Hi guys, Ali here again. So do you guys remember when I said I would complete those stories and didn't (and still haven't yet). This story is definitely going to be completed as it's a short story and I already have eight chapters out of fourteen written. Just a warning, this story is full of cliches and romance so if you aren't into that stuff then don't worry. Plus this is set across two time periods, in England people (I'm not American) so if I say football it means soccer to you crazy people, rubbish bin - trash can, you get the picture, if I mention American football (doubt it) it will be called American football. Then there's the fact I don't think I have the 1950's down to a T but then they're high class families so they're going to relatively posh. If you can't stand it, don't read it. Simple. And rant over... Enjoy if you do end up reading
Preface Her heart ached without him. When he wasn’t near, or when they didn’t speak, was when it hurt the most. She didn’t know if he felt the same, she didn’t know if another girl had captured his heart while she was away. As she knew one thing about him, he had always liked girls; but she didn’t know if she is the girl who holds his heart. He messed with others. She only plagued his mind no matter how hard he tried. Her being captivated him entirely, crippling him when they could not speak. All he knew is that she held his heart without trying but she has no idea, all because of his fear of being rejected…
Chapter 1 - February 1950 Callum really wants to write to Corinne to tell her he misses her and that she shouldn’t follow her father around the country, however he couldn’t find the words. He tried so many times but he couldn’t express his need for her. He curses Corinne’s father, Marvin, under his breath for taking the girl he needed the most, although she didn’t know. A knock sounds on his open door and Callum turns curiously. Drake, the butler, stands there with a letter in his hand. Callum jumps up and takes the envelope before grinning. It is Corinne’s writing on the front of the envelope. Drake smiles before shutting the door behind him as he leaves. Callum laughs in pure joy. He composes himself but then just ignores that action and opens the envelope quickly. He knows he should control himself but he also knows he couldn’t. Callum, After a month of travelling to all of father’s businesses we are travelling in the direction of home. This is after father showed Rowan his factory in the west and mother felt disgraceful. She rambled on about the factory not being the place where a 13 year old should be and with her magnificent timing she collapsed. Father got so stressed after that, ordered Elsie to pack the bags. He even shouted at Edmund! So I will be home on the fifth of February. I cannot express how happy I am to be coming home and father said you can come over on the sixth. Until then, take care my friend, Corinne He hears her saying this as he reads the letter and rushes out of his room to find his mother. He sees her as he runs down the stairs. She stops suddenly as he comes rushing towards her. “What is the matter with you? What are you waving about?” She asks watching her son carefully. “Corinne is home on the fifth and said I can go to hers on the sixth,” Callum replies as he contains his excitement. “Well it is the fifth today and Mr. Madison has already wrote to me to say we can stay over the nights of the sixth and seventh. Kate and Giles are starting to pack as we speak.” Callum rushes back up the stairs, stopping halfway to tell his mother he will pack his own bags. He bumps into Serenity who is in a foul mood and is two years older than him. “What is up with you? Corinne wrote you a letter?” She states. She always stabbed him with a remark if he was happy and she wasn’t. Callum blushes slightly. “Maybe, what is wrong with you?” He asks because of the scowl on Serenity’s face. “Does it matter to you?” She snaps back. Terence cannot see her today then he thought, she was always moody when he couldn’t see her due to his business ties. Her need for Terence is the same as his need for Corinne, though he doesn’t admit it. In his room he puts her letter carefully back into its envelope and places it with the rest of the letters in his bottom drawer. He gazes longingly out of the window and wonders what Corinne is doing. Corinne stands up from her window seat and tells herself to realise she does not mean anything to Callum. However she could not help thinking about him when she is lonely, and recently that was a lot. She wanders out into the hall and went to Douglas’s, her older brother, room. Quietly she knocks on the