Anastasia (updated to Chapter 5 1st October) -- (Author) RojasPuraVida
Anastasia (updated to Chapter 5 1st October) -- (Author) RojasPuraVida
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Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Sep 27, 2024 at 11:26 PM
Content: I found an old notebook of mine from a few years ago and I wrote the first few lines to this as a way to pass the time in a meeting or something like that.
I decided on a way forward with it and seeing as it's unlikely to be commercially viable to publish it I thought I might as well continue it here instead
Trigger warnings; themes of violence, themes of divorce/family separation, themes of adultery
Also; it's probably misleading if I don't say before you go any further... this ISN'T an ABDL story. In spite of that hopefully someone will find some enjoyment herein.
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Chapter 1
“Can you tell me why you’re here?”
“I can” she chuckled, her voice dripping with sticky confidence staring vacantly at the man’s thin rimmed glasses “I’m the exception that proves your rules”
“We don’t know that yet, and I prefer not to use terms like exception” replied the man as he scratched an illegible note on a piece of paper. “Why do you think I asked to see you?”
“Why don’t you tell me” she suggested. “I’m going to be honest with you when I say I’m not enjoying this protracted mess. Can you cut to the chase? If not, can I leave?”
“You don’t need his permission sweetie. If you want to leave, you can”
“I know that Dad” the girl smiled glancing towards her father stood at the edge of the room. “But if I leave now, is it not a reflection on you?”
“Not really”
“You’re here voluntarily” the man insisted. “For the avoidance of doubt however, I’m going to start recording so can you please introduce yourself” he quickly pushed a button on a long, thin device placed on the table between them as a red light started blinking intermittently. A stale odor of cigarette smoke, regurgitated spirits and harsh cleaning supplied dispersed itself in the heavy atmosphere like a fog enveloping a ship at sea.
“So my name’s Anastasia” she started, pausing for a moment awaiting a reply before eventually continuing “Anastasia Fernandez. I was born on the first of February twenty thirteen. That makes me eleven”
“Continue” the man mouthed to the girl.
“Okay, umm..” Anastasia faultered before continuing “So I live in Northampton, Blackthorn Road”
“Do you know the difference between the truth and a lie Anastasia?” the man probed gently.
“I do”
“Can you tell me what the difference is?” the man pushed.
“The truth is something that happened; a lie is something that you say happened but it either didn’t happen at all, or it didn’t happen in the way you say it did” Anastasia smiled, her words silky as each one curved the air slightly around it causing a clear reverberation around the room emulating a polished bell.
“I need to explain something to you now Anastasia. You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defense if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. You have the right to have a solicitor present during questioning if either yourself or your father requests that. Are you happy to proceed without a solicitor present?” the man explained coldly.
Anastasia smiled to herself before chuckling “My father IS my solicitor, we don’t normally live together since my parents’ divorced three years ago. To the extent I’m able to, I’ll reply truthfully to each question you ask me”
“Thank you” the man replied. “I’m Detective Sergeant Anthony Lacey. The purpose of this interview is to understand your involvement in the incident that took place at your school on the fifth of September” the detective paused for a moment becoming frustrated at his pen failing to work before probing “Can you tell me about that incident?”
“I don’t know what incident you mean” Anastasia rebuked, her expression unchanged.
“I think you do” the detective countered. “There’s CCTV footage of you leaving the school building in tears around 2PM, can you tell me why you were so upset?”
“She doesn’t need to answer that”
“For the record, that was Paco Fernandez here both in his capacity as Anastasia’s father and as her legal representative” the detective started, pausing for a moment before continuing “He’s right. You don’t need to answer that, but you can if you wish”
“I don’t” Anastasia replied coldly.
“Would you describe yourself as being physically fit Anastasia?”
“I suppose so; I train on the running track every day before school starts”
The detective paused creating an uncomfortable silence before eventually continuing “Have you ever had a fight?”
“She doesn’t have…”
“Save it” the detective snapped. “She doesn’t have to answer that, no”
“And I won’t be” Anastasia cackled.
“Is this funny to you? A fifty year old woman was found dead in her car after being seen on CCTV with you less than an hour before she died. Right now, you’re the last person to see her alive” the detective hissed.
“You have no proof I was involved at all, if you did this interview wouldn’t be voluntary and I’d be wearing some handcuffs right now, am I wrong?” enquired the girl, the edges of her lips tugged upwards as she corrected her fringe.
“Is this a game to you?” The detective snapped, his voice becoming louder with each syllable. “Two little boys have lost their mother; a man has lost his wife. You’re slouched in the chair treating this like a fun day out. Do you have any empathy at all?”
“No. Not really” Anastasia replied coldly. “I imagine you’ve already read through my school reports, my medical records, everything… no?” she paused for a moment relieving her dry mouth with some bottled water. “It shouldn’t be a surprise that I show no empathy for what happened to Mrs Halliday”
“What did she do to you? I’ve had adult serial killers sat where you’re sat now showing more empathy for their victims than you do”
“I’d expect no less, I’m presuming very few of them share my diagnosis” Anastasia returned frostily.
“Your school reports describe a violent, uncontrollable young girl who has caused significant injury to children older than you”
“They also describe that my actions in each of those cases were justifiable and, after the second most recent incident the police and the CPS cleared me of blame, didn’t they Daddy?”
“That’s right sweetie, he already knows that, he also knows that none of that is admissible evidence against you” Paco explained with a synthetic, conciliatory warmness coming from each word.
“Your medical records describe you being prone to violent outbursts when challenged. Is that what happened, did Mrs Halliday challenge you? What did you talk about in the corridor?” the detective pushed, his words deliberately quick. “What did she want you to do? What did she ask? What did she tell you?”
“Slow down” Anastasia insisted, her composure slipping for a split-second before being regained.
She took a slow, deep breath before continuing “Mrs Halliday and I spoke for only a brief time, I don’t remember what was said I’m sorry. Please can you ask your questions one at a time going forward”
“I’m sorry” the detective replied lacking sincerity. “Let’s have a look at two photographs” he paused for a moment as he slid the prints towards the child across the table “On the left is when you were speaking to Mrs Halliday in the corridor, you have a bag on each of your shoulders, you followed her into her classroom. You look pretty in that one, your hair is neat and your wearing those same knee high boots you’re wearing now. On the right is after you left, you’re wearing a pair of trainers and your hair is messy. There’s twenty minutes between when those photographs were taken, what happened in those twenty minutes Anastasia?”
“She doesn’t have to answer that” Paco interrupted.
