Chapter Three

Another customer entered the store after they had been talking for approximately 15 more minutes. Emily’s break had ended, and it was a good time for Ella to leave.

Ella stood. “I’ll be off then.”

Em hugged her. “Thanks for coming to see me.”

Emily had been busy with the ball coming up. Ella hoped they could squeeze in a movie night soon.

Ella finished her shopping and made a quick stop at the nearby bakery for some bread to have with her soup. She made a large amount and decided to share some with her parents. Taking a large container from the cupboard, she filled it and then departed from the loft. After storing hers in the fridge.

Mother did all the cooking at home now Ella had left home. Taking them some soup would give her a break. Ella didn’t cook every night. Sometimes it was just a case of taking a homemade precooked meal out of the freezer and heating it up. Grabbing a sandwich if she wasn’t that hungry.

Choosing to walk, it only took 20 minutes on foot. She bumped into Stephen on Main Street as he exited the pub with some friends.

Regrettably, she experienced no emotions at all. This only demonstrated her lack of emotion towards their breakup. It saddened her because she had almost married a man she didn’t love. She had at one time been fond of him. Could have called him a friend.

Looking at him now, she only felt disappointment in his poor judgment regarding Ava. He had fallen for Ava’s charm. It was only skin deep. Ella expected he will realise soon enough. Ava could only hide her true colours for a short period. It would be tough for her to conceal her true nature. Until after the marriage license was signed.

“Ella! How are you?” A flush of red appeared on Stephen’s face. They had only crossed paths a few times since he told her he couldn’t marry her and explained why.

“I’m great, Stephen, thank you. I’m taking this soup I made to my parents.” Showing him the container she was holding. Seeking a reason to escape this encounter.

One of his friends mumbled, “Yeah, no point giving it to Ava. She will only throw it up.” Said a voice from behind Stephen. It was Dave Stephen’s best man. Well, Ella was pretty sure he wouldn’t change his mind about his best man. Regardless of who he was marrying. In Stephen’s case, changing brides was his thing.

Stephen turned to glare at his friend. 

Wow! looks like Stephen’s friends didn’t like Ava. The appeal of beauty had its limitations, and ultimately, people saw past it. If Ava saw Stephen’s friends as beneath her, it would be hard to hide her snide tongue.

“Are you coming to the ball?” Stephen asked her. 

“No, Stephen I’m not.” Thank god. She thought. Anxious to distance herself from him and his friends. Who stood behind Stephen, watching their conversation with interest? Talk about embarrassing.

She couldn’t believe how difficult it was just holding a conversation with him? It was awkward. Perhaps it won’t be as bad in a few years.

“That’s a shame Tate was really hoping you would be there.” Stephen let her know.

“Another time, maybe. I’d better go. Enjoy your weekend.” Walking away, Ella didn’t look back. She was full of regret for nearly marrying Stephen without realising her lack of love for him. Not until they had ended their relationship. Had she come to realise her lack of true feelings? She idealised the concept of love.

Entering her family’s home through the back door, she could hear voices coming from the front room. Ava’s voice, brimming with anger, stood out, leading her to groan silently.

Did she really want to be here right now? Standing up against Ava was something her parents really needed to do. Saying this to her parents was pointless. They needed to figure it out their selves. She had tried to suggest it in the past without success. This was the monster they had helped create. Let them deal with it.

Placing the soup in the refrigerator and leaving was an option for her, but she recognised it as cowardly. Glancing around the kitchen, she waited for Ava to finish. Her parents’ kitchen needed an update. It was clean and tidy. Just a little dated and worn looking.

Ella moved to the sink and put away the drying dishes. This done, she could still hear Ava. The drama created by Ava did not sit well with Ella. Opting to enter the lounge, she found her mum and Ava sitting face-to-face. Jenny was trying to reason with Ava.

“Mum. I don’t care she is not wearing that to my wedding. I’m not having anyone stand out but me. At least I don’t have to worry about Ella. Anyone with some common sense would not give her a second glance. The only reason Stephen even asked her out was because his mother liked her. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have given her the time of day. She is that dreary.” Ava was so loud, Ella wouldn’t be surprised if the neighbours could hear her.

Ella raised her eyebrows. Ava gave the impression that Ella had no positive aspects in her life. Which wasn’t true! She was shy when compared to Ava, rather than naturally outgoing. Compared to Ava, a showgirl would be considered shy. 

Ella was eagerly counting down the days until Ava got married and moved out of their family home. Ava caused additional stress for their parents. Not like Jenny Conners complained. With a deep breath, Ella stepped further into the family room.

When Ava noticed that Ella must have heard everything she said, she didn’t appear embarrassed at all. Jenny’s face was flushed with redness.

Ignoring Ava’s comments, Ella calmly went to her mum and planted a kiss on her cheek.

“Hi Mum, I brought you some veggie soup.” Ella explained her presence.

“Great, miss goody two shoes has arrived. Instead of making soup and being so god damn boring, how about you get a life?” Ava stormed out, forcefully closing the front door behind her.

“Bad Timing?” Ella knew that any moment could be a bad time if Ava was in a mood.

“You know how brides can be this close to their wedding. Ava’s upset because Penny, your cousin, wants to wear a red dress for Ava’s wedding.” Jenny let her daughter in on the current drama.

“Well, it’s not white Mum. I don’t see a problem.” Ava wasn’t a virgin or that it mattered in this day and age.

“Yes well, Ava’s worried it might be to eye catching.” Jenny put her hands together in worry. 

Ella snorted. “Anxious about someone else looking good. Like Penny.”

“Ella!” Jenny wasn’t happy with her daughter’s reaction.

Ella frowned. She hadn’t heard her mum reprimand Ava for her comments about her, but anytime she said something against Ava, Jenny would jump all over her.

“I’m surprised she hasn’t demanded to see what I’m wearing.”

“Oh, she isn’t worried about what you are wearing, honey.” Jenny let her know.

Ouch! that hurt more than she was willing to share. “Thanks Mum!”

“Oh, I didn’t mean it like that,” Jenny realised how it sounded. 

That’s just it. She was sure her mother did. It hurt because parents should love their children unconditionally. Beauty wasn’t just on the outside. It’s possible that Ella’s mother, just like everyone else, forgot about her being an identical twin.

“It’s ok.” Lying because she couldn’t stay, not now she was too upset. “I have to go. I’m meeting with Emily.” Ella hadn’t planned on heading back to Emily’s shop. Leaving the house, Ella stopped on the way home to see Emily. 

“I didn’t expect to see you again.”

Luckily, Em had no customers. “I have changed my mind. Let’s go to the ball.”