming cups of tea and a plate of biscuits over to the sofa where Declan was sitting and he took a sip.
"A pipe burst at work so we all had to go home, and it's India's last day of school so she finished early too."
"Okay."
"And I came home and found the door open and someone talking to India who I didn't know, so I went in her room and found her pashing some bloke."
"What?" asked Rebecca. "Some random bloke? How old was he?"
"About nineteen, I think," said Declan, rubbing his forehead. "It was that bloke from the party, do you remember?"
"Elliot."
"Yeah, him," said Declan furiously, gripping the handle of the cup.
"Look, calm down. What were they doing?"
"Kissing."
"Was that all?"
"You didn't see the way they were kissing," said Declan irritably. "I think I came in just in time."
"And what did you do?" asked Rebecca, already knowing the answer. "Throw a fit?"
"Well, yeah, I was angry!" said Declan defensively. "Not just about kissing some boy in her bedroom without my knowing – she's been lying to me for weeks!"
Rebecca sighed.
"I really think she was going to tell you."
"I don't know about that," said Declan and then stopped and stared at his mother who was looking guilty. "What do you mean, you think she was going to tell me? You knew?!"
"Yes."
"For how long?!"
"Ah, about a week."
"Well, great," said Declan crossly. "Thanks heaps for telling me Mum."
"Just a minute," said Rebecca angrily. "I didn't tell you because I knew it would be better for your daughter to tell you, when she was ready."
"But she didn't tell me, did she?" exclaimed Declan, feeling angry again. "I got to find out by seeing her pashing him on her bed and their hands were everywhere!"
"And why do you think she didn't tell you?" asked Rebecca reasonably.
"She said it was because she knew I'd react like this," admitted Declan. "And that I'd go mad and say she couldn't see him anymore."
"She has a point."
"I'd still rather she'd told me!" exclaimed Declan , still feeling rather hurt. "I can't believe she's lied to me like this."
"Declan, India's a wonderful girl, but all children lie to their parents at some point. I'm not saying that they should but that's part of growing up, to push the boundaries. And you're not going to like me saying this, but I can see why she didn't tell you the truth."
"Mum!"
"Declan, listen to yourself!" said Rebecca. "You came home to find her kissing a boy and instead of dealing with it in a calm and adult fashion you went completely off your head!"
"Would you have been happy?"
"No, probably not, but I wouldn't have seen red. That's the worst thing to do."
"So what should I have done?" asked Declan, putting his tea down angrily. "Closed the door and left them to it?"
"Don't be ridiculous," snapped Rebecca. "You should have told the boy to leave –"
"Believe me, I did that!"
"And not shouted," continued Rebecca sternly. "And then sat down with India and talked to her about it. Coincidentally, what did you say to her?"
"That she was grounded for three weeks. That I was disappointed in her and that there was no way in hell she was ever seeing him again."
"Declan!"
"What?"
"You're sounding like a Victorian father!"
"I am not," exclaimed Declan. "But I don't want my daughter going out with a nineteen-year-old boy!"
Rebecca paused for a moment, sipping her tea and Declan took the opportunity to take a biscuit from the plate and munch it angrily.
"I don't think banning them from seeing each other is going to do either of you any favours."
"What?" exclaimed Declan. "Mum, he's too old for her!"
"She's going to push away from you and probably see him anyway."
"She wouldn't do that," said Declan, hurt. "She shouldn't, anyway. I'm her father and what I say goes."
"Hm," said Rebecca sarcastically. "Remember when Steve banned you and Bridget from seeing each other? Do you remember how well that worked out?"
Declan stopped and stared at her. The wind was taken from his sails.
"That was different," he said weakly.
"How?"
"Well, for one thing, I wasn't practically three years older than Didge."
"Here's another thing," said Rebecca sternly. "Steve had more of a reason to say you couldn't see her."
"What?!"
"Declan, I love you," said Rebecca honestly. "And I loved you back then too. But do you remember why you were banned from seeing each other? A certain joyride?"
"Mum, that's not fair. And besides, she drove first."
"You had the car. You put the idea in her head. Has he done anything to upset you?"
"He was kissing the face off my little girl!"
"My goodness," remarked Rebecca. "Do you know, I could be sitting at the Parkers' kitchen table eighteen years ago. Maybe my time machine works."
"What does that mean?"
"It means," said Rebecca, smiling slightly, "you're sounding awfully like a certain father going ballistic over his little girl wanting to go out with a certain boy."
Declan stared at her.
"I'm not like Steve!" he exclaimed and Rebecca raised her eyebrows. "I'm not!"
"Listen to yourself," said Rebecca. "You've found out your daughter's been sneaking around with a boy behind your back and how have you reacted? You've banned her from seeing him. You've seen your daughter having a kiss with a boy and now you're freaking out because you can't stand the idea of your little girl growing up. You think no one's good enough for your little girl."
"Mum," said Declan, feeling rather taken aback. "This is different. It was more than just a kiss and anyway, Steve was always unreasonable about this sort of stuff."
Declan admired his father-in-law a lot but had always thought he was too strict with Bridget.
"And you're being very reasonable, are you?" his mother asked. "By banning a boy you don't know from ever seeing your daughter again, when he hasn't even done anything to upset you, besides kiss her?"
"But Mum, he's nineteen! He's going to...expect things!"
"Nicely put," remarked Rebecca, rolling her eyes. "Well, India's seventeen now. Boys her own age will be 'expecting things' too and maybe she'll want to herself."
Declan didn't know what to say for a moment.
"Look, I don't want a teenage pregnancy on my hands," he said finally.
"You don't know Indy's going to get pregnant."
"There's a risk though."
"There's a risk with everything," commented Rebecca. "But she's careful and she's sensible."
"But Mum, I see so much of Didge in her," he said desperately, and, as Rebecca opened her mouth, he added, "and I know she isn't Didge. She's India. But she's impulsive, like Didge was."
"You're impulsive too," said Rebecca gently. "She's her father's daughter as well."
"And that's exactly it!" exclaimed Declan. "She's got impulsiveness from both of us, doing things before thinking! And I know what it's like to get carried away and Mum, I don't know what I'd do if she got pregnant."
He stopped, feeling emotional and Rebecca took his hand.
"I think you're thinking too far ahead here."
"Not from the way I saw them kissing," said Declan grimly. "He was practically on top of her."
"India wouldn't do anything she didn't want to do."
"She did say they weren't going to go any further," admitted Declan, and started to feel ashamed. "I said I didn't believe her."
Rebecca sighed.
"You need to go home and talk this out with her. And apologise."
"I know," said Declan, beginning to calm down. "But Mum, I don't want to her to go out with a nineteen-year-old. It's not just the sex thing. He's too old for her. He's left school and India has over a year left. What if he decides to go away to university or just moves away? India'll be heartbroken."
"Maybe that's her decision to make," said Rebecca reasonably. "She's old enough to think for herself. Part of growing up is experiencing relationships and sometimes getting your heart broken."
"I don't want her getting her heart broken."
"Look, Declan, what are you going to do? Ban her from seeing anyone until she's at university?"
"Not a bad plan," said Declan and, as his mother looked annoyed, he added, "Joke!"
"Do you want to be the kind of father who bans his daughter from experiencing things?"
"No, but –"
"And make her feel scared about being in relationships?"
"No, but he's nineteen! It's practically a guarantee of heartbreak!" exclaimed Declan. "I wouldn't mind so much if it was someone her own age!"
"Someone her own age could break her heart too," said Rebecca honestly. "You can't protect your children from getting hurt from things, nor should you. It's just going to make things harder for them when they do grow up and are hurt for the first time. It'll hurt them harder."
"Yeah, I know," admitted Declan. "I sort of wasn't that truthful with Indy. She said that I hated the thought of her growing up and I said that I didn't, but Mum, I don't think I'm ever going to like the thought of her being with boys, even if it is with ones her own age."
"I don't think many dads do," said Rebecca, thinking of Steve again. "But Declan, you have a choice here. You can carry on being the father from hell and scaring your daughter into lying to you more because she'll be too afraid to bring anyone home, or you can talk to her about it, voice your concerns and let her make her own decisions, even if you're don't agree with all of them. You've got to let her make her own mistakes."
"I guess," said Declan quietly. "But I just don't trust older boys."
"Not every older boy is a Chris Knight," said Rebecca gently, reading her son's mind and he shrugged, not knowing what to say and Rebecca sighed again.
"Declan, you should be talking to India about these concerns, not me. No, she shouldn't have lied, but she's a very mature girl. She'll listen to you, as long as you're being reasonable and not shouting."
"I know," said Declan.
"Nothing's going to get solved by you locking her up and throwing away the key."
"I know that too."
"Don't get me wrong," said Rebecca softly. "You are a wonderful father, an incredible dad. You've had to be both parents and no one could do such an amazing job as you have – right from when Indy was born you were the best dad you could possibly be."
Declan felt ashamed.
"I wasn't that wonderful when Didge told me she was pregnant. I wasn't that wonderful when I freaked out, basically told her I wanted her to miscarry, kissed a girl and did a runner. I wasn't that wonderful when I was angry with her when she told me and I said it was the worst thing that had ever happened to me."
Rebecca was silent for a moment.
"You were only eighteen," she said finally.
"Doesn't excuse it," shrugged Declan. "I'll never forgive myself for not being there for her and wishing Indy away."
"Declan, you were young and frightened," said Rebecca. "No, I wasn't proud of you, but you came to your senses. You turned around and owned up to it and since then you've been the best father ever. A lot of boys aren't, you know. If their girlfriends get pregnant they run away for good, and some of them won't even admit that it's theirs."
Declan didn't say anything.
"Your daughter loves you," said Rebecca firmly. "And you love her and you love her mum, even if she's gone, and you are a fantastic dad. Part of the reason you both have such a good relationship is that you have always let her come to you with problems and talk it out."
