Never As It Seems

Chapter 1

Two weeks into her summer break, Amber had made a decision. Sitting on a bench in the park watching the world go by she wondered how she could break another bombshell to her parents. It was strange, when she had told them of her decision not to be involved in her mother's work any more, their passive reaction was almost more difficult than the one she had expected. She had gone to the meal expecting an argument. When her parents so readily agreed with Amber's decision, it felt as though rather than angry at her, they were disappointed and that hurt Amber more than a good fight.

Amber's thoughts turned to her family. For all their faults, they were close and she knew her parents wanted the best for their children. She wondered if her Mum knew how proud she was of her, she must do.

She smiled as she thought of her Dad. He was a strong man with a gentle heart. Amber could not recall a moment when he didn't make her feel loved. He worked as a carpenter with his own business on the outskirts of the city. He had a staff of 30 others and had built up the small business his father had left him 10 years ago to have a reputation second to none. He now had no need to do any hands-on work himself but he insisted on continuing to craft certain orders. Amber assumed it was his way of getting away from the limelight of her mother's world. He was always there beside her at important occasions and when it mattered but he valued his solitary time. Maybe that was where Amber got it from. Over the last few weeks she had felt like she could truly breathe for the first time.

Dad was also an example of how a man should love his wife and family. He was honest and fair but would not stand for rudeness, especially if it was directed from his children to his wife. Mum knew this and she adored her husband. Amber could see it in the way she looked at him and the way in which her whole demeanour brightened when he was present. She was a beautiful woman and many said Amber took after her in this. She had never gotten used to reading such things in magazine articles. It seemed to her that when she and her family were mentioned in the public eye that they were talking of some other family. It was like the family they saw was not who they really were, even if what they said was positive.

Mum was always someone Amber felt she could talk to about anything, she guessed she had just never really had cause to. That and she could not imagine ever finding a time which would be convenient for her mother. In fact, sitting there in the warm sun, Amber realised she didn't really know much about her at all. Oh she knew all the things the papers said, many of them untrue. She knew that she had grown up in a small town a couple of hours South of the city but after that she really did not know much at all. She didn't even know why Mum chose politics for her career. Amber made a mental note to try to spend more time getting to know her. She frowned, realising she had no idea how she was going to achieve it but quality time with her mother was now on her 'to do' list for the next few months.

She sighed as she enjoyed the scene around her. The bench she always favoured, and the one she was now sitting on, was placed under a beautiful cherry tree. Being the very end of spring, there was still the sign of beautiful pale pink blossom hanging on it but most was now around her feet on the ground. The pink carpet made her smile as she listened to the sound of the birds above her and the people around her. In front of her perch, was an expanse of grass, where people were enjoying the sunny day. There weren't many children around as the school term had not yet finished for the younger ones but there were some toddlers with their parents, playing with a football that seemed almost as big as the children themselves! She watched them contentedly, laughing inwardly at their little legs and arms trying to keep up with each other.

Amber's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the chirping of her phone. She looked at the display. It was Mum... Strange that she'd just been thinking about her.

"Hey!"

"Hey sweetheart. How are you doing? I'm sorry I didn't see you this morning I had to rush out"

Amber smiled. She hadn't seen her mother most mornings since the summer had begun. Having never experienced a lie in before, over the past two weeks since school finished she had enjoyed staying in bed till nine, sometimes ten..

"That's Okay Mum. Where are you today?" She could hear the chattering of what seemed like a lot of people in the background.

"Oh I'm doing an opening for a new community centre and then I have a Council meeting later" There was a long pause. "Darling I was wondering if you would do me a favour? I know it will be a big one because I know the decision you made to not appear with me any more but..."

Amber let out a big sigh "Mum!"

"Amber I know but please hear me out."

She sighed again. "What is it?"

"I've been asked to attend an event and I really feel like I would be out of my depth without you there with me." What situation on earth could Mum ever feel out of her depth in? "It's a pop concert. Well I think it's pop, I don't know maybe it's rock... You see... I just don't know this kind of thing. Anyway they've asked me to go along. It's the start of some big tour. I won't be speaking or anything, they just want me to show my face for publicity. What do you think? Would you go with me?"

"Mum I really don't..." Amber stopped. Hadn't she just decided to spend time getting to know her mother better? "Okay I'll go. But promise me there will be no interviews and no photos" Amber had let her appearance go somewhat since she had left the public eye.

She could sense her mother's relief. "I promise! I may have to do a few sound bites but I'll make sure you're kept out of them. Thank you so much darling I know this is not what you wanted. I just couldn't think of anyone else and I feel like I never see you any more."

One of the small children playing on the grass was now crying loudly and Amber had to put her hand to her other ear so that she could hear her mother. She got up and began walking towards the small cafe. A coffee was in order!

"Okay, okay. When is it?" She barked at the phone.

"Well actually it's just next week. On Friday. But I was thinking we could get dinner first."

"Wow! Short notice but if dinner is involved I'll be there. It will be good to chat, there's something I need to talk to you about." At least maybe if Amber told Mum of her decision while she was doing her a favour, maybe she would take it better.

"That's great honey thank you so much. I'm sorry about the short notice. I was putting off asking you because I knew it would be a big deal."

Amber smiled "You can always ask me. Just be prepared for me to say no. By the way, who is the band?"

"Oh err let me think... It's Keeper. Apparently they are pretty big!"

Amber put her hand to her forehead. Why oh why had she said yes?

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Author's Note: Thanks for reading. :)