Elemental Fear by Ada Frost Read Free Book Online Page B

during the stock market day. The number on the left is what price it closed at.” He turned to me, checking to see if I understood. “Obviously, the higher the price the more your share investment is worth. I was just checking what Ealing was priced at today.”
    “And?”
    “2.84, which isn’t bad. It’s slowly rising, so that’s good. It’s currently the highest it’s ever been. I’m just debating whether to cash any in and pay –“
    “You have shares?”
    “Hmm?” He turned again to look at me. “Oh, yeah. I joined as soon as I was eligible to. It’s a good savings plan”
    “Do you...how much does one have to pay in...? I mean, would I be able to afford it?”
    “Well , whilst you are living here, it would be a great way to save for a deposit on your own place someday. Even then, it would benefit you to do the share scheme to save lump sums to pay off a mortgage or do renovations, etc. You cannot access it straight away, it’s kind of a long term plan, but highly beneficial.”
    I nodded . “Could you help me with it?”
    He smiled at me and nodded. “Happily.”
    He turned again to the TV , and I rested my head back to the pillow, watching his face. The lights from the TV reflected against his skin, forming shadows and making his hair seem darker and his features more pronounced. It had gotten dark outside. I turned to check the clock on my nightstand. 7.27pm. Mum and Dad should have been back by now. Just as I was about to say this to Dominic, we both heard the front door slam, and Dad call out to us. He obviously knew Dominic wouldn’t leave me. A few moments later, Mum appeared at my bedroom door with Ellie close behind.
    “Hi, sweetie. What on earth have you been doing ?” She walked towards my bed and sat down beside me. She turned, stretched out her hand, and cupped Dominic’s cheek in her usual warm greeting. “Hey, sweetheart, thanks for watching my baby.”
    Ellie jumped on the bed and scrambled to my side , laying her head on my chest above my heart and squeezing her arms around me tightly. I tried not to wince, but I admit, it hurt like hell.
    “Ellie , darling, you’re hurting her,” Mum said, trying not to alarm Ellie.
    “I'm fine . Honestly,” I croaked.
    “I know what ’ll make your poorly better, Evie-beevie.”
    I smiled at my little sister’s nickname for me. You would have thought Eve was simple enough , but she said she liked how it sounded.
    “What’s that?” I asked , smiling at her adorable little face.
    She looked at Mum guiltily, and I knew it was going to be something Mum would ordinarily disallow. She crawled further up the bed and cupped her hand to whisper in my ear. “A DVD. We can put our pyjamas on and watch it here.”
    “Ellie May , you little sneak.” Mum laughed, shaking her head.
    “It’s for Evie –“
    “Ellie, you know it’s a school night, and –“
    “But Muuuuuum. Eve has a poorly.” She pouted, literally pouted, sticking her plump little lip out.
    Mum started to say something as Dad came into the room with two hot mugs of tea. “How’s my baby girl?”
    “Daddy, Evie-beevie has a poorly and Mummy won’t let me make it better.”
    O h, here we go – Daddy’s girl was bringing out the big guns.
    “Ellie ,” Mum warned as Dad looked to Mum and asked, “What?”
    “The little monkey here wants to watch a DVD in Eve’s room with her . She says it’ll make Eve’s poorly better, but she also knows it’s a school night,” Mum said, pointing her finger at my little sister, who was currently curled up by my side, seeking refuge.
    Dominic sat silently, but not without a huge grin on his face. He took his drink from Dad and started sipping. I knew, by the lift of his shoulders, he was trying to stifle his laughter.
    “One late night won’t –“Dad silenced immediately when he caught Mum’s death glare.
    “We could just watch half –“Dominic attempted to mediate , but went silent just as quickly as Dad did when Mum’s