"Guess I ruined that today."
"You didn't ruin it, you just freaked out. Go home and talk to her – you're still allowed to make mistakes, even if you're grown-up."
"I'm not grown-up," joked Declan and Rebecca laughed. "I'm just pretending."
"You're doing a very good job."
Declan stopped and hugged her.
"I love you Mum."
"I love you too."
"You were definitely right about one thing though."
"Just one thing?" joked Rebecca, but she looked quizzical. "What's that?"
"No one will ever be good enough for my little girl," Declan said with a sad smile.
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Post by Bee on Jan 14, 2011 15:46:26 GMT
aww Declan and Rebecca's relationship is so nice!
cant wait for more
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Post by sophie on Jan 17, 2011 0:19:58 GMT
Thanks!
India sat on her bed, still crying. She hadn't got changed or left the room but she had got up to get her teddy bear, and now she sat hugging it with a box of tissues. Hugging Teddy still helped, even if she was seventeen.
India's phone suddenly rang, making her jump. She put down the tissue and picked the phone up, seeing it was Elliot.
"Hello?" she asked tearfully.
"Hey," said Elliot anxiously from the other end. "Are you okay?"
"Not really," said India truthfully, a big tear dropping off her nose.
"Do you want me to come back over?"
"No, don't do that. I'm not even supposed to talk to you on the phone."
"Are you in heaps of trouble?"
"Just a bit," said India, trying to sound jokey but failing. "I got grounded for three weeks and my dad yelled all this stuff about me disappointing him and betraying his trust."
"I'm sorry."
"Why are you sorry?" sniffled India, hugging her bear. "It's not your fault."
"I got you into trouble. I came over to your house."
"I invited you."
"I started pashing you on the bed."
India managed a watery laugh.
"I think that was a mutual decision."
He laughed a little too.
"I'm sorry my dad said all that horrible stuff to you," said India. "I promise you he's not a psycho - he just overreacted."
"It's okay."
"He said I can't see you anymore," said India, trying to stop a fresh spurt of tears.
"What?" exclaimed Elliot. "Like, ever?"
"Like, eternity."
Elliot didn't say anything for a moment.
"Can I do anything about it?" he asked finally. "Should I come and see your dad and apologise or something?"
"Not unless you have a deathwish." India stopped again and then rubbed her eyes before adding, "I'll think of something. I'll try and talk him round."
"Do you think that'll work?"
"My dad always loses his temper," said India. "He'll get over it."
India chose not to add that she had never seen her father so angry and hurt before, and it was more than just an outburst.
"Okay," said Elliot unsurely.
"Either way, I'll think of something," said India desperately. "Don't worry, I'll see you soon."
"I'd like that," admitted Elliot. "Are you sure you don't need anything?"
"I'm, fine really," lied India. "I'd rather be alone for now until my dad comes home. But thanks heaps for calling."
"No problem. I guess I'll speak to you soon then."
"I guess."
"Bye..."
"Bye."
India hung up and hugged her teddy bear tightly, sniffling again. She didn't know what to do. She didn't want to keep lying to her father but equally she didn't want to stop seeing Elliot and her father was being unreasonable, she knew. She was seventeen and maybe it was time he understood that she needed to make some adult decisions of her own she thought, biting her lip. She was growing up, after all.
Declan left his mother's house and walked down and out of the street, after turning and waving to Rebecca from her doorway. He started walking slowly back, feeling as though he was in his own world. His mother's advice had hit harm hard and he felt eighteen again; remembering the time when Bridget had told him she was pregnant, and how he'd reacted. How he'd been a tool and taken off and making Bridget feel all alone and think that he wouldn't come back, so much so that she'd nearly had an abortion and sometimes, though Declan tried not to think about it much, he sometimes wondered if he would have done had Zeke and Ringo not come for him. But they had and he'd come to his senses and he remembered so clearly, as though it was only yesterday, standing outside the clinic with Didge with her back to him.
I don't know how to be a dad...
Do you think I know how to be a mum?
But she did know, Declan mused. She knew everything. If he'd died and Indy'd been left with her he knew he wouldn't ever have to worry...Didge had said that to him but he wondered sometimes about how good a job he did.
I'm not dad material...
Do you think I'm mum material? We'll figure it out....
And there was that key word: we'll. It was a plural word for a job that needed both of them. They'd do it together, they'd raise India and if one of them made a mistake or didn't know what to do they could turn to the other one. But fate was far too cruel for that – if it was fate, Declan grimly wondered. Bridget dying was surely proof that there was no fate....no sick universe would preordain that. But Declan was constantly contradicting himself in that he always felt that he and Bridget were meant to be. Either way, she was gone, for a reason Declan could never know and so it was that if he messed up or didn't know what to do – which happened quite a lot, especially since Indy had entered adolescence – he couldn't ask Bridget to help. They were supposed to be figuring it out together, he thought angrily. He couldn't figure this out by himself. He had just muddled his way through fatherhood since, and well he remembered when India was six and the day she had got sent home from school for hitting a boy in the playground. The school was furious, Declan was furious, and even Rebecca was angry. She had given him a nosebleed and India was suspended for two days. Declan had got angry and asked why his little girl had been so violent, but India pressed her lips together and frowned, hugging her teddy bear, making Declan get more angry and he'd taken her teddy bear away for the two nights and India had screamed, "I HATE YOU!" and Declan felt like he had been punched. India had said sorry, her teddy had been returned and it had all been forgotten but Declan remembering wishing so badly for Bridget's advice that it hurt. It hurt even more when India finally told him that it was because the boy had teased her about her mother being dead. Declan needed that advice now and found himself making a detour to the cemetery, though it did not feel like a detour. It felt like a planned path.
"Didge," said Declan, kneeling at her grave. "Didge, I screwed up."
There was complete silence apart from the leaves in the wind and the call of the birds.
"What would you say? I know what you'd say. You'd say, talk to Indy, like Mum did. But where the hell do I begin, Didge?"
He closed his eyes and imagined as best he could her standing there beside him. Sometimes when he did so it felt almost real, but only ever almost. He knew she wouldn't really come back, but he knew she listened.
"I know I shouldn't have shouted," he said defensively, knowing that Bridget would have told him off. "But I came home to find our daughter kissing an older boy on the bed, it would have shocked you too. And she lied to me. Would you have been angry? I know you would be, but maybe not as much. You'd have handled it better."
Declan imagined what she would have done. Calmed him down for a start, he knew that, and then calmed down Indy.
"I don't know what to say to make it better," he said desperately. "I don't know how to handle it. What do I know about seventeen-year-old girls? Nothing! And what should I do, let her see him anyway, even though he's older? Mum reckons I sounded like your dad. No offence Didge, but I didn't exactly take that as a compliment. He was always so strict and I don't want to be some nightmare strict dad who doesn't let his daughter do anything but Didge, you know why I'm concerned. I just want to get through to Indy but I know your advice to her would be better than mine."
He paused and then added, "It's times like these I need you here."
There was a silence, of course and Declan sighed.
"Well, I know you'd say to talk to her because that's better than not trying at all. Very well for you and Mum to say, I'm not any good at those kind of talks. I think she needs her mum for that and I know she needs you, Didge. I'll do my best. I just find it hard that she's growing up."
Declan got up and put his hand on the stone.
"And I know you'd say that she has to. I know that as well but it doesn't stop it being hard. Okay, I'm going to go and try and talk to our daughter. Help me out, will you? From wherever you are? I know you can."
He took a deep breath to prepare himself before saying, "I love you, Didge. I didn't forget to say it. I'll never forget that. I wish you were here to help me figure it out. I'm going now. I love you. Bye. I'll come back."
Declan came home and knocked softly at India's door. There was a reply of, "Yeah?" and a sniffle.
Declan opened it to find India on the bed still, but she had changed out of her school dress and into some jeans and a T-shirt.
"Can I sit down?"
India shrugged and Declan took that as a yes.
"Indy, I'm sorry," he said after a moment's hesitation. There was no reply.
"Look, it was just a shock," he continued anxiously. "I didn't know what to say."
"You thought of something pretty quick," said India a little snarkily but she still sounded rather tearful.
"Come on Indy, I'm your dad. Of course I wasn't happy to see you kissing some random boy on your bed."
"He wasn't a random boy," protested India in a wobbly voice. "He's Elliot."
"Well, he's a random boy to me," said Declan. "I've never met him before."
"Yeah, and that's why. Because I knew you'd go off your head."
Declan sighed.
"I understand," he said and India looked up, surprised. "I'm not saying it was right of you to lie but I get why you did it. But Indy, you should have told me."
"And you wouldn't have gone mad?"
"I probably would have done," admitted Declan and India looked away again. "But darling, I still wish you'd told me. I never want you to lie to me. I thought we had a deal – no secrets."
"I never had a boyfriend before," said India, as means of justification and Declan sighed again.
"I know."
"Dad, I'm sorry," said India quickly. "I'm sorry I lied."
"I know you're sorry."
"I really was going to tell you," rushed on India. "I tried to but I always chickened out. I just wanted to see him and I knew you'd say no."
"Hm," said Declan.
"And I'm sorry I brought him back here. I really wasn't going to have sex."
"I know that too," said Declan, putting an arm around her. "I'm sorry I said that I didn't believe you. I know you weren't just saying that."
India let out another sniffle and Declan squeezed her shoulder.
"I'm sorry. And I'm sorry I called you a liar. I didn't mean that."
"I'm sorry too," said India she turned and gave him a hug, and though she was seventeen Declan felt that she was his little girl still.
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Post by Bee on Jan 17, 2011 2:24:06 GMT
Very nice Sophie cant wait for more
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Post by sophie on Jan 18, 2011 21:03:55 GMT
Thanks!
