Sky.

'Bowlby believed that attachment was an all or nothing process. However, research has shown that there are individual differences in attachment quality.' Our psychology teacher, Mr Watts, said as he flicked onto the next slide. Tina wasn't listening; she was too busy doodling, which wasn't the best thing when we had an assignment about attachment due in just after Christmas.

'Why set an essay with a deadline of the second day after the Christmas holidays?' Tina whispered. 'Does Mr Watts want us to spend our whole holiday writing an essay about this stuff?'

'Get it done now.' I said, simply.

'Let me guess, you've already made a start?'

I nodded, hearing about Bowlby was nothing new to me. I'd already looked into it and I was already halfway through my essay, wanting to have to do as little schoolwork as possible over the two and a half week Christmas break.

'Psychologist Mary Ainsworth devised an assessment technique called the Strange Situation Classification in order to investigate how attachments might vary between children.' Mr Watts continued, bringing up a Youtube clip for us to watch. I'd already studied Ainsworth too, reading ahead in my textbook. It was all about mothers leaving their children and whether they were sensitive mothers or not and how the children reacted in response to this. My mind slipped to my biological mother and I wondered how I'd been when I'd first been taken into care at the age of two. Had I missed my mother? I was too young to remember her, but I still felt an empty gap there now. I sank into my chair and looked down at my scribbled notes, trying to stop any tears from escaping my eyes.

'It's heeeere!' Zoe said in a singsong voice as she skipped into my room on Wednesday evening. Tina followed closely behind, an envelope in her hand.

'What's here?' I asked, putting down the textbook I was studying.

'The invitation to the Benedict's annual cocktail party!' Zoe beamed, waving the invitation in my face.

'You have one too.' Tina scooped to pick an envelope up from the floor, one I hadn't even realised was there.

'Annual cocktail party?'

'I love how clueless you are!' Zoe beamed. I closed the textbook, tucking my notes into it so that I didn't lose my place. 'This is huge!'

'I thought the Halloween bash was the event of the year?' I raised an eyebrow.

'Zed doesn't organise this one.' Tina explained. 'This is organised by Mr and Mrs Benedict. This is the event that Benedicts have been hosting for nearly one hundred years and your family have been attending for just as long.' My mouth made an 'o' shape as she continued. 'Very few people from the school are invited as it's a social event. Your families have to be of importance to go.'

'My parents are good friends with the Benedicts.' Zoe told me. 'So we always get an invite.'

'And they invite me because I'm always with Zoe for the first week of the Christmas holiday.' Tina gave me a small smile. 'After that, I'm shipped to my grandma's.'

'And Nelson will be going because his dad work with Zed's dad.' Zoe's eyes moved to look at me. 'And, naturally, you're invited because you're the remaining Taylor.'

I winced. Remaining Taylor. How awful that I was all that was left to represent the Taylor family and there was still so much I didn't know about them. 'So when is this party?'

'December 17th.' Tina passed me the invitation and I looked down at the pristine white envelope with my school address on it. I carefully opened the envelope and pulled out the white piece of card with silver glittery baubles painted on the top.

Miss S. Bright

You are invited to the annual Benedict Christmas Cocktail Party

Saturday 17th December 2016

Eight o'clock in the evening

'Attire: cocktail?' I read, raising my eyebrow. 'What does that even mean?'

'You're like an alien.' Zoe sighed. 'Cocktail means pretty knee-length or past the knee party dresses for girls and suits with ties for boys. It's like a more casual version of black tie, but don't dress too casual. Dress to impress!'

'We'll need to go dress shopping again.' Tina told me. 'One apparently has to wear a new outfit to these events.'

'And if I wear an old dress?' I asked.

'Then it's social suicide.' Zoe said, simply. 'We'll go to Plymouth at the weekend and pick something out.'

My phone started ringing and I grabbed it, surprised to see Sally was calling me when it wasn't even a 'designated' call today. My heart sank. What if something had happened? 'Hello?'

'Hey sweetie, how are you?' Sally asked and I breathed a sigh of relief when I realised she sounded her usual upbeat self.

'I'm fine thanks, you?'

'Simon and I are both good.' She replied. 'I was actually calling to say we received an invite to an event today and I was wondering if it was a school thing.' My eyes moved to look at the invitation for the party and Tina and Zoe glanced up from my laptop with curious expressions.

'Is it from the Benedicts?' I asked.

'Yes actually.' She replied. 'Do you know them?'

'Their son, Zed, is in a few of my classes.' And we'd been kissing under the stars a few days ago, not that I added that part. 'They were co-founders of the school along with my ancestors.'

'I see.' She said. 'So you've been invited too?'

