Page 7 of Yearning Difficulties

Mr Clayton was being ordered by his wife to check under her parked car for ice.

‘It’s just turned autumn, Mary,’ he barked, as he got down on his hands and knees. ‘Won’t be icy for months.’

‘Just look,’ she barked back. ‘We’re not driving that old thing until I know it’s safe.’

I grinned as I passed by, and turned onto Main Street.

The air had a little bite to it now. The water that trailed from the drainpipes into the gutters had a hint of ice inside it and people were wearing coats and scarves again, after a summer of beachwear and sundresses. I gathered my long red hair into a ponytail and slipped my hands into my fingerless gloves.

‘Afternoon, Zella!’

Ester from the market called out to me and I gave her a wave. She had a few Halloween costumes out for sale, but there was also a sign that read ‘No devils, don’t ask’ which made me laugh. An employee of hers was offering free samples of a new non-alcoholic cider and some gingerbread loaf. The locals all knew better than to try either.

Autumn was well and truly here.

I could see my dad standing by his office window in the town hall. He was gesticulating wildly and the sight made me smile fondly. When I let myself into his tiny corner of the council building, I saw that two other people were already meeting with him, and I recognized them both.

Jasper Montgomery, one of the most beloved women in Lake Pristine, and her boyfriend, Arthur Lancaster, owner of the town Arthouse.

‘Jasper, I’m begging you,’ Dad said, leaning across his desk to clasp the young woman’s perfectly manicured hands. ‘You can’t do this to me. The Medieval Faire starts this Saturday. You’ve been the Lake Pristine princess in our jousting tournament for years! Ever since your sister gave it up!’

‘Christine didn’t give it up,’ Arthur pointed out. ‘She was politely asked to leave when she made those tourists cry.’

‘Yes,’ Dad acknowledged. ‘But Jasper, you’ve always been perfect. Please don’t abandon me.’

‘Seth!’ Jasper said, laughing incredulously. ‘I’m twenty-five now. I can’t make the time any more. And as for it starting on Saturday, I’ve spent the entire summer telling you I can’t do it. You’ve had more than enough notice. You stopped taking my calls in June!’

‘She’s right, Dad,’ I said. ‘I heard the messages on our machine.’

‘Whose side are you on?’ Dad cried out, and Jasper and Arthur laughed.

‘Besides,’ Jasper said, moving around me so she was standing at my back. I could smell her perfume and I watched in awe as she batted her long lashes and tossed her dark hair. She placed both hands on my shoulders. ‘I think you have a perfect replacement right here with Zee.’

I blinked, surprised that she even knew my name. Let alone a nickname. ‘Oh, I—’

‘Arthur Lancaster, you’ll pay for this!’ Dad called to the couple as they slipped out of his office, holding hands. ‘She never turned down town duties before you stole her away.’

Arthur laughed. ‘She’ll always be a princess to me, Seth.’

‘Get out, both of you.’

Arthur turned to give him a knowing look. ‘We’ve got a late-night Jaws rerun at the Arthouse this Friday, Seth . . .’

I smirked as Dad relented and then reluctantly grumbled, ‘I’ll be there.’

When we were alone, he gave me an appraising glance. ‘You would be a great princess, Zell.’

‘Don’t even try it,’ I said, smacking him on the arm with my Lake Pristine Book Festival tote bag. ‘I have classes, Radio Panache, and I’m trying to get into Dr Bergery’s writing seminar. I’m all extra-curricular’ed out!’

‘It’s only on the weekends, kid,’ he said. ‘Besides!’ He started scrolling on his ancient computer. ‘Aha! I got an email from Killian Bergery about an hour ago. He’s auditioning. If you both do this thing together, surely he’ll help you get on his mother’s good side.’

The words stopped me in my tracks. ‘Killian Bergery?’

‘The very one,’ Dad said, oblivious to my sudden change in tone. ‘Can’t you scratch each other’s backs, so to speak?’

‘You don’t even know if you want him for one of your knights.’

‘Oh, I do, kid. His dad’s been on my ass about budgets for months now.’