Cadence of My Heart by Keira Michelle Telford Page B

gray-haired man in trousers, suspenders, a wife-beater t-shirt, and a tweed flat cap enters the room. He’s covered with dirt, sweat coating his brow, and as his pale, weak eyes fall upon Marlee, he beams a smile that reveals two missing teeth.
    “Well, I bloody never!” He takes the flat cap off his head, wipes his brow with it, then puts it back in place.
    He’s followed by his wife, Marlee’s mother, who’s second in line to give Marlee a warm welcome.
    “Oh, my dearest.” She pulls Marlee into her skinny arms. “I didn’t expect to see you back here for another twelve months or thereabouts.”
    Twelve months from now, if the Ashlocks have their way, Cadence will be engaged.
    Twelve months from now, Marlee will almost certainly be unemployed.
    The reminder hurts.
    Marlee’s mother is gray-haired and frail. She looks like a twig draped in fabric, her homemade, ankle-length dress faded from so many washes. She peers at the slight young girl standing sheepishly behind her eldest daughter.
    “Who’s your friend, dear?”
    “Oh! I’m sorry. How rude!” Smiling so much her face hurts, Marlee takes Cadence by the hand and pulls her to the center of the room. “This gorgeous young thing is Cadence. Cadence Ashlock.”
    In a heartbeat, the atmosphere in the room changes. Smiles drop, replaced by shock. Every Meeks in the room—including the little one—stands up straight, and they show respect by dipping their heads slightly, all eye contact lost.
    Mister Meeks swipes the cap off his head. “It’s an honor to meet you, Miss.”
    Marlee’s mother is immediately flustered, and attempts to perform a little curtsey without really knowing how to go about it. “An Ashlock in my little house? Well, I never!” She almost trips on her own ankles and grabs hold of a chair back for support.
    The display of deference makes Cadence feel decidedly awkward.
    “Oh … umm …” At a loss, she looks up at Marlee for help. “Make them stop.”
    “There’s no need for all this nonsense. Really truly,” Marlee assures them. “You don’t need to stand on ceremony with Cady. She’s an Ashlock in name only, and you should treat her no different from me.”
    Marlee’s sister recovers herself first.
    “I’m Isla.” She holds her hand out. “Marlee’s little sister.”
    Cadence thinks they’re going to shake hands, but once Isla has a hold, she doesn’t let go.
    “This is my son, Edward.” She points to the little boy, starting to lead Cadence toward the back garden. “Now I really hope you like lemonade. I just made a fresh batch.”
     

     
    After several hours of much needed catching up, with Cadence happily spilling fond memories of the last two and a half years spent with Marlee, giving the Meeks family a hitherto unseen glimpse into the very private relationship they’ve shared during this time, conversation starts to flow easily from one topic to another.
    They discuss Mister Meeks’ work in the garden, which has him covered in dirt, and Cadence learns how to grow potatoes. Then, she’s quizzed by Isla on what it’s like to attend a posh private school, and whether or not the boys are any hotter there than at state school. In answer, Cadence says that she’s not really interested in boys, then flashes Marlee a coy smile. If anyone suspects anything, they don’t say.
    Later, while Cadence kicks a ball around the garden with Eddie, Marlee and Isla sit together on a swing seat, rocking idly back and forth, chatting over more glasses of lemonade. Every now and again, Cadence glances over at Marlee, just to share a smile.
    “How old is she now?” Isla enquires.
    “She just turned sixteen.” Marlee doesn’t take her eyes off Cadence.
    Having played lacrosse for years, Cadence is fit and agile, her body used to physical exertion and sport. She’s energetic, with bucket loads of stamina, barely breaking a sweat despite the rising summer sun.
    “And how long have you been in love with her?” Isla asks