“He’s right. You don’t have to answer that, but you still can if you want to” the detective replied, pausing allowing Anastasia the chance to speak before eventually continuing “Let me tell you what I know, I know that you went into that classroom, I know that an hour later Mrs Halliday was found dead slumped over her steering wheel. I’ve looked at the building plans and I know there’s a fire exit in that classroom that leads to the car park where we found her body”
“Detective” Paco interjected. “Remember where you are, and with whom you’re speaking. She’s a child, your questions are not appropriate. If you had any forensic evidence at all, she would be under arrest not here voluntarily”
“How did she die?” Anastasia queried, seemingly unaware of her father’s interjection.
“Why don’t you tell me” the detective suggested.
“I’m not a coroner” Anastasia chuckled. “How on earth would I know that?”
“Let’s move on” the detective demanded, his voice barely concealing the anger beneath while his brow became tighter with each passing second. “Why were you carrying two bags when you went into the classroom, but only one when you left?”
“I lost one of my bags, did you find it?”
“Is this a game to you?” The detective shouted.
Anastasia shook her head prompting the detective to query “What was in each of the bags?”
“Do I need to answer that Dad?”
“You don’t” Paco returned, before commenting “You don’t need to, but I would anyway”
“Fine” Anastasia conceded rolling her eyes. “The black bag with pink trim had my books, lunch and pencil case. The pink bag with black trim had my personal supplies”
“Personal supplies?” the detective queried.
“Change of clothes, spare uniform, things like that” Anastasia smiled.
“Why do you carry a change of clothes? You’re not a toddler” the detective scolded. “What happened to the clothes you wore entering the classroom? The clothes we seized had no forensic evidence you were ever near Mrs Halliday”
“The clothes you seized were the clothes I wore that whole day” Anastasia grinned. “Besides, I thought I asked you to only ask me one question at a time”
“Fine” The detective sighed. “Why do you carry a change of clothes? My son hasn’t carried a change of clothes for years; he’s younger than you Anastasia. It doesn’t add up”
“You said…” Anastasia blushed.
“Let me answer this one sweetie, you don’t have to” Paco soothed before turning his eyes towards the detective. “Anastasia has some pretty significant neuro-developmental needs, she’s always had trouble with her toileting which is why she carries the second bag. You have no evidence, if you did you would have been required to share it with me which you haven’t. What was recorded as the cause of death on the death certificate?” he paused for a second before adding “You’re required to tell me, I’m her solicitor”
The detective returned an uncomfortable glance as he shuffled about his seat, eventually admitting “The cause of death was a stroke”
“So seeing as you have no evidence at all that a crime was committed, much less by my daughter we shall be leaving” Paco hissed, quickly slinging Anastasia’s bag over his shoulder before gesturing for the child to stand. “I’ll be writing to your superiors about this scurrilous attempt to tarnish my daughter’s reputation”
“Thank you” Anastasia cackled as she slowly made her way to the exit.
“We may call your daughter back if we have further questions for her” the detective advised.
“She won’t be returning without a court order” Paco started, pausing for a moment before turning to his daughter “Shall we go?”
“Sorry detective” Anastasia blushed noticing she had stood on the man’s toes.
“You don’t mean that do you?” the detective chuckled.
“You won’t like the answer if I’m honest with you” Anastasia laughed before winking “See you soon”
“Don’t worry, you will” the detective cackled inaudibly as Paco led his daughter out of the corridor into a lift, proceeding down through another corridor lined on each side by half-height glass windows allowing the setting sunlight to pour through.
“Dad, we need to talk in the car” Anastasia pleaded. “I need to ask you something, but not here”
“Will you tell me the truth this time?”
“Will you trust the answer?” Anastasia joked.
“Touché” Paco conceded.
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Author: RojasPuraVida
Timestamp: Oct 1, 2024 at 1:07 AM
Content: Chapter 2
“The car didn’t beep” Anastasia declared as she swung open the heavy doors embellished on the white SUV.
“Well spotted!” Paco chuckled. “It’s a new car since the last time I saw you”
“Thought so” Anastasia giggled. “It’s comfy, bigger than the last one, no?”
“It’s about the same size, maybe a bit higher I’m not sure” Paco started, pausing for a second as he was soaked by an uncomfortable wave of dread, eventually continuing “Look sweetie, I really shouldn’t know the answer because I’m your solicitor, but as your father I really should know, what actually happened?”
Anastasia paused for a moment before commenting “You’re right, you really shouldn’t know. If you did, you couldn’t let me deny it to the police or in court”
“You’re smart Anni” Paco conceded while the remaining colour slowly filtered from his face while the implications of his daughter’s words became clear. “I need to pull over” eventually he stopped the car on the brow of a hill parking it between two small cars dwarfed by the shiny white tank-like vehicle from which Paco exited. The man crouched beside the car wretching as a perceptible yet small amount of green bile and mucus was ejected onto the grass verge beneath.
“My daughter is a killer” Paco whispered silently as he contemplated the implications of each of his words.
Eventually he climbed back into the driver’s seat where he quickly removed an unlabelled bottle of water from the glove compartment drinking the liquid entire before placing his daughter’s hands between his own as he conceded “You’re not in trouble, at least not with the police. They have no evidence you killed her and if there was any evidence they would have found it by now” he paused for a moment noticing Anastasia’s unchanged expression “Does your mother know the truth?”
“No”
“Does anyone know the truth?” Paco probed gently.
“Only I know the truth” Anastasia started, her words crashing to the ground like icicles before she removed a bottle of water for herself from the glove compartment, taking a gulp before continuing “What surprised me is that no-one has asked how or why?”
“How or why you did what?” Paco queried his face still void of color.
“Whomever killed her did was doing an act of public service” Anastasia began, her face expressionless while her father returned a look of shock. “She was guilty, I’m not”
“You didn’t kill her?”
“I said I’m not guilty” Anastasia returned.
Paco elected not to respond, instead he started the quiet rumbling engine and proceeded quickly and without care along the narrow road, eventually arriving at a neat terraced row of houses as he reversed the car onto a drive beside another, smaller car. “Let’s go inside and speak with your mother”
Anastasia complied and slowly made her way up the crunchy gravel drive before opening the front door revealing a well kept, if poorly maintained house. An aroma of stale fat wafted from the kitchen as a tall, thin framed woman lingered in the dead space between the kitchen and the hallway.
“Lena?” Paco shouted.
“How did that go?” Lena queried, her cheery tone somewhat failed to obscure the anger beneath.