The next afternoon there was a tap at the front door and Declan got up to answer it, flicking off the TV.
“Donna!”
“Knock knock!” she sang. “Well, I actually I guess that doesn’t really count seeing as I’ve already done the knocking...”
“What are you doing here?” asked Declan, stepping aside to let his friend in.
“I thought I’d treat you and Indy to a milkshake, my shout. What do you say? Hey, where is Indy?” asked Donna, looking around.
“She’s at work,” Declan said, sitting back down. “She agreed to do more shifts over the holiday.”
“Oh,” said Donna, wrinkling her nose. “That’s a shame.”
“Yeah, well,” said Declan. “I probably wouldn’t have been able to come for long anyway. I have to work from home till the pipe’s fixed and I’m on my lunch break.”
“What pipe?” asked Donna, confused, and Declan remembered that he hadn’t seen her since Indy’s birthday.
“Oh – a pipe burst at work and we all had to go home, it’ll take a few days to fix.”
“Why are you looking so awkward?”
“Long story,” sighed Declan and Donna’s face lit up again.
“Oh, I love a long story! Come on!”
“Donna, you know when someone says it’s a long story it’s normally because they don’t want to talk about it.”
“And I say that’s an excuse. Long stories are the best kind of stories. Come on, what happened?”
“Okay,” sighed Declan, resigning himself. “But you can’t go on about it.”
“Would I do so such a thing?”
“Yes!”
“I’ll try,” said Donna, and she leant forward. “Go on then.”
“Indy finished early because school ended and I came home early too because of the pipe.”
“Right.”
“And the front door wasn’t shut properly and I heard something in her room and I went in and found her...”
“Found her what?” asked Donna, and then she saw the look on Declan’s face. “She was with a boy?” she exclaimed, clapping a hand to her mouth. “Were they...you know...?"
“No!” exclaimed Declan. “Thank God. But they were pashing pretty heavily on her bed. Oh Donna, don’t laugh!” as his friend began to giggle. “It’s not funny!”
“Poor Indy!”
“Poor Indy?” echoed Declan in disbelief. “Poor me, more like! I didn’t want to see that!”
“She must have been so embarrassed. I’m guessing it was her boyfriend then?”
“Yeah, and –“ Declan stopped and stared at Donna who was starting to go red. “Did you know about this?”
“Well....yeah,” she admitted and Declan looked annoyed.
“Great. So everyone knew except me.”
“Zeke doesn’t know,” offered Donna and Declan snorted.
“Thanks Donna, big help.”
“You don’t have to be so...moody about it!” exclaimed Donna. “You’re her dad! She was nervous about telling you. Dec, you’ve never been exactly wild about the thought of her seeing boys.”
“Older boys,” corrected Declan grimly. “He’s nineteen.”
“What did you do?”
“Threatened him with violence,” said Declan, not regretting it.
“Dec!”
“If I see a nineteen-year-old kissing my daughter I’m not going to be happy,” said Declan defensively and Donna rolled her eyes.
“What did you say to Indy?”
Declan did feel ashamed about that and shifted.
“I said she’d disappointed me and betrayed her trust and grounded her for three weeks.”
“Oh, well done,” said Donna sarcastically.
“We made up. It’s all okay now.”
“What about that boy?”
Declan shrugged.
“Mum reckons I should let them go out together.”
“Your mum’s right.”
“But he’s nineteen!” exclaimed Declan and Donna gave a knowing smile.
“Declan, how old were you and Didge when you started dating?”
“Seventeen, but –“
“How old were you when you had Indy? Come to that, how old were you when you got married?”
“Seventeen and eighteen, but that was different!” said Declan hotly. “We were different!”
“Oh, really?”
“We loved each other,” said Declan defensively. “We were the same age, almost. And besides, it was still hard and we were really young. I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“Me neither, but even if you were young, you can’t escape that Indy’s the same age as Didge was when you both started going out. Wasn’t Didge a little younger?”
“By a couple of weeks or something,” grumbled Declan. “But Donna, we were the same age. A couple of years means more when you’re a teenager.”
“I think that’s up to Indy,” said Donna. “And take it from me, if she’s made up her mind to see him she’ll probably do it anyway.”
Declan folded his arms and looked put out.
“You don’t need to sulk,” said Donna.
“I’m not sulking!”
Donna raised her eyebrows.
“Don’t you think three weeks is a bit steep?” she asked and Declan sighed.
“I don’t know. Maybe. I was pretty angry.”
“I think you should get to know him before you ban Indy from seeing him,” said Dona, getting back up and swinging her bag over her shoulder.
Declan shrugged.
“You don’t need to be some fierce kind of dad over it,” she said. “They’re the worse kind of dads. I never listened to my dad when he went off on one.”
“I guess.”
“I’ll see you later, anyway,” said Donna and Declan waved. “I’ll call.”
After she left Declan switched the television back on but didn’t watch it. It was some inane movie made several years ago but he couldn’t tell anyone what the plot was. All he could think about was Donna, as well now, telling him to give this Elliot guy a chance, but Declan couldn’t help distrusting older boys. Donna hadn’t been there, but he remembered the formal and the awful time after as though it had only happened the other day. Didge had trusted an older boy and it had all gone horribly wrong. Yes, his mother was right, not every older boy was a Chris Knight but how could not help but worry? That’s a father’s duty.
“What are you doing here?” exclaimed India. She had just come out of work and Elliot was standing at the corner looking sheepish, with his hands in his pockets. India ran up to him before stopping, feeling shy.
“I knew you were getting out of work now.”
“How?”
“I ran into your friend,” he said and then added, “Your loud friend.”
“Lydia?” asked India knowingly – who else?
“Yep. And she said if I was looking for you you’d be working until four because you were crazy and had signed up for extra work. She talked about that for a while and then said she had to go, and raced off somewhere.”
“Sounds about right.”
“How’s it been with your dad?” he asked nervously and India shrugged.
“We sort of made up. He just lost his temper, but he didn’t really mean it.”
“It sounded like he did!”
“Mm.” India frowned, but decided to be honest. “He’s not wild about you. He’s sorry that he was so mad at me but he’s not happy about me seeing a nineteen-year-old.”
“So he’s still banned us from seeing each other?”
“I guess,” sighed India, starting to walk back. “I can try and talk him round though. But maybe he should just get used to it – I’m not a kid.”
“Sounds good.”
“I should get going,” said India apologetically. “Dad’ll wonder where I am – I swore to come straight home.”
“Don’t go without this,” said Elliot, and he leant forward and gave her a kiss which India willingly returned. “And this,” he added, and pushed something into her palm.
“What’s this?” She opened her hand and gasped, it was a simple, beautiful little bracelet made from brown cord with a small, silver disc in its centre.
“I know I missed your birthday and it’s late and I haven't wrapped it but...”
“I love it,” said India, beaming, and she leant up to kiss him again. “I’m sorry but I’ve really got to go,” she said, kissed him once more for luck, and then ran back feeling very happy and slightly more hopeful.
“Hey Dad,” said India, coming in and dropping her bag before surreptitiously pushing the bracelet into her pants pocket.
“How was work?”
“Long,” said India, wrinkling her nose. “Guess it’s money. How was your afternoon?”
“I was just working. Oh, Donna stopped by. She’s going to call later.”
“Cool,” said India, and she went to get a glass of water.
“Indy, will you come and sit down?” asked her father and, worried, she came and did so, wondering if her father somehow knew about Elliot seeing her after work, but not seeing how.
“India, I know you’re growing up.”
India was silent, not knowing where this was going.
“And I know that you’re old enough for a boyfriend. But age matters more when you’re young...”
“I’m not that young,” cut in India hotly. “And Elliot’s not that much older than me!”
Declan smiled sadly.
“Do you remember that story I told you?” he asked, putting his hand on hers. “About the formal your mum and I went to, when we were seventeen?”
“Yes.”
“And you know your mum went with an older boy. I never told you exactly what happened but I think you should know now.”
“Dad, I guessed what happened,” said India, looking down and Declan was a little surprised.
“What did I tell you?”
“Dad, you said that he tried to hurt her,” said India, looking up. “And you called him a scumbag and that Mum had to run away. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that he tried to rape her.”
Declan couldn’t help wincing at the words.
“I wish your mum didn’t have to go through that,” he said. “And I never want you to, either.”
“I know where you’re going with this,” said India. “You’re worried that Elliot will try and make me too. Dad, he’s not like that.”
“Look, Indy, I know teenage boys,” said Declan. “And I knew Chris Knight. They act all charming and gentleman-like, they’re thoughtful and polite and listen to everything you say. They’ll buy you jewellery to make up for things and then they’ll get you to agree to go further than you might want to go and then you might make a decision you’ll regret. Or, worse, they’ll try and make you. Some of them force it.”
India heard the anger in her father’s voice.
“But you can’t say all older boys are like that,” she argued. “That’s not fair. I know some guys are sleazy – there’s a heap of them at school – but I know Elliot. He wouldn’t try and make me do something I didn’t want to do. I wouldn’t do something I didn’t want to do.”
Declan sighed.
“I believe you, Indy,” he said finally. “But sometimes it’s hard to say no if you want to.”
“Elliot wouldn’t push it,” said India firmly. “And I’d break up with him if he tried. Dad, I get why you’re freaking out about this, but you’ve never even met him for God’s sake. Please don’t say we can’t see each other. You should at least meet him.”
Declan sighed again, but finally gave into everyone’s advice.
“All right,” he said, in a somewhat pained voice. “He can come round for lunch or something.”
India’s head snapped up.
“Really?” she squeaked and threw her arms around her father.
“Indy, I need to breathe! Yes, he can come round for lunch, but only for a couple of hours. If you go in your room you’re leaving your door wide open, I mean it.”
