Chapter 4

UNEDITED-

Ellie tucked her hair behind her ear and looked to Lucille suspiciously.. "You were watching me?"

"I was just paying attention.. it doesn't take a genius to figure out that the girl sitting alone in the corner isn't enjoying herself.." ..'Besides.. she was the one watching me..'

"Fine.. you're right. But only because Pheobes being weird around you.."

"Well I'm no longer there.. so you can go and have your fun." Lucille had began to get tired of Ellie.

"I can't leave you on your own, what if you really do get lost?.." Ellie argued.

"I'm not going to.. I only said that before because I didn't want to waste my time trying to find a needle in a hay stack.. Can you just tell Phoebe to text me when Alberto comes to pick us up?.. She has my number.. tell her to try using it."

"No.."

"What do you mean no?"

"You're coming back with me.. the deal was to get coffee. We got coffee.."

"Tempting.. but I'm going to have to decline.." Lucille replied simply, whilst turning into a small Toy store. She took off her sunglasses to get a better look at the different options on display.

"Lucille!"

"Oh look I have an admirer.." Lucille glanced to Ellie and back to the shelf infront of her..

"I am not your admirer.." Her eyebrows furrowed and she folded her arms across her chest. A light blush spread across her cheeks.. Lucille shrugged before walking down a different isle.. Ellie approached her again as Lu picked up a stuffed pink unicorn. "Thinking of getting that one for yourself?"

"Hmm? Very funny. No it's for my sister.."

"I'm sure Phoebe is too old for things like this.."

"Are you stupid? I mean for my little sister"

"Oh right. What about this? I've heard her say that she likes race cars before.." Lucille looked over to Ellie who was holding up a box with a red race car and a remote control inside..

"Huh.. for a moment there I forgot how old she was.." Lucille shook her head, 'why did I say that out loud?'..

"I guess it must be pretty weird.. how long were you away?"

"You speak as though I just got back from a holiday.."

"It can't have been that bad if you chose to stay there.."

"Phoebe told you that?" Lucille asked and Ellie nodded.. "Have you ever actually looked up where I was?" The other girl shook her head.. "I guess you can't say a word about it then.. It's always the same problem with you people.. you think you know everything, but in reality.. you know fuck all" It seems a nerve had been truck, Lucilles anger bubbled just bellow the surface as she calmly walked to a gob-smacked Ellie, taking the box out of her hands and making her way to the counter.

"Lucille.." Ellie caught up with her outside the shop..

"Please leave me alone.."

"Hey, stop.."

"Go away Ellie!" Lucille stopped and turned straight faced at the girl. As Lu carried on walking she was glad to hear that Ellie had indeed stopped following her. Usually it was easy for Lucille to ignore other peoples ignorance.. but today was especially hard.. waking up in a strange bed in an unfamiliar house makes you feel a little upside down.

Ellie stood and watched the white haired girl walk away from her. Was what she said really that bad? As she walked off back towards the beach Ellie couldn't help but feel a little bit guilty. Making a mental note to look more into Lucilles past.

"Where is Lucille?" Phoebe asked when Ellie came into view..

"Uh.. she said to text her before Alberto comes to pick you up"

"You just left her there?!"

"She told me she'd be okay.. "

"If my parents find out I let her leave they will be so pissed at me!"

"They won't.. She'll be back before Alberto gets here.."

"You can't be sure of that.." Phoebe panicked while getting her phone from her bag to call her sister.. Her mum put the number in her phone awhile ago but she never used it. As the phone started ringing Phoebe panicked for a different reason.. "You speak!.. tell her I said to come back.." Phoebe pushed the phone towards Bobby..

"Hello?" Lucille answered..

"Hey beautiful.." Bobby replied, to which he was immediately hung up on. He shrugged and handed the phone back to Phoebe who scowled at him..

"What the hell Bobby!" He just shrugged again and went off towards Sam in the water.. Nicole and Sophia still stood with the girls.

"Ellie can you do it?.. please??"

"No I can't.." The blonde shook her head..

