Cinderfella Read online

  “Don’t look at me.”

  “Why not?” I sweep a runaway hair away from her eye.

  “No one’s supposed to see me like this.” She sniffles, trying to hide her face again.

  “I’m great at being nobody.”

  “I don’t know what to do, Ash.” My stomach tightens when she says my name. She looks at me with such desperation. I put my hand in hers, hoping she doesn’t find it too beneath her.

  “Can I help?”

  “You and your hay rake?” Her thumb brushes across my palm, electric tingles race over my skin. My face heats, betraying me. I remove my hand.

  “This guy…is he a real shit? You can say no, you know. This is the twenty-first century.” I’ve made her cry even more. “I didn’t mean to upset you, Ellie. I’m sorry.” I walk over to the sink.

  “Don’t leave.”

  “I’m getting you some tissue.” Offering her it, she blows her nose. “So, what’s so bad about this guy?” I sit next to her on the hay bale.

  “I’m only nineteen. I want to live…see the world…”

  “Tell him. Surely he’ll understand?”

  “Look at you. You know exactly what you want in life. I barely know myself, never mind if I can ever be more than what I am…I don’t just want to be someone’s wife. I want to do more than look pretty and do my duty.”

  “So, you do think you’re pretty!” I grin.

  “Shut up.” She almost laughs.

  “If you don’t want to marry this guy, don’t. If your job doesn’t make you happy and you don’t want to be famous anymore, walk away.”

  “Walk away? I guess for someone like you it’s easy to do that.”

  “Someone like me? A simple farm boy?”

  “I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “It’s fine.”

  “No, I don’t know you and shouldn’t judge. You will be a great doctor one day. I know it.”

  “You only get one life, Ellie, so live it on your terms. I see you as so much more than some man’s wife.”

  “You do?”

  “Don’t you? You either love this guy or you don’t. If you do, ask him to wait.”

  “You’re right. Thanks, Ash.”

  “Do you?”

  “I…”

  “Sorry. None of my business. So, what now?”

  “No idea. Could I stay here tonight? Just to get my head straight?” She looks at me like she’s asking for the moon. I’d probably try to give her it when she’s looking at me that way.

  “Really? Sure, it’s not The Ritz, but I’d like that. No funny business, you hear? You sleep over there.” I point to my mattress.

  She laughs. “Sure, I’ll try to contain myself. Where will you sleep?”

  I lay a blanket on the floor. “Here’s fine.”

  “No, you can’t.”

  “Really, take the mattress it’s a bit old but it’s comfy, besides you need to rest your foot. I won’t take no for an answer.”

  “Thank you.”

  “What for?”

  “You hardly know me. I attacked you and you’re still helping me. There aren’t many good people left in the world. Not many that don’t expect something in return anyway.”

  “I don’t want anything, promise. Actually, I’d like it if you didn’t knock me on my butt again.” I laugh.

  “Ash?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay.”

  “It’s odd.” She lies down, pulling the blanket over herself. “I feel like I was supposed to come here tonight.”

  “You’re not the first visitor I’ve had.” I try to get comfy on my damp corner of floor.

  “Who else came?”

  “No one.” Smiling to myself, thinking about weird little Gerry and what he said about fate. Is this what he meant? Is this girl my fate? “Get some sleep, the morning will look much brighter.”

  “Night, Ash.”

  “Night, Ellie.” I feel her eyes still on me, even when I close mine. I hardly sleep. All I can think about is this beautiful girl who stumbled into my barn, who stumbled into my life.

  2: Ellie

  I slept surprisingly well, considering I spent the night in a barn.

  “Morning, Sleepy-head.” Ash stands over me. His black hair wet and ruffled and a towel’s draped loosely around his bare shoulders. My heart flutters a little; the morning looks great on him. I’d never noticed how blue his eyes were last night, but this morning they look like two clear pools of fresh water. My eyes wander over his naked torso; he’s nicely toned with good, strong-looking arms. I catch his gaze again as he smiles down at me with a slight blush to his cheeks. I look away. After all, I cannot afford to forget myself.