'Yes. I guess I'm kind of expected to go seeing as I'm the only Taylor left.' She didn't say anything from the other end of the line. 'I'd like you and Simon to come, though, if you could.'

'Really? And we wouldn't be cramping your style?'

'Of course not.' I crossed my legs under me. 'Some of my friends are going with their parents so you could meet some of the people I go to school with. It might be nice.'

'It sounds like a posh affair. Think Simon will approve of me getting a new dress?'

'Absolutely.' I smiled. I realised I didn't want to go dress shopping without Sally. We'd go together, I decided. 'We could go shopping the day before the party?' I suggested. 'I have my recital that morning and then I'm free.'

'Sounds like a good plan.' I could tell she was smiling and I knew that despite not saying it, she missed me as much as I missed her. 'I'll get a hotel book.'

'No hotel needed.' I told her. 'We'll stay at the manor. There's more than enough rooms there and they're all empty.'

'Are you sure that's a good idea?'

'Clare will like having some people to look after.' I replied.

'Well I look forward to it.'

Zed.

'Who are you having as your date to your mum's party?' Drake asked. 'That Taylor girl? Because that would be ridiculously obvious.'

That Taylor girl. I sighed. I'd not seen Sky all week and any time I'd contacted her, she'd told me she was studying or rehearsing for our recital. I was starting to think I'd scared her off.

'Why would it be ridiculously obvious?' I raised an eyebrow, wondering if it was weird to text my parents and ask them if Sky or her parents had RSVPed to the party yet.

'Because she's a Taylor and you're a Benedict, duh. Everyone thinks that you're meant to be best friends or an item. Benedicts and Taylors have been friends and have dated for years, don't you know your own history?'

I did, but unfortunately I knew it didn't turn out too well. No Taylor or Benedict had ended up staying together as they'd found their soulfinders and left each other. Which is why it seemed even more ironic that my soulfinder was a Taylor. That we were actually supposed to be together. I knew that dad's sister, my Aunt Rhea, had once dated Sky's dad and that was seriously weird. They'd grown up together and gone to school together as best friends. But then they'd broken up and he'd gotten married to Sky's mum. I wasn't about to mention that to Sky though. Some things just didn't need to be mentioned.

'See to obvious.' Drake said, bringing my attention back to him. 'Plus that girl's tiny. Go for Katie or Lily, they're leggy and seriously hot.' But they weren't Sky. 'I hope you've not lost your cool and become all sappy or something.'

I spotted Sky coming up the corridor towards us and she gave me a small, shy smile but I glanced away from her. 'Sappy? Seriously?' I said when Sky was out of earshot. 'I'm Zed Benedict.'

And my insides were becoming sappy and soppy. And that scared me. I watched as Sky slipped into the music room, ready for her designated rehearsal time.

'Well good, I'm glad, you have a rep man. Are you coming to grab some food?' Drake asked me.

'I'll catch up with you in a bit.' I told him. 'I need to ask Mr Keneally some questions about this recital.' A lie.

'Man, you're actually taking it seriously?' Drake's eyebrows shot up.

'If I don't then my mum won't let me go skiing in the holidays.' I told him.

'Fair point. See you in a bit.'

I waited until Drake had disappeared around the corner towards the dining hall before moving. I walked in the opposite direction, towards the music room. I paused at the sound of Sky playing piano. It was a beautiful sound, one which warmed my body and my soul. Then I carefully opened the door and she jumped in response.

'Hey.' I said to her, softly, closing the door behind me.

'Hello.' She said, back to me. 'I've not seen you all week.'

'Missing me?' I gave her a cocky smile and she raised her eyebrow.

'Not at all.'

'Ouch.' I held my heart and she gave a small smile. 'How's rehearsing going?'

'It's going.' She shrugged. 'I'm just worried I've chosen the wrong song, you know?'

'So let me hear it?' I leaned against the piano and she blushed, looking down.

'I couldn't possibly.' She said, softly.

'Please?'

She bit her lip and looked away from me, running her fingers across the piano keys. And then she started to sing and I felt myself slipping away as she wrapped her voice around me. 'I can hold my breath
I can bite my tongue
I can stay awake for days
If that's what you want
Be your number one
I can fake a smile
I can force a laugh
I can dance and play the part
If that's what you ask
Give you all I am

I can do it
I can do it
I can do it

But I'm only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
'Cause I'm only human, yeah.'

It was an ironic song choice considering she wasn't only human and neither was I, but part of me wondered if she was desperately trying to hold onto what she considered to be normal. As she finished singing I noticed the goosebumps on my arms beneath my school blazer. I folded my muscular arms across my chest as she finished, her cheeks and the tips of her ears pink.

