Julian's Ivy

Chapter Four

Julian's Ivy - Chapter Four

For the first time in years, I am not waking up in my usual tired corner of West Tandon. Early light from the window hits me from a different angle to the one I'm used to, and the sheets wrapped around me are strange and unfamiliarly soft. For a moment, I enjoy the brief consciousness which a person can experience when first waking up, without even being aware of their own memories; I am not at all up to date with my own events. The precious second passes however, and I remember.

My cheeks flush red as I bolt upwards in bed to see who's next to me. No one. Julian is gone. Slightly relieved, I relax the bed sheets which I have clutched tightly to my own bare chest out of Eve-like embarrassment. I look around the room, reminding myself where I am, and reign in a leg, which is poking out of the blanket, back into the warmth.

Clothes. I need these before I can do anything. I crane my neck to look over to the last place I remember wearing anything; by the window. They are not there. I panic slightly and nervously scan the entire room for a pile of fabric somewhere. All I see is my shoes, which have been lifted and carefully arranged to face me neatly in the centre of a low table on the the other side of the room. I suspect Julian is playing some kind of cruel trick on me, until I spot a small piece of paper folded and balancing precariously on top of my shoes.

Hoping Julian doesn't walk in at this moment, I slip out of between the bed sheets and quickly tip toe across the plush carpet. Seizing the note, I leap back to the bed and swiftly cover myself again before reading.

Ivy, thank you for staying with me last night. I apologise for my absence, I have left to attend to my grounds. Your clothes are being cleaned, meanwhile you may choose anything you like from the wardrobe, and use the bathroom. The car will take you home shortly.

Love, Julian.

He does not mention when I might ever see him again, and with this my glowing mood suddenly shifts to a feeling of deflation. Needing to get on with things however, I crawl out of bed and find a room where I can take a shower. Ten minutes later I walk out with a towel around myself, and nervously approach the wardrobe.

I should've known they'd be dresses. I had almost expected something casual. However I soon realise this was a ridiculous thought in a place like this. Hanging in the wardrobe are women's day dresses, ranging in colour and length. I immediately warm towards a particular cream dress, with gold patterns up the straps which I guess would come half way down my thighs. I wonder if the dresses were his mothers, but notice every dress appears to be in my size, or at least the size of Lucinda's dress I had borrowed the night before. But the dresses surely couldn't have been selected for me this quickly, could they?

I realise they have been, when I find the collection of underwear in my size also left for me. I choose something comfortable, grateful this is an option. I am still wearing the necklace. Once I'm dressed I consider using one of the brushes lying on the dresser in my hair, but they seem to be intended more for decorative purposes so I only run my fingers through my hair a few times. I am about to leave through the door, when I clumsily hit a table with my side and notice breakfast laid out for me with another small note apologising for the lack of dinner last night. Realising I'm hungry, I decide to accept it and sit down to eat.

I eventually find my way back through the house and discover the car which takes me home. I get out of the vehicle in front of my house, and feel as if I've been transported between two worlds as I open the door for myself and kick of my shoes, contributing generously to the untidy heap in the hallway.

Thinking of speaking to Lucinda, I try to head to the kitchen but immediately notice the passage is blocked by my brother dozing in a chair which he must have dragged out there. His head of dark hair is resting against the wall, yet hanging slightly, and although he is a nice sight, he still appears uncomfortable and has fallen asleep with a scowl. It only slightly lessens his handsomeness. As he arouses, I realise he's been waiting all night for me.