Beyond the Sea

I worried this might be an ignorant practice though. I didn’t want to be one of those people who selected the parts of the Bible that suited them, while ignoring the parts that went against their beliefs. Maybe I should also make note of the things I disagreed with and try to decipher why I disagreed. Was it because it meant I’d have to change things about myself in order to believe? Or did I truly disagree on a deep and spiritual level?

I sighed, wishing Dad were still here. He used to talk with me about stuff like this all the time. Religion and spirituality were something he’d been very passionate about, perhaps a little too passionate at times, but I still missed talking to him. He’d always been so great at helping me understand the small challenges and obstacles I faced.

The sound of the doorbell broke me from my thoughts. I heard voices mingling and knew the party guests had started to arrive. Taking a deep breath, I closed my book and stood.

Just show your face then sneak out. Simple.

Aoife had agreed to meet me at the end of the street at 8.30 pm. It was now 8.05 pm, which meant I only had twenty-five minutes to make an impression. I left my room and found a bunch of people in the living room, mingling and nibbling on the finger foods Siobhan had made.

Noah stood over by the mantlepiece talking to Mayor McBride and her husband. He wore a shirt and tie, which made him look far more mature and respectable than he did when he wore jeans and T-shirts. I couldn’t move as his attention passed over me, an intensity in his gaze. His eyes arrested mine. Did I look different to him in my dress, with Aoife’s make-up and my usually straight hair in loose waves? Did he like what he saw?

I wanted him to like what he saw.

My breathing grew laboured at the way he was looking at me. Feeling the urge to flee, I went into the kitchen where most of the food had been set out.

Suddenly starving, I picked up a cracker with salmon and cream cheese and shoved in it my mouth. I was about five appetizers deep when I felt a presence behind me. Somebody cleared their throat.

“Estella.”

I turned around and came face to face with Noah. My mouth was full as I chewed and swallowed one of Siobhan’s delicious creations. “Y-yes?” I asked nervously.

He shoved a glass of whiskey into my hand, and I stared at it in confusion. “Um, I don’t drink.”

“It’s not for you. It’s for my sister. She still hasn’t come down from her room. I thought a little Dutch courage might help. Can you bring that up to her?”

“I’d rather not,” I answered honestly. “Can’t you bring it?”

“I have guests to entertain,” he said, eyeing me. “What’s the problem?”

“Vee and I had a fight this morning,” I replied, grimacing as I remembered the interaction.

Noah arched an eyebrow. “What sort of fight?”

“Nothing too serious,” I answered, heavy on the sarcasm. “I stood up to her, and she threatened to take away my inheritance,”

He frowned now. “What inheritance?”

I stiffened, not too keen on discussing this with him. “Just some money my dad left for me,” I said casually.

“You weren’t granted your inheritance when you turned eighteen?” he questioned further.

I shook my head, feeling glum at the reminder. “No, I don’t get it until I finish school.”

“That’s unusual.”

“Dad was very insistent I complete my education. He left school at sixteen and things were hard for him.”

A long pause as he studied me. “Well,” he said finally. “Don’t worry about Vee’s threats. If your father left you an inheritance, then there’s nothing she can do to take it away. She’s just trying to scare you.”

I was about to tell him I knew that when lots of clapping and cheering sounded from the living room. It seemed Vee had finally decided to make an appearance. Noah went in the direction of the cheering, and I glanced down at the glass of whiskey in my hand. I’d never had alcohol before, but that was mostly because the opportunity hadn’t arisen. Maybe I should give it a try, see if I liked it.

Impulsively, I brought the glass to my mouth, downing it in several burning gulps. I winced and grimaced. First impressions of alcohol: not a fan. Though, strangely, it did give me a little extra push of courage to go into the living room.

I walked in, and the first person I spotted was Vee. I was taken aback. I’d never seen her look so elegant. Her short hair was styled into a high quiff, exposing her long, swan-like neck. She wore an emerald green evening gown, expensive looking earrings dangling from her ears.

“Fashionably late, as always,” Noah muttered under his breath as he went to join the guests who had gathered around Vee. They wished her a happy birthday, telling her how great she looked.