Being Grey (Beings Trilogy) Page 5

  “I really enjoyed it too.” I’m blushing. Robbie is going to think I have a crush on him. I do love him but it’s a brother love. Oh please think of something else and not his abs.

  “Ooh!” Brain pop “How was Glen after? Does he think we’re all completely insane?”

  “It dawned on him that we were all a little young to be assassins but he figured we live in a world where anything is possible. I think he thought if we were going to kill him we would have done it already. Probably not wise to bring it up again any time soon.”

  “Agreed.”

  Luke holds the door open and we go upstairs.

  “You smell like you had a good day.” Adrian was chopping vegetables for dinner but has to steer Luke out of the kitchen. “Hi Alice, looks like you had fun.”

  “We had a great day.” I smile at the boys. “Sorry about the smell.”

  Robbie smiles, “I’ll take care of him, you guys chat. Come on stinker, let’s get you showered and then I think we have time to play a game before dinner. What’s your choice?” He and Luke argue back and fore over which game to play as they walk towards their rooms.

  Adrian was chopping an onion. I hate that he can do that without suffering. I always look like I’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards after chopping onions.

  “Adrian, the ‘Takers’, do we kill them the same as Beings?”

  “Yes.” The chopping has continued. He looks like he’s preparing to feed five thousand. “We are all mortals Alice. But they will have heightened senses as you all do. Robbie’s pain, Stefan’s temperature changes, Annabel’s taste and Poppy’s smell.”

  And my?

  “And your ability too Alice. The ability to see into the very Being of people. Just know that we are doing the right thing, don’t ever doubt yourself or your friends. Righteousness will always conquer evil.”

  I’m going to be a superhero after all. OK, not really but you know what I mean.

  Chapter Twelve

  Slobbing on couch with Poppy is something we both do very well.

  “I still can’t believe you didn’t wake me today. I love going to see the horses.”

  “Poppy, how many horses do you have back at the manor?”

  “What kind of silly question is that? So if you have a dog you don’t say ‘ooohh’ when a cute one is being walked down the street?”

  She has a point. I think.

  “You’re right, sorry. There’s always going to be a next time with Luke. Have you been out?”

  “No, was too depressed when I saw your note.”

  The making me feel bad thing can go on from seconds to about an hour. After that we both get over it as we can’t stop talking to each other for too long. I think we’d get lockjaw or something.

  “You did nothing at all, all day? Pretty boring.”

  “You asked did I go out. I didn’t say I didn’t do anything.” The making me feel bad is forgotten as she starts smiling. “Slappy came over to keep me company.”

  “Really? Did you plan your wedding?” If Stefan ever did notice how madly in love Poppy was with him they could be married tomorrow. She’s had it all planned out for quite some time.

  “Be rude if it makes you happy. We were actually trying to think of a way we could all check out the people Jason hangs out with. Find the ‘Taker’, if there is one, before we kill Adam. None of us wants you on your own as we’re all still fairly new to this. It just makes sense for us all to stick together.”

  I’m touched. “If we just hang out together all the time he’ll think you’re stalking me, or him. Or that I’ve got an escape planned.”

  “We realized that. So we get them to come to us.”

  Oh dear, they really have planned something.

  “Go on then. Spit it out. What did you two come up with?”

  “I’m excited. The plan is brilliant!" Her habit of drawing out the suspense doesn't work on me anymore - I've known her too long. One look at my expression and she's smiling, "So we have a ‘do’ at mummy and daddy’s.” This is the brilliant idea? “And Jason can be your date.” Stop winking Poppy. “And he can invite his friends.”

  “Brilliant Poppy. But I don’t see the likes of bully Adam donning a tux to attend a ‘do’ in the country, do you?”

  I’ve offended her. Upset her? Confused her? Why do I feel like I missed something here?

  “Alice. Remember? Little Adam cherub face. Even though we all knew he was a bully and a thief what was the one thing he did every year around June 4th?”

  I’ve got my tongue between my teeth. My thinking face is on. It’s not Wimbledon then. I look at Poppy whose mouth is starting to form an O in horror. Oh crap.