“No further action” Paco scolded. “Did you really expect any less?”
“Thank you” Lena conceded wiping a tear from her eye. “I’m sorry I called you”
“You don’t owe me an apology, but you would if you hadn’t called when you did” Paco started, pausing for a moment as he turned to Anastasia. “I would like a cup of coffee, please”
“Fine” Anastasia returned as she stomped into the kitchen.
“Please don’t smoke here” Lena sighed noticing Paco removing a packet of cigarettes from his pocket.
“Please don’t smoke here” Paco mocked, his pitch synthetically high “In the house I fucking pay for. Learn your place Lena”
“Please” Lena pleaded. “I can’t keep doing this with her. I hope you know she killed that woman”
“Did she tell you that?” Paco probed.
“She didn’t” Lena started, pausing for a moment to take the lit cigarette from Paco’s mouth before smoking the remainder herself. “Sorry about that, as you can probably tell I’m stressed” she paused for a moment before continuing “She didn’t tell me that she killed the woman, but I know she did it”
“How?” Paco queried both of the woman and of himself. “She couldn’t…” he stopped himself before whispering silently “She probably could, but she wouldn’t. Would she?”
“I can’t cope with her Paco” Lena wept. “She’s just so violent. She broke three of my toes last month, it’s said she can’t help it. Is there any truth to that?”
“Why are you asking me?” Paco returned.
“Because you’re the same as her” Lena snapped. “You are the only person that even could attempt to understand what she’s thinking”
“Do you appreciate the irony of what you’re saying Lena?” Paco chided. “You spent over a year running my name through the mud in front of all of my colleagues and friends. Saying that I’m this narcissist control freak who lacks empathy” he paused for a moment to light another cigarette before continuing “Do you want to know the worst part?”
“Tell me”
“Everything you said about me was true” Paco cackled. “You didn’t complain though when I was working constantly to give you gold and platinum. You didn’t complain when you went shopping almost daily spending an obscene amount of money I made, not you. You’re not complaining now that you need me” he paused for a moment before adding “Right now she can’t help it, but that doesn’t mean that will always be the case. I know you only have my word for this, but I was just as bad when I was her age”
“You didn’t kill anyone though did you?”
“For what it’s worth, I don’t think she did” Paco started, pausing for a second before continuing “I don’t know what happened, but she’s not a murderer. The woman had a stroke”
“Be that as it may, I need to ask you something” Lena started, pausing as a balding heavy-set middle aged man entered the hallway from the front door, removing a pair of mud caked boots in the porch area.
“Hi everyone” the man shouted.
“You must be Lee” Paco smiled deliberately “Paco Fernandez. I’m…”
“Her ex” Lee interrupted before pointing his eyes towards Lena stood in the kitchen “I figured that bit out” the man paused as he plodded into the kitchen removing a can of lager from the fridge, quickly opening it and drinking more than half. “I take it the misses has agreed everything with you then mate?”
“Forgive me” Paco sighed. “I have no idea what you are talking about”
“I told you to tell him” Lee snarled grabbing Lena’s shoulder before quickly releasing her and turning towards Paco. “You’re taking your brat with you” unwilling to await Paco’s response, Lee trotted clumsily into the hallway poking his head through the banister shouting “Anastasia. Pack your bags”
“Lena?” Paco queried. “What is actually happening now?”
“Lee wants you to take her with you” Lena started, brushing a scattering of tears hastily away with her sleeve.
“If he does, he’s going about it the wrong way” Paco hushed. “The only saving grace here is that she’s not noticed” the man stepped away and placed his arm around Lee who was shouting at the bottom of the stairs “Hermano, whatever you are trying to achieve that’s not how you will achieve it”
“The kid needs to get out of my house” Lee started before mocking “Hermano”.
“I presume you’re aware my Dad knows how to get away with murder” Anastasia jeered perched at the edge of the upstairs banister as her legs dangled over the edge. Spiteful sparks flew from the girl’s almost green eyes as she kicked each of her trainers off her feet sending them clumsily tumbling down the stairs, the second hitting Lee across the face.
A red wave quickly re-enforced Lee’s furrowed brow as the man’s imperfect teeth clenched tightly shut while his lips slit open as huge volumes of air quickly rushed through tighter and tighter gaps drying the edge of the man’s lip creating a palpable internal discomfort.
“Get the fuck out” Lee snarled, his words barely audible prompting Anastasia to perch at the edge of the banister separating the upstairs hallways refusing to commit to any direction of movement, instead she decided almost reflexively that her best form of defense was attack.
Her razor sharp eyelids loosened for a split-second while she analyzed every piece standing between her and the reina de blanco across the board. It was time for her to make her move, Blanco made the first move of course, Lee after all had made the predictable opening playing for control of the centre ground. It was now time for Petroff’s defense as she capitalized on her elasticized mobility slinking past the ham-fisted man before delivering a flying kick between his legs sending Lee crashing to the floor not before he struck his head against the wooden banister before eventually reaching his lowest equilibrium.
Blanco was running out of moves it seemed, Anastasia capitalized on her moment to place a strategic gambit. She had one objective, control. She would have told you she wanted to live with her father full time, if she felt like it. She despised his shiny new wife even more than she despised his teenage, South Asian mistress but that was the least of her concerns. “You can’t leave now, not like this” the voices muttered behind her ears. Their words were powerful. Why? Because they’re right.
Anastasia’s breathing quickened racing her heart which pounded like heavy machinery, her face becoming hotter and redder with banging heartbeat “I AM NOT LEAVING” she screeched, her pitch such that Lena reflexively shielded her ears while Paco’s toes curled upwards uncomfortably trapping the sharp edges of his toenails against the inside of his shoes.
“NO” Anastasia repeated, her cries becoming louder than even she perceived was possible. Her pupils widened as each green iris unwound while a slippery carpet of sweat carpeted her brow. “NO” She repeated relentlessly “NO PLEAAASE NO” she panted.
Suddenly the boiling water that simmered within the girl flowed cold as she felt the carpet of sweat drip down like ice.
“Deep breaths” a voice soothed, it’s origin known not to Anastasia now. “You’re safe. I’m just going to hold you while I take some deep breaths” the voice soothed again.
“Okay Daddy” Anastasia complied, each iris wound slowly tighter.
“I’ll get her medication from the fridge” Lena decided as she reversed from the cramped corridor, aiding Lee out of the house as she prompted him to take a seat on the garden step.
“I’m good thanks” Anastasia replied, her response wooden and free of tone while splinters of robotic-natured faux poise flew in all directions.