'That's definitely the right song.' I told her and she gave a small smile as I bent down and pressed my lips to hers, unable to stop myself. She kissed me back, looping her arms around my neck and pulling me down to the piano stool beside her. She pulled back too suddenly and I frowned.

'Zed, what's going on between us exactly?'

'You're my soulfinder.' I said simply and this time she frowned.

'In normal terms are we dating or what?'

I wanted us to be but it wasn't that simple. 'Things are complicated.'

'Right, because you don't do relationships?' She raised her eyebrows and I nodded. 'Zed, you don't have to be the person everyone thinks you are. Stop trying to please everyone by following their expectations.'

'You don't understand…'

'Because you're a Benedict right? And as the most popular guy in the school you have to behave a certain way?'

I went to kiss her but she pushed me back. 'We can still hang out and kiss and stuff.'

Perhaps it was the wrong thing to say. She looked annoyed at me. 'But in secret right, away from your friends?'

'We had fun on Monday night.'

'We did.' She nodded. 'But I'm not that kind of girl, Zed.' She stood up and grabbed her bag. 'In case you hadn't noticed I am not Larissa.' And she stormed out of the music room before I could stop her.

Sky.

My conversation with Zed swam around in my head as Tina and Zoe tried on different dresses for the cocktail party the following week. We were sat in a designer outlet store surrounded by twinkling Christmas lights and decorations. Christmas had well and truly arrived in the West Country. A tree was already in the boarding house and Tavistock had been filled with shoppers picking up unique Christmas gifts for their loved ones when we'd left earlier that morning. I'd snuck out earlier on in the week, picking up some pretty friendship bracelets for Tina and Zoe and then a unique necklace for Sally and a new tie for Simon. I frowned at my reflection. Zed was ashamed of me. Why else didn't he want people to see us together?

Nobody sees, nobody knows
We are a secret, can't be exposed
That's how it is, that's how it goes
Far from the others, close to each other.

Not even Tina and Zoe knew what had happened between us and I was thankful for that. Tina would only have said 'I told you so' and Zoe wouldn't have let me hear the end of it. Our secret date under the stars, if it could be called that, was well and truly secret. I scribbled the lyrics that filled my head into the notebook I carried everywhere with me.

Like stars in hiding
You and I burn on, on.

'What do you think?' Tina's voice distracted me and I looked up to see her a strapless dress with a sequinned bust and a short black tulle skirt. She spotted the notebook in my hand. 'You're not studying are you?'

'No.' I put my notebook away quickly. 'The dress is really nice.'

'Nicer than the red one?'

'The red clashed with your hair a little.' I told her and she nodded.

'Thought so.'

Zoe walked out of the dressing room a black strapless dress with feathered skirt. 'Tada!'

'No.' I wrinkled my nose. 'You look like you're wearing a dead bird.'

'Or a stuffed bird?' Tina offered.

'Feathers are in this season!' Zoe said, sounding irritated. 'Do you ever read Vogue? Lily James wore this beautiful feathered dress to a premiere last month.'

'I don't think feathers are cool cocktail attire.' I told her. 'What about that navy dress?'

'Maybe we shouldn't be in black at all.' Zoe pouted. 'We should be thinking of festive colours. Blues, silvers, golds or even red.'

'Silver would be good on you.' Tina said to Zoe. 'And Sky looks divine in red.' She drawled out the word 'divine' and winked at me, clearly teasing our friend.

'Red would look good on you.' Zoe said to me. 'Why aren't you trying dresses on again?'

'I want to go shopping with Sally.' I reminded her. 'It's a good mother-daughter thing and she can't exactly go shopping with Simon. He's useless when it comes to fashion.' I paused. 'Besides, that way I can buy her something nice to wear with my allowance.' It wasn't like the Bright family had a big income and she needed something pretty and designer to wear for a fancy party at the Benedict house.

'She's lucky to have you.' Tina said with a wink. 'Well, I think this is my dress. Shoes?'

The following week consisted of music rehearsals and final English Literature, English Language and Psychology lessons before the school broke up for Christmas. It also consisted of ignoring Zed's secret notes about meeting him in secret or the flirtatious looks he gave me across the room when no one else was looking. I was feeling okay in myself until Friday came around and it was recital day. Sally and Simon were coming to watch my performance and that didn't bother me; it was the presence of the other parents and staff that had my stomach twisting in knots.

Tina and Zoe had made me buy a pretty white dress for the occasion and I'd caved; a white dress with lace capped sleeves and a lace bodice, a ribbon around the middle and a skirt that was slightly longer at the back then the front. With heels I'd borrowed from Zoe, I felt ladylike and even more so with the elegant updo I'd given myself thanks to a Youtube tutorial.