“Yes, Dad,” said India happily. “Thanks, Dad. You’re not so bad.”
“What a compliment,” said Declan sarcastically but he grinned. “But that’s not a total yes to you seeing him though, okay?”
“Okay. Am I still grounded?”
“Dangerous, India,” joked Declan. “Yes, you’re still grounded,” and, as India’s face fell, he added, “but not for the whole holiday. Ten days and I’m not changing it again.”
“You’re a star,” said his daughter, hugging him again.
“I know,” said Declan, rolling his eyes, and as India got up, he added, “Look, whatever you do, just be careful, okay?”
“Dad!” protested India, sounding scandalised.
“Promise me,” said Declan firmly and it was India’s turn to roll her eyes.
“I promise,” she said, and she got up to change, and Declan turned back to the television, but he still could not concentrate and wondered if his decision was for the best.
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Post by Bee on Jan 18, 2011 22:16:35 GMT
Nice update sophie can't wait for more!!!
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Post by sophie on Jan 21, 2011 13:09:54 GMT
Thanks!
“Wonders will never cease!” exclaimed Rebecca when she came over for Sunday lunch. “Indy, is he telling the truth? He is willingly having your boyfriend round for lunch?”
“Is it so shocking?” asked Declan rolling his eyes and reaching for the bread and then frowning and his mother and daughter both said, “Yes!” at once and laughed.
“It’s just so I can see what I think of him,” grumbled Declan, breaking off some bread. “It’s not me definitely changing my mind and saying you can see him.”
“I bet you’ve made your mind up to hate him already,” said India, hitting the nail on the head and Declan protested, “I have not!” but not very strongly.
India exchanged a look with Rebecca.
“Grandma, will you come as well?” she asked. “So there’s an unbiased view?”
“Sure,” said Rebecca, after quickly glancing at her son. “When is it?”
“Next Saturday, at one” said India. “That’s when I stop being grounded.”
“Is that all right with you, Declan?” Rebecca asked and he shrugged.
“The more the merrier.”
India beamed.
“I’m going to get the desserts,” she said, and cleared up the plates. “I’ll be back in a sec.”
“Hey,” said Rebecca, when she was in the kitchen, “I’m very proud of you, giving him a chance like that.”
Declan grinned but it looked more like a grimace.
“Yeah, well. You can help me keep an eye on her and him, more for that matter.”
“Declan!”
“I don’t want them sneaking off somewhere when my back’s turned.”
“I don’t think there’s much chance of that,” said Rebecca irritably. “You’ll be watching them like a hawk the whole time. And don’t make your mind up to hate him, please? Actually get to know him, don’t make up more reasons to dislike him.”
Declan sighed.
“I’ll try. God, I am sounding like Steve, aren’t I?”
“Steve would have taken longer to invite a boyfriend over for lunch,” said Rebecca kindly. “And I doubt it would have happened at all if he found out Bridget had been sneaking around with one.”
“I’m not happy about it,” said Declan honestly. “But everyone was telling me to be more relaxed so I’ll give him a chance.”
“That’s my boy!” said Rebecca, giving him a kiss and he pretended to pull away, but didn’t really mind.
“Just one though,” said Declan, still clenching the bread in his hand. “And if he gives me any reason to distrust him then he’s definitely never seeing Indy again and I won’t change my mind.”
Rebecca sighed ruthfully.
“I definitely should be there,” she said but just then India came back in with the icecream and they set to eating that and the rest of India’s plans for the holidays.
The rest of India’s week slid slowly by. She worked another two shifts, completed some of her holiday assignments and by Friday night she lay on her bed, bored, wishing it was the next day and wondering why teachers gave holiday work if it was the holiday. Some relaxation with that...at least it had been something to do. She wished it was already the afternoon and that Elliot was there – she could still barely believe that her father had agreed to it, but then, had he really? she thought uneasily. She knew her dad. When he made his mind up about something he very rarely changed it and he was good at bearing a grudge. True, Elliot was kind, handsome – she thought – and polite, but he was also nineteen and liked her, and that was enough for her father. At least Grandma was coming too. Maybe she would talk to some sense into him. India looked over at Bridget’s photo.
“I know you’d talk some sense into him,” she said, and then she felt sad, because if her mother was alive Grandma wouldn’t need to come round at all because her mother would be there and wouldn’t let her father lose his temper or make his mind up too quickly. That was what she thought anyway, but maybe she wouldn’t be too happy either, India mused. Maybe she’d worry that her daughter would make the same mistakes she had and would back up her father. That made India feel uneasy and she looked away. Then her phone rang and she nearly jumped out of her skin.
“Hello?”
“Are you still grounded?”
It was Lydia and India sighed, relaxing and tucking her feet up.
“Yes, I told you. The prison sentence is over tomorrow because I appealed.”
“That’s cool of your dad,” said Lydia admiringly. “My dad would freak if he caught me with a boy.”
“You should have seen his reaction.”
“What happened again?”
“I told you about fifty times already,” exclaimed India. “I had Elliot round and we were pashing on the bed and then my dad came back from work early, saw us and flipped. I’ve never seen him so angry.”
“I still can’t believe you were pashing on the bed,” giggled Lydia. “Were you going to...you know...”
“Now who’s saying you know?” teased India. “And no, we weren’t going to...you know...”
“Are you going to sleep with him?”
“I don’t know,” said India awkwardly. “Not now. We’ve only seen each other a few times.”
“If you go out longer will you have sex with him?”
“I haven’t thought about it,” said India shortly, feeling herself get embarrassed.
“I bet you have.”
“Lydia!” exclaimed India. “I don’t know. Look, I've got to go, I’m not allowed to be using the phone and I don’t want my dad to see me and make it three weeks again, okay?”
“Okay,” said Lydia mischievously. “Bye then. And have fun.”
“Right,” said India, knowing she’d turned red. “See you next week then.”
They hung up and India still felt embarrassed. She’d never slept with anyone, only kissed two people and she knew Lydia hadn’t done it either but she had always been so candid, her opposite. India wondered if she was being oldfashioned but it wasn’t something she enjoyed talking about much. Of course she’d thought about it sometimes but that was private...
“Indy?”
India jumped again. Her dad was at the door.
“Yeah?”
“I’m going to bed.”
“Oh...night.”
“Are you okay?”
“Fine, why?”
“Your face is red.”
“It’s just warm in my room,” she said and Declan frowned.
“I hope you’re not getting a temperature. Maybe we’ll have to cancel tomorrow...”
“Nice try, Dad,” laughed India, feeling herself relax again. “I’m not sick. It’s just from working under my desk lamp – sometimes the bulb gets hot.”
“I wouldn't know,” said Declan, grinning. “Okay, sleep well then. See you in the morning and don’t worry about rushing back from work, Grandma and I’ll sort all the food and everything.”
“Okay,” said India, getting up and going to hug her father. “Thanks, Dad. You’re all right.”
“So’re you,” said Declan, hugging her back. “Even if you haven’t been on your very best behaviour but I won’t say anything about it now. Goodnight, darling.”
“Night.”
The shift the next morning seemed to stretch on ridiculously and India kept checking the clock.
“It’s not going anywhere,” said Mr Wheezer drily and she blushed but then it was twelve o’clock and she was hanging up her nametag and running home, the sun burning her legs on the unseasonably warm day and found her father in the kitchen preparing a bowl of salad.
“Where’s Grandma?” India asked after giving him a kiss.
“She’s picking up some more bread and milk. Don’t worry, I won’t poison his plate!”
India rolled her eyes.
“I’m going to change.”
Half an hour later and a very different looking India emerged. She had showered and changed into the pretty, blue shirt which had a V-cut and her favourite pair of pants and, after a moment’s hesitation, had quickly applied some eyeliner and mascara. “Hello darling!” exclaimed Rebecca as she shyly came into the kitchen where the table was laid. “Don’t you look lovely? Declan, doesn’t she look lovely?”
“That top?” he asked simply and India looked down.
“What about it?”
“It’s too revealing!”
“It’s not!” contradicted India angrily.
“I want you to change it!”
“Why should I?” asked India, folding her arms. “And he’s going to be here any minute – look!” and the doorbell rang.
“Okay,” said Rebecca quickly, sensing an argument brewing. “Indy, put this on,” and she held out her cardigan and India did so grudgingly, still glaring at her father, whom she felt was being ridiculous. Declan still felt annoyed and went to open the door.
“Hey,” Elliot started to say, expecting it to be India opening it, and then stopping. “Hello Mr Napier,” he said nervously.
“These are for Indy?” Declan asked, seeing he had a simple bunch of flowers.
“Well....they’re for everyone. You can have them on your table or...” his voice trailed off but Rebecca came to his rescue.
“Flowers!” she exclaimed. “And they’re lilies, how beautiful! I’ll put them in some water. I’m Rebecca, by the way, India’s grandmother. I take it you’re Elliot?” and she held out her hand.
“That’s right,” said Elliot, shaking it, and thinking she did not look old enough to be a grandmother, but decided not to say that she looked more like India’s mother as Declan was frowning, so he settled on, “You look lovely.”
“Thank you,” said Rebecca gratefully. “You’re very kind. Well, come and sit down, Indy’ll show you your place.”
India came shyly out, feeling stupid. She didn’t normally feel shy around him but it felt different now that he was at her house with her grandmother and father.
“Hey,” said Elliot. “You look fantastic.”
“Thanks,” said India. “So do you.”
They grinned shyly and considered going to hug each other but Declan was looking annoyed so they hurried to the table instead and then tried to take the same seat.
“Oh...you go there.”
“No...you.”
India looked up and saw her father glaring so she slid into the furthest seat with Elliot on her left, and then wished she hadn’t, as her father sat opposite.