“I lost control Daddy. I’m sorry”
“You’re not in trouble, I understand everything that just happened. You were in no way responsible for that situation. That said, if only to make my own life easier, I would go and say sorry to Lee and give him and your Mum a hug” Paco soothed wiping a soft linen handkerchief around the child’s face before again restraining her disheveled hair beneath a quartet of wavy red hair grips each embellished with hearts.
“Do I have to mean it?”
“It will only work if they think you mean it” Paco advised, his words startlingly clear and precise.
Anastasia skulked away dipping her face slightly as she pointed her eyes up, deliberately pushing against the irresistible force at the corners of her lips as a slight frown formed across her face. “I feel guilty” Anastasia told herself. “I’m apologizing to accept what they think is my responsibility for what happened” she told herself again.
“Fake it ‘til you make it, eh Dad?” Anastasia chuckled lingering in the doorway as the three-note chime from the doorbell echoed through the house.
Chapter 3
“POLICE” A voice shouted from behind the door. “OPEN THE DOOR NOW, WE HAVE A WARRANT”
Paco quickly dispatched the look of terror on his daughter’s face as he grinned “Don’t worry, they’re not here for you. I told the police you live with me”
“I know” Anastasia winked as she climbed backwards onto the kitchen work surface while her father opened the door.
“Can I help you?” Paco queried.
“Lee Halliday, you’re under arrest on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class A controlled substance” the officer shouted.
“No, I’m not” Paco started, pausing for a second as a stunned silence loomed over the tightly packed group of officers. “I’m Paco Hernandez, Mr Halliday’s solicitor. May I see a copy of the warrant?”
“Your warrant is invalid” Paco began as he examined the piece of paper. “It’s not signed. I could have told you that before checking as if it was I’m sure you would have kicked the door down” he paused for a moment as he returned the piece of paper before continuing “I do understand you would like to speak with my client, rather than go to the trauma of explaining your mistake infront of your superior officer, why do we not agree that my client can attend a voluntary interview in your station tomorrow morning and I will give you my word personally that he will attend”
“Fine” A familiar voice shouted from behind the crowd. “Wait, Paco Hernandez?” the voice queried as a short, bearded man pushed his way through the crowd. “Detective sergeant Lacey, we met earlier” he offered as he extended his hand to the solicitor.
“Detective” Paco smiled, using every drop of his energy to appear cordial. “What are the odds you are trying to bend the rules with two of my clients in just one day?”
“My apologies” Detective Lacey conceded. “Might I ask how you ended up representing this pond life?”
“You may not; I’ll see you tomorrow morning at ten detective. Don’t be late”
“Detective sergeant Lacey” Anastasia mocked. “I told you I’d see you soon”
“You did” the detective replied “Although I didn’t expect it to be like this”
“I did” Anastasia cackled as she playfully waved to the man as he slinked away.
Paco closed the door once the crowd had dispersed, he smiled to himself as he turned to Anastasia kneeling slightly before starting “Well, that was unexpected”
“Not really” Anastasia giggled. “I snooped around his desk before the interview, it’s why I told him I lived at your house”
“Why didn’t you tell him? Or me at least?”
“Why would I?” Anastasia returned. “Doing it like this is way more fun” she paused for a moment before adding “Besides, why do you really care? Lee’s nasty, so was his sister” the edges of the girl’s lips were deliberately tugged upwards as she sniggered “I just did what I had to do. Such a shame really”
“Wait” Paco spluttered. “Are you telling me that Miss Halliday was Lee’s sister?”
“Congratulations” Anastasia smirked. “You figured it out”
“Figured what out?” Lee grunted, visible only as a dark, looming silhouette against the death of the sunlight visible through the kitchen window behind.
“Uhmmm…” Paco faltered, deciding in the moment not to explain his revelation. “Some police came to the door” he paused for a split-second as he made eye contact with Anastasia. “They won’t be coming back, their warrant was unsigned I sent them away”
“Attaboy!” Lee cheered, wrapping an arm around Paco. “Beer?”
“Absolutely not” Paco replied, his face entire tilted a few degrees upwards. “I gave them my word you would attend a voluntary interview”
“I need a brief then” Lee began before turning to Paco adding “I can’t afford your fees”
“Unfortunately indeed” Paco hissed. “I was talking to my angel just a minute ago, she said something to me. The fate of you, it is unfortunate” he paused for a moment basking in the white heat of Lee’s desperate eyes. “Now let me extend an olive branch, I will arrange for someone from my firm to represent you tomorrow” the man paused again, removing a cigarette from his pocket before turning to Anastasia winking “Can Daddy have a lighter?”
“Just a sec” Anastasia replied before slinking away.
“I told you not to smoke in the house” Lena scolded.
“You did. I ignored you” Paco chuckled. “Is she coming with me?”
Lee nodded forcefully as Lena followed his example prompting Paco to reply coldly “Leave me and her be for a few minutes, I’ll tell her and get her packed”
“Thank you” Lena cried reluctantly.
“You shouldn’t be thanking me Lena” Paco chided. “You’re not welcome. If this is the contempt you and your partner with which you and your partner feel is acceptable treatment to her, you are not welcome in her life. Neither of you are”
“Fuck you then” Lee spat.
“Lee!” Lena scolded.
“We don’t need your outrage” Paco started, pausing for a moment before continuing “It’s your loss. Tell Anastasia to meet me in her bedroom. We’ll be out of your hair in an hour”
“Dad” Anastasia smiled, handing over a transparent disposable lighter.
“Thank you sweetie” Paco soothed. “Let’s speak together upstairs”
“Okay Dad” Anastasia complied before bounding quickly up the stairs disappearing behind a gloss white door.
Paco slowly climbed the carpeted stairs before poking his head through the door before his body clumsily followed.
“You’re fine Dad” Anastasia hushed. “I know why you did that, you don’t need to.
“I’m sorry” Paco started. “It’s been fifteen years but still I look over my shoulder”
“You were in the police for nearly a decade Dad” Anastasia smiled. “Old habits die hard” she paused for a second sensing her father’s unease before continuing “What did you need to talk about anyway?”
“I just thought it might be fun if you came to stay with me for some time” Paco started, his words gentle as he wrapped his arm around Anastasia. “It’s up to you, you don’t have to if you don’t want to. I don’t know how I’ll be able to finish the tub of Ben & Jerry’s in my freezer on my own though”
“That sounds fun; I need to do my thing before we go though. Please can you pack my bags for me while I do?”
“You don’t need help?” Paco checked.