  “It’s your birthday. I knew that.” Phew. “But what I don’t get is…….” Yes I do. I get it. One week of the year, prior to Poppy’s birthday, Adam would be nice to every kid in school. His one wish was to go to the birthday party that all the kids talked about for the rest of the year. Not once was he ever invited. “You’re going to finally invite Adam and his damned Being to a Poppy birthday bash? Are you crazy?”

  “You know even now he won’t be able to resist. So we don’t have clowns, magicians,” I shiver “we never did have those fabulous cheese and pineapple things your mum always had. Maybe we could get some.” She muses. “But, it will be my eighteenth so I’m sure it’ll be fun.”

  I’m shocked. I’d not only forgotten my best friends birthday was approaching, I’d forgotten it was her eighteenth. How could I forget? What am I going to buy her? Maybe I could just take her shopping. No, that’s not special to her at all. Lord and Lady Howard will probably buy her a fantastic new car or something extravagant. Maybe I could get her one of those tree air fresheners. Or a furry steering wheel cover. Great ideas, not.

  Thankfully the phone rings to interrupt my horrible gift ideas. Poppy is in full slob mode so I run into the kitchen to answer it.

  “Hello Alice, how are you my dear?”

  “Oh excellent and I’m so glad it’s you.” How is that for timing? It’s Poppy’s mum. Even as a thought that sounds wrong. It’s Lady Howard. I close the kitchen door so I can talk to her without Poppy hearing, “I was thinking of calling you to see if you had any ideas what I could get Poppy for her birthday?” I’ve lowered my voice to a whisper. “Something that may compliment what you’re getting her?” Translated - Give me some ideas.

  “What a wonderful coincidence. That’s why I called.” She wants ideas from me? Now we’re in trouble. “I wondered if you wanted to go shopping this week together. I have so many ideas George said I needed someone to rein me in. I’m not a bloody horse I told him. Men! Don’t ever get one dear.”

  OK.

  “I’d love to, how about….”

  “Wednesday at 10. I’ll send the car to pick you up and we’ll go to Guildford. So much cleaner than the city. We’ll have brunch in that darling little café and then grab some goodies. We’ll have so much fun. A girl day. No bloody men. Excellent. See you Wednesday. Toodles.” Click.

  Sounds great, looking forward to it. Toodles right back at you. No that doesn’t fit into my schedule. It’s not that she meant to be rude. Just what could be more important than shopping for Poppy? I love Lady Howard but a whole day just me and her?

  I wander back into the lounge.

  “Who was that? You look confused.”

  “Wrong number.”

  “Long call for a wrong number.”

  “Hmm? Oh. Yes. They were ordering pizza so I let them.”

  “You are so funny sometimes Alice. So what are we going to watch?” Earlier discussion is swept under carpet by a night of great TV.

  Chapter Thirteen

  It’s Wednesday already. Jason hasn’t called yet to discuss our date on Friday. I’m not sure if I’m anxious about the fact that he hasn’t called me or the fact that if he doesn’t, we may lose our chance to find the ‘Taker’.

  But today is all about shopping with Lady Howard. Yesterday we all met up an
d just rode the tube until we got bored and decided to go eat and go bowling. I hate bowling. I am terrible at bowling. And do you really think I’m stupid enough to believe one spray of that stinky stuff will sanitize those shoes? I wear three pairs of socks to be sure and try really hard to find a shoe sprayer with a damned Being. None of them do which I find hard to believe. I looked like a clown. Three pairs of socks mean a size bigger of those wonderful blue and red monstrosities. I got my fingers jammed in an 8 ball but couldn’t lift the 10 ball. I kept standing over the line, which kept beeping at me. Then, best insult of all time, one of the assistants asked me if I wanted bumpers put up. Stefan literally had to pick me up by the back of my shirt and carry me out of there before I killed a grey Being in a public place. Not good.

  Between the bowling alley and the tube not having one person with a damned Being, I am still convinced we must have had a ‘clouded ability’ day. Usually there are a few in tube stations which isn’t necessarily a good thing. If we dispose of them all on the tracks too often, the authorities would close down the underground.

