peachycullen02

[peachycullen02]

MIST

chapter 3 - no fuel

15th October 2021

Okay so, I’m unsure how I got to this point but I guess I’m going to the bookers for dinner?…

I haven’t had a family dinner since dad got sick. And that wasn’t exactly the best occasion of my life. His goodbye dinner wasn’t exactly my ideal last memory of a family round up. But I gross this isn’t my family…

Also to add I don’t actually know these people…I’m not sure why I even said yes. There’s something so compelling about them, like I couldn’t even say no. I had to say yes.

I mean Ava always told me that a free dinner is a free dinner, that was in regard to tinder dates mind you but I guess the same rule applies here as well.

Also I need to figure out Wilbur…why didn’t he want me to go tonight. He looked at me like I repulsed him, and that he couldn’t even stand to be near me…

Anyways I have to figure out what I’m wearing…

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Faye flurried around her room diving in and out of her wardrobe.

Party dress? - “absolutely not what am I a hooker”

Skirt ? - “no too trying”

“Casual it is “

After mauling over all her possible outfits choices she decided to go with something classically Faye, thrifted cargo trousers belted with an old shoe lace over the top of some fish net tights, black doc Martin boots, a small fitted white top with short red sleeves and to top it off her big over sized leather jacket. She tied her hair up in a hair style she likes to call devil horns which is two small pig tales that sit on top of her head with her long curly red hair hanging down past her shoulders. Around her neck she layered and draped necklaces she has collected over the years which consisted of her grandmothers pearls, her dads silver plain chain, her mothers cross necklace that was gifted to her at her christening and a tattoo choker. After putting a ring on all 10 of her fingers she decided she was ready.

After scrambling through the mess she had created in her bed room for her car keys she yelled by to her mum who was asleep on the sofa…again. And hopped in her 2008 black ford KA. She was ready.

Engine. Start

Fuel light. On

“Fuck”

“It’s fine” she murmured to herself “there’s a gas station around the corner.

After putting £5 into her car, she strolled into the petrol station shop. Upon looking at the chocolate section trying to decide if she needed a starter before this meal. Her eyes locked onto the flowers.

Maybe she should make a good impression. pondering over the flower selection for a moment she grabbed the £7.50 bunch of roses. The classic. Perfect.

Loading into her car for the last time, she pealed off the price tag of the flowers and laid them on the seat next to her. Checked her eyeliner in the wing mirror. And started up.

crawling up the Cornwall hills of the little town Fowey was no easy feat for her little car, but she reached the top of the hill. She’s never been this far into Fowey before, and wow it was empty and beautiful. There was one house on the top of this hill. Their house.

The house was something of grandeur as Faye looked up at it in awe. It was a staple modern architecture unlike Faye’s quaint Victorian home. The front of the house was adorned with windows top to bottom. But floor length black out curtains filled them. No one could see in. No one could see out. As Faye pulled closer to the gate it slowly opened automatically. Least they hasn’t forgotten she was coming.she carried on driving up the long drive way and saw the collection of cars gathered out the front. A matte black Mercedes G class, a glossy deep red Audi TT and 4 black bmw series 5s. Faye pulled her car up alongside the fleet. And stared them down for a moment and become embarrassed of her wagon.

her gaze then continued to to scale up the size of the house. 5,7,10,50?! Bedrooms were all Faye’s guess. She had never seen a house so modern, so clean, so perfect in her entire 19 years of living.

After taking some deep breaths and considering turning around she shakes her head,re applies her lip gloss, grabbed the roses and got out. Sheepishly shutting the car door behind her. Looking the house up and down one last time. She continued up the stares. Where she came to the large modern oak door.

One deep breath in.

Knock knock kn-.

Before she could finish her final knock the door swung open.

“Faye! I’m so glad you could make it. Come in” - Florence said in her normal classy, enthusiastic way.

[peachycullen02]

MIST

Chapter 2 - HIM

Erm hello Faye, my family and I have already ordered thank you” - the mother explained

“Oh I’m sorry, I just, well I saw you sitting here and assumed-“

“It’s okay sweet child don’t worry please sit with us, Murray explained it was your day off, join us why don’t you” - the mother interrupted

Faye hesitated for a second as she look at the mother then down at her note book, then back at the mother. She closed her noted book and took off her apron as she pulled up a chair. The sound of the chair scrapping along the floor breaking the thick heavy atmosphere that was now enthralling the cafe.

“So Faye” the mother said softly taking the note Book out of her hand and placing it on the table “you’re fairly knew in town aren’t you”

Before Faye could answer the mother continued

“Well this is my family, I’m mrs Florence Booker but you can call me Flo, this is my husband James booker . And these are our children”

The rest of the family who were intentionally facing slightly away all turn slowly to face Faye

“This is my eldest Chester, my second Wilbur, my third max and my little baby Rosie”

As Florence called out her children’s names they all made eye contact and waved. Although the gesture was warm, there was something Faye couldn’t quite put her finger on. Something wasn’t right.