“Why would I?” Anastasia chuckled. “I’m not six” she giggled to herself for a moment before walking reluctantly towards a metal cabinet placed in the corner of the room, removing a large clear syringe from a packet along with a selection of cardboard and plastic cartons.
“How have you found it with the tube?” Paco queried as he clumsily folded a few garments placing them in a white hold-all bag. “It’s been what, five years now?”
“Five years next month” Anastasia returned as she slowly drew a white liquid into the large syringe before removing a short length of plastic tubing from behind her clothing which she attached to the syringe, feeding the liquid through the tube slowly before removing the syringe and repeating the process another few times before placing the empty carton and syringe into a plastic bag.
“All done” she smiled as she discarded the plastic bag into the bathroom bin before following her father downstairs.
“I’ll see you soon” Lena wept, attempting to wrap her arms around the child only for Anastasia to duck her head refusing her attempt.
“No you won’t” Anastasia returned coldly. “Dad, shall we go?”
“Let’s” Paco smiled leading the child towards the car as he hastily stashed the hold-all bag behind the passenger seat. “Ready?”
“Ready” Anastasia replied, the edges of her lips tugged upwards revealing a slight smile. “Do you ever wish I was different?”
“No. If you were different, you wouldn’t be you” Paco grinned as he reversed the car from the driveway. “I love you to bits m’ija”
“Love you too Dad, but there are times I wish things were different” Anastasia chuckled. “Where are we going? Your house is that way”
“I know that” Paco began, pausing for a moment as he carefully considered his phrasing. “I just wanted you to talk to someone, don’t worry she’s not a therapist like before. I’ve learned my lesson”
“Who?”
“Someone like you” Paco returned cryptically. “We can just head for the house if you prefer”
“No, that’s okay” Anastasia faltered. “I didn’t think there were many people like me”
“There’s not” Paco started, pausing for a second to light a cigarette before continuing “I thought it might do you some good to see her. I can explain why now, but I think it will be helpful if I don’t tell you any more about her and then you can make your own opinions when we see her”
“Okaaayyy” Anastasia dragged. “I trust you, but I’m not sure”
Chapter 4
“This place is a dump” Anastasia scoffed.
“Welcome to Hartlepool m’ija” Paco chuckled. “The place is a dump, I’ll give you that” he paused as he navigated the car through a maze of side roads before arriving at a row of three houses in the middle of a terraced row which seemed for an incomprehensible reason to be different to the other houses on the road.
There was only a single door present on the house closest to the end while bright red bricks lived in the place where the two other doors once did. Paco steered the car with precision between two stationary cars parked in front of the combined houses before gesturing for Anastasia to climb down onto the pavement.
“Aaagh” Anastasia groaned while stretching her legs individually against the car. “I’m so stiff, that was such a long drive”
“It’s a bit out of the way here” Paco chuckled as he took Anastasia’s hand leading her towards the single door. “Do you want to knock?”
Before Anastasia had the chance to respond, the door opened inwards revealing a short, blonde haired woman clad in a tight-fitting black suit trimmed.
“Hi…” Anastasia stammered, her face blushed bright red like a traffic light. “I’m…”
“Anastasia, I know” the woman replied. “I’m Alice”
“Thank you for agreeing to see us Alice” Paco smiled. “I know I was asking a lot”
“Listen…” Alice sighed. “I’d do anything for you Paco, you should know that by now. Are you not coming in?”
Anastasia slowly padded through the hallway up a set of stairs, her feet sinking slightly into the thick carpet as an aroma of incense and fresh fruit filled the air until they arrived at an anonymous white door.
“Can I get you all something to eat or drink?” Alice queried.
“I’m fine thanks” Anastasia blushed. “But thank you”
“Are you sure?” Alice returned, pausing for a second before offering “Crisps? Fruit? Nuts?”
“Honestly I’m okay” Anastasia insisted before fiddling with her top holding out the tip of the tubing so that it was visible. “Thank you though”
“My mistake” Alice smiled. “Paco, do you want anything?”
“Cafecito?”
“Por supuesto” Alice chuckled as she opened the door revealing a larger than expected windowless room containing an unsorted mix of various hard and soft furnishings arranged without regard to order while a volume of clutter was carelessly arranged across the carpet.
“Now, Anastasia” Alice started. “I like to sit at that desk over there; it means I can see exactly who and what’s here. That’s the door we came in through, the one beside it is for the bathroom and the one beside that is just a cupboard. You’re safe, I promise”
“Dad says you’re like me” Anastasia blushed.
“In a lot of ways, he’s right” Alice smiled. “We’re all unique, but it’s probably fair to say that you’re more like me than most. Your Dad wanted me to give you some sort of pep-talk. Every time he sees me he tells me how impressed he is and I suppose he thinks that I’ll rub off on you somehow”
“That won’t work”
“I know that” Alice returned as she gestured for Anastasia to sit at the desk. “Primarily it won’t work because you don’t know me and have no reason to trust me” she paused for a second before whispering “I don’t blame you for that”
“You don’t?”
“Of course not” Alice giggled. “I don’t trust you either, not yet”
“Why is my Dad so impressed by you?”
“I’ve faced him in court a few times, I’m the only person to face him so many times and always win” Alice giggled.
“Six nil to you” Paco interjected. “That’s not why you impress me so much though”
“Even though I’m the only person to ever beat the unbeatable Paco six times on the bounce” Alice cackled, pausing for a second before continuing. “When we’ve spoken, he’s commented that you’re so similar to me. We actually met when I was your age; he used to work for my Dad before I qualified as a solicitor last year”
“You’re…”
“Twenty” Alice returned.
“I wasn’t going to say that” Anastasia giggled. “I was going to say you’re so young”
“The youngest qualified and practicing solicitor in the country” a man’s voice interjected from the doorway.
“Don Alejandro” Paco started, pausing for a second to hand the man a cigarette.
“Alex, please. And this must be Anastasia; your father speaks so highly about you”
“He does?”
“To the point it’s irritating” Alex laughed. “The amount of times he’s rescheduled meetings with me because of his little Anni is incredible” he paused for a moment placing his arm around Paco’s shoulder “Let’s leave the women to speak amigo”
“You look a lot younger than my Dad” Anastasia declared confidently. “But Alice is older than me”
Alex giggled to himself for a second before responding playfully “That’s because I am” he paused for a moment before winking “I’m forty next year”
“Dad, why did you refer to him as Don when he’s younger than you? You told me Don and Dona is used only for elders”
“Anastasia” Alice started quietly. “I’ll explain why in a few minutes, for now just say sorry and let the men talk. You’re not in trouble, it’s just not the right question to ask. Do you understand?”