  What am I wearing today? Well, here’s a funny story. Poppy spends all her time in the manor in either jeans or jodhpurs so naturally I dress the same when I’m there. About 8 months ago after we’d been out riding the horses, we get back to the house and Lady Howard tells us to pop upstairs and freshen up because Will is coming over. So off I pop, get showered, pull on a clean pair of jeans and a t-shirt and run back downstairs and get introduced to Will.

  Will….iam, Prince William. Next King of England. In jeans and a t-shirt and wet straggly hair. It doesn’t even matter that he’ll be King, what matters is that’s he’s so gorgeous it hurts to look at him and I looked like poo. I met the future king with wet straggly hair and a pained expression on my face where I was trying so hard not to burst into tears.

  Moral of the story. When Lady Howard is involved, come prepared.

  I decide chances of running into Will pretty slim, so a pair of slacks and a nice shirt will be fine. But I do throw a sundress in my bag just in case.

  My hair has a natural wave to it but as it’s almost at my waist it’s quite straight. I don’t fuss around with glamorous curls or heated torture tongs today.

  Wouldn’t even go to corner shop without my mascara, so slap on a bit more make up than usual and am ready way too early as always so time for a cuppa.

  At precisely 10am I hear the car pull up. Poppy is still sleeping and I’ve just left a note saying I’ll call later. I hope Jason doesn’t call when I’m with Lady Howard.

  “Hi Parker.”

  “Miss Alice. Good to see you as always.”

  His name isn’t really Parker. It’s just been a joke forever. Lady Penelope, Parker, Thunderbirds? Never mind.

  “We’ll swing by the manor house and collect Lady Howard and then I’ll take you both to Guildford. She has some new artwork she’s excited to show you.” He winks in the rear-view mirror.

  “Lovely, Can’t wait.” Lady Howard has the most immaculate home. Furniture to die for. China that is the envy of Royalty worldwide. Millions of pounds worth of silver. And the most horrendous collection of artwork ever. She does have some fantastic pieces. A few never seen Monet’s, a Picasso but those are the one’s hidden in the attic or a guest bedroom that no one ever sleeps in. If I remember rightly, she once gave Parker a Monet that turned out to be worth twenty million pounds!

  But what is on show? It’s indescribable. She visits all the art galleries and if it’s blue, big, ugly and expensive she buys it. Paintings, sculptures, the fountain in the maze. Some very sexual looking paintings also. With big blue…..bits!

  I’m scared but its’ also hilarious trying to think of new descriptions other than “It’s very blue.”

  We arrive at the manor house just under an hour later.

  “Alice dear!” Perfunctory air kiss on each cheek. “You look adorable.”

  “And you, as always, are the most glamorous woman I’ve ever seen.” I don’t know how black trousers, a little black vest top and a pink cardigan can look like a million dollars but Lady Howard pulls it off every time. Maybe it’s the perfectly coiffed blond hair or the make up that looks like it’s been done by an artist. No. I’ve nailed it. It’s the ₤1500 Jimmy Choo sandals.

  “New Choo’s?”

  “Aren’t they darling? You always have appreciated fine shoes haven’t you dear?” Yes, but if I had to walk in those all day I’d die. Also, it was her idea to go to Guildford, and those cobbles and the hill aren't conducive to high heels. I don't know how she does it! “Come, come. I have a fantastic new sculpture to show you. I had them put it by the pool but I’m still a little undecided if that’s where it belongs. Tell me your thoughts dear.”

  We have to walk quite a way to get to the pool and Lady Howard click clacks all the way making walking in 5 inch heels look easy.

  The pool is the most fantastic room in this fantastic house. I think it’s Olympic sized, it certainly looks it. It’s all under cover, literally its own room, and the only way I can describe it is like something Zeus would swim in. Maybe all the Greek Gods. Sometimes we open the huge patio doors and spend the whole day lounging in this room that’s bigger than my house.

  Unfortunately there is now an ‘object’ in this room that would give children nightmares for years. Hell, it will probably give me a few sleepless nights.

