A Hole in the World by Sophie Robbins Read Free Book Online Page A

‘Drink.’
    Alexandra gives her a wary look, but trusts her enough to pick up the glass and take a hesitant sip. ‘Ahh!’ she exclaims with wide eyes, as the first sip goes down. ‘It is delicious !’
    ‘Orange juice?’ Bianca gives her an unsure look then takes a sip herself. ‘Mm, I guess it is pretty nice.  Don’t you have orange juice where you’re from?’
    ‘No.’ Alexandra shakes her head. ‘We have wine and water... But we do not have this orange juice of which you speak. I feel I must ask, now, what else do you have that we do not?’
    Bianca grins and has to resist the urge to start listing the things she suspects Alexandra’s world is bereft of. The Internet and the things contained within spring immediately to mind. But instead of scaring the girl, she says, with an amused look, ‘ Now you’re getting interested?’
    Alexandra nods, excitedly, ‘Oh, yes, my prince!’ She claps her hands together and she seems so happy Bianca can’t bring herself to correct her over the prince thing again. ‘I beg you now; show me the delicacies of your world!’

Six
    ‘Morning, Bianca,’ Julia says, as she walks into the kitchen, yawning and scratching at her ruffled hair, robe wrapped tightly around her. ‘What the hell are you doing?’
    The two girls are sitting opposite each other at the table, the surface laden with every kind of food and drink Bianca could acquire at such short notice. Amongst the spread there’s orange juice, carrot juice, apple juice, pomegranate juice, toast, all kinds of jams and butter to go with it, every type of cereal Bianca could lay her hands on, fried bacon and defrosted waffles from the freezer.
    ‘We’re eating !’ Bianca exclaims, happily. Upon discovering Alexandra’s appetite and desire to try everything , she’d quickly decided to fatten her up so she’d actually fit into the clothes Bianca provided. 
    Julia raises an eyebrow. ‘I see.’ She comes over to the table and sits down next to Alexandra and opposite Bianca. After a moment, she turns to the blonde and asks, ‘Do I know you?’
    ‘Mum, this is Alexandra,’ Bianca says. ‘She’s my new friend. We’re walking to school together.’
    ‘Not walking with Scotty?’ Julia enquires, reaching for some toast.
    ‘’Course! I can walk with more than one person, Mum!’ Bianca exclaims. She grins at Alexandra and nudges the jar of marmalade towards her. ‘Try that.’
    Julia raises an eyebrow. ‘I’m sure Alexandra has tried marmalade before, Bianca...’
    Alexandra removes the spoon from her mouth. ‘Never have I experienced such a wonder!’ she exclaims, with wide eyes.
    Bianca looks at her mother with wide eyes. ‘She’s... erm... she’s an exchange student.’
    ‘Where do you come from, then?’ Julia enquires of the blonde.
    ‘Calpaea!’ Alexandra says, with a big smile.
    Julia smiles, indulgently at her, as though suspecting her of being mentally deficient. ‘I’ve never heard of it. Where is it?’
    ‘Somewhere in Asia,’ Bianca says, quickly. ‘Tiny, tiny place. They don’t get marmalade.’ She glances across at Alexandra reverently nibbling at a piece of toast, wonder filling her large eyes.  ‘Or... bread.’
    Scotty chooses that moment exactly to walk into the kitchen via the back door and drop his bag on the floor by the table. ‘Hello,’ he says, with a grin, grabbing the nearest chair, straddling it and reaching for the food on the table. ‘What’s with the buffet?’
    ‘Help yourself, Scotty,’ Julia says, rolling her eyes.
    ‘Don’t mind if I do, Missus W.,’ Scotty replies, piece of toast shoved in his mouth. ‘My mum’s been neglecting me. I’m being starved!’
    ‘Funny, you look well fed,’ Julia responds, with a grin, standing up and walking towards the cup rack. ‘Coffee, dear?’
    ‘Mm, that’d be lovely, ta.’ Scotty turns to Bianca as her mother reaches for a mug for him, then Alexandra catches his eye.  ‘Who’s this pretty lady,