“Sorry Dad, sorry…”
“You don’t need to apologize” Alex insisted. “Can I borrow your father for a few minutes to talk alone about my campaign?”
Anastasia smiled as the two men quickly departed the room in a torrent of muted laughter. Alice perched at the edge of the desk before smiling “Your Dad refers to my Dad as Don Alejandro because he sees my Dad as being higher in standing than how he views himself. It’s used as a show of respect and deference”
“Why?” Anastasia probed, her words lacking confidence.
“I’ve never quite understood the reasons why, I’ve asked a few times. I think it’s from when my Dad was your Dad’s client” Alice started, pausing for a moment before continuing “Do you want some more context? You look baffled, I think I would be too if I was sat where you’re sat”
“Sorry” Anastasia blushed.
“Don’t be” Alice grinned as she stood from the desk, walking to the other side of the room before fiddling with an espresso machine. “My Dad is Alex Ruiz; he used to own some factories nearby, now he’s a member of parliament. I’m the middle of his three children, and for your information only, I was diagnosed with PDA when I was five…”
“So was I” Anastasia interrupted.
“I know” Alice chuckled. “That’s why your Dad thinks it’s such a good idea that we talk”
“Do you agree?”
“I think it’s a good idea that we talk, but not for the same reason” Alice started, pausing for a moment before continuing “Tell me about Christine” she paused for a moment to hand Anastasia a crumpled five pound note from within her dress pocket. “Not yet, give me that back first. It means you’re officially my client and I’m bound by law never to reveal what you tell me”
“Really?” Anastasia checked as she handed Alice the five pound note.
“I promise, nothing you tell me now I can ever reveal without your permission. Not to your Dad, not to the Police. You’re in control of what happens with whatever you tell me now”
“Christine Halliday is Lee’s sister, Lee’s my Mum’s boyfriend” Anastasia started reluctantly. “She died of a stroke two weeks ago, the police questioned me because I was the last person to see her alive”
“Yeah…” Alice stuttered. “I knew all of this already, I’m going to ask you a very blunt and direct question. You don’t have to answer, but I’d like it if you did, remember I can’t tell anyone the answer and I’m not going to be mad with you whatever you tell me. Did you do anything to make that stroke happen?”
“I’ll say the same thing to you what I said to my Dad, I’m not guilty but I’m not sorry that she died. Whoever killed her did an act of public service”
“You didn’t answer my question” Alice returned her words clear yet free of any emotion. “I meant what I said Anastasia, I’m not going to view you any differently whatever your answer is, but I’d appreciate the truth. It would probably make you feel better to be honest” she paused for a moment before querying “If you had nothing to do with her death, would you tell me that? Or would your answer be the same as what you just told me”
“Do you really promise that no-one will know the answer? It will stay between us”
“I don’t know how to make you trust me, but I’m going to tell you some very sensitive and revealing things about me. I’m not honest with most people about these things, most of them my Dad doesn’t even know” Alice started, pausing for a moment before continuing. “If I don’t keep my word, you can tell these things to anyone who will listen and I’ll go to prison. My only objective here is to show you that you can trust me”
“Okay…” Anastasia dragged reluctantly.
“I’m stealing money from my own firm, that’s called embezzlement. You can write this down if you want to, the money is in a foreign bank account in the name of my twin sister who I pay as a consultant even though I haven’t seen her in over a year, that’s called fraud” Alice started, pausing for a moment as she placed a saucer and coffee in front of Anastasia.
“Cafecito if you want it, my Dad wouldn’t let me have it when I was your age” Alice winked before continuing “I have a little girl, she’s three now. Unless you ask, I won’t go into details but it wasn’t my choice to become pregnant when I did, I killed her biological father before she was born. You’re the only person to know that. What’s left of him is buried on Horden beach underneath a carload of building rubble. That’s called manslaughter”
“You don’t feel bad?”
“No, I don’t” Alice started. “I don’t regret it and I never have. The police still regard him as a missing person”
“You said manslaughter, not murder”
“That’s right” Alice smiled. “The legal term is manslaughter by reason of provocation. If I was arrested for it, I’d probably go to prison for ten years. Knowing what I know about both of them, my wife and my twin sister would fight each other in court for who gets to raise my daughter and I’d lose everything I built” she paused for a moment before continuing “Do you want to change your answer to my question?”
Anastasia sat for a moment slowly sipping the coffee before she replied coldly “She was my head of year at my new school, she told the whole class about my tube on my first day. She said in front of everyone that if my tube was ripped out I could die”
“Can I have a guess to what happened?” Alice queried.
“Go on”
“You have to tell me if I’m right or not” Alice joked before continuing slowly with damning clarity “I think you found some excuse to talk to her alone and you gave her an injection of air, then I’m guessing you dragged her out to her car and made it look like she died there instead. How close to the mark am I?”
Involuntarily, Anastasia’s face turned a bright red shade emulating a traffic light as her brow became sticky with a carpet of sweat, her breathing increasing in frequency and speed with each passing second.
“I’ll take that as you’re very close to the mark indeed Miss Ruiz” Alice giggled. “It’s all good, I don’t think you’re evil or anything. You did what you had to do, I just need to ask you a few questions about what you did in that moment to make sure there’s nothing that I need to do now as your solicitor” she paused for a moment before querying “What happened to the syringe and the clothes and shoes you wore when it happened?”
“I put them in a bin bag with some rubbish I had already and put it in the yellow sanitary bin outside school underneath a bag that was in there already” Anastasia answered, her words clear while frosty sparks flew in all directions from her expressionless face. “I did the same thing with the gloves I wore, the next day I saw the bin be collected and my bag was still inside when it was emptied into the lorry”
“That’s fine then” Alice returned. “Just to check, other than me does anyone know? And did you write down what happened anywhere?”
“No on both counts”
“Do you want to keep talking about what happened?” Alice checked. “You don’t have to, but I’ll listen to anything you want to tell me”
“No, but can I ask you something?”
“Dale” Alice smiled.
“What would happen if the police found out what happened?”
“Honest answer?” Alice checked, pausing until Anastasia nodded before continuing “Very little, even with your confession it’s unlikely the CPS would file charges, you’re not the first person she said something like that about. It’s why she worked at your school, she was fired from the last two where she worked. I bet you didn’t know that. If I was to represent you, I’d argue you acted in desperation in a misguided attempt at self defense. I’d put money on you walking free after all is said and done”
“Really?” Anastasia queried in disbelief.
