Starting Over The Attic

Christian and Satine walked through the front door, soaking wet. Their hands were clasped together with their fingers interwined. Christian gave Satine a gentle kiss before they walked into the sitting room. Everyone was there. Gerald was reading a newspaper, Kathleen was doing some sewing, Phyl was reading a book and the two brothers were playing chess. Everyone looked up when Christian cleared his throat.

'I see you found her then.' Gerald said shortly. Christian rolled his eyes at Satine who giggled.

'Look at the state of you two!' Kathleen exclaimed jumping up. 'Especially you, Satine. Now come on - upstairs with you.' She took Satine by the arm and guided her back into the hall and up the stairs. 'You too, Christian.' She called after her. Christian hurried up the stairs two at a time. On the Kathleen turned to them. 'Now, Satine you take the bath in your bathroom and Christian you can use the bathroom down the hall. Off you go - hup two!' Christian and Satine looked at each other, amused. Then Satine gave him a kiss before turning to go in their room.

***

An hour later there was a gentle knock on Christian and Satine's door. Satine set down her brush on the vanity table and went to open the door. Phyl was standing there.

'Hey, Phyl. Can I help you?'

'Do you want to come and explore the attic with me?'

'At this time? It's late.' Satine said, pointing at the clock on the landing.

'It's perfect timing, come on.' She grabbed Satine's hand and pulled her across the landing and through the opposite door. She ushered Satine through and then placed a wedge in the door.

'Other we get locked in.' Phyl explained. It was pitch black inside. Satine's eyes adjusted to the light and Phyl lit a candle. There were a set of wooden stairs that led up to the attic. Phyl led the way with Satine trailing behind. She glanced behind her at the closed door. Pity Christian isn't here, she thought.

***

Christian strolled cheerily down the hallway, whistling. His hair was still damp from his bath. He knocked gently on his door, just in case Satine was changing. When there was no reply he tentatively opened the door. The light was on but no one was there. He shrugged. She's probably in Phyl's room, he thought.

***

'This is some attic.' Satine said, turning around slowly. Phyl looked up from the photo album she was looking through.

'Impressive isn't it? I remember coming up here when we first bought the house eight years ago. I thought it was the best room in the house. I've explored a little bit every now and again.'

'And you still haven't finished?' Satine asked incredulously. Phyl grinned and shook her head.

'We have to be very quiet. My parents room is below us and they wouldn't appreciate my late night snoops. Satine nodded and sat down. A trunk sat next to her. Carefully, she opened it and reached inside. She pulled out a blue dress.

'What's this?'

'That was my mother's when she was about your age.'

'It's gorgeous.' Satine commented, turning it so she could take it all in.

'I used to dress up in it, pretending I was a princess. Christian was my prince.' Phyl said smiling. Satine let out a laugh. She had to agree with that - Christian was a prince, her prince. Christian - her heart ached. After this afternoon and their fight she had vowed never to keep him out of things again. She really wanted him beside her.

***

Christian sighed as his father droned on about his work. He looked at clock. It had been half an hour since he had decided Satine wasn't in their room. She wasn't in Phyl's room either. Suddenly his heart ached for her. He needed to see her again, to hold her, to kiss her. He stood up and walked into the hall and then up the stairs. Listening carefully, he could hear voices coming from the attic. He opened the door and walked in, accidentally kicking the wedge out of the way. It was pitch black and he had to make his way up the stairs by touch alone. At the top he saw a flickering light made by a candler.

'It's only Christian.' He heard Phyl announce. He came round the corner to see his sister standing near him and Satine sitting on a wooden box.

'Gee thanks.' He said, digging her in the side affectionately. He turned to smile at Satine. She had a look on her face, a look of urgency. Satine had two of those looks. One was 'Nothing's happened. I just need you to hold me.' and the other was 'Something's happened. I need you to hold me and comfort me.'. This was definitely the first one. He strode over and sat on the floor by Satine since there were no boxes nearby. Satine took a hint and slid onto the floor and onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and she leant back in his embrace. Phyl rolled her eyes and turned around. Even though she thought it was sweet, sometimes it was sickeningly so. As she turned something caught her eye. There was no crack of light coming through the door from below.

'Er, Christian.' She said, turning back to face the two lovers. Christian was nuzzling Satine's cheek gently before kissing it. He looked up.

'Mmm?'

'Where's the wedge?'

'What wedge?'

'The piece of wood holding the door open.'

'I think I kicked it out by accident.' He said before turning his attention back to Satine. Satine opened her eyes and drew back from the kiss.

'You did what?' She asked. 'Great! Just great!' She got up and started to walk around.

'What?!' Christian asked, still unsure of what he had done.

'We are stuck up here.' Phyl announced.

'What about Mother and Father?'

'Do you want to wake them?' Phyl asked. Christian thought about it. If they did then his father would probably kill them. He shook his head. 'Didn't think so. I think we are just going to have to make ourselves comfortable.'

'And cold.' Satine said, standing by the open window. 'I've tried to close it and it won't.' Christian got up and walked over to the winow. He gave it a few tugs but it wouldn't budge.

'She's right. Any blankets up here, sis?'

'I'm not sure....' She trailed off. 'But if we look around we might be able to find some.' The three began to search through boxes and in corners for blankets or something they could use as blankets.

***

The search had been going on for about twenty minutes and only one piece of grey material had been found. Christian was searching through a cupboard when he triumphantly pulled out a pink blanket. It was dust covered but otherwise in good condition. He shook it, letting out a massive sneeze.

'Bless you.' Phyl said absentmindedly from her search of some boxes.

'Thanks. Satine, are you alright?' He asked his wife he looked deep in thought.

'Hmm? Yes, fine. Where's my trunk?'

'Your trunk?' Christian repeated.

'Yes, you know. My belongings. I know it came up here.'

'Try round the corner.' Phyl said, pointing to a little area that was to the right of the door instead of straight ahead of it. 'That is where all the new things go.' Satine disappeared around the corner. A moment later she returned with a patchwork quilt.

'What's that?' Christian asked as she settled on the floor. The other two abandoned their searching and joined her on the floor.

'It was my mother's so I guess it's mine now. It's my family quilt. It is passed down through the women and each one has to add a square. This one's mine.' She said pointing to a purple square with yellow flowers on. 'I added this when I was just nine years old. I remember when I was young and I was ill, my mother would wrap me up in it and hold me on her lap and rock me.' Satine's eyes misted up as she remembered her mother. Christian stroked her arm comfortingly.

'Listen, I'll take the pink blanket.' Phyl said standing up. She picked up the pink blanket and dragged it to another part of the room. On the way she passed the little grey one and chucked it over. Snuggling into the blanket, she attempted to go to sleep.

Christian looked at Satine. Who was still holding the blanket.

'It's going to be dark, isn't it?' She asked.

'Most likely. Why, you aren't scared of the dark are you?'

'Noooo but I've never slept in complete darkness before. There has always been a bit of light.' Satine explained. Christian picked up the candle and settled it on the floor next to them. He folded the grey material up and lay it on the floor like a pillow. Then he lay down on top of it and held his arms opened. Satine lay down in them, her head resting on his chest.

'Now, close your eyes.' Satine obediently did so and Christian blew the candle out. 'As long as I've got you, there is nothing to be scared of.' He said gently, kissing her on the head. Satine pulled his arms around her tighter and drifted off to sleep. Christian listened to the sound of Satine. Once he was sure she was asleep, only then did he close his eyes and drift off himself.

***