Page 112 of Thick as Thieves
I see Issy nudge her friend as she says, “No, you don’t need to dress up, really. It’s just a few friends, most of whom you've met at different times. Not fancy at all.” God these two are so thick.
“Well, I smell a bit, so a shower, but that’s it. Perfect. I’ve got to run an errand and then I’ll get ready. Kell said seven.” I stand to push them out, picking up the dresses I don’t want and giving them back. “It’s really kind of you to come. I didn’t think you liked me much,” I say with maximum cheese.
“Of course we like you. And now you’re going with Marcus, everyone will like you.”
I doubt that, but smile at them like I actually believe them. Idiots.
Seeing them leave, talking heads together, I go out the back and jump on my bike. I need to go the back way into my house for shoes. Even that dress would need better shoes. Pat has a belt that will jack the waist in, changing the silhouette. She also has a lovely necklace with grey stones in it and pearls, and it will look lovely. Hair and nails. I laugh out loud at that one. I was telling the truth about the shower, that’s it for me.
The nosey neighbour is in her garden when I get to my street. I can’t get into my house without her seeing me. I’ll just have to figure something out with a pair of Pat’s black ballet pumps. Maybe push some toilet roll into the backs?
Not much to do but head back, and as time is ticking on, I head straight into the shower and wash my hair. Borrow some of Pat's makeup, very minimal. A bit of black eyeliner. I bought a magazine with blow by blow pictures of how to do a smokey eye. I must say it looks amazing. I dry my hair out and go for it a bit up and a bit down. I think this dinner is going to be well fancy.
I smile at Kellen telling me not to bother about my clothes. He’s so not bothered about anything, other than maybe Xander. I put on the dress, belt, and necklace, and write a note for Pat telling her what I’ve borrowed. She won’t mind, but I like to be open with her.
I head downstairs into the hallway to pick up all the shoes, but notice they’re all gone. I shout out for the boys, but no one comes, or answers. I thought I heard the door go earlier, when I was in the shower, but no one came in. The only thing in the hallway cupboard is my old boots. I go through the whole house, no shoes.
Sitting on the bottom step, I contemplate my situation. I can’t go, not in these boots and this get up. I’ll look like a total idiot. I beep Jonno on his pager, and sit and wait.
He storms through the door. “What did those bitches do? I saw them about thirty minutes ago, running out of the yard and into a car with one of those older boys who hangs with Kellen.”
Tears fill my eyes. “Took all the shoes. Why? Why would they? I don’t have any, and none of them fit anyway.”
“Because they’re jealous to death of you, baby sis. You’re so much better than them, and they know it. It pisses them off. I bet Kellen’s asked you out, hasn’t he?” I nod. “Yeah, thought so. They want you embarrassed, and at a disadvantage. Or better still, not turn up. Well, you’re going, shoes or none. I don’t fucking care, you’re going to that dinner.”
I’ve not seen Jonno as emotional for ever. He’s well worked up.
“Jonno, I have my boots, that’s it. I tried to get home, but the neighbour from hell is in the garden. I can’t get any. A pair of shoes is not worth leaving here.” I shrug my shoulders at him. He knows the score.
“Well, you’re going. You look stunning sis. You’ll be the most glamorous person in that room. And not only that, you’re worth a hundred times any of them, and Kellen fucking knows it. So does Xan. Stick with them, they’ll not let them say anything to you.”
I grin at my brother. He's fuming. “Jonno, don’t do anything stupid. Let's think about what we do?” I grin at him. “They’ll get theirs, baby bro, I guarantee it. No one messes with the Greystones.” I smirk. “And besides, I know I’m better. They tried to give me a shitty dress, and I’m so great I make it look like a million dollars.” I stand and do a twirl.
He grins at me. “That is an amazing dress on you. Put your boots on, let's clean them a bit. You can be ‘fuck you, I’m so badass, I can turn up in boots and he still loves me, bitches.’” He’s clicking his fingers and wobbling his head at me.
Laughing at him, I ask, “Will you give me a lift over the fields in the tractor? And will you come back for me? I’ll phone you.”
“Not going to Bowmans?”
I shake my head. “Kellen’s friends are here, so I’ll come home and we can all do something there later in the week.” I’m unconcerned. I know where Kell's loyalties lie.
He starts to laugh. “He won’t last a week, sis. He can’t keep away now. He’ll be here tomorrow. And if he isn’t, Xan will be.”
“Why do you think they did it?” I’m back to the girls. “It’s not a crime to be poor. Or not even poor, just not as much as they have.” I’m struggling to understand the malice. The resentment that would drive such horrible, mean behaviour.
“Because they don’t like the fact that you know they’re inferior beings, which they are. And they know Kellen wants to spend time with you. They want him all to themselves. He only wants you and Xander. They’re as thick as bricks. Let’s go, Kitten, you look amazing.” He kisses me on my head. He’s grown taller than me in the last few months. I don’t think they’re going to stop growing. But I know I have.
Xander age 15
Eastwood Estate Yorkshire.
One of thekitchen staff comes in and hands me a note. It’s a message from Jonno Greystone.
‘They took her shoes. Nothing better happen to her at that house tonight.’
Fuck. I heard Marcus telling them she had no clothes and them saying they’ll go help her. What a pair of bitches. But I’m not really surprised. I hate them, they’ve tried to get rid of me for years. Now they’ve moved on to Kitten.
The’ve no chance of ousting her, Marcus is in love. I’m not sure he knows himself just how much, but he’s in deep. And whilst I just ignore them, Kitten might not.