“Yep” Alice smiled. “You look so relieved”
Chapter 5
“This is sooo nice” Anastasia snorted as she finished the tiny cup of coffee.
“Do you want another?” Alice queried, her words light and free of pressure.
“Yes please” Anastasia declared.
“Sin problema hermana” Alice chuckled as she slowly walked towards the espresso machine in the corner of the room.
“What do you call this place?”
“You need to be more specific, everything here has a name. Do you mean the town, the house, the room?” Alice giggled.
“This room, I’ve never seen anywhere like it”
“It’s cool, no?” Alice started, pausing for a second before continuing. “We all call it the den. I don’t like calling it my office, which makes me feel pressured to work when I’m here” she paused for a moment before continuing “The door over there is to mine and Caitlyn’s bedroom”
“Is Caitlyn your daughter?”
“She is” Alice smiled. “El amor de mi vida”
“How did you do it all? You’re a Mum, a solicitor but…”
“I’m the same as you” Alice sniggered. “That’s how. Everything I’ve achieved is because of that, not in spite of it”
“Wait…” Anastasia stammered. “You didn’t find it harder”
“I wouldn’t know if my path was harder or easier” Alice smiled. “I’ve only followed the path I made for myself, I have absolutely no frame of reference” she paused for a moment handing Anastasia another cup and saucer before placing a plate containing a selection of sweet looking pastries on the desk in front of the child declaring confidently “Help yourself”
“Thank you” Anastasia blushed. “Do you mind me asking you a question?”
“Ask me anything”
“What was it like for you in school, you know…” Anastasia started. “Being the way we are”
“I couldn’t tell you” Alice began, her words sticking deep within Anastasia’s mind as she continued “I never went, I was homeschooled from when I was younger than Caitlyn. University was fairly easy, no-one was told about who I really am deep down, and it was like playing a character I suppose” she paused for a moment quickly downing her coffee before querying “Can I ask you a question? You don’t need to answer, but I’d like to ask anyway. Don’t worry it’s not about what happened”
“Ask me anything” Anastasia smirked.
“What’s it like having the tube?” Alice probed candidly. “I’m asking for a reason, but I want to hear your answer before I tell you why I’m asking”
“Okaaayyy…” Anastasia dragged, pausing for a splitsecond as she decided on the best way to respond. On one hand, she thought that considering Alice’s openness, she should be honest, yet she felt a wave of sticky discomfort attempting to prevent her from answering truthfully. She decided in that moment to emulate her new-found mentor and harness that discomfort to give an honest answer, rather than succumb to it as she usually would. “I actually feel a lot better now compared to before I had it. The operation sucked, I really can’t stand it in hospital, but now I feel more able to eat. It’s like there’s less pressure because I know I have something to fall back on, sort of like a safety net” she paused for a moment deciding to be even more candid “It gets on my nerves at times though, I can’t really wear dresses now because it would mean getting undressed every time I need to feed myself which creates its own set of problems”
“The main problem I’m guessing is that it’s much easier to change yourself if you’re wearing a dress compared to jeans or a skirt?” Alice confirmed, her slight smile somehow encouraging Anastasia to drop what was left of the guarded wall she built surrounding herself.
“Honesty it is then” Anastasia decided silently before resuming the conversation. “I’m guessing you’re talking from personal experience there?”
“Yep” Alice blushed. “I wasn’t much younger than you when I finally conquered the toilet” she paused for a moment before reminding the child “You don’t need to be embarrassed”
“Why are you asking about my tube anyway?” Anastasia queried.
“I’m asking because I have no personal experience on the matter and there’s no-one who I trusted before now to give me an honest answer”
“No-one who could understand it the way we do” Anastasia smiled. “I get it. Why do you need an honest answer?”
“You win kiddo” Alice muttered silently to herself before continuing “I need an honest answer because I have a very tough decision to make, and it’s one I’ve been struggling with for a few weeks now”
“Go on…”
“Caitlyn, my daughter, has ARFID” Alice sighed. “Her doctor suggested that she should have a tube like yours. Before making the decision, I wanted to hear some firsthand experience on the matter from someone who thinks like we do” she paused for a moment finishing a small pastry before continuing “I’ve honestly never struggled with food, so I can’t comment from my own experience and like you and Caitlyn I can’t really feel someone else’s feelings. I don’t like it when Caitlyn gets upset, but I don’t feel sad or upset or anything when she is. I find it hard to make decisions like this for that reason. I honestly don’t know if it’s for the best or not”
“I understand” Anastasia smiled. “I’ve had my tube for five years nearly, not once have I wished I didn’t have it. I don’t know if that helps or not, but it’s the truth”
“It does” Alice sighed. “Wait there for a minute, I’ve got a present for you”.
“You don’t need to do that”
“Of course I do, just two seconds, okay?” Alice checked before disappearing through the door leading to the bedroom, returning a few moments later with a folded up black dress handing it to Anastasia.
“What’s this?” Anastasia queried as she ran her fingers along the soft fabric trying to find a seam.
“One of my special dresses, it’s exactly the same as the one I’m wearing now it’s just a few years old” Alice smiled, pausing for a moment before adding “You won’t find any seams or labels. The inside is lined with soft cotton too, and if you look…” she paused for a moment to tug on the pockets of her own dress before exclaiming “Pockets!”
“It’s so soft” Anastasia murmured as she carefully inspected the dress.
“Bathroom’s there if you want to try it on” Alice grinned.
Anastasia skipped away quickly, returning a few moments later wearing the black dress. It fit well, almost like a glove prompting the child to admire her reflection for a few moments against a small mirror on the wall.
“It suits you, can I try something?” Alice suggested gently.
“What?” Anastasia checked.
“A way you can keep it” Alice smiled as she removed a small metallic object from her desk drawer as she approached the child. “I’m not going to hurt you at all, I promise”
“It’s okay, I trust you”
“No you don’t” Alice giggled. “And that’s fine, I don’t trust anyone either. I know it’s not personal” she paused for a moment to fiddle with the metallic object revealing a long, sharp blade which she quickly ran along the bottom edge of each pocket, confidently declaring after “All done. Bottomless pockets mean you can use your tube while wearing the dress, I guess you’ve found the snaps at the crotch too”
“Where did you get this from? The only clothes I’ve found for girls like me look stupid and none of them are designed for me being able to feed myself, or change myself”
“Why do you think that is?” Alice probed, her lips tugged upwards into a slight smile which put Anastasia at ease.