door in case he is busy. “Who is it?” Douglas calls out in a kind voice. “Corinne, I need to speak to you,” Corinne says before smiling. “What’s the matter Cori?” Douglas asks after he opened his door with a soft smile but otherwise showing concern for his sister. She walks in and Douglas shuts the door behind her. Corinne looks and feels lost. “I feel so lonely these days.” Corinne notices a change in her brother’s face. “I know you and the family are there for me, but I feel lonely here.” Corinne places a hand on her heart. Douglas smiles softly. “Who are you missing Cori? Could you talk to Callum about it?” He asks, patting the floor beside him so Corinne sits down. “You can’t talk to Callum about it as it is Callum isn’t it?” Douglas asks when Corinne remains silent. “I don’t know. When we are apart I miss him a lot, but around him I’m in the clouds. How did you cope when you went away from the ones you love?” Corinne asks weakly. “Corinne I never coped, I kept a mask on to hide the truth. I died from loneliness when I was your age,” Douglas replies, “you have to take every day as it comes and don’t let the emptiness take over your life.” “So should I tell him tomorrow? Or should I not tell him? As I don’t think I hold his heart,” Corinne asks. “As I said, take every day as it comes so don’t plan ahead. Shouldn’t you be reading now?” Douglas answers. Corinne nods as she stands up and walks to the door. She looks back at her older brother. “Thank you.” Douglas just smiles in reply. Corinne wanders downstairs to the library where Elsie is putting books away on the shelves. Elsie is swift and focused, whereas Corinne wanders aimlessly, disturbing small bits of dust that had settled. Elsie glances at Corinne and smiles before going to complete other duties. Corinne never reads a book in the hour like she is meant to, instead she gazes out the massive arch window at the fields. The fields are vibrant and alive with colour but Corinne is feeling the opposite feeling depressed. Thriving with life, bursting with energy is contradicting how Corinne feels and she isn’t the only one. Callum is feeling the same, missing the deep connection he has with Corinne. His heart wants to reach out to her but it is scared of being turned away…
Chapter 2 -February 2015 “But that wasn’t him!” Dae exclaims. The look she receives from Faye and Hazel says oh really. It is a sleepover at Faye’s house and Dustin came up again. “He did put that note in your locker,” Hazel replies. “He didn’t,” Dae sharply retaliates as starts to regret showing her friends the note. Faye sighs. “Dae stop denying the truth. You should see the way he looks at you. How he cares for you. The smile only you can get out of him. The way he talks about you,” Faye says before laughing, “and the best one, how he always tried getting closer to you.” “What do you mean?” Dae asks curiously as she has never seen his attempts. “Don’t you remember the time he went out with Cara and you guys were good friends,” Hazel states. “And Claire, Leanne,” Faye adds. “Don’t forget Alexis.” “Guys this is crazy,” Dae says shaking her head. Her hair ripples like a brown river reaching the middle of her back and is one of the reasons she is envied. She is just short of six foot, adored by all the boys due to her athleticism and her brains. However she doesn’t know she is adored and envied by many, she just thought she was average in her family. “It’s not crazy Dae,” Faye says softly while Hazel brings something from behind her. “Also we can find out how you feel,” Hazel suggests showing Dae her own diary. Laughing, Dae takes it back before her friends could read it. “Me and Dustin are just friends,” Dae states. “Well that’s what they always say,” Faye replies jokingly causing the trio to break into laughter. Dustin shakes himself out of thought. His damp mousey brown hair settles wildly on his head, he then smooths it down to calm himself. His heart would always beat faster because of the longing he feels. He thought of her often, every day to be specific, Dae is a person who no boy could easily forget. To Dustin everything about her is perfect. He longed to be with her, but then again, every boy did. Dustin sighs in slight frustration, then he selects compose message on his phone. Remembering Dae’s number off by heart he types it in and sends her a text message saying hi. The trio looks at each other as Dae’s phone vibrates signalling a text. Dae isn’t quick enough, Faye grabs Dae’s phone and laughs. “It’s a text from lover boy,” Faye says teasingly. Dae snatches her phone back. “We aren’t together if you haven’t noticed,” Dae replies. “Ah, but you want