The Tears Of A Clown

Chapter Twelve

George spotted Estelle standing by herself. She was looking upset, and dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief so he went over to check on her.

Seeing him approaching, she immediately tried to compose herself,

"Hey Estelle, is everything alright?" George asked in concern

"Yeah I am fine, I just had something in my eye, and I was trying to get it out," she informed him, dabbing her eyes with the handkerchief , "but it's ok now, its gone, though it's just made my damn eyes water a lot" she explained with a watery smile.

"I see," George replied. He knew she was lying, but decided to just played along, "As long as you got whatever it was out." he finished with a small smile

"So," she seemed eager to change the subject, "How's your brother doing after his little escapade the other week, is everything ok?"

"Yeah he is fine," George smiled, "getting all the attention he thought he was missing out on. Although Maria is disgusted that my parents seem to spoiling him, more than punishing him after his little stunt" he grinned.

"Yeah I can imagine Maria isn't too happy, there has always been a bit more sibling rivalry for your parents attention between those two," Estelle recalled.

"So everything is set for the surprise party next week, your parents still don't have a clue do they?" she then asked a little anxiously seeming to want to talk about anything, as long as it was not about herself.

"Not as far as we know, they seem to be in the dark. So far so good" George replied

"I guess you and Maria are going to put on a special little performance for them as well, What will you be doing?" Estelle asked.

"Oh that's a secret until the big day" George tapped the side the side of his nose, "then all will be revealed"

"Hmm sounds intriguing," Estelle remarked, "sure you can't tell me? After all we are best friends" she reminded him

George was tempted to tell her. But then wasn't sure how Jelena and Maria might feel about it, "Well its not really my secret to share," George explained apologetically, "if it was, you would know in an instant," he then hurriedly assured her

"Well then I will just have to wait and find out on the big day then," Estelle replied ruefully

"So what about you? are you planning on doing anything?" George then asked

"Yeah, well me and my mother have got together, and are working on a little something on horseback"

"Sounds cool," George replied smiling, then added as nonchalantly as he could, "I am just surprised you haven't planned anything with Patrick, I heard you were setting up an act together"

George studied Estelle's reaction, her smile faded a little and she seem to have trouble looking him in the eye, "yeah well, that's something that is still in the early stages we are working on," she replied in a tone that sounded not so enthusiastic about it

"Ah!" George replied keeping his tone neutral, then he glanced up and noticed Patrick was now coming towards them "Speak of the devil, here is your boy now," he then remarked

Estelle's head shot up, she looked around to see Patrick bearing down on them, George heard her swear softly, as she frowned. It seemed there was trouble in paradise

"Hi George, I am sorry for interrupting, but I really need to talk with Estelle,"

Patrick was smiling his charming easy smile. But Estelle wasn't smiling, her expression looked a little strained all of a sudden, making George wonder was Patrick the real reason behind Estelle's so called earlier claim, about having something in her eye.