The Sister Code (D.O.R.K #2) (4 page)

Chapter 5

August 7, 2015

Flying Into London

I opened Word just so I could write this while it was happening. We’re flying over the ocean in Jess’s private jet. The clouds formed a cottony floor beneath us for a while, but now we’re dropping down a bit, and I can see miles and miles of shimmering, glassy water beneath us. It reminds me just how small I am compared to the rest of this gorgeous planet. Humanity seems insignificant from this height. We are on a ball of dirt that circles one star out of billions. Funny how you think you’re the biggest thing in the universe sometimes until you change perspective.

Back in Kentucky, I only dreamed about experiences like this. It still blows my mind sometimes that all this stuff is happening to me. Yeah, it’s hard—press scrutiny, getting along with Raven, watching my back all the time—but moments like this remind me I’d rather live on the outside than never live at all. I have a rich life in spite of the drawbacks, and I’m determined to enjoy it even though I’m terrified of meeting Jess’s family in a couple hours.

Yes, terrified. You should see the state of my nails. Raven is pissed at me, to say the least.

I’m about to meet an entire side of my family I never knew, and from what I’ve heard, Grandmum—Jess’s mother—is not an easy woman to please. Apparently she’s one of those people who thinks family members are puppets she can manipulate to enhance her image…sound familiar?

According to Jess, her criticism has even brought Raven to tears in the past. If Raven Redinger can’t handle her, I don’t know what I’m going to do. What if she hates me? What if she considers me a disgrace to the family name and won’t even let me in the door? Plus, I’m not the kind of person who likes to be told how I should do things, and so far that’s all I’ve heard on repeat from Raven. A critical matriarch version of her might be too much for me.

I must have been an idiot to agree to spend a month with people I don’t even know, especially since it’s my last month of summer before school starts. I should be hanging out at Santa Monica with my guitar or earbuds. I should be diving into the deep end of our pool and feeling guilty about tracking pool water all over Kelsey’s fresh, clean floor. I miss the sand, the ocean, the sexy beach boys…

Instead of spending my last month of freedom with all of that, I’m sitting across the aisle from two people I don’t trust and walking into a house full of them. Shedding my dreaded nickname came with a price. I hope it’s not so steep even I can’t afford it.

The pilot just announced we’re landing in forty-five minutes. Is it too late to turn back?

Yes, it is. I just asked and they laughed in my face.

Maybe I can think of a way to cut this trip short. Mission Escape Plan? Mission L.A. Part Two?

Hopefully it won’t be necessary, but I’ll store those ideas for later.

Ttyl,

Mads

***

Rain trickles down my window as we touch down on the runway. The assistants Jess hired take care of our trash and luggage as the five of us gather our belongings and file out of the jet. A couple of bodyguards commandeer our luggage and direct us to the sleek black limo that is waiting for us in the parking lot. The only difference between this one and the ones we had in NYC is that the driver is on the opposite side.

It’s a twenty-minute drive to the Redinger home just outside of London. By the time we pull up to the gate of the stately, castle-like mansion, darkness is falling. Floodlights allow me to witness the majesty of Jessica Redinger’s childhood home even on this dark, soggy night. Her parents must be among London’s elite to afford a place like this. It’s about the size of our home with three times the elegance.

We approach the double doors, and a maid grants us access into the grand entryway. I look up the red-carpeted marble stairs and see a thin, crinkled, much older version of myself. She has sunken blue eyes, wrinkled pink lips that are drawn into a thin line, and a pile of snow-white hair puffed and twisted into an immaculate bun.

“Mum.” Jess smiles and stands at the foot of the stairs to meet my grandmother.

My heart pounds as the older woman descends the stairs and her eyes lock with mine. Her gaze is cold and discerning as it roams from the top of my head to my exposed toenails. I’m second-guessing my decision to wear sandals already.

“Good day, everyone,” she says. We all mutter “hello” as she presses a brisk kiss to Jess’s cheek and touches down to the floor. She passes by everyone to stand in front of me. “Madison?”

“Yes,” I croak, then clear my throat. “Hello.”