“Hi guys I’m Faye”

They all forced a smile and as they sat there in silence for a few moments.

“I’ve noticed you guys like to walk a lot a long the beach together, that’s really nice.” - Faye forced trying to fill the air

“We don’t get much choice in the matter” - max laughed

As soon as these words fluttered lightly from max’s mouth an evil and cold stare was shot at Faye from across the table by Wilbur the middle child. Faye instantly broke eye contact and looked down.

“Oh max aren’t you funny, you should join us for a walk one time Faye it would be really nice to see you more often” - Florence explained

“In fact I know this is a bit out there but why don’t you join us for dinner tonight at our house just up the hill, Murray mentioned your situation and our family is always looking to throw a dinner party”

“See me more often ? My situation? Do they know Murray ?” Faye thought to herself

After hesitating for a few seconds Faye agreed to the dinner party. there was a lot more about this family she wanted to find out. And what a better way than joining them for dinner.

“Oh great here is our address let’s meet around 7pm tonight if that’s okay with you ?” Florence said “Well then perfect we must be off see you later” Florence said before Faye could answer. she stood up,the entire family following her actions in unison. they all fumbled out of the cafe door as quickly as they seemed to appear. Faye sat there still in shock. At what she just had encounted. How did they know so much about her, why did they talk like they were old and new friends at the same time. Suddenly She felt a cold hand on her arm. Wilbur.

“If you have your own and our best interest in heart don’t come tonight. My family doesn’t need another dinner party” - Wilbur said softly but harshly to Faye.

Faye looked up at him, into his cold dark brown eyes that were peaking through his long wavy brown hair that laid relax on his forehead. Confused.

“I’ll be there” she replied sternly not letting him intimate her

With frustration Wilbur let go of her arm, and quickly followed his family out of the door.

After a few seconds to collect her thoughts Faye stood up to clear the table. When she realised they hadn’t ordered anything, there was no coffee cups, plates, nothing.

“Hey Murray, did you take the Bookers order”

“The who” - murray yelled back

“The bookers, the family that was just sat in here with me “

“Oh no darlin they said they were waiting for you” - Murray exclaimed

Waiting for me ? How did they know I was coming? Why did they lie about already having ordered? Faye thought to herself as she tucked the chairs in.

“I’ll see you Monday murray have a good rest of the week” - Faye yelled back as she let the door swing shut behind her. Pulling her beanie on she was pacing up the road home. Thoughts running through her head of what has just happened. The way Wilbur doesn’t want her at that party, the way he stared her down after max’s joke. What is his problem. Why did the family seem so integrated yet so foreign to her. Her mind was a whirl it all happened so quickly. Anyways she tried to forget that she needed to get ready for a dinner party��

[peachycullen02]

MIST

CHAPTER 1 - Mist, grey, October

11th oct 2021.

Octobers in London were so different than here. Yes we had the grey. yes we had the mist. but there was life…tubes rattling, busy busses, the constant comforting hum of people talking and walking in the distance. But now silence. I can’t seem to overcome this overwhelming feeling of silence. I can’t quite explain it. I didn’t realise my constant urge for human contact even if it wasn’t directly with me. But just knowing that there were people around was enough. In London I was small,tiny, erelevant, but here in polruan Cornwall, I feel as if my being is becoming over overwhelmingly large. I’m not sure how mum expects us to stay here for 6 months.

————————————————————————

Faye looks over to her mother sat soulless by the tv, her head on the back of the sofa asleep. As she throws a blanket over her, Faye remembers that we’re here for her and her research. Since her mum got her break through case they’ve lived all over the countries coasts as she gathers more resources for her phd in marine biology. It’s her dream and her soul focus since Faye’s dad died a few years ago when Faye was 11. And why would she, 19 year old Faye Edwards stop her from doing that.

After tucking her soulless mothers body comfortably on the sofa in, switching the tv off and dimming the lights. She makes her way upstairs to her bed room, she flicks on the warm yellow light to display her bedroom covered photographs of her and her friends from London, twinkling warm fairy lights draped around the boarder of the room followed by ivy crawling between the band posters and tapestry’s. She turns on the fairy lights and off with the main light as she tucked herself into bed. And wriggling deeper and deeper into her thick warm duvet cover to escape the harsh October draft that this old house seemed to struggle to keep away.

