Amaranthine and Other Stories Read Online Free Page A

hook beside the window, dropping it down to the prince so he could climb up to her lonely tower, except they were blonde – not raven black like Eva's. Gerard ran the brush through her rich mane, sniffing a strand in his hand that still reeked of chlorine.
    “I've got this awful premonition,” said Eva suddenly.
    “Don't be silly! Sophie likes you very much, as do I. She just needs a bit more time to adjust, that's all,”
    Eva attempted a smile but it was not sincere. She dreamed the darkest of dreams that night.

    They entered the swimming area and Eva's eyes immediately locked on the lifeguard seat. It wasn't Toby who sat on it. Disappointment spread through her like a plague of locusts. She grasped Sophie's hand in hers and walked towards the pool, avoiding a bunch of screaming kids who shoved past them.
    “I'm scared, I don't want to swim today,” Sophie groaned.
    “What are you scared of? Of yes, I remember,” Eva slapped her forehead, “you're scared of Morgen, right? Is he here today? Show him to me.”
    Sophie bowed her head, nibbling at her lower lip.
    “He's always here. Hiding in the pool.”
    “Well, show me where he's hiding and we'll talk to him together,” Eva offered.
    “No, I'm scared. He might hurt you.”
    “I'm a big girl from a rough country, I can handle myself,” she winked at Sophie.
    “Maybe later,”
    Sophie slipped out of her hand and bombed into the partially empty pool, a rarity on a Saturday afternoon.
Fine, have it your way as usual.
    Eva observed from a distance once again, leaving the girl to her own devices. She still contemplated how spoiled and pampered English children were. Nothing made her blood boil more than seeing a seven year old child spilling out of a pram.
     
    She'd had no such luxury in Bulgaria. Her father made her walk everywhere as a child, only when her legs truly tired did he swing her onto his shoulders. But none of this pram shit.
Damn these parents and their selfishness! It's all about what's convenient for them, never mind the child.
    She began to get seriously bored and missed flirting with Toby. She missed his baby-face and blue eyes, his smile and good nature. Eva loved Gerard but Toby certainly was worth sinning for.
    It started to get busy now. More mothers entered the pool with their offspring. Eva grinned at the scene unfolding before her eyes. The pool resembled a giant pot of children, crammed in, over-spilling, screaming and slowly roasting above the flames, if only she could be the imp and poke them with her fork.
    “He wants to meet you now,” Sophie declared, snapping Eva out of her reverie.
    “Sorry, darling? Who wants to meet me?”
    “Morgen. He's down there, waiting for you,”
    Eva followed her finger, pointing towards the deep end of the pool.
    “There's no one there, Sophie.”
    “Yes, there is. Morgen's there, hiding at the bottom,”
    “You want us to swim to the deep end of the pool? That's not a good idea, honey. You're too young, you might drown,”
    “But he's there, waiting for us!”
    Eva blinked several times. What was wrong with this child? Was she winding her up? Was this all a big joke to her? Did Gerard put her up to this? Why would he? If this carried on, she would suggest to him that his daughter needed to see a psychiatrist. This surpassed normal behaviour.
    “I tell you what,” said Eva, levelling herself with Sophie, “you stay here, be a good girl and I'll dive down there and take a look, deal?”
    Sophie thought about it for a split second. “Okay, but be careful! I don't know what he wants from you.”
    “Don't worry, darling. He probably wants to tell me in secret how beautiful you are and if he can have your number,” Eva joked, disgusted with her attempt at flattery.
Yes, that's it. Spoil her even more. But I need to win her over somehow.
    “You take a seat over there on the bench and I'll be back in a minute, darling,” she said, wrapping her in a giant Mickey Mouse towel like candyfloss on a