  “Oh.” Slips out before I can stop myself.

  “Yes dear. I can see it’s taken your breath away. Have a good look up close. I’m going to admire it from here. What do you think of the location?”

  Taken my breath away? Definitely. Move the location? Unlikely as this colossal spooky monstrosity is about 15ft high and probably has a 5ft diameter. It looks like a cross between Satan and Medusa. And it’s blue.

  “It’s very wow.” I’m trying to nod encouragingly when I notice something wrapped in what may be its arms or tentacles. “Oh my goodness, is that a baby?”

  “Yes, it’s mother and child. Isn’t it so precious and heart warming?”

  If my mother looked like that I wouldn’t have lived this long without being institutionalized. “Unique.”

  “Well of course dear. At that price I would hope he didn’t mass market them.”

  I’m nodding and smiling and that seems to be enough today so thankfully we leave the pool room and once Lady Howard has collected her handbag we’re off to Guildford.

  It would appear that Lady Howard wants to buy half of Guildford and I’m carrying it. She doesn’t expect me to but I am scared of her snapping those beautiful heels with the weight of her shopping.

  “Diamonds? She has them. Horses? She has eight. Clothes? My goodness she could dress a small country. But a vacation? We all need one of them. So, I’ve decided to send you and the gang,” wink, “on a cruise to the Med for 12 days! So, more sandals, sundresses, sunglasses, swimsuits and a new Louis suitcase and we’re done.”

  First thought, vacation. The Mediterranean. Sun, sand and shopping. Spanish, Italian, Greek gods. Bring it on.

  Second thought, that’s going to mess up the Jason long legs party plan, “Lady Howard, we need to take a time out.”

  Having filled her in, over a pot of tea (no cuppa for a Lady, don’t forget she’s hierarchy as well as ‘Gifted’), I describe Poppy’s plan for the birthday party.

  “I don’t think we should do the cruise.” It's killing me to say this. “Whilst throwing someone overboard sounds tempting, I think this could work better with a pool party.” Sans the latest ‘art piece’.

  “So a new frock, swimsuit and some Choo’s?”

  “Only if we get to model them first?” A nod, wink and silent agreement that trying on shoes is far more fun. But I’m filing the cruise away for a later date.

  "And I know the perfect caterer for the occasion too," she continues. Lady Howard’s idea of organising a party is to get someone else to sort it all out for her, which also means that it's going to be amazing. "They're
a darling little company that just arranged Elton's last do."

  Wow. It might even be better than amazing.

  "But I'll tell them not to be so camp. They had sculptures in it that would turn the most liberal of us a deep red!"

  "Not blue?" It’s out before I can stop myself, but thankfully she laughs it off.

  "Do you think building a nightclub close to the pool is too much? Then we could have a foam party! I've always wondered what one of those would be like!"

  Is it possible to be best friends with your best friends mum?

  Chapter Fourteen

  Poppy wasn’t home when I got back yesterday and she’s not in her room this morning. She’d left a note saying she had things to do in the city and that she may stay over at Adrian’s.

  I’m a little alarmed then when the doorbell rings. It’s 8:30am and I’m still in my dressing gown and my hair looks as if small animals are nesting in it.

  “Who is it?” I put my mum voice on. You know when you sound posh, the ‘Ah, Hella’ voice vs. the ‘hiya’ voice?

  “It’s me, open up. I have the whole day planned. Well that’s not true. I need your help. I was thinking….. why am I talking to a door?” I open the door. “Wow, do you look like that every morning?” Stefan asks.

  He of course looks gorgeous. Dark blond hair, that Marky Mark physique. I’m waiting for the day when I see him on a billboard modelling Armani underwear. I can see two young girls up the street literally drooling at him. “Come on in before I scare the neighbours.” I wave to the girls and wink.

  “Do you want me to drive you to the hairdresser or to the garden centre?”

  “Ha ha, no lawnmower required. You’re up early, what’s up?” I enquire.

  We’re seated outside in the tiny little patio area with a fresh brew.

  “I was here the other day, with Poppy. I guess she’s filled you in on the party idea? So what do I buy her?”