Chapter 2: Violet - The Foster Child

Well, my plan went better than I expected. An invite to dinner, how brilliant is that.

Although I’m not sure Cora is pleased about it. Elliot put her on the spot, and she was always a bit of a pushover. She didn’t stick up for me, even when I sensed she wanted to. She gave in to Dale and sent me away.

Maybe I’ve underestimated her. After all, she and Dale did split up eventually. His loss. I never liked him, it was obvious he didn’t want me there. He always believed his precious daughter over me.

Now, Elliot, I can get on board with. He’s quite a catch, rich if this cottage is anything to go by, and handsome with that thick dark hair, sexy moustache and boxed beard. He seems kind too, he welcomed me straight away, included me in the family meal as soon as he knew who I was.

I bet he wouldn’t have sent me away.

Cora’s really landed on her feet moving here. This place is stunning, more like a mansion than a cottage. When I think of a cottage I think of a small, maybe two-bedroomed building with a tiny front garden and pocket handkerchief-sized courtyard. This is huge.

I stood looking at it for a while before Cora came home, taking it all in. I could hardly believe that she lives in such a stunning place.

It’s at the posh end of the village, detached and set back from the road with a huge driveway. Surrounded by a chest-high stone wall, a huge boulder on each side of the double wooden gates, it all looks very majestic. It took my breath away. I leaned over the wall to see the front garden which has numerous flower borders bursting with vibrant colour and two large rose bushes either side of the front door. Shame they aren’t in bloom, I bet they look spectacular. There’s a double garage at the side of the house. And a LOT of windows, which mean plenty of rooms – one for me if I play my cards right. And I bet they’re all as fantastic as this huge kitchen with its mahogany fitted cupboards along the top and bottom of the walls. I gaze around as I sip my coffee. The centrepiece is a top-of-the-range cream Aga with copper pans hanging from a beam above. I bet that’s a dream to cook on.

I look up at the large skylight in the semi-vaulted ceiling, then over to the French doors leading to the garden. It’s like something out of one of those House and Garden magazines.

I’m dying to see the rest of it and to have a walk around the garden. I bet it’s got a pond or a fountain. Or both. It’s far grander than the little semi with a handkerchief garden Cora lived in before.

I sense Cora’s eyes on me and turn back to her. ‘Sorry I didn’t mean to stare but this place is incredible. It must have taken ages to get it like this.’

‘Thanks, but it’s all Elliot’s hard work. I’ve only been living here a few weeks,’ Cora says.

I already know that. I know she works at the local school too.

I know far more about her than she realises. Or than I’m going to let on.

‘You’ve added your touch too in the time you’ve been here,’ Elliot tells her. ‘I’m going to have a quick shower, leave you two to catch up.’

He picks up his mug, kisses Cora on the cheek and walks out of the kitchen. He’s got one of those walks, confident, sure of himself. I wonder what his job is? Something that earns a lot of money judging by this place.

Yes, Cora’s certainly done well for herself. Leaving Dale is probably the best thing she ever did. Shame she didn’t do it before then things might have panned out different for me. I bet she hasn’t given me a second thought all these years. She’s moved on, got on with her life as if I never existed.

I bet Lori has too.

‘Are you sure it’s okay for me to stay for dinner? I can go if it’s awkward.’ I make sure I sound hesitant, as if I don’t want to be where I’m not wanted. I’ve got no intention of going though, not when Lori is coming.

‘Yes, of course,’ she replies quickly but I can tell that she doesn’t really want me to stay. She wants it to be just her, Elliot and her precious Lori. And Lori’s boyfriend, of course.

When I realised Cora lived in the village I couldn’t resist searching for Lori’s social media page. She’s at university – probably funded by Mummy and Daddy – and posts lots of pictures of herself having fun with mates. The last couple of weeks I’ve seen some photos of her with a blond-haired guy. That must be Jacob. He looks really hot, with fair hair that flops over his face, chiselled cheekbones, tanned skin. He looks older than her, more sophisticated. It made me wonder what he’s doing with her. She was such a spoilt, whiny little brat. I bet she never thinks about what she did to me.

Cora’s changed too, she had longer hair before and was plumper, motherly. She’s slim now and her hair is shorter and darker, a trendy messy bob. She looks good. And happy. I can tell that her and Elliot get on.

Lucky her to find someone else to love her.

We sit and talk as we finish our drinks. Cora seems genuinely interested in my life and what I’ve been doing. That’s how she was before, I remember, but she wasn’t interested enough to keep me, was she? Blood’s thicker than water, they say.

‘This place really is gorgeous,’ I exclaim, looking around in awe. ‘You’re so lucky. It’s a shame that you and Uncle Dale split up but Elliot is nice and you seem very happy together.’

‘We are.’ She finishes her coffee. ‘What about you? I feel so bad how it all turned out. I hope you weren’t in care for long.’

‘Oh no, I soon went back to my parents,’ I tell her. ‘It all worked out perfectly fine.’

Which is a big fat lie. But I know it’s what she wants to hear, and right now, I need to keep her onside.

‘How’s Lori doing?’ I ask.

‘Really well. She’s at university, studying to be a social worker,’ Cora says.

Oh, the irony!

Elliot comes down then and I make myself useful, helping Cora lay the huge pine table while he puts some wine in the fridge to chill and gets out the wine glasses. Crystal, of course.

Cora’s made a delicious-looking carrot cake for dessert. I remember how she used to love to bake cakes. We had one for tea every Sunday. She made Lori a chocolate hedgehog cake for her birthday.

Shame it got ruined.

Cora keeps glancing at the clock. I’m guessing Lori – and Jacob – are due soon and she’s worrying about Lori’s reaction when she sees me.

I can’t wait to see it either. That spoilt little brat ruined my life.

I bet she thought I was out of her life forever. But now here I am, back in her family home.

This time she won’t get rid of me.