Page 29 - The Mermaid Call

“It’s getting fragile – no one’s allowed to touch it anymore,” I said, quickly, to make her stop. “It’s like over half a millennium ancient.”
“That’s not fair. We should be allowed to listen! It’s our right! This is grown-ups clipping our wings, that’s what this is!”
I took a fast breath – she had a way of saying things like she was on a podium above me.
“They’ve already decided my fate, you know. I’ve been dumped on The Dragon because both my parents,” her blue eyes seemed to come ablaze under the bright strobe lights, “think I’m worthless. Do you know how that feels?”
“I do,” I replied earnestly.
She flashed me a wide-eyed smile. “I knew it! I knew I saw a kindred spirit in you.”
My face flushed bright pink.
“What have yours done to you?”
“Erm, well, it’s just my mum.” I pressed my fingers to the glass cabinet and tried to add
casually, “She was supposed to be visiting me, but she cancelled last minute.” I licked my lips, sensing my mouth filling with a sudden confession. I really wanted to prove to Alice I was kindred spirit material. “She thinks Lake Splendour is dull. I reckon she thinks I’m dull too. Like, not exciting enough. I wanted her to visit so much.”
When I looked up, the blaze behind Alice’s eyes seemed to be weaving spells, light reflecting off them and making them sparkle like the lake in rare Splendour sunshine.
“So re-invent yourself to tempt her here. I reinvent myself all the time. Last year I was into vintage clothes, and this year I’m contemporary.” She raised her arms stiffly above her head like a mannequin then dropped them down latching her hands to my shoulders like claws. “If you like I can help you make your mum think you’re exciting – worth visiting.”
Her wide eyes bore into mine. “In fact, we could help each other. Like the Mermaid Girls worked together. What do you think – is it a deal?”
I was nodding furiously before I even knew what the deal was. “Do you want help with your parents too?”