'Why am I first?' Amy sighed from beside me in the wings. I was fourth, just after Zed unfortunately, and my stomach was already threatening to empty its contents, the small amount of breakfast I'd had.

'You'll be great.' I told Amy, squeezing her arm, but she looked as white as a ghost and I wondered if I was the same.

'Just today and then I'm skiing.' She said to herself.

'That'll be fun.'

'It will.' She nodded. 'Have you ever been skiing?'

'No thank goodness.' I smiled. 'I would be terrible.' Which was why I'd turned down the offer of skiing with Tina and Zoe over the new year period. Why did everyone from our school seem to be disappearing into the cold in a chalet for Christmas and new year? Were they mad? We rarely had snow in England, but it was cold and sticky stuff that made travel impossible. And as for skiing- who would be crazy enough to do that dangerous sport?

'I'm sure that's not true.' Amy said with a small smile as Mr Keneally gave his introduction on the stage. My friend looked like she was going to throw up as her name was called and I had to shove her in the right direction. Her violin cover of Stay with Me by Sam Smith turned out to be amazing and there was nothing to worry about. I hugged her when she returned to the wings and she grinned before making her way to the audience to watch the rest of the show with our friends.

'Nervous?' Zed's voice made me tense.

'A little.' I lied. More like a lot. But I didn't want him to know that.

'It'll be a breeze.' He said, casually.

'Are your parents here?'

His smile disappeared and became a grim straight line. 'They wouldn't miss it, sadly.' His eyes moved to the crowd. 'Yours?' I nodded, mutely. 'I bet they're proud.'

'Probably.' I mumbled. I took a sip of my water, careful not to get any on my dress.

'Your dress looks nice.'

'Thanks.'

His voice was drowned out by the next performer and then it was his turn. Without another word, he walked out onto the stage with his guitar. I couldn't deny being a little curious. I'd never heard Zed play guitar or sing. But I knew he had to be good. He was good at everything else. He introduced himself and a few girls squealed from the front row, making me roll my eyes. The Benedict fanclub was out in force today. Zed looped the guitar around his neck and I turned to say something to the girl performing after me, but then I realised what song he was playing.

'It's just another night
And I'm staring at the moon
I saw a shooting star
And thought of you
I sang a lullaby
By the waterside and knew
If you were here,
I'd sing to you.'

I felt my jaw drop a little as he sang, his voice velvety and soft, the perfect voice to sing you to sleep. And he was singing a song that actually meant something. It took me back to lying under the stars next to him, when I'd been humming it under my breath. And he sang with such soul and emotion that I could have cried as my hairs all stood on end, like he was singing just for me. By the time he'd finished singing and had left the stage on the opposite side to mine, I was wondering if I could really do this. Could I perform in front of all those people?

I walked onto the stage feeling numb as Zed's eyes moved my way in the opposite wings and he gave me a small, shy smile. My legs trembled as I sat down at the piano and I introduced myself, aware my voice was shaky. Don't mess up Sky. I told myself. Your grade is riding on this. Sally and Simon aren't here to watch you fall flat on your face.

I closed my eyes as I played the first notes and then I let myself sing. My voice started off soft and quiet but, by the last chorus, I was pouring out my heart and giving it my all.

'But I'm only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
'Cause I'm only human.'

My ending was met with applause and I knew the cheering and whistling was down to my friends and my parents from wherever they were sat in the crowd. I hurried off the stage, feeling hot and nauseous, and grabbed my water bottle for my dry throat. And then I spotted Zed looking my way with that intense look of his. Needless to say I ducked out of there before he could come and give me some sarcastic comment.

'Don't spend too much, will you?' Simon said after we'd eaten lunch in a chain restaurant in Plymouth. He had a warning face on, one which made me want to laugh. Simon wasn't good at strict and discipline. Sally and I had him wrapped around our fingers.

'Nor you.' I said to him.

'It's only a suit. I don't understand why I can't wear the one I already have.' He said with a frown.

'Because you bought that suit eight years ago.' Sally reminded him. 'And it's not exactly a good fit on you.'

'Thanks, love.' He raised his eyebrows and I giggled as he started to walk away.

'Shops are that way Simon.' I pointed in the opposite direction and he nodded before walking off.

'I hope you know it means a lot that we're doing this.' Sally said, looping arms with me like we were sisters and not mother and daughter. 'It's been a long time since we had a proper girly day.'

'We could've gone to a spa if we'd had more time.' I told her and she laughed. 'We could always get our nails done tomorrow?'