  I must look a right fuzzy-headed sight. No one except the help sees me like this. This guy is different somehow. Yes, it’s obvious he’s gorgeous in an unassuming way, but I’m sure, like me, that he doesn’t want to be defined by the way he looks or pigeon-holed because of his position or background. I want to get to know Ash, the guy behind the farm-boy image, the guy that has the most completely overstocked first aid kit I’ve ever seen. He’s real; at least seems to be. I think he’s the most genuine person I’ve come across in quite a long time.

  Ash doesn’t see my crown, he just sees me. I want the chance to be just a girl for a change and not a title. He doesn’t bow and scrape, bringing me my every wish. I’m playing a very dangerous game and cannot be attracted to him when I’m promised to another. Maybe we could be friends?

  Let’s face it, last night’s ball and proposal were totally staged. The wedding, my wedding, is already set for a month’s time, with or without my consent. It’s my duty I’m told; to unite our two countries…the entire idea is out-dated and crass. But my father wishes it. His father wishes it. So, it will happen. Sadly, my father has always put his country before his family. It’s like I’m living in the eighteenth century sometimes.

  “You alive in there?” He bends closer.

  “Sorry. It took me a moment to remember where I was. Morning.” I rub my eyes and sneak another peek at him. “Did you sleep okay?”

  “As well as expected.” He smiles. “So, are you getting up? Shall I call you a cab?” He chews the side of his mouth.

  “No.”

  “No? No, you’re not getting up? Or no, you don’t want a cab? Are you planning on running home? ‘Cos, I hate to break it to you, your foot might disagree.”

  I sit up. “No cab. I’d love a shower though, if that’s okay?” I feel a mess. My father would go ballistic if he knew his precious daughter had slept in a barn with a strange man.

  “Err, you can but you’ll have to wait until I’ve fed all the animals…and for my family to go out.” He shoves his hands deep inside his jeans pockets.

  “Don’t you want me to meet them?” I frown.

  “It’s not you, it’s them. They’re not the most welcoming of people.”

  “Good.” I nod.

  “Good?”

  “I mean…that’s fine. I don’t want them to recognise me.”

  “I doubt they will, they’re not the reality T.V. sort either.” He offers me his hand and pulls me to my feet. We are standing really close and I notice a small, but deep scar running underneath his cheekbone.

  “Angry goat.” He smiles, which makes his eyes twinkle.

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, goats can be pretty vicious if provoked.”

  “I’ll try to remember that.” I chuckle, he lets go of my hand and steps back. I really should get out of this dress and shower soon.

  “So, the plan is shower then cab?”

  “Wow, you really want me to leave.” I fold the blankets on the mattress.

  “No, not at all…just figured you’d have places to be…people missing you. Stay if you want. I don’t have much to offer you though.” He shrugs.

  “I’d like to stay a while then. I’ll text home, let them know I’m safe.”

 
“If that’s what you want.” He grins giving him two cheeky, adorable dimples.

  “It is.” I must be blushing like a maniac. “Are you going to put a shirt on? It’s quite off-putting.”

  “Oh, sorry.” He returns my blush and his eyes do that twinkle thing again. I make a mental note to make him blush more often. He goes over to a table, which has piles of clothes neatly folded on top, pulls a black v-neck tee out and puts it on.

  “Why do you keep all your stuff in a barn?”

  “I’m not really welcome at the house. I often sneak in and shower before they wake, and cook leaves me meals out, she’s good like that. Talking of food, here.” He throws me a bread roll from his back pocket. “It’s not much.”

  “Thank you. So, this is breakfast?”

  “Yeah, at least until I go collect the chicken eggs. Cook often scrambles an extra few for me. Like I said, she’s pretty cool.” He pulls a roll from his other pocket and tears at it.

  “This really is another world.” I perch on top of a hay bale.

  “I grabbed fresh orange. Want a cup?”

  “Please.” I drag my fingers through my hair, trying to look presentable. He hands me the juice. “Won’t your girlfriend mind you hanging out with me?” I down the juice, mentally kicking myself for being so ridiculously obvious. Maybe it’s best that he has one. Then maybe I can concentrate on being his friend. It could never be anything more anyway.

  “I don’t have one.” He stares at me for so long, I feel faint from holding my breath.