"Why not? You were just with her.. you're the only she actually talked to.."

"That gives you a chance to then.."

"But I can't just tell her to come back.. she will think I'm trying to control her or something."

"Fine.. then call her and we will go to her.."

"What about everyone else?"

"I get the feeling your sister isn't a fan of big crowds.. we can always do this another day. I thought you wanted to talk to Lucille?"

"Just go Pheebs, you're not enjoying yourself here. Like Ellie said, we can do this another day.." Nicole placed her hand on her friends arm who just looked to her and nodded.

"See you later guys" Sophia waved to them with a grin as she ran to the water, splashing her way to the boys who were laid across surf boards. Nicole joined a few seconds after, leaving Ellie and Phoebe alone.

"I do want to talk to her but-"

"No buts! Call her.. tell her that Bobby is an idiot and ask her where she is.." After her friend took too long to make a move Ellie took the phone from her hand and called Lu once more. She put the phone on loudspeaker.

"Dude I'm not interested okay?".. "Hello?" Lucille answered.. Phoebe stayed silent.. "..Ugh!" Lucille hung up again..

"Really Phoebe?" Ellie rolled her eyes..

"I don't know what to say?"

"Hello? Where are you? Wait there we are on our way. It's easy.. one more time, are you ready?" Phoebe nodded and Ellie pressed the call button again.

"For fuck sake.. I don't know how you got my number but if you don't stop-" Lucille was about to carry on.. Phoebe still wasn't opening her mouth..

"Hey, uh sorry.. bad connection."

"Ellie?.. is that you? how did you get my number? who was that guy?"

"Now look who is asking all the questions.."

"Okay I'm gonna hang up now.."

"No wait!.. I'm calling from Phoebes phone. We were done here and just wanted to know where you were so we could.. hang out?" Lucille went silent on the other end until..

"Ha, Uh.. who is we?"

"Just me and Phoebe.. where are you?"

"Peters Quiet Corner.. do you know it?"

"No.." Ellie replied but Phoebe tapped her arm and started nodding. "Oh no.. I do, okay we will be there soon.."

"Alright then.." Lucille hung up the phone and resumed searching the various bookshelves. There didn't seem to be anything that she was looking for so she decided to ask the old man who sat behind desk at the back.. "Hello, excuse me sir.. I was just wondering if you have any books that are not show?"

"I do.." He looked up from the book he'd been writing, over the top his glasses that were perched on the end of his nose to look at Lu. "What exactly are you looking for miss?"

"Do you happen to have anything on folklore?"

"There should be some books out there already. Did you check isle four?"

"Yes.. I didn't find anything I haven't read before."

"Ah.. a fellow connoisseur are you?" The man smiled slightly surprised.

"Haha, not exactly.." Lucille scatched her neck awkwardly.

The man chuckled before replying "Follow me." The two walked into the back room through a small hallway. The room was almost as big as the small book store itself.. Dusty bookshelves lined the walls and tables full of stacked books sat off to one side. Cobwebs in every corner.. "I'm sure this is everything else I have on folklore.. let me know when you find something.." The elderly man pointed to two huge stacks of books.

"Thank you" Lucille nodded kindly.. The old man smiled and left Lu alone to search.

A hint of hope began to grow in Lucilles chest as she looked at the massive collection.. but she shut it down as she walked over to the stacks that towered above her and began checking the various covers.. she checked through one stack and still nothing. The second stack was more of the same.. Lucille let out a sigh as she looked to the last book in the third stack.. Another one she has already read. Even though she expected to find nothing it still didn't feel good. After all the library in her old town was huge but still held no answers. Lucille stood up and began her walk back to the shop front.

"You didn't find anything you haven't read?" The old man appeared by the door, his blue and white striped shirt tucked into his dark grey trousers, suspenders and black leather dress shoes..

"You have an amazing collection here sir.. but no." Lucille smiled even though she was disheartened.

"And you say you are no connoisseur" He chuckled.. "Please.. call me Peter.." Lucille smiled..

