Emily's POV
I open my wardrobe wrapped in a towel and spot an intruder in the rows of t shirts and jeans. I pull the red fabric out and see an old fashioned note attached to the woven hanger.
To Poppy, saw this and instantly thought of you. Save for a special occasion and don't forget to send me a picture. All my love, Emma.
I chuckle and press the dress to my towel clad body, it was a light crimson that could almost be mistaken for orange, with lace layered over the skater figure. I finish getting ready and I go to slip on the dress when I realise it's backless all the way down to the curve of the hip. My expression falls as I place it back in the wardrobe and pick out a fancy top and black ripped jeans, I put some jewellery on to smarten it up and then make my way downstairs where Jake is waiting with shirt and smart trousers on.
His expression raises but then falls when he sees my outfit. I watch as he swallows and recovers himself, awkwardly. It was obvious he was expecting me to wear the dress.
"You look nice," I say, filling the awkward air, with a chirpy tone.
"Same for you," he replies, I twiddle the ties on the sleeves of my top just as Lisa bounces down the stairs with a very giggly Louis in her arms.
"Come here, bud," I say, turning my full attention to him to avoid another awkward glance from Lisa. It was clear they were both expecting me to wear the dress. I tickled Louis's sides and lifted him into my own hold as Lisa smiles way too brightly at me before we step out into a Mercedes that was waiting outside.
"There might be a few paps by the way," Jake warns cautiously.
"Well, thanks for the warning," Lisa snaps sarcastically, clasping the buckle on her bag. I slump into the back of my chair and redo the ties on my sleeve before I note the car coming to a halt and Jake begins to run through a carefully laid out plan.
"Lisa's going to go in first, then you and I'll carry Louis out the back ok?" he directed to me like I was some kind of child.
"Fine," I say, and go to move out of the car when Jake grabs my arm.
"And if you need to leave then... well..."
"I can't because of the cameras, yeah?" I reply, rather snappily.
"I'm just telling you," he snaps, his volume rising into a warning.
"I don't choose when to have a panic attack," I say, quietly, lowering my head out of instinct.
"Just go out of the car and keep your head down," he says, laced with spite, as Lisa watches over this in a rather shunned silence. The driver pops the car door open and Lisa steps out with me quickly at her heel, I keep my head down and in a few steps we're inside the restaurant and are being escorted to a large table already occupied by Daniels family. I greet them quietly, politely but I can already feel myself slipping back into old habits- biting my nails, bowing my head, keeping my left foot pointed towards the exit as a means of quick escape.
"Poppy," Jake snaps, I look up instantly and see an expectant waiter, "What do you want?"
"Oh, erm..." I fumble, "I'll just have carbonara pasta, please," I say quietly, my heart thrashing like a caged animal, in my chest.
"Are you ok?" Lily asks from across the table.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," I dismiss, my mascaraed lashes dropping to my lap.
"It's just you look-"
"Please, seriously, I'm fine," I cut off, "Please just drop it,"
"Ok," she says, quietly, her tone hurt by mine, pulling herself back.
YOU ARE READING
A Father's Love
Teen FictionPoppy is just fourteen and has endured more horrors than most have in their lifetime all at the hands of her father- a man who was supposed to love her, protect her and keep her safe from all evil. But what if evil lies behind closed doors? She kno...
