You're It

1

'That's ok,' she said. 'I mean, it's a little weird but I can get used to it. I have my mobile phone too, remember? And I quite like the idea of using candles in the dark. It'll be like one of those stories my mother used to read me.' She flashed her teeth. 'I'm sure I'll like it.'

Lilian smiled and turned around once more, relaxing and breathing out. Paris was not a difficult child, in fact, she was quite the opposite but delivering questionable and undesirable information to her was hard as she was such a good kid. She didn't deserve her ill – fate. Everyone who met and knew Paris wanted the best for her and to see her try to seem happy about awful arrangements positively broke their hearts. After all, the young girl had been through a lot at just fourteen years of age. Losing both parents at just eight years old and not being provided with a reasonable explanation - she was so brave. Nobody knew what had happened to Walter and Naomi Garland. They had gone on a weekend away to Paris - where they'd conceived their beautiful daughter - and had left her at her grandmother's. They never came back. Nobody knew if they had reached Paris, nobody knew where they were, but their six-year disappearance had earned them the title of Dead.

'Right.' Lilian unlocked the doors of the car and got out, jumping to stretch her legs a little. She opened the back-passenger door and Paris got out, quite nicely. The latter brushed her jeaned legs and shook her auburn hair free from the neon scrunchie which pinched it tightly. Lilian opened the boot and took out all three of Paris' cases - containing her clothes, her shoes, her books and her toys - all her worldly goods. She slammed the boot shut and ran up to the old-fashioned door, giving it a thorough pounding. Paris smiled sadly as Lilian rushed back to grab the cases and retired to her position at the front door.

It was opened by a middle-aged lady dressed in a crisp, white blouse and navy skirt. Her brown hair was piled on her head in a sloppy, pudding - like style, a big hairpin in the shape of a peacock visible behind her left ear. She had bright emerald earrings on, which were dangly enough to keep slapping the sides of her powdered face, and vibrant red lipstick which was a little smudgy at the edges.

She smiled widely as she caught sight of Paris, who stood calmly beside Lilian.

'Hello, I'm Lilian Westwood from Imtiaz Children's Care. You must be Mrs Hammersmith. Pleasure to meet you.' She stuck out her hand which was gripped and vigorously shaken by the latter. 'This is Paris Garland.' Lilian said, smiling widely. She nudged Paris a little who in turn coughed and said, 'Good morning.'

'Good morning to you too, young girl!' The woman said, cocking her head back and laughing. 'Children just keep maturing quicker and quicker. don't they? Good morning indeed! How silly!' She snorted. Lilian forced a polite chuckle. Paris instantly grew a disliking. 'I'm Mrs Hammersmith, as you know, head worker at Pearlshill orphanage! You are Paris! Lovely to meet you.' Her hand shot out like a rifle. Paris shook it hastily. 'Come in, come in, you must meet the others!'

She walked off flamboyantly, leaving Paris and Lilian to hurry up, both clasping heavy cases.

'Come on, Paris!' Lilian whispered. Paris looked doubtful. 'I'm sure she's not so bad when you get used to her, come on now!' They caught up to her just as she was about to open a door.

'The children are having lunch now. You may come in and be introduced if you wish.' Mrs Hammersmith said, her hands clasped, her long head cocked slightly to the side. She suddenly turned to Lilian. 'You can leave the cases by the foot of the stairs - come on Paris!' She grabbed her arm and flung open the door to the lunch hall where nine children sat eating. There were two other adults sat amongst the children who jumped too as the door was flung open.

'Good afternoon, children!' She bellowed, excitably. A monotonous reply was sounded.

'Oh look! Over there are Renata, Ursula and Julian. They work here alongside me. You may consult them or me if you have any issues settling in or whatever.' Mrs Hammersmith's iron grip still grasped Paris' shoulder. She stopped talking for a moment and seemed to consult herself.

'There are nine children present - where are the other two?' Her voice grew angrier.

Renata stood up. 'Jeanne and Lucien are upstairs - they said they'll come down in a little while. They couldn't eat, they said.' Renata stammered, helplessly.

Mrs Hammersmith narrowed her eyes at her, releasing her grip on Paris' shoulder. Her hands found themselves on her hips. 'Oh? Is that so? Do they expect room service whenever they feel like it too?' She raised an eyebrow sarcastically.

'I'll go and get them right away.' Renata left her lunch and hurried out the doors.

'New children,' Mrs Hammersmith said, turning to Lilian. 'A brother and sister that arrived at five this morning. Lost their parents in a tragic fire just yesterday.'

'How awful!' Lilian said, her face full of pity.

'Yes, it was sad.' Mrs Hammersmith said. Her mouth turned into a sneer. 'They were born and raised here but they obviously spoke just French their whole lives. Not one of us has been able to speak to them yet though I know they speak English as I heard the girl talking to one of the boys in clear, fluent English.' She sighed as if to suppose that her life had been made more difficult. Lilian almost scoffed in disgust.

'Anyway, Paris.' The former relaxed her arms and pointed at the children. 'I'm sure you'd like to know each of the children. There's Nanette, there's Posy, she's Henrietta, and that's Madeira. On that table there, that's Evan, he's Howard, there's Simon, and Bruce and Phineas. OK?' She garbled. The children had barely looked up from their meal. They sat in hunched groups, their backs facing the doorway.

'Children!' Mrs Hammersmith yelped. Paris could see them wince at her sudden scream before they slowly turned and faced this newcomer.

'This is Paris! She's come to live with us today like Jeanne and Lucien! I want you all to make her feel very welcome.' She gave them a dismissive wave and crouched down to Paris' level. 'Nanette and Evan are fourteen too. I'm sure you'll get on really well.' She flashed a smudgy, lipstick smile and straightened herself again. 'Julian, fix her some lunch, will you?' She turned to Paris. 'You sit and have lunch. Myself and your social worker will just do the paperwork, OK?' Not giving her a chance to speak, Mrs Hammersmith spun around and marched out the hall.

Lilian went up to the bewildered Paris who sat so confused and horrified that Lilian felt awful leaving her in such a place. But she had to now. Knowing that Paris could call if anything was wrong, she comforted herself.

'Listen Paris, it may seem like a disastrous place but give it a chance and if it is awful and you cannot stand it, then call me, ok? If it's awful, I will fetch you no matter what. '

Paris nodded, and Lilian hugged the poor girl. 'I'll try to finish up as quickly as I can.'

'Ok.' Paris said. She gave a quick smile. Lilian straightened up and followed Mrs Hammersmith, turning as she walked out and rolling her eyes at Paris who politely chuckled in turn.

'Here's your pie.'

Paris jumped. Julian handed her the plate. 'Sorry about Mrs Hammersmith, she can be a little brutal at first. I'm Julian. Nice to meet you.' He shook her hand.

'Paris. Paris Garland.' She smiled, digging her fork into some pie.