ISBN 9789899734869-32
2010 Words
'And now everybody,' shouted Eleanor above the noise, 'Now we feast!' she said as Wilbur opened the doors to the dining room, revealing a room entirely decorated for the event, with blue helium balloons floating across the ceiling and Praxos Foundation banners stuck to the walls, the winged eye looking at them from every direction.
Lana smiled, watching as everyone rushed into the room one by one. Just for a moment, she stood and patted down her black pencil skirt and an orange silk blouse and admired her brand new black heels.
Breathing in slowly, the smell of grilled chicken filled her nostrils as she then followed everyone to the far end of the room, piling her plate high with grilled chicken and sausages, salads, vegetables and what smelled like freshly baked bread. Jugs of fresh juice, homemade lemonade and ice tea were scattered among the food.
Patiently waiting for everyone to fill their plates, Emma stood against the wall when Eleanor approached her with a smile. She handed her a glass of fresh apple juice.
'Cheers,' she said.
'Cheers,' Emma replied as they c*****d glasses.
'Eleanor?'
'Yes, Emma?'
'Have you told Joe yet?'
Eleanor turned to face her and shook her head. 'We thought it would be better coming from you. Perhaps you can call him tomorrow morning when Emelia arrives?'
Emma grinned, 'I'd love to.'
'Come on, Em. Come and get some food,' Diarmuid called as he made a gap for her at one of the tables.
'Go ahead,' Eleanor said, 'Enjoy.'
'Wow,' he said as she ambled towards him. 'You look amazing.'
'Th... thanks,' she said shyly, looking down at the dress. A dress she never thought she'd actually wear.
'You should wear dresses more often. They really suit you.'
Pinking slightly, she said, 'Maybe,' before they turned their attention to the feast and began filling their plates with food.
Later that night, the Mentors had allowed their Watchers to stay on at the Foundation to say their goodbyes. Eleanor had wished them all a pleasant journey home and thanked them for their efforts, telling each and every Watcher that she looked forward to seeing them back shortly and then she and Wilbur had left them alone.
The group had grown relatively quiet, sitting around the angel statue in the hall, some chatting quietly among themselves. Lana rested her head on Liam's shoulder while Diarmuid had his arm protectively around Emma's shoulders.
'Well, we should call it a night,' said Penny, who stood up and stretched, pulling Nisha up with her. 'I guess we'll see you all in a few weeks, then?' she said. 'It's been a lot of fun, guys. I'm really looking forward to studying with you at the Academy,' she added as Ava and Rupert stood up too. Rupert high-fived her before everyone else. Ava gave everyone a hug. 'Now you've all got my email address, stay in touch and I'll see you soon,' she said as the four of them walked out of the hall, into different tunnels.
Moira stood up next, followed by Imran, Cassie and Elliott who said their goodbyes and headed off down the same tunnel.
Liam, Diarmuid, Lana and Emma were left alone.
'I don't want to go yet,' Emma whispered as Diarmuid tightened his grip on her.
'We'll give you some space,' Liam said as he stood up and held out his hand to Lana. Taking it, she smiled, and they walked away, into the room with the big beanbags.
'Finally on our own,' Diarmuid said. 'I know it's only a few weeks, but I'm really going to miss you,' he whispered.
She turned so that she was on her knees facing him. 'I'm going to miss you too.' Leaning into him, she gently placed her lips on his, and they kissed like they'd never kissed before. The triple salchows were repeating themselves in the pit of her stomach as she rubbed her hands over his back, feeling the muscles rippling beneath her fingertips.
When she eventually pulled away, she turned to see Lana and Liam standing awkwardly waiting for them.
'I guess we should go,' he breathed, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
She kissed him gently just one more time and then hopped up, walking towards her sister. She gave Liam a quick hug and then pulled Lana away towards the elevator where she pressed the button, and they stepped inside, turning just one last time to look at him.
'I'll call you,' he shouted just as the doors closed.
Lana gave her sister a hug before gently rubbing her arm. 'You'll see him soon. The next few weeks will go by so quickly.'
Emma gulped back the tears, 'I know.'
'Liam and I broke up,' she said suddenly with a smile.
'Wh...what? Why?' Emma replied astounded.
Lana shrugged her shoulders. 'It was just a bit of fun for both of us. It was great while it lasted.'
'I don't understand.'
'Come on... you know me. I'm the world's biggest flirt... and he's kind of like the male version of me,' she laughed. 'We're still good pals though. It's cool,' she winked, glad to have made Emma think of something else.
CHAPTER 39
An elegantly dressed elderly lady with bright white hair and a kind smile approached them as they stood to wait for the ferry. Saleena helped her climb down onto the pier.
Holding out a gloved hand, she said, 'You must be Emma and Lana. It's such a pleasure to meet you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done. Is he here?' she asked, looking around as Declan walked past them carrying her suitcase, as well as Lana's and Emma's hold-alls.
'We asked him not to show himself until we're on the ferry, we can find a more private spot on there,' Emma said with her eyes already glazing over.
The old lady nodded, 'Yes, yes, of course.... so you live on Andilyse?'
Lana nodded, 'We grew up there. Our dad is the Chief of Police and Mum's a nurse there.'