  “Oh,” I whisper.

  “Ashes! You in there?” A male voice booms out from behind the door.

  “Shit!” He gasps, pushing me backwards. I land feet up in a huge pile of loose hay. What the hell? Who’s here? Have they found me? He throws straw over me, hastily trying to cover me up. “Be quiet,” he whispers.

  “Who are you talking to in here, boy?” A man, who sounds much older, asks.

  “Yeah, Ashes, who’s in here?” A younger, higher voice adds.

  “You talkin’ to yourself again ‘cos you got no friends?” A third menacingly low voice joins in.

  “I’m alone.” Ash hisses. I try to hear everything. I think I’m breathing too loud, so I try to breathe through my nose.

  “We thought we heard voices?” The older man asks.

  “Nope, just me talking to Gus. Why are you all here? It’s not my birthday is it?”

  “I want this whole farm cleaned from top to bottom. I’m thinking of selling up, so it needs to be perfect. Got someone coming this afternoon to value it.” The old guy slurs, like he’s already hit the whisky bottle a few times today and the sun’s only just come up.

  “But you can’t sell it. Mum loved this place,” Ash protests.

  “Well, she’s gone isn’t she.” The lower voice adds.

  “Don’t Bruno,” Ash growls.

  “Don’t what? Tell the truth? She left us…left us to deal with you.” The old man spits.

  “You don’t even try to hide your contempt anymore. What did I ever do to make you all hate me?” Ash’s voice is barely audible.

  “Aww, boohoo, poor little Ashes.” The low voice mocks. “My heart aches for you.” How can they be so cruel?

  “I remember,” the old voice seems to come nearer, “I remember when I was proud of you.”

  “And when was that?” Ash asks.

  “When you weren’t such a disappointment.”

  “I get it. You needn’t go on.”

  “I don’t think you do. You stay around purely for the money. And we let you, so you can keep the farm running. But let me say this, I mean this to help you…you will never be clever enough to be a doctor, boy. You just ain’t got the brains kid. Why not just take the money on your birthday and go? Live life easy for a while and when the money runs out you could always be a model or one of them rent boys.” I want to jump out of my hiding place and slap this man’s face. Why is Ash taking this crap? “Right boy. Get this place looking decent. We’ll be back later to check it. Make yourself scarce when the evaluator comes, don’t want him putting the price down ‘cos of you.” I hear feet walking away. I’m starting to itch in here so I’m relieved that they’re leaving.

  “When was it?”

  “When was what, boy?” The feet stop.

  “When did you stop caring?”

  “When your mother passed. I stopped caring about everything.”

  “But you still care for them…for Bruno and Jack.”

  “Of course, they’re my blood…you are not.”

  “Okay. I’ve heard enough.”

  “She wanted to adopt. I did it to please her.”

  “Please leave.”

  “What’s this?” The younger voice asks.

  “I…I found it.”

  “A glass shoe? Who the hell would wear it? It’s so tiny…”

  “I found it by the road…thought it’d be a good plant holder or something.”

  “I’ll have this.” The lower voice demands.

  “Why?”

  “’Cos Ashes, brother dear. I want it.”

  The door finally bangs shut and I breathe again.

  “Ellie?” Two hands reach through the straw, pulling me up by the shoulders.

  “Thought I was going to suffocate in there.” I brush the hay off my dress.

  “I’m sorry. Did you hear all of that?” Ash’s cheeks are on fire and I just want to hold him, let him know he’s not alone.

  “Yes. Sorry.” I nod, and he pulls a piece of straw from behind my ear. “Your family’s just plain awful. Scum holes. Why do you stay?”

  “You’re funny.” He laughs.

  “I am?”

  “The way you talk.”

  “Elocution lessons since I was two.” I shrug.

  “Pushy parents?”

  “The pushiest.”

  “At least they gave a crap.”

  “There is that. But at least you’re free.”

  “I never wanted to be free.”

  “Sorry, sometimes I talk too much.”

  “I like that about you.” He smiles, with added dimples.

  “Thanks.” I feel flushed, and awfully girly. Not a feeling I’ve had for such a long time.

  “Besides, It’s not that bad here. I’ve got good at avoiding them. Sometimes I don’t see them for weeks.”

