Light Sleep


What should I say? Nothing sprang to mind and Mum seemed to sense my dilemma. She cleared her throat and I nearly jumped out of my skin.

“I hope you’re not too busy to talk.” She said, sounding concerned.

“Of course not,” I mumbled. I heard Jinxx chuckle and I glared at him.

I still hadn’t quite forgiven Mum and this conversation would decide whether or not I could forgive her completely.

“Darling, I’m sorry for everything,” Mum sounded genuine. “Your aunt thinks that I’m selfish.”

My Auntie Joan was the only person that could talk sense into Mum. She was the older sister and often had to talk sense into Mum. She was the only person that could and she was known for being brutally honest.

I wanted to agree with what Auntie Joan had said, but I hummed instead, hoping that would be enough to abate Mum’s curiosity.

“I’ve tried to speak to your father, but he refuses to talk.” She choked out, and I felt sympathy for her.

“Give Dad some time, Mum.” I mumbled. “I thought you were starting divorce proceedings?”
She took a shaky breath and I realised she had said that in the heat of the moment, probably to wound Dad. Mum often said things without thinking and the consequences could be disastrous.

“I was hoping to try and win your father back.” She continued, choking back sobs.

“Give him time, Mum.” I reasoned again.

“I’ve done something stupid.” She spoke in hushed tones, probably so Auntie Joan couldn’t hear.

Oh good lord, what could she have done. Had she been cheating on Dad? The thought made me feel sick and I took a shuddering breath. Jinxx seemed to notice my reactions and his arms tightened around me.

“I’ve ordered tickets to the gala in the village hall.” Her response surprised me.

“You bloody well did what?” There was Auntie Joan.

The summer gala was held in the lodge just outside the village. It was a very grand affair and people attended from around the country. The tickets were known to be expensive and I groaned. I empathised with Auntie Joan.

“Mum, those tickets are dear.” I protested. “Dad and I can’t afford-“

“No, no I saved up for them myself. I will send you yours and your father’s. Persuade him to come along. I’ve mailed Daniel his and Jenny’s. There is one for Jeremy too.”

“So you want to meet Dad in a public place? Why not just invite him to have a drink?” I replied.

“Because he refuses to and your father and I met at the gala. We were married a year later.” She sounded weak and her tone was pleading.

“I don’t have a dress to wear.” I murmured.

“Darling, you’ll find something. I know you won’t believe me, but you’re a beautiful, young woman.” She sounded proud of me for the first time in a long time.

There was the sound of muffled talking and Mum handing the phone over.

“Hello, sweetie,” Auntie Joan’s voice startled me.

“Hi, Auntie Joan.” I heard her say something to Mum.

“I’ve told her off good and proper. I do believe she is trying to reconcile. You know your mother never does things by halves.” Auntie Joan’s tone was amused.

We spoke for a little longer and I eventually hung up. The shock of the situation had me reeling. The gala was usually held in a couple of weeks. That didn’t allow much time for dress shopping.

“What did she say?” Jinxx asked, his fingers traced patterns on my tummy.

“She wants us to attend the gala that happens in the village every summer.” I replied, glancing at him.

“Is it like a prom?” His question surprised me, but I nodded.

“Yeah, the men all wear suits and the women wear dresses.” I suddenly felt a little nervous, lying there with no clothes on my upper half.

The bed shifted and Jinxx leaned over me, grabbing his t-shirt and covering me with it. He lay back down, facing me. I couldn’t help but smile over the action. It was sweet. My heart felt like it was swelling and I smiled, giddily.

“So I get to see you in a dress?” He brushed some of my hair from my eyes.

“Yeah, I guess you do.” I giggled. Since when do I giggle? I’ve been doing that a lot lately.

“It should be a surprise,” He spoke again. “Don’t show me the dress. I want to see it at the gala.”

This request shocked me and I nodded. We spent the rest of the evening relaxing and watching TV together.

**********************************

The following morning I left the dorms early to try and find a dress for the gala. The tickets would arrive this morning and, after looking online, I knew I had just under two weeks to find the perfect dress.

I took the train to Oxford Street. This would be tricky, since I usually bought my clothes online. Changing rooms made me uneasy, but I knew I would have to conquer that fear.

After traipsing round several stores, I was almost ready to give in. Some of dresses I had found were not available in my size. Things that were available in my size looked too gaudy. I had found a beautiful dress in one shop, but it had a split up the thigh.

The thought of wearing it made me incredibly nervous. The last place I tried was TK Maxx. I shuffled through the racks until something caught my eyes. I pulled it out and my eyes widened. It was light blue, strapless dress. The material was wispy and soft. It was cinched in at the waist with and the top was decorated with little gems.

It was my very own Cinderella dress. I had to try it on and hope that it would fit. Despite disliking the changing rooms, I was quick this time. I carelessly removed my clothes and tried the dress on.

To my shock and joy, it fit perfectly. I just needed a light blue bra and a dress bag to hide the dress from view. I spun round on the spot, feeling like a princess. My phone rang and it took me a few seconds to fish around in my bag for it.

It was Dad and I answered straight away.

“Hello, princess.” He sounded happy, but I guessed he had received the post this morning.

“Hi, Dad.” Uncertainty laced my voice.

“I hope you’re dress shopping after what your brother’s done.” He chuckled.

It took me a few minutes to work out that Mum had obviously said the tickets were from Daniel. I knew Daniel would have played along too. He hated to see our parents at war.

“Oh yeah, of course I am.” I grinned, hoping I sounded convincing.

“That’s my girl. You and Jeremy are welcome to come here to change, obviously.” Dad sounded overjoyed.

I faintly hoped that joy would last when he realised Daniel was not the sender of the tickets. A curious part of me wanted to know if Dad had heard from Mum at all.

“Has Mum been in touch?” I asked, waiting for any kind of response.

“Oddly enough, no,” Dad sounded confused. “She said she wanted a divorce, but the paperwork hasn’t been sent and I’ve had no phone calls. Strange, isn’t it?”

I almost broke when he said that, but decided to press on, not wanting to arouse Dad’s suspicions. He sounded happy for once.

“Maybe she’s hoping you’ll forgive her.” I waited again with baited breath.

“I really want to. It’s petty to throw away so many years of marriage, but I don’t know if I can face her. She really hurt me.” He sounded lost, and I longed to hug him.

“Don’t worry, Dad. It’ll all work out.” I smiled.

He spoke for a bit longer and left me to get out the dress. My run of good luck wasn’t over yet as I found a matching baby blue underwear set for the dress. I paid for everything and walked down the road to catch the train. The launderette near the university would have dress bags.

A sense of being watched made my skin prickle and as I boarded the train I glanced round. There was no one following me, but it did nothing to ease my mind.

When I got off the train I bought a dress bag and the girl in the launderette helped me get the dress into the bag. All the while I still felt like I was under observation. I practically ran into the dorms and once I was safe inside, did the sensation go.

Notes