“Maybe I’m simply over-emotional right now,” I offer to myself more than her. “Let’s just enjoy what you’ve all done for me, huh?”
“I think that would be a good idea.” She takes a step closer and sets her hand on my upper arm. “Make the most of what you have while you still have it.”
I stand mute, watching as she sweeps back into the room, long dress flowing behind her. She reminds me of something, or rather someone that has alarm bells ringing.
As I round the doors and cast my gaze across the scene before me, it smacks me like a bucket of ice-cold water.
Libby lifts a hand to the base of her throat while she laughs at something Richard said.
My mother. She reminds me of my mother.
No wonder I’ve always found it hard to be friends with her.
The removal truck arrives in two hours. I should be asleep, preparing for an emotionally exhausting day.
Instead, I lie on my bed, thumb hovering over the words I sent to Barrett shortly after getting home.
L: Where were you today?
His social media went quiet. Nobody spoke a word about him at school; I assume the teachers all knew he was absent before afternoon roll call. But what disturbed me worse was how he wasn’t even a ghost at the get-together last night.
For several hours I sat in Richard’s library, sipping on my drink and recalling fun times with Greer, Arthur, and Ingrid wile I waited for him to show. After my encounter with Libby, it was her dismissal that gave me reason to pause. But as the night wore into the small hours, the gaping hole that Barrett left wouldn’t leave me alone.
He was absent from our inner circle, but even worse, he’d vanished from the conversation.
Nobody said a single word. Nobody made mention of his nonattendance.
And most shockingly, Richard’s parting words when Colt and I excused ourselves for the night were, “We’ll miss you, Lacey. But six is an even number. It makes much more sense, don’t you think?”
Six.
Including Barrett, there are seven Chosen remaining. Who else would he have conveniently forgotten?
My phone rattles in my hand, bringing my focus back to it.
B: Had some personal stuff come up. Sorry I missed your party.
So, he knew about it. Then again, Libby and Christian weren’t exactly quiet on socials about what we did. Barrett could have caught wind after the fact.
L: I wish you could have been there. But don’t worry – you didn’t miss much.
B: Look after yourself, okay?
I frown at the finality of his reply.
L: I’m sure we’ll see each other around when I come back to visit.
He doesn’t reply. Not then, not when I head out to buy breakfast an hour later, or even when the removalists arrive to pack our meagre takings.
No. Barrett replies the moment my mother decides to strike her attack.
“I spoke with Mrs Fellows this morning. She tells me Libby had a great time with you last night.”
My blood chills.
B: I don’t think we will.
The room suddenly feels too small despite the vast square footage of our parlour. All our belongings sit heaped in one place, awaiting the moving men to stack them carefully into the truck.
I desperately wish I hadn’t already given my bedroom one last look over; I could use the excuse to leave right now.
“Have you got anything to say for yourself?”
“No, Mum.” Not even that I regret it.
“I expressly said no socialising.”
“I know.”
“And yet, you sneak out anyway.” She stops pretending to catalogue the boxes in front of us and opts to stand toe-to-toe with me instead. “Why?”
I pale under her scrutiny. “I thought perhaps a last chance to mix with the boys could be opportune?” The excuse is lame off the tip of my tongue, but surely it’s what she wants to hear?
That her perfect little doll is still concerned with marrying into quality bloodlines.
My mother laughs long and ugly. “Oh, my.” She clutches at her throat as though that will stop the bitter sound. “You honestly believe any of those boys will want you now? When you have nothing to offer?”
“I have plenty they would want.”
She leans in close, eyes narrowed. “But nothing they need.”
I fight back the urge to cry. One must never show weakness to their oppressor.
“No,” Mum states. “What you need to do now, love, is stay away from them while the dust settles. Should we return to Riverbourne in the future, I’d rather their last impression of you wasn’t tainted with the grime of poverty and failure.”
“Is that what you think we are?” I pause while the removals men come into the room to take more of our things. “Failures?”
“Not all of us.” She smiles sweetly to the middle-aged man, gaze dropping to his muscled arms as he holds a bulky box to his chest. “My, this job must keep you men fit and healthy.”
The younger of the two has the decency to look uncomfortable. I don’t stick around for the reply. Instead, I march through our vacant hallways until I find Dad. He stands on the wide balcony that overlooks our modest back garden, Colt at his side.
I can’t say anything now. Not when I know Colt would not only take Mum’s side but possibly repeat everything I say to her as well.
Curiously, he discusses sports with Dad. No mention of the party last night for my brother. Was he caught out at all?
Or am I the only lucky one?
“Lacey.” Dad turns to address me once he realises that I lurk behind them. “Everything okay?”
“Bored.” I give him a soft smile.
“Well, you better get used to it.” He glances at Colt. “There won’t be the usual places for you two to frequent once we get to Arcadia.”
“Swell,” Colt sasses. “Please tell me they have power and running water.”
Dad sighs, expression flat. “We’re moving