“Will you stop looking like thunder?” whispered Rebecca angrily to her son. “He hasn’t done anything wrong!”
“Yet,” muttered Declan.
“So you live around here?” he asked, passing Elliot the salad bowl.
“Yeah, Apson’s Corner.”
“And you’re nineteen?”
“That’s right.”
“India’s only just seventeen,” Declan commented. “That’s nearly three years – a lot, isn’t it?”
“Dad!” exclaimed India angrily.
“I only just turned nineteen,” said Elliot. “And Indy’s just turned seventeen so it’s more like two years.”
“Still a lot,” said Declan firmly and India glared at him but didn’t say anything more.
“So,” said Rebecca quickly. “Tell us a bit about yourself. Have you always lived here?”
“Pretty much,” said Elliot, passing the salad to her. “We moved just after I was born. I’m the eldest of four, I have a younger brother and two little sisters.”
“Are you close to them?” Declan asked suddenly and Elliot looked surprised.
“I guess. We get on well. I didn’t used to with my brother but we’re okay now. My sisters are eight and ten so I’ve always looked after them a lot but don’t mind.”
“You might say you’re protective of them,” said Declan, stabbing his fork into a potato and India glared at him.
“I guess,” said Elliot uncomfortably.
“Elliot likes art, Dad,” cut in India quickly.
“Art?” asked Declan. “What’ll you do with that?”
“I’m hoping to go to an art school.”
“Really? Soon?” Declan asked hopefully and his mother and daughter rolled his eyes.
“I don’t know. I’m still applying. I’m just working at the moment, in the bookshop.”
“Very nice,” said Rebecca approvingly. “I love reading but never get round to it enough. Indy loves it too.”
“I’ll try and get you free books,” said Elliot. “Both of you,” and Rebecca and India grinned.
“I think it’s going very well,” said Rebecca when she and Declan went to get the desserts.
“Huh!”
“Well, you’re not giving him a chance,” said Rebecca crossly. “You’re constantly grilling the poor boy – it’s meant to be lunch, not the Inquisition!”
“I bet he’s after one thing,” snapped Declan.
“Oh, will you listen to yourself!” exclaimed Rebecca, putting her hands on her hips. “He has done nothing to offend you today. He has been thoughtful and polite.”
Declan stuck his head round the door to see Elliot and India whispering together and holding hands. India had taken the cardigan off.
“How do you know it’s not just an act?”
“Oh, Declan! You can’t say that every nice boy is putting on an act! You’re not being fair!”
Declan didn’t know what to say.
“Look, she’s your daughter,” said Rebecca. “And it’s up to you what rules you decide, but what from what I’ve seen he hasn’t done anything to suggest an act or that he’s covering anything up and pushing him away from India will probably make her push away from you.”
Declan felt rather shocked.
“Let’s eat dessert,” he said finally and took the dishes through.
“Thanks for coming,” said India gratefully, as she walked him to the door. “I’m sorry that my dad was such a nightmare.”
“It was fine. I had a nice time.”
India raised her eyebrows.
“I liked seeing you,” he said, laughing. “And your grandmother’s great and I think your dad is just really protective.”
“Tell me about it,” sighed India and he laughed again.
“You look stunning,” he said in a low voice and India grinned and thought about kissing him quickly, but felt aware of her family behind her so just gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
“Thanks again!” called Elliot.
“Bye!” called Rebecca. “Thanks for coming!”
He waved and shut the door.
“Thanks, Dad!” exclaimed India sarcastically. “Thanks for putting through the third degree! He’ll just never be good enough for you and –“
“You can see him.”
“I’ll never have anyone until –“ India stopped, her mouth wide open. “What?”
“You can see him,” said Declan in a resigned voice and India let out a delighted shriek and threw her arms around her father.
“He can only come over in the day,” said Declan in a muffled voice as his daughter hugged him. “And I have to be here.”
“Yes!”
“And you have to leave your door open. And no sleepovers, no way, not ever!”
“Yes and yes! Oh, I love you Dad!”
India gave him a kiss and beamed at her father and grandmother.
“I’m going to call Lydia!”
“I’m very proud of you,” said Rebecca as India ran into her room and Declan shrugged.
“Yeah, well. I guess she is growing up and I don’t want her growing up to resent me.”
“She could never do that,” said Rebecca, giving him a kiss. “Even if you did ban them from seeing each other.”
“Maybe I should change my mind then,” joked Declan and Rebecca laughed.
“I take it all back, you’re much more reasonable than Steve. Let’s go and finish off that icecream.”
“With a mother like you,” said Declan. “How could I not be reasonable?”
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Post by Bee on Jan 23, 2011 3:12:25 GMT
great update, i'm glad Declan is willing to give Elliot a chance.
cant wait for more
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Post by sophie on Jan 23, 2011 16:19:09 GMT
Thanks!
On Monday afternoon India stuck her head around the door.
“I’m just going out for a milkshake.”
“With Elliot?” asked Declan putting down his newspaper and India gave an awkward grin.
“Yeah....”
“Be back in time for dinner, okay?”
“All right,” said India happily. “Do you need anything in town?”
“No, I think we’re fine. Have a good time,” Declan finished awkwardly and India smiled.
“I will. Relax Dad, it’s just a milkshake! I’ll only be a couple of hours.”
“I know. See you later.”
Declan picked up the newspaper again and India hesitated for a moment before grabbing her keys and hurrying out, with a hasty call of, “Bye!”
The door shut and Declan sighed, trying to concentrate on the paper and some story about the rise of food prices, but it wasn’t exactly grabbing his attention. All he could think about was that his daughter was out with a nineteen-year-old and he’d given his permission. If he had been asked a fortnight ago Declan would have laughed if someone had asked him if he would let India go out with an older boy and he had never even thought about. India had never had a real boyfriend before and somehow she had grown up without him noticing and everyone was reminding him that she was the same age as Didge had been when they had got married. That didn’t feel possible. Declan rubbed his head and glanced over to the framed picture of Bridget on her wedding day, wondering what she would say about it, how she would feel about their daughter with an older boyfriend. Maybe she wouldn’t trust Elliot either, or maybe she would agree that he needed to loosen up. He did know one thing for sure: even if neither of them were happy about it they would have been in it together and she’d keep him calm. He smiled at her and then a knock at the door made him jump. It was Donna and Zeke.
“What are you guys doing here?” he asked, standing aside to let them through.
“Hello to you too,” said Donna, going and sitting down. “Jess thinks she’s coming down with what the boys have – they’re at their friends’ house but she feels a bit under the weather, so I said I’d get Zeke out of her hair.”
“She said she didn’t want me catching it,” corrected Zeke hotly. “She said nothing about me being in her hair – you added that yourself, thanks.”
Donna stuck her tongue out.
“What are you up to, anyway?” asked Zeke and Declan wrinkled his nose.
“Still waiting for the pipe to be fixed, it should be by tomorrow, so I’m working from home. I got a lot done this morning so I’m having a break. You just missed Indy, she’s gone out for a milkshake.”
“How come you sound so mad about it?” asked Donna, twirling some hair around her finger.
“It’s with her boyfriend,” said Declan irritably and Donna’s mouth fell open.
“You’re letting her see him? Dec, I’m impressed! Maybe there’s hope for you after all!”
“Gee, thanks.”
“How long has she been seeing him?” asked Zeke. Donna had told him everything she knew but it was all in a rush and he’d struggled to keep track.
“A few weeks,” grumbled Declan. “And she didn’t tell me the truth about it for ages either. He’s nineteen. I let him come round for lunch on Saturday and he didn’t do anything wrong – according to Mum he’s a nice boy – so I’ve said she can see him for now. He’d just better not break her heart.”
“Aw, look at you being an all protective dad!” said Donna and Declan rolled his eyes at Zeke. “I knew you’d be like this when Indy started dating! How come you didn’t guess she was seeing someone?”
“She said she had study evenings!” said Declan defensively. “And it’s Indy – she loves studying! She’s weird like that! And okay, she had makeup all over her, but her friend is obsessed with it and she told she did a makeover.”
“And you believed her?” asked Donna incredulously and Zeke added, “Mate, even I would see through that!”
“Indy doesn’t lie,” said Declan, feeling hurt. “Or rather, she didn’t, anyway.”
“And I don’t blame her,” said Donna. “When you told me how you hit the roof!”
“Yeah, well...” said Declan, feeling ashamed. “We made up.”
“I still can’t believe you’re letting her see him!”
“Mum reckons that Indy wouldn’t listen and start resenting me and she said I sounded like Steve.”
Donna and Zeke exchanged looks.
“I’m not like Steve!” said Declan hotly, seeing their faces. “Steve wouldn’t consider letting Didge go out with someone two years older than her, he took enough time coming round to me and I’m her age!”
“You also went joyriding,” said Zeke unhelpfully. “And got her cousin into stealing.”
“Yeah, well, that was a long time ago,” said Declan defensively. “And if India did anything like that I’d kill her and if that boy did anything criminal whatsoever I’d never let Indy near him again.”
“Not like Steve,” echoed Zeke, rolling his eyes. “If he did that maybe you could help him, seeing as you have a history.”
“He wishes! If he gets her into any kind of trouble I’ll kill him.”
“Jesus Dec, calm down!” exclaimed Donna. “You said you’d give him a chance!”
“I know,” grimaced Declan. “I’m trying but it’s not very easy given that he’s two years older than her and is probably all over her when I’m not there!”
“You’re just going to have to accept it,” said Donna firmly. “She has a boyfriend and she’s growing up. You can’t keep an eye on her all the time.”
“No, but I can keep an eye on him. He’s only allowed round here when I’m here and Indy has to keep her door open.”
Donna exchanged a look with Zeke again.
“What?!” exclaimed Declan. “Stop doing that, guys! What’s weird about that?”