"It's a pleasure to meet you Peter.. thank you for letting me have a look" Lucille had finished talking but remembered she'd left something out.. "Oh and.. my name is Lu" Lucille is not a common name.. people remember stories like that. And like Ellie they think she is a delinquent, she didn't want the past to tarnish her pleasant interaction with this kind man.

The man nodded.. "Words were written to be read don't you think?.. I would like to put them all on show but. I just don't have the space.." He seemed sad that these books were going to waste.

"My friend George used to say the exact same thing." Lucille chuckled remembering the man that ran the library in Buckshire.

"George?"

"George Smart.." Lucille nodded in remembrance of the friendly face in the library.. All of a sudden Peter burst out laughing..

"George Smart? In Buckshire library?" Peter asked between laughs..

"Yes.." Lucille replied slightly amused at the sight of the ecstatic man..

"Ah you met my son! What a small world Lu.. and he is your friend?"

"Well he's one of the kindest people I've ever met, he made time for me after my own family.. Anyway you must be so proud"

"I am! Especially now you have told me that. I can't wait to tell him that I met you!" He could barely contain his happiness. Peter could clearly see as Lucille spoke that George had a big impact on her.. He always says he just runs the library to his father but really he creates a safe place for anyone to get away from the continuous rush and worry that is life.

The phone in Lucilles pocket vibrated indicating a text.. she pulled it out and looked at the number. Her sister. "No one is here? where are you?"

"Sorry to cut our conversation short but I think there are people waiting for me.." Lucille spoke to the man while pointing down the hallway..

"People?" He looked at her questioningly.

"Yes.." She nodded.. how else would you describe them? "It was a real pleasure to meet you Peter.. I'll be sure to visit again.."

"Please do! The pleasure is all mine. It's refreshing to see such a well mannered young lady" He smiled back brightly.. Lucille just nodded and they both walked down the hallway.

Phoebe and Ellie were stood by the counter waiting.. "There you are!" Ellie let out an exhausted sigh..

"I told you I was here.." Lucille replied casually.

"Phoebe?" Peter asked..

"Hello Peter.. it's good to see you" Phoebe bowed to him, doing her best not to look a Lu.

"It's good to see you too.. sorry if we kept you waiting, I was just letting your friend look through the books in the back.." 'My friend?' Phoebe thought.. as she stayed stuck on that thought she was no longer present in her body..

"It's no problem.. we only just got here." Ellie smiled back, saving Phoebe from herself yet again.

"Well, thanks again Peter, take care.." Lucille held out her hand for him to shake. He took her hand with both of his and shook it.. Phoebe watched Peter and Lu, a heavy feeling of guilt sitting on her chest.. she made it so that her kind hearted sister didn't even want to come home.. 'she didn't want to come home because of me.. and now she is forced to spend time with me..'

"You too" He grinned.. "Goodbye Phoebe, tell Gina I said hello.."

"I will, bye.." Phoebe nodded with a slight smile.

Lucille walked behind the two girls, putting her shades on just before she walked out of the door and into the street.

"Where are we going?" Lucille asked either of them.

"Where do you want to go?" Ellie looked back to Lucille who was just causally strolling behind them.

"Neither of you have a plan?" As Lucille spoke Phoebe looked back for a moment noticing her sister is now carrying a rather large shopping bag. She wondered what was in it but decided it was better not to ask.

"No.. we'll just do whatever.." Ellie said simply..

"So where do we go to do whatever?"

"I don't know.. Phoebe help me out.." Ellie lightly shoved her friend who'd been trying her best to stay out of it..

"Uh.. What do you like?" Phoebe spurted the first thing that came to mind.. The words were innocent but they infuriated Lucille.

"No I'm sorry.." Lucille stopped walking, holding her hands in the air.. "-I can't do this.. I'm going back to the house." Lu turned and began walking the opposite way.. pulling her phone out and dialling 'Bert' The two girls stood still, mouths agape, watching the back of Lucille as she walked away.. her white hair blowing in the breeze..