'Let's see how much our dresses cost first.' Sally replied. 'I don't want Simon having a heartattack when he looks at our credit card bill.' She didn't need to know that I was paying, yet. 'So where is good for dresses here? Debenhams?'

'Too highstreet.' I wrinkled my nose. 'According to Zoe, we have to be in some designer labels for this.'

'But Debenhams does designer…'

'Not the right kind.'

I took her to the boutique Tina and Zoe had bought their dresses in the previous week, knowing they had a lot of suitable dresses onsale. Sally looked around, her eyes wide as she looked at the sparkles and silk and velvet. 'Are you sure I'm not too old for this place?' She said, inspecting a dress similar to the one Tina had chosen.

'Of course not.' I replied, pulling out a dress.

'Can I help you?' The shop assistant asked, appearing in her fancy dress suit from the stockroom. She looked at my ripped jeans and converse combo and I suddenly wished I'd stayed wearing my pretty white dress or something a bit more glamorous. The shop assistant clearly didn't think I was worthy enough of being in her fancy shop.

'We need two dresses for a cocktail party tomorrow night.' I said to her.

'And what is your budget?' She looked down at her nose at me and she might as well have said, Are you sure you don't want Primark?

'No budget.' I said, simply. Sally's mouth popped open to argue. 'It's a very important party at Karla and Saul Benedict's house. You have heard of the Benedicts, haven't you?' She nodded, mutely. Of course she had. They owned a lot in the stock market and they owned a lot of businesses in this area. I'd done my research and I'd heard enough from Tina and Zoe.

'Well let's see if we can find you something suitable.' The shop assistant said, getting to work.

We bought our dresses in there and I'd argued with Sally before she'd agreed to let me buy them. Then we'd picked up some shoes and accessories before meeting up with Simon and driving back to Taylor Manor. As we pulled up outside the gates, I didn't miss the sharp intake of breath from my parents. I couldn't blame them. I still felt funny inside when I visited, like I was Cinderella and my whole life had suddenly been turned upside-down or like it was some fairytale dream I could wake up from at any moment.

'I can't believe this is your grandfather's.' Sally whispered as Simon parked the car.

'Me neither.' I replied, truthfully. 'And wait til you see inside.'

Clare met us on the steps by the front door with two other ladies I didn't recognise, all of them stood in traditional maid-style uniforms. It was like an episode of Downton Abbey or a Jane Austen novel. 'Miss Bright, hello!' She said with a big smile. 'And you must be Mr and Mrs Bright.'

'Sally and Simon.' Sally said, looking nervous. She shook Clare's hand. 'You must be Clare.'

'That's me.' Clare nodded. 'And these are the two maids, June and Roseanna.' She signalled to the two older women I had not met before and they shook my hands before shaking Sally and Simon's hands.

'A pleasure to meet you.' They chorused.

'June and Roseanna have been helping to prepare the house for your stay. I hope you'll find everything comfortable.' Clare explained and my stomach did a little flip. Maids, housekeepers and groundskeepers? Yes, I was definitely not in Brighton anymore.

I might as well have been Royalty, I decided as I laid in the blue bedroom that night. I laid in the comfiest bed in the world; a four-poster bed with blue curtains surrounding it, a silver and white patterned headboard, warm blue duvet cover and mirrors and dressers and a sofa that all looked like they belonged in a National Trust property or in a Disneyland castle. It was heaven. And that was why I had the best night's sleep I'd had in a long time.

'Good morning.' I said to Clare when I walked into the kitchen in my pyjamas that morning. I was wrapped in the fluffy dressing gown I'd found on the back of the door for extra warmth. It was a grand house but, thanks to high ceilings, it was cold, even with the fireplace on.

'Good morning.' Clare said with a smile. 'I've just started breakfast. Your parents aren't awake yet.'

'That's okay.' I replied, grabbing an apple and biting into it.

'How did you sleep?'

'Like a log.' I smiled.

'Good.' She nodded, grabbing the apple from my hand. 'You'll spoil your appetite.'

'I am happy with just fruit for breakfast. That's what I have at school.'

'No wonder you're wasting away!' She tutted. 'Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.'

'So I've heard.'

'How is Zed Benedict?' It was a smooth conversation change, one which caught me off-guard.

'I don't know.'

'You've not spoken to him recently?'

'Nope.' I shook my head and she raised her eyebrows.

'You two seemed pretty cosy at the 1940s party.'

'Well he's a jerk.' I said, simply. 'A complete jerk.'

She laughed softly. 'I have heard he's a bit of a bad boy. His oldest brother Trace was the same.'