“Nothing, it just...” Zeke started, but trailed off and Declan stared at him.
“Just....?”
“Just, do you really think that’s going to stop them?” asked Donna, never one to break the news gently. “Even if you’re here and her door’s open that doesn’t mean that they’re not going to do anything. Did it stop you and Didge?”
“But if I’m here –“
“Oh Dec, see the big picture!” exclaimed Donna, losing her patience. “She doesn’t have to be here for something to happen!”
Declan stared at them both.
“But even if they’re at his house...wouldn’t his mum and dad have the same rules?”
“Not necessarily,” said Donna. “He’s nineteen, he’s an adult. And besides, it’s not like it takes a while...”
“I think he gets it, Donna,” said Zeke quickly as Declan looked horrified.
“I knew I should never have let her see him.”
“Come on, Dec, you were being reasonable before!” exclaimed Donna.
“I didn’t think of that!”
“Well, it’s not really something you can prevent.”
“Like hell,” said Declan grimly. “He’s not getting my little girl pregnant.”
“Dec!” groaned Donna. “You don’t know that’s going to happen! Even if Indy does sleep with him it doesn’t mean she’ll get pregnant.”
“I’d rather not find out!”
“Well, what are you going to do?” asked Donna, folding her arms. “Say she can’t see anyone until she’s thirty?”
“No! It’s just...she’s like....”
Donna and Zeke exchanged another look, but it was one of concern this time.
“Mate, she’s not Didge,” said Zeke in a low voice.
“I know!”
“And she’s not you, either.”
“I know!”
“But you’re acting like –“
“Look, I know India,” said Declan angrily, but he wasn’t angry with them. “I’ve known her since she was born...before she was born I knew her. Okay, I didn’t know she’d be a girl, or that she’d love to read, or that she’d have a birthmark on her tummy, but I did know that she’d be impulsive, stubborn as a mule and that she’d do things before thinking because she’s our daughter. She’s got that from both of us and I love how much she’s like Didge but I don’t want history repeating itself and to have her come up to me crying and saying that she’s going to have a baby, because I know how hard it is, and I know it was even harder for Bridget than it was for me, and I don’t want her to grow up too quickly like we had to. I just want her to enjoy being young for as long as she can.”
Declan felt emotional.
“Dec, I’m sorry,” said Donna, feeling stupid. “I didn’t mean to worry you like that – I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No, I’m glad you did.”
“And they haven’t gone out for very long,” added Donna. “So I don’t think anything would happen yet anyway.”
“I know,” said Declan. He felt very tired.
“Maybe we should head off,” said Zeke awkwardly. “If you’ve got work and Jess is sick anyway...I should probably get back to her, maybe buy her a magazine or something and I promised to look after the boys this evening.”
“Yeah,” chimed in Donna. “I need to work on a design.”
“Don’t go yet,” said Declan, feeling ashamed. “It’s not much of a visit if all we did was listen to me freak out about Indy. I don’t have to start work again for another hour. Let’s just chill out a bit.”
“I’m up for that,” said Donna, after checking silently with Zeke. “I’ll get some drinks,” and she hurried to go and make some.
“What are these?” asked Zeke, looking at his warily when Donna came back with a tray. It was a very thick sort of chocolate drink with a tangy smell.
“Chocolate milkshake,” said Donna defensively.
“With...?”
“A hint of ginger,” admitted Donna and the boys groaned. “And raspberry jam...”
“Jam?!” exclaimed Declan, putting his glass down hurriedly.
“The TV show said fruit went with chocolate!”
“Not about jam though, I bet!”
“You’re just afraid to try new things,” said Donna haughtily and the boys rolled their eyes.
“Afraid of getting poisoned, more like!”
Declan went to make some coffee and then sighed.
“What?”
“I sound so old, don’t I?” he said. “Ranting about India having a boyfriend. I really do sound like Steve.”
“Nah, you’re heaps cooler than Steve,” said Donna. “If Didge was seeing Elliot he wouldn’t have given him a chance. And you’re Dec, you’ll always be cooler than Didge’s dad!”
“Thanks!” laughed Declan. “You do know what to say sometimes!”
“I’m as bad,” admitted Zeke. “I was nearly having a heart attack when Theo caused a small explosion in the shed on Saturday when he tried out his chemistry set, oh, and did I tell you that he has a crush on a girl? He’s eleven!”
“Who?!” exclaimed Donna, leaning forward and Zeke shrugged.
“He wouldn’t say. Some older woman, that’s all I know. She’s probably in the grade above him in school.”
“Awww,” said Donna. “Young love! I wonder if he’ll go out with her?”
“Not at this rate; he told me he’s scared to say hello to her. When I was eleven I still thought girls stank and my favourite thing to do was to try and push Rach into our pond.”
Donna rolled her eyes.
“It’s no bad thing he’s not like that!”
A little while later Donna and Zeke left. They’d spent the rest of the reminiscing about school, and their own first crushes, and Declan had been teased mercilessly when he’d admitted that his first crush had really been Didge. What a tragic. Even though he was still laughing as they left, he couldn’t help thinking about what Donna had said to him and was trying not to freak out. Didge might be more reasonable than he, but he just knew she’d be worried too. How could they not when it was their daughter? She was the only one he could fully appreciate why he was so worried, he thought, because she knew India too and she knew what it was to get carried away. Suddenly he remembered an evening when Indy was six and she had told him that her teacher was getting married.
“I’m never getting married, Daddy!” she had said firmly and Declan had laughed at her.
“Why not, Indy-pants?”
“I don’t like boys, they smell.”
“I’m a boy, do I smell?”
“You’re Daddy so you’re different. If I got married I’d be sad because you wouldn’t be there.”
Declan had given her a cuddle.
“Maybe you’ll change your mind when you grow up.”
“No,” said India firmly. “I'll never like boys. I know, Daddy! I can marry you!”
And Declan had laughed and hugged his little girl harder.
“Don’t grow up too quickly, sweetheart.”
“I won’t.”
And now that little girl was seventeen and Declan worried. He automatically finished his work and still Donna’s warning rang through his mind that India could still do something even if he did keep an eye on him. What if she wasn’t really having a milkshake? Declan knew he was being stupid but couldn’t help it when suddenly a key turned in the lock.
“Hey!” said India brightly, coming over.
“Hi. Good milkshake?”
“Yeah,” grinned India. “They put icecream in it.”
“Sounds good.”
"How was your afternoon?"
"Not bad, Zeke and Donna stopped by and guess what?"
"What?"
"Theo Kinski has a crush on some girl at school!"
India's mouth dropped open.
"No way! Who!"
"Zeke doesn't know."
"I'm sorry I missed them."
"Well, they'll come back soon and you can hear all the gossip then."
“I suppose. I’m going to go and do some work. Are you okay, Dad? You look upset.”
“I’m fine,” brushed off Declan. “Really.”
“Okay,” said India, getting up and going to her room and Declan smiled at the photo of her when she was six, and the one of Bridget, and couldn’t help but wish he could sometimes turn back time.
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Post by Bee on Jan 23, 2011 22:36:08 GMT
Great update Sophie cant wait for more
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Post by sophie on Jan 24, 2011 21:45:52 GMT
Thanks!
The phone was ringing. Declan stopped clearing up in the kitchen and, hearing his daughter start to open her door, called, “I’ve got it!” and picked it up with an absentminded, “Hello?”
“Hello Declan,” came a well-known voice voice.
“Miranda!” exclaimed Declan, going and sitting down. “How are you? And Steve?”
“We’re fine. Same old. How are you and Indy?”
“We’re okay. Indy’s on her winter holiday.”
“Does she have any plans?”
“No, not really. She’s started seeing someone.”
“Who?” exclaimed Miranda. “My goodness, little Indy with a boyfriend!”
“Some guy at a party,” said Declan. “His name’s Elliot and he’s nineteen.”
“You don’t sound exactly over the moon,” commented Miranda. “Honestly, I’m surprised you’ve allowed it – I thought you’d be worse than Steve about boyfriends.”
“Will everyone stop comparing me to Steve?” exclaimed Declan hotly and then remembered who he was talking to and bit his tongue. “Not that there’s anything wrong with Steve, he’s great...sorry, Miranda....”
Luckily for him Miranda laughed.
“No offence taken. My husband is wonderful but he has always been rather sensitive about boys.”
“What’s this?” Declan heard his father-in-law say. “What about me and boys?”
“Nothing, just that you were so strict about Declan and Bridget being together, and her and Josh.”
Declan grinned a little, imagining them squabbling. He didn’t have to imagine very hard.
“Yeah, well, you weren’t so hot on Declan either,” said Steve irritably. “You only let them go on day dates. Why has this come up, anyway?”
Declan heard Miranda tell Steve that India had a boyfriend and Steve exclaim, “What?! Put me on the phone!”
There was a slight fuzzy noise as the phone got passed over.
“Dec?”
“Hey, Steve.”
“What’s this about my granddaughter with a boyfriend?”
“She met a guy at a party,” said Declan. “He’s a bit older than her.”
“How much older?”
“He’s nineteen.”
“And you’re letting her see him?” exclaimed Steve incredulously. “I’m surprised at you. I always imagined you having enough trouble letting her see someone her own age, let alone someone two years older. Aren’t you worried?”
“Yes,” admitted Declan. “I did say no at first, but Mum said that boys her own age won’t be that different and that Indy probably wouldn’t listen. I caught them together – just kissing!” he added hurriedly, “and honestly, I’d rather keep an eye on them than have her sneaking around behind my back.”
“I suppose,” grumbled Steve. “I remember a certain daughter of mine sneaking around and I wasn’t happy.”
“Sorry Steve...”
“Ah well, it was a good thing that he turned out to be a decent guy. Let’s just hope Indy’s is.”
