Beasty | First Draft Sample

21

I had once seen a man get struck by a lightning bolt.

It had been in the country, in my Aunt Melissa's sixteenth century home, and it had been one of those stormy country days.

I had been sitting on the back patio and he had been in the far fields in the middle of a storm, trying to herd a cow into the barn.

Then, at the age of nine, I could never really imagine how the man must have felt those few seconds before his death. But right now, sitting here, Pompy's words echoing in my mind, I think I could.

Romanov looked exactly like his grandfather. He looked exactly like his grandfather and Edika wanted him.

"So, she wants him? All to herself?" I heard Issy breathe out from beside me, but I just blinked. Watching Pompy's calm expression while trying to calm the storm that was suddenly raging in me too.

"I'm afraid I'm not sure about that dear. Whether she wants her husband back, in the form of Romanov, or she wants to seek revenge from her husband through Romanov. That I do not know. But what I do know is that we need to get Romanov here, as soon as it is possible."

"But he has an important friend coming over from America tonight. I don't think he—"

"Child, he will. We must only know to play our cards right. And then both Romanov, and, this friend will be here. At your doorstep."

Pompy smiled mysteriously and I frowned, wondering exactly how that could happen.

"But how?"

"Worry not for that at all, dear. I have it all figured out."

Pompy had always been one to seem mysterious, but today she seemed a little more out of it. I couldn't help but frown at her smile. A smile she always wore when she had a secret she was keeping for later.

"Olivia!"

"Ah Mr. Monatelly, there you are! We have been wondering when you would arrive," Pompy jumped out of her seat as she greeted him, an extremely large smile smeared all over her face. My frown hardened at the old woman.

What was she up to?

"Oh, have you?" Edward smiled as his eyes moved over Pompy, Isabelle and then finally me. I gulped when I realised his eyes shone when they reached mine.

"Olivia! You're home!" He reached forward and pulled me into a light hug, letting go before I could move away myself. Smiling, he settled back on a sofa beside mine, "What may I assist you ladies with then?"

"Oh, dear little Isabelle is writing a play of sorts, to show the complexities of relationships—"

Oh no!

Beside me, Isabelle's mouth fell open at the most convincing performance Pompy was portraying. Her eyes however narrowed as she watched the woman lie about us. Pompy's eyes caught mine and she grinned.

"Could you be a dear and help Isabelle with the lines? She's having difficulty envisioning her characters you see! And I suggest you and Olivia have a go at it! After all, it'll help the dear with her grades."

"Ah! I see!" Edward Monatelly drawled out with wide surprised eyes, and I almost let out a breath of relief when he looked like he was going to refuse. Then he stood up and extended his hand towards me.

Immediately, I felt Pompy reach for her phone from the periphery of my vision.

"Where are these lines of yours, Isabelle?" Edward smiled at Isabelle and I watched as her eyes widened and she began to open her mouth, as if not knowing what to say.