Upon staring up at her ceiling she remembered Ava and Luke her two best friends from London. She remembered how they were still living their life, as if she was there. Meeting up on Saturday mornings for Breakfast, going to HMV to run their fingers through the new releases and going to the park to talk about strangers and Their dogs. Shutting her eyes abrasively to try and shut the memories out seems to the only option for Faye, and she screws her eyes tight together until she sees coloured dots, before releasing them quickly and repeating until the unfavourable memory disappears. She signs whilst rolling onto her side and pulling the duvet over her head. Staying like this until morning.

beep.beep.Beep

… … …

beep.beep.beep

… … …

“SHIT”

Faye jumps out of bed, throws on her black polo shirt that’s hanging over her mirror, pulls on her tights being careful not the ladder them, and slips on her mid thigh length black pencil skirt. Then jumping into her doc martins. And running out of the door. She’s going to be late again…

After racing down the road, she swings herself into the “latte on the rocks” cafe. Or rocks for short. This seafront cafe is where Faye tends to spend most her days serving the pensioners their English breakfast tea and the Gen z their iced vanilla with “what milk substitute do you have” lattes. Faye didn’t hate the outdated coffee house, but she did hate the lack of actual interaction she gained as a barista. Of course she had her regulars Chris and Ruth pierce coming in every morning for their tea with the newspapers, but unfortunately she didn’t have much in common with two 85 year olds. It seems in fact she didn’t have anything in common with anyone. The only person she interacted with on the regular was Murray the cafe owner,who somewhat treated her like his daughter he never had.

When the cafe work dropped low Faye would find herself gazing out of the window at the people On the beach. That’s one thing she noticed no matter what time of the year it was, whether it’s raining, sunny or snowing there would always be people walking,swimming, existing on the beach.

She didn’t quite get the appeal of going to the beach in October the dark grey sky cast over the the deep navy swill of the ocean looking menacing and scary. But people seemed to be by the ocean as if coldness didn’t exist.

As Faye is gazing out of the window she notices *the family*. she calls them that because she’s never actually met them so she doesn’t know their name…she’s not even 100% sure they are a family. But they’re always out walking in the rain together. Always the rain never the nice bright beautiful days. It’s actually quite confusing. She watches them as they move amongst each other keeping away from the other families. The parents *she assumes* are a beautiful couple probably in their early 40s. The *mother* has long curly red hair, just like Faye’s and extremely fair skin. She tends to wear all black, black skinny jeans with a quilted black coat and boots. The father is a tall dark individual who strutted with a navy wax Barbour jacket and light blue jeans. As for the rest of the family she had never really seen them close enough to make out what they were wearing as they always walked right along the shore line. From what she could tell there was 3 boys and a girl. One of the boys were tall, pale like his mother and…

DING.

“Yes how may I help”

————————————————————————

14th October 2021

I’m not sure whether it’s my general lack of human interaction or my natural ability to be a bit of a slooth. But I can’t stop thinking about the family. It’s been raining for the past week, and they’ve been out everyday. Never stopping into the cafe once. But today. Today was strange. They walked past the cafe. I was just stood there behind the counter as they all walked past. The mother even turned and looked me the eyes as she went past as if she knew I had been watching them all week. It was really freaky and I’m not sure how to react to the whole situation. But I’m trying to brush it aside. They are always walking on the beach far away from people but today they were walking along the promenade with everyone.I still didn’t get a good look at the others. But the mother. Wow. She’s beautiful, long red hair, dark dark green eyes, porcelain skin and cherry lips. She must get work done there is not a singular wrinkle on that face it’s impressive. I find myself craving to see her,them again. I have this next week off work as I was meant to go go London to see Ava and Luke. But they had to cancel as Ava is going north to see her grandma and Luke had a lot of university work. Which I understand I guess…

————————————————————————

Faye finds herself consumed by this family. She no longer lays awakes yearning for her London friends but more so wishing to see the family again.

That morning she woke up to mist,cold, grey. Like every other day. But today she wasn’t disheartened to see the overcast weather but relaxed. She was going to the beach. under her big leather jacket she layered her dads old green jumper, with her pleated black tennis skirt and three pairs of tights to keep her extra warm, pink fluffy socks and her black doc Martin boots. She plaited her hair into two separate braids so the curls would be able to fit underneath her black beanie. And with that she left he house.

Trying to avoid her hat being blown off in the wind she walked down the promenade trying to see if she could spot the family. But nothing. She walked the entire length of the beach to see if she could find any of them. But to Faye’s disappointment nothing. As she found herself freezing and feeling hard done by she appeared to be outside of Rocks. So why not pop in for a coffee. As she passed through the old wooden frame door and the bell rang. That’s when she noticed. The family. They were here. In rocks. As she entered and took off her hat. They all turned and looked at her. And she looked at them. All as if they knew each other. Faye turned away and quickly hurried to the back.

Murray - “what the hell are you doing here Fé it’s your day off ain’t it”

“Oh hi Murray yes it is..erm is it okay if I just look for something outback I think I left my necklace here” - Faye stumbled

Murray - “yeah no issues help your self to anything you like luv on the house”

Faye nods and heads into the small store room where the cupcakes and sugars are kept.

She spins around clutching at her braids. Do they think she’s a stalker. Have they noticed that she’s been watching them, maybe the mother thought she was rude the other day when she stared back through the window. All these thoughts racing through Faye’s head.

“I have an idea” - she signs

Faye throws on her spare apron she keeps out the back, takes a deep breath in and confidently walks out to the front. She hesitates at the counter for a moment before heading over to their table.

She pulls out a note book she had in her pocket. Put on a big fake smile…

“Hi I’m Faye..can I get you anything”