“Mm.”
“Will you put my granddaughter on?” asked Steve. “I want to know more about this boyfriend.”
“Sure. Indy!” called Declan, holding the phone away, “It’s Nan and Grandpa Steve!”
There were hurried footsteps and India appeared, slightly red in the face and grinning, she snatched the phone.
“Hi!”
“What’s this about you and a nineteen-year-old boy?” demanded Steve and India rolled her eyes.
“Oh, not you too.”
“Yes, me too. I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“Of course I do! And he’s great, you’d like him.”
“Huh,” grumbled Steve. “That’s debatable.”
“You’re as a bad as Dad,” said India huffily. “Just because he’s a bit older you’ve taken against him!”
“No, I’m worse than your dad because if you were my daughter you wouldn’t be seeing him anytime soon.”
“Come on, I’m seventeen now,” said India, leaning on one leg. “You know, Mum and Dad were my age when they had me.”
“Yes, well, I don’t think that’s an example you should be following.”
“No, me neither, but they were my age when they went out.”
“Huh,” said Steve, which India took as a yes. “Just make sure you don’t grow up too quickly!”
“Oh, Steve!” came her grandmother’s voice. “Put me back on!”
India heard the phone being handed back and then, “Don’t listen to him, Indy, he doesn’t mean half the things he says.”
“I do!” India heard her grandfather say and she laughed.
“I just can’t believe you’re old enough for a boyfriend,” Miranda continued. “It doesn’t feel very long ago that you were a baby!”
“Aw, Nan...” said India, feeling embarrassed.
“You’ll understand when you have your own children – but make sure that’s not anytime soon!”
“Nan!” exclaimed India, red in the cheeks. “Will everyone stop worrying, please?!”
“All right. And when you next come for a visit I want to hear more about this boy. What’s his name?”
“Elliot,” said India. “And don’t worry, I’ll give you all the details. Do you know when Dad and I are next coming up?”
“I’ll need to discuss that with your father. Any other plans for the holiday?”
“Not really – I have a heap of work. Just working and enjoying the time off. How are Riley and Little Bridget? And Marie?”
India talked to her grandmother for a little while longer and then passed the phone back.
“Indy was asking about when you two could next visit,” Miranda said to Declan. “When are you next off work? It would be nice if you could come before Christmas.”
“Ah, I’m not sure,” said Declan creasing his brow. “Maybe in October – I think Indy gets a week off and I might have some leave. I’ll have to get back to you.”
“All right. Well, we’ll call again soon. Love you!”
“And you. Night, Miranda.”
“Night.”
They hung up.
“Why is everyone so worried about me and Elliot?” asked India, her hands on her hips. “No, don’t answer that! You don’t need to! And you don't need to worry, either!”
“That’s easy for you to say,” shot back Declan. “We just want what’s best for you.”
“I know,” sighed India, looking less annoyed. “But you and Nan and Grandpa Steve don’t need to jump down my throat about it.”
“That’s all part of being an annoying dad,” grinned Declan.
“Don’t I know it. Do you know when we’re next visiting?”
“Maybe in October or November.”
“That’s ages!”
“Well, I can’t help work and school getting in the way! It’ll fly by. At least it’s before Christmas.”
“I guess.”
India didn’t look very convinced and Declan decided to change the subject.
“Are you doing anything tomorrow?”
“Not really. Maybe some work. I might catch up with Lydia and see Elliot.”
“Well, remember the rule,” said Declan sternly. “You’re not to bring him back here while I’m in the office.”
“I know!” exclaimed India, sounding annoyed. “You could have some faith in me!”
“I do, I just know that boys can be persuasive!”
“And you think I can be persuaded?” asked India. “Honestly Dad, you’re so sexist.”
“I’m not!” exclaimed Declan, feeling rather shocked. “Where’s that come from?”
“If I was a boy you wouldn’t be half as worried.”
“That’s not true.”
“You think it’s really cute that Theo has a crush and you’ll probably think it’s more cute if he actually kisses her.”
“I doubt that’d happen but what’s that got to do with anything?”
“I remember you going all mad and protective when I liked someone when I was twelve,” pointed out India. “And you didn’t exactly find it cute when you caught me kissing Jamie and I was older than Theo!”
Declan didn’t know what to say for a moment.
“It’s different with your own kid.”
“So Zeke’s freaking out?”
“Well...no...”
“I rest my case!”
“I’m not trying to be sexist,” said Declan defensively. “I don’t think girls are weaker than boys –“
“But you think we’re more easily persuaded!”
“No! It’s just that I saw girls at school get charmed by guys, especially older guys, and then they had their hearts broken and I don’t want you to be one of them.”
“Who says I would be?” asked India. “I’ve seen that too.”
“Look, Indy, even if you were a boy I’d still be nagging at you to be careful and not to rush into anything,” said Declan sternly. “You know I would.”
“I won’t rush into anything,” said India, looking a little upset. “But do you really think you’d be as worried if I was a boy and going out with someone older?”
“I don’t know,” admitted Declan. “It’s not me trying to be sexist though- it’s just part of being a dad, I can’t help being protective of my daughter. I didn’t even ask to be, from the moment you were born I felt that way. Before you were born I was protective of you and your mum. And like I said, either way, I’d be nagging you not to rush into anything, especially seeing as your mum and I had you so young.”
“But –“
“I know, you said you wouldn’t. But it’s easy to get carried away.”
India looked down.
“It’s just like you’ve decided that he is like that,” she said, feeling upset. “That he’ll try and talk me into stuff.”
“I don’t mean to,” protested Declan. “But I can’t help worrying. And I know that it’s easy to end up doing more than you think you will.”
India went and gave him a hug and Declan, surprised, hugged her back.
“What’s that for?”
“I love you,” she mumbled into his front. “Even if you are too protective sometimes. Dad, I won’t rush into anything, I promise. I won’t do anything I don’t want to do.”
Declan didn’t say anything but hugged her back. He couldn’t help worrying that that was easier said than done, but decided it was best not to say so for now.
“I’m going to do some more work and head to bed,” said India, pulling away. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Unless you sleep in.”
“I always wake up early,” sighed India. “Even if I don’t want to! Night.”
“Night.”
India went to her room and worked some more on her assignment, thinking that fathers – and grandparents, for that matter – worried far too much. She knew her own mind, she thought irritably, even if they didn’t think she did. India finally climbed into bed with her book which she wanted to read before she turned out the light and looked over at Bridget’s photo and hoped that her mother would back her up, but maybe she would worry too, India conceded uneasily. But she hoped that her mother would listen to her. India opened her book but didn’t read it, thinking instead of what her family had warned her about getting carried away and India didn’t think that she would. She couldn’t really imagine it even happening yet, but if and when it did she knew she would be careful – yet India couldn’t stop her mind nastily asking what she would do if she did get pregnant, and then she imagined having to tell her father and her stomach turned over. India knew that would be five million times worse than when he caught her with Elliot, but then she shook herself.
“I won’t get pregnant,” she said firmly to the empty room, put the book down, turned out the light and was asleep in seconds.
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Post by Bee on Jan 24, 2011 22:47:38 GMT
Nice update sophie! Lets hope history does not repeat itself! Can't wait for more!!
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Post by sophie on Jan 25, 2011 14:34:56 GMT
Declan ran around the kitchen in a panic, trying to find his briefcase and drink his coffee at the same time whilst India watched him, amused.
"What?" exclaimed Declan irritably, plonking the coffee down and causing some of the liquid to fall out.
"Nothing, you just look like a cartoon."
"I don't suppose you could help?" asked Declan in exasperation. "If I don't leave in five minutes I'll be running late!"
"You'd be a ready a lot quicker if you didn't insist on finishing the coffee!"
"That's what gets me through the day," retorted Declan. "Now can you please help me find my briefcase?"
India silently lifted it up from where it had been next to her.
"This it?"
"How long have you known it's been there?" exclaimed Declan, grabbing it and gulping down the rest of the coffee and India grinned.
"The past few minutes. It was funny watch you race around for it."
"Well, in case you haven't noticed, my job is in publishing, not in providing morning comedy routines."
"Relax, I was going to give to you before you ran late."
"Oh wow, thanks," said Declan sarcastically. "What a helpful daughter. Anyway, I'm off, I'll be back at five. You're not working today, are you?"
"No, only tomorrow morning."
"I'll see you later then. And remember the rule if you see Elliot."
"Yes Dad!" exclaimed India crossly, handing her father his jacket. "Now just go!"
"Love you too!" said Declan but he put his jacket on, gave India a quick kiss and hurried out, the door shutting with a bang. India smiled to herself for a moment and then finished her cereal, washed up and made her own cup of coffee, sipping it as she meandered around the house. It felt strange and empty having it to herself – it was a rare thing. Even when she got back from work before her father he always came in relatively shortly afterwards and now it felt strange, and oddly quiet. The house never felt quiet. India went into her room and took out the bracelet Elliot had given her, now that her father wasn't in. She knew she could wear it anyway but it still felt secret and strange on her wrist. India wandered into the sitting room and switched on the television just to see what was on at that time, but she soon realised that she never missed out on much: morning television consisted of a choice between children's programmes, bad soaps and sport and she turned it off again. India knew she should be relishing a morning off but didn't know what to do with it – it was cold outside and there was no one else up anyway. Lydia, her opposite in everything, went to bed late and got up at eleven on a good day and whilst the rest of India's friends didn't sleep in quite as late India felt sure that they would not appreciate a phone call at eight in the morning, so she went back to her bedroom and tried to do some work. Ten minutes later she gave it up, unable to concentrate, and decided to finish it later. She didn't have much of it left so found herself going back to the sitting room and just sitting on the sofa. Sometimes India felt like the worst teenager in the world: wasn't it supposed to be a universal rule that teenagers slept it and watched lousy TV?