'Really?' She'd not mentioned any of Zed's brothers before.

'Absolutely. Rode around town on his bike like he owned the place. Was caught smoking at school and was always in trouble.' She rolled her eyes. 'The other brothers were pretty well behaved, very academic too. I guess Zed has just followed after Trace. Poor Karla, having seven boys. I bet she'd have loved a daughter.'

'Did my parents like having a daughter?' I asked and her eyes softened as she looked at me.

'Completely.' She gave a sad smile. 'You were your father's whole world.'

'Clare, what did they fight about that night?' She turned away from me and I knew she knew more than she was letting on. 'Please.'

'Your mother had been meeting up with another man. Your father thought she was having an affair.' My heart sank. Life hadn't been a fairytale, had it?

'Who was he?'

'Carlos. A Spanish man.' Clare sighed. 'I never met him as he was never here, but your mother kept meeting up with him and she always seemed happier after coming back from seeing him.'

'My poor father.' I whispered and she gave a small nod.

'He was in pieces and I remember him saying…' She cut herself off. 'I've said too much.'

'Please Clare.' My eyes filled with tears. 'I need to know what happened and you're the only person who can tell me that.'

'I overhead your father talking to your grandfather once.' She sighed. 'About how your mother wasn't his as much as he wanted her to be. I'm not sure what he meant by that. I mean, they were married.' She paused. 'I wonder if your mother's journals are here.'

'My mother kept journals?'

She nodded. 'She did, but your grandfather was going to burn them after your father died. He was so angry, Sky.'

'What happened to them?'

'I'm not sure. They might be in the spare room amongst all of the other rubbish. I'll have a look for you.'

The door to the kitchen opened and we both changed the topic as Sally and Simon walked in, neither one of us wanting them to know what we were secretly talking about.

'I'm not sure I can let you go out like that.' I heard Simon say to Sally as she left the bedroom we'd been getting ready in. I'd curled her hair and put it into a half-updo, leaving a few brunette curls framing her face. She looked gorgeous and a lot younger in her silver lace v-neck bodycon dress, which hugged her figure perfectly and fell just above the knees. With cream stiletto heels and sparkly earrings, she looked like a moviestar and not an artist in her usual overalls. 'I hope Sky's wearing something a little less revealing or I'm going to have to lock you both here.'

I walked out of the bedroom feeling like a princess. My red lace dress had red off-the-shoulder short sleeves, a sweetheart neckline and then the lace-embroidered red skirt which flared out a little. I'd paired it with silver stilettos and I loved how the dress spun outwards when I twirled. My curls were loose, falling down my back and I'd applied enough make-up to sparkle without going over-the-top.

'Oh no, we can't go anywhere!' Simon said, dramatically. 'I'm going to be fending off teenage boys and men all night with you two dressed like that.' He shook his head and Sally smiled as she fiddled with her clutchbag, which almost matched mine.

'I doubt you'll be fending off any teenage boys.' I muttered.

'Have you seen yourself, sweetie? You and your mother look even more gorgeous than normal.'

'Well we're dressed to party so now is your time to show us off.' Sally smiled.

'Two beautiful dates, a man could get used to that.' Simon stood up straighter and I noticed his new suit for the first time.

'Nice suit.' I told him.

'Thanks, my daughter and wife told me I needed a new one.' He winked and I laughed as we walked down the stairs together. Clare snapped some pictures of the three of us and then we piled into the hired car for the evening, taking the long drive across the National Park to Zed's house.

'Do all of your friends have houses like this?' Simon asked in disbelief as we drove through the grand iron gates of 'Castle Benedict'.

'I sure hope not.' I replied. 'I've not seen Tina and Zoe's house, but I'm pretty sure it's not like this.'

'I see why you needed us to dress in new clothes now.' Sally said as we passed a fountain and then reached the grand steps, where guests in eveningwear were walking in. I pulled my coat tighter around myself, feeling a little self-conscious now. What if I wasn't dressed right? I'd put on a diamond necklace and matching earrings from my grandmother's stash but I still felt underdressed. Should I have worn tights? Should I have worn a fur coat inside of my boring normal one I wore for school?

'Sweetie?' Simon's voice brought me back to reality. He'd got out of the car, as had Sally, and now the driver was waiting for me. I got out carefully, my stilettos sinking into the gravel. Simon helped me onto the flat stairs before I could fall and he looked up, surveying the house. 'Are the Benedicts royal in anyway?'

'Not that I know of.' I told him and he gave a small smile.

'Right.'

We gave our names to security and then walked inside, where our coats were instantly taken away by people dressed in maid's outfits.

