SWNOVELS Chapter 8
Pausing at the top of the stairs, Lola could see that Clara was heading towards the door, the expression on her face indicating that the party had ended for her too.
‘Is it home time, Clara?’
‘It is for me, Lo. You coming too?’
‘Yes, I’ve had enough,’ said Lola, forcing a smile, while holding up her dress. ‘Look at the state of me! First of all I walk into an invisible staircase, and then some idiot tries to put the lips on me, ruining my dress in the process. It took me almost a month to make this, and then I try to find a bathroom and get accosted by some first-class aaaa...’
‘Alex! Alex!’ Lola turned towards the high-pitched voice. A leggy blonde in a blood-red dress that caressed her slim figure embraced Alex at the foot of the staircase. Lola wasn’t one bit repentant as she realised he’d been behind her the entire time.
‘There you are! I’ve been looking for you all night, where’ve you been?’ said Alex smoothly. Lola watched as the blonde girl coiled herself around the American like a purring cat. She was certainly stunning, just the type he would go for, thought Lola. A hint of something unfamiliar stirred deep inside her. Unmoved by the blonde girl’s attention, Alex’s eyes were still firmly on Lola. His female companion flicked her head towards Lola as her thick ringlets cascaded around her perfect face. Lola registered the distain in her pale blue eyes. She was clearly confused as to why she wasn’t commanding Alex’s undivided attention.
‘Bye, Lola. It was a pleasure meeting you and I’m sorry about your dress. You can bill me for it!’ laughed Alex, but Lola didn’t turn around. No longer governed by her hot temper, she gritted her teeth refusing to let the mocking voice of Alex Stein ignite a reaction. Lola stepped outside with Clara, closing the door behind her. She sucked in the fresh sea air as she stood on the warm asphalt, barefoot.
‘What was all that about?’ quizzed Clara. Rolling her eyes, Lola didn’t have the energy to get into it.
‘You don’t want to know! Come on, let’s go!’ Linking onto Clara’s arm, Lola began to walk up the drive towards home.
Lola’s feet throbbed as she stood in the shower, washing the blue syrup out of her hair and off her legs. Drying off her hair, she checked her phone, before climbing into the large double bed where Clara already lay, fast asleep. She had one missed call from Arthur. According to the phone display he’d called at 12.30am. Lola glanced at the bedside clock. The neon display read 2.30am. Worried, she considered calling him back, but decided it was too late. Resting her head on the soft pillow, Lola fell into a deep sleep.
Suddenly she was back at Brook Mill Manor. She was walking with Arthur towards their regular seat in his herb garden. The entire garden was covered in a light frost that glistened in the winter sun. Even though she and Arthur were deep in conversation, Lola couldn’t exactly make out what he was saying. The sky started to darken, turning a dull grey and it looked as though it might snow. Arthur began to stir, rising from his seat. He turned to Lola and spoke.
‘You are so intuitive, Lola; you have the innate ability to see all aspects of the soul, both the light and the dark.’ Reaching down he embraced her, kissing her on the cheek. ‘You must trust your instincts and follow the signs.’
Lola couldn’t understand what was happening. Although Arthur was smiling at her, she saw sadness in his earthen eyes. Suddenly a bright silvery light radiated from Arthur’s solar plexus.
‘I have always seen the greatness and the goddess in you. You shine like a beacon and, in these dark times that are to come, there are many who will need your light. I have imparted many secrets over the years, and now you must journey on your own. Trust your insights, for they will keep you from harm, my dear.’
With that, Arthur got up off the seat and walked towards the bottom of the garden. Lola rose and tried to follow him but she was rooted to the spot. Panicking, she called after him. ‘What do you mean, Arthur? Where are you going?’
‘You cannot come with me! It is time for me to leave you now, but know this: I love you dearly and I have faith in you. You have the answers. You alone hold the key.’ Walking to the back of the garden, the bright light emanating from Arthur’s core grew larger and brighter. It was so blinding that Lola could no longer look at him directly. Then, in an instant, he was gone, disappearing into a million particles of light.