  “Why did your brother keep calling you ‘Ashes’? I thought it was cute at first, but I get the feeling it’s not.”

  “Silly really. Sometimes in the winter I’d sneak inside the house and sleep by the fire to keep warm. I’d often wake up covered in soot and ashes, hence the name.”

  “Really, Ash why do you stay?”

  “My parents thought they could never have kids, so they adopted me. My mother; my adopted mother, died from a heart defect, when I was very young. She was on the waiting list for a new one, but it never came. Before she died, she promised me that she had changed her will and when I reached twenty-one I’d get enough money to go to medical school and be a doctor like she was. I didn’t understand it all, being young, but I remember parts.”

  “And your father stands by this?”

  “He constantly reminds me of it. Maybe that’s why he’s selling up ‘cos I’ll be gone in a few months. He’ll have no one to work the farm. Trust me, my brothers won’t do it. So, if I stay until my birthday, I’ll get my mum’s will money. That’s why I stay.”

  “And you know for certain that it’s in this will?”

  “I have to believe that it is and there’s some decency left in him. He was a nice guy once.”

  “You’re a better person than me…well you know me, I run away from life.” I feel myself tearing up.

  “Hey, no tears okay? Besides, I like farm life. It’s simple and I get to look after the animals and Gus is great company.” He takes the pig from its box and hugs it. “I get lots of fresh air and exercise and plus, I get to daydream.” He smiles broadly.

  “And what do you daydream
about?” I stroke the pig’s head.

  “Far away places, travelling the world. Seeing the Pyramids, going to Africa on safari…stuff like that usually.” He places Gus back in his box.

  “Let me give you the money, Ash.”

  “No way. I get that you’re famous and rich, but no thank you. You’re very kind though.” He puts his hand on my shoulder. “I won’t take your money.”

  “We’re friends now, right? Let me lend you enough for med school, enough to get out of here?”

  “We’re friends?” He smiles, and those damn fine dimples reappear.

  “Of course.” I can’t help but return his grin.

  “Well I wouldn’t want money to come between our new friendship.” He crosses his arms in triumph.

  “You are one of a kind, Ash.”

  “In a good way I hope?”

  “A very good way.”

  3: Ash

  I check under the plant pot for the spare key.

  “They are so predictable.” Winking at Ellie, I open the back door. “Wait here while I check if the coast’s clear.” I check the house thoroughly before returning to her. “Everyone’s out. My brothers have left for school already, and my father is probably waiting for the pub to open. He’s nothing if not eager.” Gesturing for her to follow me, we head upstairs. “I’ll try find you some clothes if you want?”

  “Please. This gown isn’t very low key.” She laughs, and I love the sound of it and hope to hear it often. “Anything would be great, thank you, Ash.” My stomach tightens again, hearing my name on her lips. I barely know this girl yet can’t remember how it felt to not know her.

  “Be quick. The towels are in the cupboard next to the sink. You’ll be okay?”

  “Believe it or not, I have showered before.” She smiles. “I’ll be fine. No peeking now.”

  “I’m a gentleman. I swear on Gus’s life.” I pretend to cross my heart.

  “Glad to hear it.” She laughs, shutting the door on me. Lingering there for a few moments before forcing myself to move. I go on the hunt for clothes. Reluctantly opening the door to my father’s room. It’s been years since I stepped foot in here. It hasn’t changed at all. It smells like him; cheap aftershave and stale alcohol. On the bed there’s still the pink and red flowery bedspread that my mother picked. She died in this bed holding my hand. My father had to literally drag me away, I thought she was sleeping and she’d wake up any second and ruffle my hair. A shiver runs up my arms and down my neck. I move to the chest at the foot of the bed, which he kept all her old stuff in, praying that he’s held onto it. Lifting the lid, it’s just the way I’d left it last time. Did he never open it? Did he never sniff her jumpers to catch the hint of lavender that surprisingly was just still noticeable? I can picture her so clearly as if she’s standing by the window. I can still smell her, and she’s everywhere. I remember the last time I ever saw her, lying here asking me to be strong. Rubbing a rebellious tear from my eye. I’m still trying to be.