'Do we not even get a cloakroom ticket?' Simon joked to be met with narrowed eyes. 'Right.' He said, before whispering to me. 'Do these people not understand jokes?'

'I guess not.' I replied, looking at the grand staircase in front of us, which was decorated with festive shrubbery and fairylights. It looked beautiful.

'Sky, how lovely to see you!' Karla Benedict appeared in front of us with her husband in tow. She smiled at me, pulling me into a hug and kissing each of my cheeks as I tried not to panic. Was she aware that I was ignoring her youngest son currently? Saul Benedict shook my hand with a polite and courteous smile.

'You look lovely Sky, simply radiant.' He said with an even voice. I suddenly remembered my parents were stood with me.

'Mr and Mrs Benedict, these are my parents, Sally and Simon Bright.' I signalled to my parents who looked like deer caught in the headlights.

'Thank you for inviting us, Mrs Benedict.' Sally said as Karla kissed both of her cheeks and Saul shook Simon's hand.

'We wanted to meet Sky's wonderful parents.' Karla smiled in response. 'And please do call us Karla and Saul.' She held her arm out for my mother. 'Do come and get a drink with me, I want to hear all about your work.' Sally disappeared and then Saul was whisking away my father. I walked into the reception room, nervously, but thankfully I spotted Nelson and he looked relieved to see me too.

'Hey Sky!' He said, cheerfully. 'I'm so glad you're here, my dad's colleagues were putting me to sleep.' He pulled me along beside him and grabbed us each a flute of champagne. 'Quick, before our parents catch us.' He clinked his flute against mine and we both took a sip. Expensive champagne tasted good.

'I thought this was a cocktail party. Where are the cocktails?'

'They'll come out later.' He replied with a soft laugh. 'Martinis usually.' His eyes scanned the room. 'I hate coming to these things.'

'I thought the Benedicts threw the best parties?' I asked.

'Halloween and birthday parties, sure, but the dinner parties and cocktails… not so much.' He wrinkled his nose. 'The music is all stuff my mum listens to and everyone just spends the time talking about work. It's all like a business event.' I looked across at Sally who was laughing with Karla and something. Simon was stood with a whiskey in his hand, talking to Saul. I didn't even know that he drank whiskey.

Nelson's jaw suddenly dropped and I looked over to where Tina and Zoe had just entered the room, Tina's hair pinstraight and down and she wore the dress we'd picked out in Plymouth. Zoe looked just as beautiful with a curly updo and her pretty silver dress. I smiled at Nelson, a knowing smile, as the girls reached us.

'Wow Tina.' Nelson said, sounding breathless.

'Hey!' Zoe said, pretending to be offended. When he didn't say anything to her, she winked at me and I laughed.

'You brush up pretty good yourself.' Tina said, her cheeks blushing. She spotted the champagne in our hands. 'And you're drinking without us!'

'Sky, I didn't know you were such a rebel!' Zoe grinned, grabbing a champagne flute too. She looked over at the couple I assumed were her parents, before moving so her back was to them and then she took a big swig of champagne. 'Yummy.'

'It does taste pretty good.' I agreed.

'Not the yummy I meant.' I followed her eyeline and watched as seven boys in black suits with black ties walked into the room. I swallowed. I recognised Zed and Yves and Xav, but there were four other boys there. 'Hello Benedict boys.' Zoe continued, letting out a low whistle. Walking in like they were in some kind of formation was a little intimidating, but they did it well. Girls turned their way to watch them, some conversations going silent and just leaving the gentle jazz music playing. Karla, still stood with Sally, pointed at the boys and smiled, a proud smile, clearly showing her boys off to Sally. My stomach churned.

'Who's who?' I asked Zoe.

'Well they're conveniently stood in order.' Zoe grinned. 'That's Trace, the oldest. He's a bit of a bad boy but he's now a police officer in London.' She pointed out the oldest, who was tall with dark hair. 'Then that's Uriel, he works in forensics. Then Victor… I don't know what he does because he's pretty mysterious.' She looked thoughtful for a moment. 'That's Will, he's pretty down-to-earth and then that's-'

'Xav.' I finished for her. 'Yeah I met him at the 1940s party.'

'He's the cheeky one, a bit of a tease.' Zoe smiled and I remembered how he'd been winding up Zed. His description made sense. Yves made a beeline for us and I was thankful that Zed wasn't. Instead, he stood talking to Will, his eye flicking my way every now and then.

'Hi guys.' Yves said, cheerfully. I looked from him to his brothers and sighed. The whole Benedict family had a good gene pool, one which wasn't fair to inflict on girlkind to be honest. Zoe was practically drooling beside me and I nudged her, reminding her not to gawp at her favourite Benedict brother. 'You girls look great.' He said with a smile, looking at each of us. He laughed softly when he spotted our champagne. 'That's a brilliant idea.'