“Madison, this is your grandmother.” Jess comes to stand beside us. “Raven and the other grandchildren call her Grandmum.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I respond, holding my hand out for a shake automatically. Grandmum glances down at my hand quizzically, and I pull it back, feeling a blush burn my cheeks. Guess that was the wrong move.

Grandmum’s lips pull into a stiff smile. “We kiss on the cheeks in this house, dear.” She takes hold of my shoulders and presses a firm kiss to each of my cheeks. Her ragged white eyebrows draw together as she pulls back to examine me again. “My, what happened to your jawline, child?”

I giggle nervously. “That’s a long story.”

“And you’re thin as a rail. You must not like to eat very much.”

My jaw drops in horror. “Hell yeah I do! I can eat like a horse.”

Her eyes darken with anger. “We do not swear in this household.”

Well now I really
am
screwed.

“You are definitely American,” Grandmum grumbles as she circles me like a vulture. I break into a cold sweat. This is even more terrifying than I imagined. I grasp at ideas for an escape plan while she’s clicking her tongue and shaking her head.

“At least you haven’t already modified your physical attributes, unlike your twin.”

I press my lips together to suppress a snicker. Raven shoots me a withering glare.

“And your posture is good. Do you participate in sports?”

“Not really, but I did a lot of horseback riding and farm work growing up,” I inform her.

“Ah, horseback riding. A beloved Redinger pastime. Your cousin Cecily will be very happy to meet another her age that enjoys it.” Grandmum comes back to stand in front of me. I catch a hint of a real smile on her face. “Welcome to London, Madison. We are very pleased to finally have you in our midst.”

“Thank you.”

“Becky will show you to your rooms,” Grandmum says with a nod to the maid who’s been standing by. “Meet Charles and me in the dining room in an hour.”

“Perfect.” Jess keeps her arm around me as we ascend the stairs behind Becky. She leans over to whisper to me once we’re out of Grandmum’s earshot. “Pay no attention to your grandmother’s harsh exterior. I promise she’s overjoyed to meet you.”

I flash Jess a smile. “Thanks.”

Chapter 6

August 7, 2015

First Day in London

We’re here in England, and it’s every bit as awkward and strange as I thought it would be. The mansion is nice, but the people are not. Grandmum scanned me up, down, and sideways the minute we walked in like I was a horse she was considering purchasing instead of her long-lost granddaughter. She seems to view me as some kind of specimen or trophy to present to her friends instead of a family member. It’s super weird. Just being in the same room with her is already a little scary for me.

Just a little while ago, I had dinner with Granddad and Grandmum and the others and made sure to eat plenty so they don’t think I hate food. Granddad is a quiet old man who mostly keeps to himself. He probably said a total of ten words to me before retreating to his study for the rest of the night. Grandmum wasn’t too unkind at dinner, but there was an edge to everything she said. Backhanded compliments, subtle criticisms…it was almost like she feels a duty to “fix” me while I’m here.

I found out I’ll be meeting Jess’s younger sister Jen and her daughter Cecily tomorrow night at dinner. I’m hoping at least one of them will be a civil human being. If Cecily likes horseback riding, we’re almost guaranteed to get along.

Ttyl,

Mads

***

The only thing louder than the clinking of silver against china in this dining room is the sound of silence in the seat next to me. My long-nosed, brown-eyed cousin is not the best company I’ve ever had, to say the least. I’ve tried to get Cecily to talk to me this whole evening, but it’s no use. She’s shyer than a mouse. In fact, she almost seems scared of me. Every time I say a word to her, she startles and lets out this squeaky whinny of a giggle. I think she may have taken her love of horses a little too seriously. I’ll admit I’m a little freaked out.

Instead of awkwardly waiting for her to open up to me, I opt to talk to Jess, who’s sitting on my other side. She breaks the silence quietly, most likely trying to avoid startling Cecily.

“How did you sleep last night, Madison?”

“I slept okay. My canopy bed is a little huge, though. I feel like it’s going to swallow me alive.”

Jess leans down to whisper in my ear. “Perhaps we should invest in a body pillow for you. I have the same problem when I’m here. A body pillow can really help to fill up the empty space.”

A smile stretches my face. “That’s an excellent idea.”