"Uh.. what just happened?' Ellie asked a stunned Phoebe..

"She hates me.." Phoebes voice cracked as she tried hard to contain her emotions.

"I'm sure she doesn't hate you.. she was probably just mad because the first thing you actually said to her after three years was.. 'what do you like?..'

"I wrote her letters.. she never replied"..

"I don't get it!" Ellie ran her hand through her hair frustratedly.. "Why is she acting like you're in the wrong?"

"Can we please stop talking about this? I just want to get sweets.." Phoebe started walking again.. her very confused friend tried to come up with a reason as to why Lucille was mad at Phoebe.. 'Does she just hate her family? but she bought Shiloh a gift. It can't be for no reason.. Phoebe must be hiding something'.

Lucille brought the phone up to her ear..

"Miss Lucille is everything alright?"

"Everything is fine.. I just feel a little tired, do you mind coming to pick me up early?"

"I have to take one of the cars to the mechanics but Jerry can come and get you.." He spoke each syllable perfectly each time he spoke, a gentlemanly type if there ever was one.

"Can you just pick me up on the way?.. please.."

"This is because you don't know Jerry isn't it.."

"Can you or not?"..

"Tell me where you are.." The man sighed.

After waiting by a supermarket front for ten minutes Lucille finally saw a familiar car pulling into the car park.. Alberto pulled up beside her and she jumped in the back. "Hello Bert.. thanks for coming to get me".. Lucille took her glasses off and smiled to him..

The clean shaved, hair swept back middle aged man turned in his seat to get a look at Lucille.. "You don't look tired to me.."

"Well I am.." She furrowed her eyebrows and clicked her seatbelt in place.

"I know that socialising is hard for you-" Alberto began but Lu cut him off..

"How do you know I haven't become amazing at it?"..She really is miles better than before she left.

"What made it hard for you this time?" Alberto asked as he had done many times before. Lucille sat back in her seat and folded her arms.. as though she was a small child being bullied again, telling Alberto all about it.. "You know you can tell me anything.."

"I know.. it's just.. Phoebe" Lucille sighed as she spoke her sisters name..

"You haven't forgiven her?" He asked..

"How many people know it was Phoebe?" Lucille skipped over his question.. He turned in his seat to face the front. Turning the key in the ignition and setting off..

"A few of us.. we figured it out. It didn't sound like the you I know".. 'but you didn't do anything about it.'.

"Hmm" Was all Lucille could reply to that. "Can you turn the radio on?"

"Yes" Alberto knows that this means Lucille is done talking.

Soon enough they were pulling up the the repair shop.. Lucille stepped out of the car after Alberto, who walked straight inside.. A younger man with shaggy blonde hair and shiny stubble looked up at Lucille from where he'd been sweeping the sawdust from an oil spill.. He pulled out one of the headphones.. "Hey" He spoke in a raspy voice with a cheeky grin.. wiping his forehead with the sleeve of his dark blue overalls.

"Hey.." Lucille nodded back awkwardly..

"Do you wanna come to a party?" He asked raising his eyebrows..

"A party?" She repeated, a little dumbfounded. Looking back to the car to see it being checked over by two men.

"Yes.. alcohol, music, dancing... people.."

"Is anyone from around here going to be there?"

"No.. these people act how you dress. But for some reason I get the feeling you need to blow off some steam.. so do you want to come or not?"

Lucille laughed a little, refreshed by his blatant honesty.. "When and where?"

"Tomorrow night.. let me give you my number so I can text you the address." Lucille nodded and walked over to him..

"Don't get your hopes up.."

"I never do.." He smiled simply..

"What's your name so I know what to save it as?"

"Connor.. and yourself?"

"Lu.." Just as she replied the door opened behind her.. "I've got to go but it was nice to meet you.."

"Yeah you too.." He nodded with a smile before continuing his work.

"Who was that?.."

"That is Connor.."

"You know him?.."

"Yes.. can we go now please?"

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NOTES-

I hope you enjoyed reading!!

Let me know what you think!! Love love. Peace.