Footprints in the Sand

6. Intermittent

I lay awake on the bottom bunk, staring up at the planks that held up Charlie's bed while she snored quietly. I couldn't sleep, my mind just kept flickering to the thought of my half-siblings that I would be meeting within the next few weeks; I just hoped for Mum's sake that none of them looked more like Dad than I did, and in all honesty, that wasn't very hard. I finally fell into a restless sleep around 4am, woken 4 hours later by Charlie playing in her room. I heard the door open while I wearily opened my eyes and Becks take Charlie from the room to let me sleep; I assumed that Seb told Becks exactly what happened. I was thankful and drifted back into my slumber. A few hours later, the door opened and the sweet stench of coffee brought me around. I sat up and rubbed my eyes, Becks handed me my glasses then the coffee.

            "Seb told me about what happened." She whispered, stroking strands of hair from across my eyes. "I'm glad you came over." Becks and I had always got along well, ever since we were introduced when I was six. She was around the same height as I was with shoulder length brown hair, and large, friendly, rich chocolate brown eyes. "Do you want to talk about it?" She asked. I sipped my coffee.

            "My half siblings are coming down at some point in the next few weeks. I don't even know if I want to see them." I whispered, tears falling down my face. Becks was the only person, other than Mum, I really opened up to. I was never even this honest with Ash.

            "Why not?" She asked, rubbing my back.                       

            "Because they're bastards, plain, illegitimate bastards."

            "Yes, but they are your siblings; they could learn a lot from you. They might respect you since you're their big sister."

            "They might laugh at me because I am a country pillock who didn't even get sent to a good private school, or even an amazingly respected public school."

            "Yes, but at least you aren't one of those city kids who is so far up their own arse that they thinks the sun shines out of it."

            "They probably are." I chuckled. Becks chuckled too.

            "Yes, they probably are, but they might treat you with some respect. They might be terrified of being out of the city."

            "I doubt it." I remarked. I downed the rest of my coffee and swung my legs from my bed. I stood up and pulled a brush through my tangled waves. Becks smiled at me.

            "I hope Charlie grows up to be as sensible as you. You'd have been an amazing big sister if Pru and Avery had given you a little sibling."

            "I somehow doubt I'll ever get a proper sibling now."

            "But you do have those three little horrors and my two to keep you company. And one day, I bet you'll make an amazing mother."

            "If I can get that far without Dad murdering me." I giggled. Becks smiled a little.

            "I'm sure you will. Now, get dressed. Pru called, she's heading over in about an hour." Becks took my mug from my hand and headed out of the door. Walked across the landing and headed into the bathroom and took a hot shower, washing a nights worth of sweat and grime from my hair and body. I dressed in my shorts and a black crop top, placed my contacts in my eye and brushed all the knots from my long hair. I looked in the mirror on the landing. I still looked tired and plain. I sighed and walked down stairs to see Mum sitting on the sofa, her eyes pink, her blonde hair tied messily into a bun. She wore no make up. Her appearance shocked me. Mum and Dad must have had one hell of a row last night. I walked over to her, sat next to her and rested my head on her shoulder. She rested her head on top of mine,

            "Why did I get with your Dad?" She whispered almost silently, just loud enough for me to hear.

            "Because you love him more than anything in the world, despite him being a dick." I answered. She smiled a little.

            "Not when he keeps secrets from us."

            "What else has he kept quiet?"

            "Rory Shadow-Johnston."

            "Who?"

            "Your 25-year-old half brother."

            "How many kids does he have?"

            "Five, apparently. That he's told me of."

            "Hang on, that would have made Dad eighteen when Rory was born!"

            "Don't get any ideas."

            "Mum, are the younger ones coming to visit?" I asked timidly.

            "Yes, sadly. Your father insisted. Apparently Rory might too since he left home a few years back." Mum grumbled.

            "Are they staying at ours?"

            "Yes, because they are your flesh and blood, and your father is under the impression that they will behave." I nodded.

            "When do they come?"

            "Next week. All four of them." 

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A/N

I'm not entirely sure what to make of this chapter yet, but trust me, it's really working up to the big storyline, promise. But what do you think? I do have a close friend of mine doing some editing of how he thinks it should be, and I am checking it before I upload it as some stuff I don't agree with. But as always, Vote and Comment! 

Meggieissi xx