'We thought so too.' Nelson said, finishing his glass and putting it on the tray of a passing waiter. 'Just don't tell your parents.'

'You have my word.' He saluted and I laughed. The back of my neck prickled and I knew I was being watched. I looked over at Zed and, despite his brother talking to him, he was looking at me with that intense stare of his.

Wow, you look incredible. He was in my head again. You could stop traffic in that dress.

Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

Definitely a good thing.

And then he was walking towards me. Zoe followed my eyeline and raised her eyebrows, saying something to our friends before disappearing and leaving me there with my flute of champagne. I took a sip of it and tried to look for a way out but it was no use. I was trapped in a corner with a Christmas tree.

'Hey.' He said with a grin.

'Haven't we just said that?'

'I thought I'd say it properly.' He replied. He spotted the champagne flute. 'Don't let my parents see you with that.'

'They'll disapprove?'

'They don't like any of us drinking underage at these things. We normally all sneak off to the library and open a bottle of whiskey later on.' He gave a smug smile.

'Do your parents not notice?'

'Not usually.' He smiled. 'Normally by then, mum's had some champagne and is so busy talking and dancing that we all just slip out of here unnoticed.' So this party usually involved underage people sneaking off and drinking? I finished my champagne flute and gave it to a passing waiter, trying not to give Zed a disapproving look, especially as I was drinking underage myself. 'I'm sorry about the other day. I messed up again, didn't I?'

'You do that a lot.' I said drily.

'You see, people kinda expect us to be together because of who our families are and my friends thought I liked you just because you're a Taylor, just because I'm expected to like you cause of irony.'

'And you obviously care what your friends think.'

'But I shouldn't.' He grabbed my hands and I tried to snatch them away but he held me there. 'I don't care about the irony, Sky, you and I are supposed to be together.'

'So your fairytale stories believe.'

'They're not fairytales.' He ran a hand through his hair. 'Come with me, let me show you something.'

'Because that worked out so well last time?' I raised an eyebrow with my sarcasm and he sighed.

'Please Sky?'

I let him drag me off to the library, half-expecting him to open a bottle of whiskey there but he didn't. Instead he paced, looking thoughtful, and then something weird happened. Zed stood still, staring at the bookcase and then a book flew out of it. I blinked, wondering if I was imagining things.

Zed.

I didn't know what else to do so I used my telekinesis. I moved the book out of the bookcase, choosing my book carefully, and then I placed it gently in Sky's hands. She looked puzzled as she looked down at The Great Gatsby and she looked even more confused when the pages turned by themselves to the page I wanted.

'How did you-' She started but I interrupted her.

'Read it.' I said, simply. It was clear from her frown that she didn't like me telling her what to do, but she followed my instructions anyway.

'So he waited, listening for a moment longer to the tuning fork that had been struck upon a star. Then he kissed her. At his lips' touch she blossomed like a flower and the incarnation was complete.' Sky read and I moved to stand in front of her, looking down at her beautiful blue eyes.

'That's how it feels when I kiss you.' I said simply, but she still looked at me with confusion.

'How did you do that?' She scanned the book, as if looking for string or a way to unveil the magic, a way to destroy the magic trick.

'You try it.' I told her and she raised an eyebrow. 'You won't believe me unless you try.' She looked at the small glass on top of the drinks cabinet and frowned, rubbing her forehead. It wasn't working. 'Don't overthink it.' I told her. 'You kind of have to picture it in your head.' The glass lifted and flew over my head, just skimming it before smashing against the wall behind me. The glass fell to the ground and Sky's hand flew to her mouth. 'You missed.' I muttered.

'I… I did that.' She blinked.

'You did.' I nodded.

'Oh my god.' She looked panicked and pale and I wondered if she was going to have a panic attack. She paced the room. 'How did I… what the …. Oh my god.'

'Sky.' I grabbed her wrists and stopped her in front of me. 'Do you believe me now?'

'Which bit?' She whispered, looking up at me. 'That I'm a savant or that you feel that way when you kiss me?'

'Both.' I said and she broke eye contact, blushing as I moved one of my hands to stroke her cheek gently. I wondered if she felt the same fiery feeling I did when we touched. The same electricity. The same magnetism pulling us together. I bent down and pressed my lips to hers in the gentlest of kisses, afraid I was going to break her or send her running.

'I believe you.' She whispered, her eyes meeting mine.

'Which part?' I asked, my eyes searching hers.

And then she bit her lip before replying, 'both.'