When I Met Polly

Chapter 11

Thankfully I have been spared from The Three for this day. However I still don't think it means I'm off the hook. Or maybe it does? Maybe they are sorry for what they did. I smile to myself as I hop across the beach in my crutches assisted by Polly.
"So how was your day?" She questions as we sit down. I shrug.
"G-good an-and bad," I decide, she nods thoughtfully.
"And why's that?" She questions.
"Be-c-ca-bec-b-" she stops me mid stutter.
"Try again," she says softly yet rather assertively. I sigh and try again.
"Be-bec-cause I-" I just couldn't form the words.
"Again," she says. I nod.
"Be-be-"
"Try again,"
"Because I-I-"
"Again,"
"Because I-h-had to t-tell miss wh-what happened on the trip," I begin and smile proudly as I manage to complete most of the sentence successfully, Polly also smiles. "And she h-had to t-talk to A-Alex an-and Steph and Leann a-and th-they'll be angry," I explain and smile proudly. She smiles.
"That was good well done," she compliments and I smile.
"Tha-th-"
"Try th," she says. I repeat the sound. "An" I repeat this too "k" I repeat this. "You," and I finally repeat this. "Now put it all together," she says and I nod.
"Th-an-k-you. Thank you," I say and she smiles and nods.
"Well, they will be angry. But remember this Abby, you don't deserve what those horrible girls do to you, they are the one doin' wrong," she assures. I then notice how she says 'girls.'
"A-And boy," I say, her eyes sadden and she nods.
"Let's go through the alphabet," she says changing the subject. I cock an eyebrow. I'm not three. "It'll help familiarise you with yer sounds," she says. So we go through the alphabet time and time again. The light begins to dim.
"Okay pet, now you best be gettin' home it's dark out," she says looking at the sky.
"Okay thanks Polly, see you later," I then freeze as does she and a smile crawls across her lips. I stare in disbelief. Did I just manage to say that? I laugh in surprise as does she. Now it may not have been much, but I think it's the most fluid I have ever spoken. I smile and hop up to her, I know I wouldn't have done it with out her. I envelope her in a warm hug and whisper appreciation. I then hop home.

"Hi darling," greets mum. Although her eyes are bored.
"H-hi m-mum," I sigh at my stutter. My eyes then travel across her sparkling black glittering dress. Her makeup is particularly special and she is wearing long black earrings. Her blonde hair is in curls which fall around her head, and on her feet and black, velvet high heels. She must be going out. Then I hear other heels sound through the corridor and Dianne comes into view (mums best friend.). She wears a pink and rather airy dress, her ebony hair falls in perfectly straight locks around her coffee coloured shin. Her lips are caked in a pink gloss and she wears black strapped heels.
"Abby!" She squeals and rushes over to me nearly stacking her pink heels which wobble under her feet. I fear they may snap if she isn't careful. I grin widely. Dianne is a lovely friend of my mum's, in fact friend is an understatement, I think that if it wasn't for their wild difference in appearance they would be twins. Dianne has been a friend to my mother since they were five years old, and I have known her all my life. She really brings out the child in my mother and they call each other every night and their conversations last hours. Dianne unfortunately lives in London which is quite far from us and so we see little of her. She's funny and caring.
"D-Dianne!" I exclaim and we partake in a tight hug.
"How are you honey?" She questions I grin and do a thumbs up.
"You?" I question she too does a thumbs up.
"Y-you l-look w-wonderful," I stutter and she smile and does a pose. My mother watches with her hands on her hips.
"Dianne, we've got to go!" She orders a little sternly. Dianne sighs and turns to her.
"Oh come on Laurette, I haven't seen the girl in ages!" She protests.
"Dianne!" My mum snaps sternly, Dianne pouts and then sighs grabbing her handbag.
"You look beautiful by the way!" Dianne gushes playing with a lock of my hair, I nod gratefully. They both leave and I am once again alone.

The next day I hobble across the beach and Polly rushes up to me her eyes tearful and her hair wild. She runs so fast to me, I know something isn't right. She pushes something into my hand. Another gift? It's pepper spray. I raise an eyebrow. Her breathing is heavy.
"Abigail you've got to listen!" She declares and her voice is shaky. I nod obediently and tears stream down her face. "You mustn't hold back with this one, please, use it! I know you just will freeze but please just do it!" She begs hurriedly. I stare at her in alarm I have completely no idea what's going on.
"W-wh-what?" I question shakily.
"Abigail, I really can't explain just promise me, when you need to you'll use it!" She begs. I want to question her further but instead I just nod.
"I-I p-promise," I say although I feel very uneasy.