I miss you dreadfully

Chapter 4

The Fidell's estate was located at South Esturnburg, a short distance from ours. I was marvelled at the vast expanse of their semi detached duplex when my dad and I drove in. The exterior was decorated with tulips, the lavender and purple hibiscus. A beautiful sight to behold.

A middle - aged woman welcomed me in after I had knocked a few seconds. She was John Fidell's wife, Fiona Fidell, a beautiful gap toothed woman who stood a few inches taller than me.

She was very jovial and accommodating and had introduced herself after opening the entrance door. A sign that my father had informed them about my arrival, a day earlier.

“Welcome! Welcome! Come in child" She said with a broad smile, kissing my cheeks.

I partly curtsied, accepting the offer.

I sensed a strong scent of air freshener the moment I walked in. Right there, in the middle of their luxurious sitting room, a girl of about sixteen years old stood, arms crossed. She had a stark resemblance with Fiona, the only difference was her long blonde hair. I presumed that was her daughter.

“Hellooo" I tried to be friendly, waving my right palms in the air with a broad smile on my face.

She didn't utter a word, instead she picked up the remote to the television and sat on the sofa munching the pringles she held in her hands.

‘My dad should have walked me in atleast, here was a lot too awkward and I really hope this business meeting doesn't last forever!' I thought.

My dad had left the very moment I knocked at their entrance door. In his words, ‘he was running late already'

Mrs. Fidell must have noticed my worry, she spoke up immediately, interrupting my thoughts.

“That is Elizabeth, she must be in such a bad mood today, trust me she's not always like that" she spoke in her defense.

Leading me up the stairs, I noticed the glittery feel of the walls and banister. We encountered another girl who looked quite older than Elizabeth. She was sitting on a cradle chair with headphones, eyes closed.

This time around I looked on, not wanting to start a conversation and get snubbed thereafter. She continued humming to a song, oblivious of our presence. Mrs. Fidell came to the rescue.

“That's my nineteen year old Letticia, she's quite the fun!" Mrs. Fidell laughed.

‘Nineteen? Cool...'

“Hey mom" Letticia said pulling off her headphone, I guess she got a better view of us now. She wore her yellow slip on, getting up almost immediately.

“Natalie, I guess. Nice meeting you" She said with a smile. She stretched forth her hand offering for a hand shake, but as an after thought opted for a hug.

However, Letticia had an uncanny resemblance of her father. Her smile reminded me of the few occasions I had seen John Fidell smile, when he had chatty discussions with my father.

Letticia was dimpled with large eyes and dark eyebrows. I spotted her nose piercing by the time we disentangled.

“I will show you to your room" she spoke to me and then addressed her mother.

“You don't need to bother mama."

Letticia and I walked through a long row of about 6 rooms before getting to a particular door.

“This is your room, every girl needs privacy"

“Expect me soon regardless!" she said in a loud giggle.

Letticia seemed a stark contrast to Elizabeth, too chatty Letticia and cold Elizabeth.

‘Interesting!...'

I thanked Letticia for being so accommodating and moved in, I couldn't wait to freshen up and have a good rest.

In the evening when John Fidell returned, we had dinner at the family's dinning. Rice with dumplings and chicken broth, specially prepared by Mrs. Fidell.

Letticia didn't hesitate to inform me of her parents decision of never bringing in a housemaid. House chores were to be done by the girls and she had accompanied her mother in making tonight's meal.

Mr. Fidell cleared his throat to stop Letticia from talking further.

“Sometimes, I wonder if you are a Parrot, you talk too much for a lady!" Mr. Fidell retorted.

“Quite better than cold Lizzie" Letticia said poking out her tongue.

The latter gave her a long scornful glare before continuing with her meal. Letticia was indeed a handful!.

The night was cold and breezy by the time we were done with dinner, and the stars illuminated the sky adding colour to the already beautiful evening. Letticia and I moved to the balcony to enjoy the night's scenery, while Lizzie went ahead to read a book.

“Why is Lizzie such a loner?" I asked on impulse, regretting why I had put up such a question in the first place.

“Let's leave Lizzie to her weird attitude, she will come off it sooner or later " Letticia said.

“She's not a big girl like us! She enjoys her lone life of reading and singing whenever she's not in school" she continued.

“She sings? Oh wow... That's good!" I commented.

I burst out laughing at Elizabeth statement of we being big girls. ’Maybe my stay at the Fidell's won't be boring after all...'

“You have beautiful eyes and a lovely long hair, it won't be bad to accompany me to a party or two, one of these days. Girl! all the guys will be stunned!" Letticia went on to say.

“What's all that flattery for?!" I asked smacking her arm playfully.

Letticia and I laughed loudly and heartily, attracting Lizzie attention. I could see her scoff from the glass door.

I never really attended a party after Kevin's Fawcett's birthday bash, yet I didn't think I would buy into Letticia's idea of accompanying her to a party.

My phone beeped. It was a text message; “I miss you dreadfully Nat., Sorry I hadn't been able to reach out earlier. I hope to see you soon. Have a good night rest. Lots of love!" That was Maurice first message since our encounter at the hospital.

I smiled broadly, stretching my arms as Letticia did to enjoy the sweet evening air.