Page 65 of Bittersweet Legacy

On Fridaymorning a knock on my door startled me awake.

I turned to my alarm and growled, I still had 30 minutes before I was due up. If it was Archie pulling one of his crap revenge tricks I would snap.

“What?” I called.

“I’m- I’m sorry, Miss Esmeralda.”

“Molly?”

“Yes?”

I rolled my eyes. Molly was the loveliest girl, and the first maid I ever had, which made me very uncomfortable, but she was such a scared little mouse, I wondered how working for my father and brother hadn’t frightened her to death yet. I looked at the door – I was too comfy to get out of bed and unlock it.

“What is it, Molly?”

“I- yes- I’m sorry to bother you but Mr Caleb just called and-”

“Caleb Astor?” I asked stupidly, now actually getting out bed and opening the door.

She took a step back when I faced her,oh come on, I was not that scary. “Yes, Mr Astor, and he gave me a message.”

I looked at her for a few seconds but she just looked back at me with wide eyes, wiggling her hands in front of her.

I sighed again. “What’s the message Molly?”

“Oh yes sorry. He said, you – I’m not sure I can say it.”

“What did he say? It’s okay.”

“He said ‘Tell her to get her butt into gear and be downstairs in 30 minutes dressed like the pauper she wants us to pretend to be so we can go to Port Harbour.’”

I cracked a smile.Damn him for surprising me.I nodded. “Yes, thanks Molly.”

I was so sure he would refuse I wasn’t ready for the start of my plan. I jumped in the shower settled for the pair of blue jeans, plain red waffle Henley and the black chucks I had when I arrived here – the rest of my clothes never made it to me.

I tightened my hair into a high ponytail and kept my face free from make-up. I looked at the clock – 10 minutes before Caleb’s pick-up time, 10 minutes to write the note I hoped would set the wheels in motion.

Alice, I know it sounds weird but I beg you to believe me. I need your help. I need you to ring Ben at school, ask whatever you want but get him on the phone and read him this.

Ben,

I know this seems crazy and I'm sorry to go through all of these hoops to get you this message. It all sounds like a cheap spy movie and in some ways, it is. I told you it was not what it looked like and it’s not but I can’t explain, not in person – not yet. I highly suspect your phones are tapped, the same goes for myfather’s.

I scratched that word… ‘father’.

my uncle Luke’s. Please go find him and give him this number 545-534-9875 - Tell him to buy a burner phone and to call me tomorrow night at 9pm sharp – I will be waiting.

If all goes to plan, I will be able to explain everything to you.

Your friend, always,

Esme.

Please let me get this win,I begged a God I wasn’t sure was there before folding the piece of paper and sliding it into my sock.

When I made it downstairs, Caleb was leaning against a car, his arms crossed on his chest, however his usual scowl was missing.

He was dressed in faded blue jeans, with a matching polo shirt and the school letter jacket which I’d never seen him wear before.

---