'That's lovely, that's lovely. It was such a beautiful island. I loved it the moment I stepped foot on it,' she sighed. 'I never stopped... if only things had been different.'
'Can I ask you a question, Emelia?' Emma asked nervously.
'Of course! Anything.'
'Is Emelia Doris your real name?'
The woman dropped her head back and let out a throaty laugh, dabbing at her eyes with a cotton handkerchief, 'No, but I needed a, erm, a common name. My real name is Laomedeia. I always loved the name Emelia, and my mother's name is Doris,' she explained.
'Laomedeia? It's pretty,' Emma replied. 'Why have you... aged? I thought someone like you would stay young forever?'
Again the woman chuckled to herself. 'It was my father's way of punishing me for what I did. My sisters are all still young and beautiful,' she said, shaking her head. 'It was silly of him because once he'd cast his spell, he couldn't take it back and the man he wanted me to marry didn't want someone who was going to age. He went on to marry Menippe,' she sighed.
'I'm sorry.'
'Don't be sorry, my dear. My entire life, I've wanted nothing more than to die so that I could be with Josiah. At least now, I'm one step closer to getting my wish.'
As they'd been talking, the ferry had arrived, and a few people had disembarked before Emelia, Emma, Lana and Declan had climbed aboard.
Saleena had hugged them tightly before she headed back to her own boat, but not before giving Declan a loving kiss.
Emelia sighed as she watched them, 'How I miss that,' she said as they took a seat in a corner away from prying eyes, and she very carefully removed her gloves, revealing perfectly manicured fingernails beneath.
'Emelia?' said a quiet voice out of nowhere as Josiah finally revealed himself to her.
Gasping, her hands shot to her mouth and tears began to fall down her cheeks.
'Josiah? Is that you? Oh, how I've longed for this day to come. I'm so sorry, my darling...'
##
Several hours later, the girls stood on the front of the ferry watching a thick fog hanging over the island with the sound of seagulls racing and squawking overhead.
Once they'd finally come to a halt, they hopped off the ferry and straight into the waiting arms of their mum, dad, brother and sister who squealed and jumped up and down at the sight of them.
'I hope they've not been too much trouble, Declan?' Patrick asked as he shook the hand of his good friend.
'They've been as good as gold. I'd be happy to look after them any time,' he said, 'And Sal just loved them both.'
'Oh thank you so much, Declan. We are indebted to you, we really are. I'm so pleased that the girls finally got to experience some London culture and history. Now tell us a little more about this Academy...'
Lana yanked Emma away the moment she laid eyes on someone else who'd come to welcome them home.
'Scott!' she yelled as the two girls ran straight into him and hugged him, laughing. 'We missed you!' she squealed.
'So what did we miss? What have you been up to? What was it like working on the Nutter's farm? Are you and Lottie going out yet?' she asked, barely taking a breath.
'Woah. Woah... I should be asking you all the questions. You're the ones who've been out gallivanting in the big city, not me!' he laughed, his cheeks bright pink from happiness.
'We'll tell you about it later,' Emma said as she glanced across at her sister knowingly. 'But we've got something important we need to do first though. Can we meet up in the morning?'
'Sure,' he said, grinning, 'Just give me a buzz, and I'll come round.'
After saying goodbye to Declan, Audrey and the younger kids headed home in her car while Patrick took Emelia, Emma and Lana up to the old Grimshaw house, after he'd been told that she was a long lost relative who had inherited the place.
'Thanks Dad,' said Emma, 'We'll take it from here. We'll walk home in a bit.'
Patrick had nodded, given Emelia his card and suggested she call him if she needed any assistance, and then he'd left them by the old wooden gate.
The moment he was gone, Josiah showed himself.
'I wish I could carry you over the threshold, my love,' he said as she gazed at him with such an abundance of love that the girls had to look away.
'Erm, shall we just come inside with you and see if there's anything we can do before we leave you to it?' asked Lana, breaking the silence.
'That would be lovely, my dear. Thank you so much.'
Emma picked up the lady's suitcase and pushed open the gate.
'I remember it like it was yesterday. This was the house you grew up in. You brought me a couple of times. I never forgot it...'
As they walked indoors, Lana cringed, expecting the disgusting mess they'd stumbled upon before but there was nothing of the sort. The house was absolutely spotless, gleaming in fact.
'Wow,' muttered Emma to her sister. 'Who?'
When they looked across at each other, realisation hit and they said in unison, 'Mum,' and smiled. The kitchen was even stocked with supplies for the newest resident of Andilyse.
'Oh, you've all been so kind. Here's a note from some of the islanders, with condolences and such like. Oh, I'm almost speechless,' she smiled. 'I should have lived this life with my love on this island,' she sobbed.
'You're here now, that's what matters,' reassured Josiah. 'I shall never leave your side.'
With that, the girls tiptoed out of the house and began their walk back home.
'So, how you feeling Sis?' asked Lana as they ambled down the lane together.
'Okay. It's nice to be home, I guess. But I am looking forward to going back,' she smiled.
'Really?'
'Of course. I miss Diarmuid already,' she said as she looked down at her shoes and kicked a stone in the road.
'I can't wait to get back to London. I can't believe we're actually going to live there!' Lana squealed.
'But there's some pretty scary stuff over there, isn't there? Aren't you worried about it, just a little bit?'
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