“I suppose it’s because they weren’t designed by people like us, while I’m guessing the dress was designed by you”
“It wasn’t actually designed by me, but it was my idea” Alice started, pausing for a moment before continuing “The world wasn’t designed for us, the world doesn’t understand us…”
“I know, it’s horrible” Anastasia interjected.
“No it’s not” Alice rebuked. “It’s a good thing that we’re different. It’s a good thing that no-one understands, it means that we’ll always be underestimated. People see us as less than, so they are caught off guard when we show them that we’re better. It took me years to figure that one out”
“The dress was designed for me, so the pockets might not be in the best place for you to use your tube” Alice started, pausing for a moment before continuing “If you had one made for yourself, I’d probably suggest having the pockets a bit lower and if you can tolerate it I’d suggest a zip at the bottom of the pockets where I cut them with my knife. At very least I’d run a lighter’s flame against the bottom edges of the pocket so you don’t get irritated by any loose cottons”
“Can I show my Dad?” Anastasia checked.
“Show me what?” Paco queried lingering in the doorway.
“My new dress” Anastasia smiled as she twirled on the spot allowing the bottom portion to fan outwards slightly. “What do you think?”
“You look like a million bucks” Paco grinned, his words exuding a calculated measure of pride.
“Show him the pockets” Alice suggested.
“Oh yeah” Anastasia chuckled pulling the tip of the tube through the left-hand pocket. “See, I can still use my tube”
“I thought you hated stuff like this” Paco started, pausing for a moment before continuing “In your words, the special clothes make me feel too special. You said that, remember?”
“There’s a difference between something being designed for girls like me, and something that was designed by a girl like me”
“Anastasia” Alice started, pausing for a moment before continuing “Can I fill him in on what we discussed?”
“In the vaguest terms” Anastasia decried. “But you may if you think you should”
“For the record” Alice started coldly. “Our entire exchange was covered by legal privelidge, we exchanged funds”
“You’re scaring me” Paco returned, his tone revealing a desperate attempt to appear as though he was joking.
“I shouldn’t be” Alice started. “Anastasia told me the whole truth about what happened with Miss Halliday, she’s legally in the clear” she paused for a second allowing a wave of relief to cool Paco before continuing “I’m not telling you whether or not she did it, she told me the truth about what happened and I would say the same thing whether she was involved or not unless she instructed me otherwise”
“I need to know Alice…” Paco started.
“No you don’t” Alice interrupted.
“I wasn’t finished” Paco snapped. “I need to know, what would you say or do if you thought there was any possible exposure for her legally”
“I’m going to give you an honest answer” Alice started, her words dripping with ice cold frost “If I thought there was any possibility at all of her facing any legal consequences…” she paused for a moment to light a cigarette before handing the packet to the man along with a shiny, engraved lighter “If I thought there was any chance of her facing any repercussions, I would tell you to get her on a plane to somewhere that doesn’t honor extradition requests” she paused for another moment taking a purposefully long drag from her cigarette before emphasizing “That’s what I would tell you to do. And for the record, I act for Anastasia here, not for you. If I thought there was any possibility at all of her losing her freedom, I would go over your head and manipulate her mother into consenting if you wouldn’t and then I would facilitate her relocation” the woman paused for another moment which felt like eternity “And I would do that by any means necessary. I owe you my past, but I owe Anastasia my future as I do to all of my clients”.
“I believe you” Paco responded slowly, before quickly adding “And that’s the part that scares me”
The room was filled with a tense silence that felt as dense as boiling, molten glass until Alice pierced it effortlessly as she cackled with the sharpness of a knife “I know” she paused for a moment unable to contain her laughter before continuing “Your client doesn’t stand a chance next week, Judge Bartlett recused herself so we’ve got Judge Mohammed now instead…” she paused for a second adopting a mocking tone when she jeered “And he does not like you”.
“You got me” Paco blushed before acknowledging his defeat querying “Best and final offer to settle out of court”
“A million” Alice giggled. “Serious talk now?” Paco nodded prompting Alice to continue “My guy wants the party wall demolished because he thinks it’s on his land, but he’ll settle for three grand plus fees and I’ll get someone in conveyance to vary the title giving your guy the party wall plus an inch in the black”
“How much are we calling the fees?” Paco checked.
“Basically nil, call it five hundred quid. I like my client” Alice started, pausing for a second to exchange a glance with Anastasia “But I want you to do something in return”
“What?” Paco queried apprehensively queried.
“I want you to bring Anastasia back here at some point so that I can take her shopping and…” she faltered exchanging another glance with the girl “…and so that she can meet Caitlyn. If she wants to of course”
“Can I Dad?”
“I would have agreed to that anyway” Paco cackled before asking “I do need to know however, what’s your angle Alice? What do you gain from this?”
“I don’t see this as a means to an end” Alice scoffed. “I’m not THAT bad”
“You do see this as a means to an end” Anastasia interjected. “I’m like you, remember?”
“I’m just having my own attempt at your little trick here”
“How?” Paco queried.
Alice rolled her eyes sharing a glance with Anastasia before she continued “Well, you bought Anastasia here so that she could somehow benefit from knowing that she’s not the only one like her. I’m hoping she will have the same effect on Caitlyn”
“Don’t you do that anyway?” Paco chuckled.
“Sort of” Alice pondered. “I mean, she knows I’m like her, but she sees me as her Mum” she paused for a second sharing a pleading glance with Anastasia before stammering “And… I don’t have ARFID” she paused for another second to brush away a cluster of tears that formed at the edge of her eye before continuing with deafening clarity “There’s talk of Caitlyn needing to have a feeding tube fitted. She needs to see she’s not the only one”
“Soy entiende mi sobrina” Paco conceded.
“Gracias tío” Alice smiled before quickly snapping her focus towards the door. “What are you doing Dad?”
“Way to piss on my parade” Alex chortled. “I was trying to creep up on el palmoa aquí”
“El paloma?” Alice and Anastasia queried in unison unable to contain their laughter.
“He’s called me that for years, how have neither of you ever noticed?” Paco chuckled. “He calls me the dove because I always pushed him into mediation rather than court. I’m right though, am I not Alejo?”
“It was never a criticism, you’ve saved me millions” Alex agreed. “Are we getting stoned or not then?”
“Anastasia” Paco started, pausing for a moment before continuing “Don Alejandro invited us to spend the night here, how do you feel about that?”
“Okay” Anastasia shrugged.
“…Okay then!” Paco cheered as he boisterously followed Alex down the stairs.