Suddenly India's eyes drifted over to the cabinet in the corner. India knew there were photos and things in there but she rarely looked inside. Nothing in the house was limited to her, nothing was banned, and India was sure that if she asked her father he would laugh and ask why she was even asking, but India always felt that it was private and sacred in a sort of way, even if it was just a cabinet, because of all the pictures of her mother inside. There were family photos all around the house but those ones felt different and India hardly ever looked at them, and suddenly she felt that was stupid. Why shouldn't she? Dad wasn't there and even if he was she felt sure that it wouldn't be a problem and so she put the coffee down and made her way over and tried the door, fearing for a moment that it would be locked. It wasn't and she grinned, opening it all the way and looked inside. The shelves were filled with shoeboxes and packets of photos and she hastily retrieved them, feeling secretive, and there were old schoolbooks and folders inside. India wondered why and gathered all of them up and hurried back to the sofa, opening up the packets.
The first set was a jumble of photos, jumble being the operative word. It was a mishmash of photos stretching over several years. India peered at the first one of a girl with long, wavy brown hair in a rock T-shirt and flares, the colour of it faded and then laughed out loud, realising that it was her grandmother, nearly forty years ago. She wondered how old she was and then saw the date written on the back in scribbling writing – 1978 – fourteen. Her grandmother looked cool even then and India smiled, putting it next to her and then looked underneath. One of a small boy on the beach grinning, proud of his sandcastle and you could almost hear him shouting, "Mum, look! Look what I've built!" and India realised that it was her father. He must have been about four or five and the date on the back confirmed it. India found it hard to reconcile the small child with her dad but as she looked closer she found it easier to tell it was him, he had the same face and the same grin and the same mop of hair. The next photo had fallen upside down and when India picked it up she gasped because it was of Bridget. India didn't need to look hard to know it was her; she had corkscrew curls and big blue eyes and looked just as India had as a child (only India had never worn an oversized orange T-shirt and pink leggings. What a nineties kid). India smiled at it and looked for a date on the back and saw that it was 1998 so her mother would have been six or seven. India smiled at it again and then tucked it into her pocket before turning to the rest of the box.
The other photos in it were more of her father and grandmother over the years, so India didn't know how the one of Bridget had got mixed in, but then she saw one of Miranda and Steve and Bridget and Riley, so perhaps they had given her father them and the two photos had got mixed in by mistake. India guessed she would probably never find out. She finished looking at them and moved onto the next set of pictures and saw that they were of her parents at school, when they were teenagers, but it was before Bridget was pregnant – probably before her mother and father had even got together. They looked very young and India laughed at them all mucking about and then saw a key person was missing: Donna, so it must have been before they had started seeing each other and they must have only been sixteen. India couldn't believe how short her mother's hair had been and absentmindedly touched her own hair, which brushed the top of her shoulders. They looked very happy and innocent, but from the pictures of her mother and father smiling at each other made India feel sure that there had been something there then, even if they hadn't acknowledged it. Most of the pictures were taken in school but at the bottom India found one of her mother at home, feeding her joey, Pouch, India remembered and she smiled at the loving look on her mother's face. She took that picture out as well.
The next box were of her parents on some sort of camp and they had definitely been together, India thought wryly, because Bridget was more than slightly pregnant and looked ready to give birth there and then. It made her feel strange to see that she looked almost younger than Indy – India felt stupid, because she had known how old her parents had been when she was born for as long as she could remember, yet the age had always sounded old and far away, even though she knew that it wasn't, and now she herself was that age too and Mum looked so young. It was incredible and they were acting like teenagers too, messing around and pulling silly faces. India smiled at them and looked at the next set of pictures, which were of her mother and father on their wedding day. Bridget looked beautiful. They had a framed picture of her parents on their wedding day in the hall, and her father had one in his room, but they were practised shots and these were relaxed, candid ones, taken from Donna's phone. Her mother looked just as beautiful though and just as happy. India replaced them and opened the next set and then her heart turned over: they were of her and her mother when she was a baby. India had never seen these before. It felt like someone had suddenly hit her in the chest and she looked through them with her hands shaking. Like with the wedding photo, India had a framed one of her, her father and mother in the hospital but she hadn't seen these. They were in the nursery, which India couldn't remember and were mainly of her mother holding her and looking so happy she could burst, and she looked different to the ones on camp, not older exactly, but different. The closest comparison was of her feeding Pouch – she had almost the same look on her face only stronger. There was a picture of her feeding Indy without her knowing it was being taken, and she had a beautiful, loving look on her face and India just knew that she was an amazing mother and then she felt like crying and did a little, only they were angry tears. How could she miss someone she couldn't even remember? India knew that it must feel worse if she could but sometimes it still hurt and it hurt now. Someone had once said that maybe it was for the best that she couldn't remember Bridget – India couldn't remember who that was but she remembered wanting to hit them – because then she would feel more sad. But I do feel sad, India had wanted to shout, and I'd give anything to remember her. I'd rather it hurt more if I could. India remembered so many nights when she was little, lying in bed and stretching and stretching her brain for a memory, a sort of feeling, anything. India had felt sure that if she tried hard enough she would come up with something but nothing ever did. Her mind drew a blank every time and India had finally given up, yet still wistfully thought of her and could remember one day in May, when she was eleven, coming home in a black mood with a cake from the bakery clenched tight in her hand. "What is it?" Declan had asked, already knowing the answer and India, red in the face and with tears in her eyes had shouted, "I HATE MOTHER'S DAY!" and had pushed her father away when he had tried to hug her. India still hated it now. It was the worst day of the year, she thought.
India blinked and then saw that there was water on the photos from her crying and she quickly wiped them away, leaving a smear over Baby India and Bridget and then she quickly put them back, not wanting to look at them for any longer. Then she felt at a loss, sitting there with all the photos around her, and then remembered the school books. She opened one and saw that it was filled with Maths formulas but with doodles, doodles done by her mother, and then she saw one that read:
Declan + Bridget = ?
There was a sketch of a baby next to that and then some dollar signs and India got the feeling that her mother had not been exactly concentrating hard in that class and who could blame her? It was quite a thing to have on your mind and India wondered. Her father had always said that her mother had wanted her, after feeling mixed up for a while, but maybe he had only said that to make her feel good. India didn't think she would feel fantastic if she was in that position. She flicked through the rest of the notepad but the rest of the doodles were just of things like smiley faces and flowers, but they were drawn by her mother, which made them special. India noticed a shoebox she hadn't opened and then saw that it was full to the brim of notes, passed in class, she supposed. Even in the age of texting and beyond kids still passed notes in class and India thought they always would. She picked one note up and it was to Rachel.
Harold's after school?
If we don't die of boredom before then.
What, Rach, you're not interested in difference between scalene and isosceles triangles?
Somehow, no. Ooh, Ms Carr is looking, I hope she thinks I'm just writing in my book...look alert!
India laughed and picked up another.
Didge and Dec forever.
Dec and Didge forever.
Didge and Dec and baby forever!
Dec and Didge and Superfly forever!
It won't be a boy and it won't be called Superfly! Didge and Dec and Baby Girl forever!
Dec and Didge and Tadpole forever!
Now that sounds right.
India felt embarrassed and replaced it, guessing it was between her parents. Maybe she shouldn't read the rest of the notes and she felt like she'd been eavesdropping on a private conversation, quite a sweet one though it was, even it was a little soppy. Baby Girl was underlined three times.
India opened the other shoebox, expecting more notes or school things but it wasn't, or photos either. Inside it were earrings and the odd necklace and bracelet and India guessed that they were her mother's, and that they must have been special to her as she knew she wore barely any jewellery. There was a friendship bracelet and at the bottom was a keyring. India felt her heart in her mouth. She had her mother's wedding ring in a box, originally her great-grandmother's, but knew the story: Dad had given her a keyring in his surprise proposal and Bridget had worn it for weeks. She took it out, squeezed it tight in her hand, and slid it in her pocket before closing the box.
Suddenly India felt very tired and emotionally drained, even though it was only just after lunchtime. She took everything back to the cabinet, except for the few pictures and the maths books. India took them back to her room and hid them under her bed and then lay on her bed. It was the middle of the day but felt like the middle of the night and she sighed. She didn't care if her friend got up at all now, or Elliot, because she didn't want to see anyone and she shut her eyes, not intending to go to sleep but then suddenly she was and dreaming. India was sitting at a table in some sort of cafe and doing some work in a maths book. There weren't any more customers apart from a girl in flares and a rock T-shirt with a small boy in bathers, and a young woman sitting a little way away and India felt that she knew her somehow, but her hair hid her face. She went back to the book and then saw that it wasn't hers and then it belonged to the woman, to Bridget, and India got up to give it to her but then she got up so quickly that India couldn't see her face and started walking away, down a long road.
"Mum!" cried India, suddenly knowing who she was. "Mum, come back! Mum, it's me!"
But either Bridget couldn't hear her or chose not to reply and India tried to follow her but something was holding her back and she couldn't reach her.
Declan opened the door, having returned from work.
"Hey!" he called but there was no reply but a sound from India's room. Frowning, he pushed the door open slightly and found India fully dressed and fast asleep on the bed, looking troubled. Declan caught sight of a bracelet on her wrist, made only of brown cord and a silver pendant and felt confused, wondering where it had come from. He had never seen it before.
"Indy?" he asked but she didn't answer and rolled over. Declan quietly came and gently lay a blanket over his daughter and though she did not wake, she cried, "Mum!" in her sleep. Declan froze but did not wake her and instead tiptoed away, his heart heavy, and felt that it was the cruellest thing in the world that she could only see her in sleep.
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Post by Bee on Jan 25, 2011 15:33:56 GMT
Very nice update! Can't wait for more
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