"Was your stepmother really angry?" Brooklyn asked as we walked through the park. We were in one of the quieter parts where it was shaded so it was nice. We passed the odd dog walker and runner but that was about it. He took my hand, casually, as he waited for my answer.
"No, she was fine with it," I said. "She told me that she couldn't be angry or shout at me for two reasons. The first was that she didn't have the authority to and it would be wrong of her to shout at me and the second, was that it would be hypocritical of her to shout at me."
We walked in silence for a few minutes. I could just feel the sun hitting the back of my body but there was a nice breeze to the air which meant it wasn't overly warm. We stopped at an ice-cream booth to by some drinks.
"When are you going back to London?" I asked Brooklyn as I realised he would be leaving soon and I still had two weeks left here.
"I leave late tomorrow night I think," he answered vaguely. "I know we're here in the day tomorrow anyway because Mum has a TV appearance or something. Why?"
"I was just wondering," I said as I looked at the floor. "I miss London so much. I can't wait to go back."
"But New York is amazing," Brooklyn interjected. "You must be enjoying yourself."
"I am. It's just that I miss home. I've never been away with Mum for this long I don't think. I miss everyone."
We walked for a while longer before we came to a grassy clearing and sat down. I got out my phone as a text from Dad came through.
I am home early. Food will be ready in an hour. Where are you? Jessica told me you were with someone, they can come for food if they want. Let me know. Dad xx
"I'm going to have to go soon." I sat up against a tree and plugged one earphone in. "My father is home early. He wants to know whether you want to come over for dinner."
"I would love to," he said as he placed my other earphone in his ear. He hummed quietly along to the music and that was how we stayed for nearly half an hour.
--
"Have you got any plans for tomorrow?" Dad asked as we ate our food. I was about to say something but Brooklyn got there first.
"I was planning on taking Ella to the zoo, if that is fine with you of course," he said. I looked at him oddly but he ignored me. "I remember her telling me she had never been to one and I think that is odd."
"That is fine with me," my father said with a shrug. "Just stay in touch with someone. How did your hospital appointment go?"
"It was fine," I said. "They just cleaned the cut and changed the dressing. The stitches will dissolve themselves so there isn't a need to go back. I've got dressing to change it and Jessica knows how."
We chatted a while more before I realised something wasn't right. "Where is Tyler?"
"He's sick," Jessica said. "He is sleeping at the moment."
We finished our food and went into the living room to watch some TV while Jessica and Dad tidied up after everyone. We sat on separate sofas so that we didn't encounter any more awkwardness.
"We're going to do some shopping," Dad said as he came into the living room. "Do you want anything?"
"Some fruit," I said as I changed the channel. "Make sure you get some oranges for Tyler. He will need them to get better. Also, can I have some ice cream?"
"Fine," he said as he made his way out of the door. "We will be back in about an hour. Zoe is on her way up."
"Who's Zoe?"
"Your nanny," he said. "But I hate that term. Think of her as a babysitter."
"Because that's any better," I muttered to myself.
As soon as they were gone Brooklyn came over to my sofa and pulled my into his lap. "What do you think you're doing?" I smirked as I looked up at him. "I was comfortable over there."
He didn't answer me. Instead he took the remote off me and put a film on. I stood up and moved into a more comfortable position next to him.
"What are you watching?" Zoe asked as she entered the room. I hadn't even heard her come into the apartment.
"Grown Ups," Brooklyn answered.
Nothing else was said but there was a slightly awkward tension in the room. However it seemed that I was the only one who felt it. So, I settled down next to Brooklyn while Zoe sat on the other sofa and tried to concentrate on the film like everyone else.
I must have concentrated to much on it though because I soon fell asleep.
--
"Ella," I faintly heard someone shout. "Are you awake yet?"
I rubbed my eyes and sat up slowly. How did I get to my bed? I don't remember going to bed. I slowly stood up and grabbed my dressing gown. I sighed as I looked at myself in the mirror as I walked past. My hair was like a bush and I was wearing the same clothes as I had on yesterday. Great.
"What do you want?" I said as I wandered into the kitchen. "What time is it?"
"About seven," my father said. "Brooklyn is here. He said you had arranged to meet him at this time."
I grabbed the cup of coffee that he was about to drink and half a slice of toast from his plate before going to the front door.
"I see you've only just woken up," Brooklyn said with a smirk. "You've got until eight to be ready. We've got things planned for today."
"It's seven in the morning," I groaned. "Give me a break."
He followed me into the kitchen where he greeted my parents. I got a pile of fruit and other things out of the fridge and put them on the surface to make a smoothie for myself. "How is Tyler today?" I chopped up all of my fruit and added it to the other ingredients in my blender.
"Will you blend that for me?" I asked Brooklyn. I went to the fruit and got out a grapefruit and chopped it in half. I but it in a bowl and got a glass of orange juice and some toast and put it all together on a tray.
"He's not good," Dad said. "I might take him to the hospital tonight if he doesn't get any better. I've told your mother and she is ready to come out here if we need her to."
"He can't be that ill," I said as I shook my head. This can't be happening. "He will be fine, won't he?"
"I am sure he will be better soon," Jessica said. "He's awake, why don't I take him his breakfast that you've made him and you get ready?"
"Thanks," I said. I felt a lump in my throat but ignored it. I put my smoothie in a glass and drank it slowly.
Once Jessica had left the room and Brooklyn seemed distracted by his phone my father turned to me. "He will get better. I will make sure of it. It won't happen again, I promise."