to be with him,” Hazel states. Dae blushes slightly but keeps her voice strong. “Does that really matter?” She states as she replies Sorry if I take long to reply, I’m at a sleepover. Faye looks at Dae sharply instead of looking at her laptop like she was before. “Of course it does, it makes a huge difference,” Faye says. “Well I can only dream can’t I?” Dae puts her phone beside her on the bed and looks at her two friends. Jealousy. That is all Dustin feels, apart from the longing for her to be by his side, when he reads her text. He mentally kicks himself knowing he shouldn’t be jealous of her friends. His thoughts wander to his and Dae’s friendship. She reached out to him again first ironically. He was stood in the playground unsure on who to join as everyone looked formidable. Dejectedly Dustin stood under a tree looking at the ground. Laughter of friendship groups filled his ears and jealousy kicked in. His parents had to move, it was part of being a military family and Dustin hated it. Dustin didn’t notice her soft footsteps until he saw her feet beside his. Dustin looked at her, he recognized her face but couldn’t remember her name. “Are you okay? You look a bit lonely,” she asked still nameless. “Yeah, I just moved here. I didn’t want to,” he replied. “Military family? I’m used to that too.” Dustin laughed, the memory of the girl coming back to him. “That’s how I know your face then. I’m Dustin.” “Seriously? You remember me? My name is Dae and-” “Not with a Y.” “You weren’t kidding.” Dae laughs. “You’re Field’s son aren’t you?” Dustin nodded. “That’s me. Sergeant Field’s son. Is there any other military families here?” “Who knows, military is in everyone.” Dae shrugged her shoulders slightly and mock saluted Dustin as she walked away. Dustin saluted back and shook his head laughing to himself. He wasn’t going to forget Dae in a hurry. Later that evening he told his parents and his dad seemed unsettled about it. “Tell her I’m sorry, I couldn’t do anything,” his dad said. “What do you mean?” Dustin asked confused. His dad just walked out of the room making Dustin look at his mum for her to clear the situation. “Dae’s mum died on the front line, your dad couldn’t save her,” his mum explained softly. Dustin was left speechless for the rest of day as it didn’t show in Dae’s character. The fact that she lost her mum shocked Dustin and he realised sometimes he is grateful he hasn’t lost his dad yet. Shaking himself out of thought again Dustin replies with Okay, I’ll leave you alone then to Dae’s text and lays on his bed staring at the ceiling, not expecting a reply. While Faye and Hazel are distracted Dae replies to Dustin. Thanks for understanding, why do you have to be so sweet? When Dustin reads this he smiles, quick replying with It is just me being me.
Chapter 3 - February 1950 Callum couldn’t sleep in anticipation, neither could Corinne; however they slept from pure exhaustion. The hours seemed to fly by but turns out for Callum they dragged on. He is awake incredibly early, helping the two servants finish off packing the basic supplies. “Is Serenity not coming?” Callum asks as he helps arrange the small number of cases. “No, according to her she didn’t want to listen to Marvin Madison’s rambles. He gives her a headache,” Kate explains. “She can give herself a headache,” Giles mutters causing Callum to laugh. A knock sounds on the front door and Drake appears out of nowhere to answer the door. “Good morning Mister Terence, I am afraid you are early for Serenity’s rising time,” Drake says respectfully. “Nonsense, I came early to lend a helping hand,” Terence replies. “It is not needed. There is barely anything and sis probably over reacted. We do not need any more hands,” Callum says, shooting down the gesture quickly. He personally despised Serenity and Terence as they let the money their families own get to their heads. “Master Callum, was there any need for that?” Drake asks. Terence smirks at Callum over Drake’s shoulder causing Callum to sigh. “There is no need for his smugness either Mister Drake considering he is meant to be of twenty-one years whereas I am only of eighteen years.” Drake turns round to spot Terence’s smirk before it disappears. “You should know better. You do not antagonise Master Callum.” “Sorry Drake, will not happen again,” Terence says. What he really means is that it will happen when Drake isn’t around to see it. “I will send Serenity down to the lounge when she is ready.” Corinne sits on the front steps with Douglas, throwing a stick for their border collie. However the collie has now forgotten about the stick and pays more attention to the car