“Would you like me to get you one?”

“Yes, please. I mean, if it’s not too much trouble.”

“Well then, it’s settled. We’re going shopping tomorrow morning, just you and me.”

My stomach immediately flips over. “I don’t know if I should…”

“There will be bodyguards around,” Jess interjects. “I’ll talk to your father. Rest assured I have no intentions of repeating my poor decisions from seventeen years ago. As long as it’s a guarded area and there’s plenty of surveillance, I think everything should be just fine, don’t you?”

I purse my lips together and nod. I believe her, but I’m not so sure Dad will.

***

First thing in the morning, Becky surprises me by bursting into my bedroom and announcing that I have thirty minutes to get ready and come downstairs because Grandmum invited her friends to tea so they could meet me. I groan and rise, then head to the bathroom to pull my hair into a presentable style and dress in a light sundress with a pastel floral print. My makeup goes on so fast it’s almost like I’m in a sped-up makeup video. Just in time, I walk out the door and down the stairs to where Grandmum’s party is waiting.

After some long, drawn-out introductions to the high society ladies Grandmum calls her friends, we all sit down around the parlor for tea. Our most prestigious guest is Lady Charlotte Berkeley, a close relation of the crown. I try my best to sit up straight and not be an embarrassment even though this is my first experience ever with a British-style teatime. I’m finding I’m pretty good at mimicking other people and blending in, especially when Raven is subtly demonstrating for me. What could be easier than following someone who is an exact physical copy of you? It still kind of creeps me out sometimes, but it works.

All is well until I hear the muffled sound of raised voices coming from the next room. It sounds like Jess and Dad are in there battling it out. I roll my eyes with frustration and clench the handle of my filigreed teacup. Are they serious? They couldn’t have at least had this conversation farther away from the group, or after teatime?

My hand trembles, and I hear a slight clinking noise from the cup hitting the saucer I’m holding beneath it. I wasn’t anxious at all until I heard them, and now I’m a nervous wreck. Thanks, parents. Thanks a lot.

I stand and clear my throat to get Grandmum’s attention. “Grandmum, it’s been lovely, but may I please be excused?”

She forces a smile, clearly aware of my reasoning. “Of course, dear.”

“Thank you.” I smile back and start to make a graceful exit. Unaware of how close the table is to me, I accidentally hook my foot around the table leg. Before I can catch myself, I lose my balance and plummet directly into Lady Charlotte’s lap along with all of my tea.

The entire room gasps with horror. I hear Raven’s irritated groan. Then I look up into Lady Charlotte’s gray eyes and feel my cheeks heat with a blush.

“Lady Charlotte, I am so sorry—”

“Girl, stand up from her lap and get her a handkerchief before you embarrass yourself even further,” Grandmum barks.

I scramble to a standing position and find a napkin from a nearby table. I leave my cup on the table and hand the napkin to her quickly.

“My deepest apologies—”

“Quite all right, darling.” Prim Lady Charlotte dabs at her expensive garments and lets out a high-pitched, petulant sigh.

I duck and run from the room before I can cause any more trouble. When I enter the hallway, I find the noise is gone and Dad and Jess are no longer in the next room. Instead of looking for them, I dash upstairs to hide in the bedroom with my laptop so I can vent my frustration without screaming at the top of my lungs.

I’m in my bed with my laptop open, prepared to moan into my diary, when I hear a sharp rap on the door. Sighing, I close my laptop and set it to the side. I drag myself from the bed and cross the room to open the door. Jess is standing there looking apologetic.

“I heard what happened. Are you all right?”

I shrug. “My pride is bruised, but I’ll live.”

She smirks. “You want to know a secret?”

“Sure.”

Jess leans down and whispers conspiratorially, “I’ve wanted to dump tea over those high-class snobs my entire life. You’ve done me a favor.”

I honk with laughter and clap my hands over my mouth. My laugh can be really obnoxious at times. I don’t want Jess to hear my weird goose laugh and decide I’m a good-for-nothing screw-up after all.

She grins. “I got your father to agree to let me take you out. Are you in a shopping mood?”

“Yeah, sure. Let’s get out of here.”