coming up the drive. The pair sit up straighter, recognising it as the Edwards’ car. As the car parks at the bottom of the stairs Edmund steps out the house, Rowan tumbling after him. Corinne sighs at her brothers before looking back to the car as Giles helps Mrs Edwards out of the car. Callum gets out the back, immediately crouching to attend to the collie vying for his attention. Cautiously Callum looks up from the collie to immediately lock eyes with Corinne. Feeling the security that comes with the other’s presence the pair smile. Douglas smirks before going to help Giles with removing the cases as the mothers walk away talking. “Oh, I should help you. You do not need to be doing this for me,” Callum says as he stands, realising Douglas is helping unload instead of him. “It is fine. Just say hi, she missed you,” Douglas whispers. “Are you sure?” “I’m certain.” Douglas stares at Callum then moves his head slightly. That is all Callum needed to hear before he moves from the car towards Corinne. He smiles as he approaches before stumbling back slightly as he catches Rowan. “Hello Rowan,” Callum says. “Hello,” Rowan replies. “Can I have my arms back now?” “I want my turn before sis as she will probably take ages.” “Rowan leave him alone,” Corinne says, a light red painting her cheeks as she steps down a step. Callum sends her a grateful smile as Rowan drops off him. Edmund just follows Rowan, directing a hateful look at Callum. “Do not worry about him, he is still rattled about father shouting at him,” Corinne explains when Callum looks confused at the retreating sixteen year old. Callum just shakes his head slightly and steps up one to meet Corinne. She is stood two steps above him so they stand eye to eye. With the change in wind Corinne’s black hair drifts between them but Callum still manages to watch her mottled brown eyes. The wind only gently passes through his slightly long brown hair, not marring the view of Corinne in front of his blue eyes. His eyes flick across her soft features, taking in the freckles and contours that he has always known. Since she last saw him he has grown a bit, both in height and maturity. Without wasting any more time the pair embrace feeling the security wash over them like waves lapping against sand. “Ah Callum, you have made it,” Marvin calls stepping out of the open front door as Callum pulls out of Corinne’s embrace. “Yes I have. Unfortunately Serenity cannot make it due to a headache,” Callum replies calmly, schooling his expression to hide his hate for both Marvin and his sister. “Oh that is unfortunate,” Marvin says before turning back into the house. “Thank the heavens for that,” he mutters under his breath causing Callum and Corinne to laugh. “She spent ages writing that letter you know,” Douglas says looking at Callum over his hand of cards. “I don’t know why you’re telling me this,” Callum replies picking up the ace of diamonds and placing a different card down on the discard pile. Douglas just grins at Callum as he picks a card off the stock pile and then places it on the discards. “Just giving you a heads up, that’s all. She cherishes your letters as well.” “As I do with hers.” Callum picks up a card from the stock pile before adding it to the discard pile. Douglas looks at Callum in surprise about his relatively casual admission. “What about other things of hers?” Douglas places the ace of hearts on the discard pile after picking a card from the stock and adding it to his hand. “What is contained in other things?” Callum picks up the ace of hearts before placing a card on the discard pile, then three five cards down, then all the aces with the ace of hearts resting on top of the diamond, club and spade. “Look after her heart. Treat her like a diamond. If you do not I will beat you with a club until I need a spade to bury your body.” Douglas stares at Callum, moving each of the cards off the pile as he mentions it. Callum meets his gaze giving Douglas a small nod. “I know. There’s this really nice spot about a mile and a half that way where you can bury my body if needed.” Callum points out the large library window causing the pair to laugh. Douglas grins as he shuffles and re-deals the cards knowing the exact spot Callum spoke about. Corinne glances at the library’s shut doors as she walks through the entrance hall towards the lounge where her parents and Mrs Edwards are. She sighs shaking her head knowing she should not want to interrupt Callum and Douglas as the pair are close despite the four year age gap. Terence is a different story all together, the pair despise each other. Goodness knows what would have happened if Serenity came.