Stella was humming as she dusted down some books. She liked the fact her stepsisters were at school and she was not. She had always been home schooled by her father due to her agoraphobia, she could not step outside into the real world, so she made up her own.
The opening had been a great success, so many of the locals had come to have a look. She watched and smiled at her father as he shared his knowledge with the kind old Mrs Goodfair.
She was the very first customer, and was particularly interested in magical stories; she had sat and chatted to Stella, who had listened politely, she was shy around strangers. Yet when they went, Stella liked to note them down in her notepad; she would turn them into characters in her little fairytales.
She sat down and opened her notebook. She wrote the title The Unusual Fairytale Chronicles. In her head she planned to turn real life into a fairytale. She was Cinderella, Millie was the wicked stepmother, Carmel and Baker the ugly stepsisters, Mrs Goodfair she decided would be the fairy godmother. She seemed the type for the fairy godmother, kind and dotting. Stella sighed, she needed her Prince Charming, but at this moment in time he was unavailable.
“Hello Stella.” A voice said.
Stella jumped and snapped shut her notebook. She looked round to see Mrs Goodfair.
Mrs Goodfair; “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
Stella smiled; “It’s ok, I was off in my own little world again.”
Mrs Goodfair nodded to the notepad in her hand. “Do you write?”
Stella held the notepad protectively against her chest. “Sometimes, but they’re just nothings, I just make them up inside my head.”
Mrs Goodfair smiled, “Well maybe I could look some time, I do like a good story.”
Stella nodded, “Did you find what you were looking for?”
Mrs Goodfair grinned; “Yes your father seems to have everything in this place. I needed another fantasy novel; I can’t get enough of those.”
Stella smiled; “They are the best.”
Mrs Goodfair smiled, surprised, it was the first time she had had a proper conversation with the girl. She continued; “Oh, what is your favourite?”
Stella blushed. She never had conversations unless it was with her dad. “Um. Nothing really, uh.
Well I suppose I like the fairytales, which I know are for kids.”
“Oh no dear, fairytales are for everyone, they are the ideal life we wish we could have. Even an old codger like me still believes in them.” Mrs Goodfair said reassuringly. “And don’t let anyone tell you different.”
Stella smiled back, she admitted to herself she liked the old lady and enjoyed her company. She didn’t have any friends; Carmel and Baker’s friends all thought she was weird. Her sisters didn’t deny it; they said; “Oh that’s our stepsister Stella, she doesn’t go to school.” Their friends asked why, and they would reply “She has some condition.” Then their friends would look at Stella funnily and turn their back, she was not one of them.
“Hey stuffy, how are you?” Carmel clipped Stella round the head as she sat in the kitchen reading a textbook eating her cereal.
Stella rubbed her head, “I’m fine.” She mumbled. She stared from under her golden fringe at her stepsister; Carmel was small and large all at the same. Her hair was short in a bob, but it didn’t fit her long pointed face, her body was bulky due to her shortness, causing her clothes to crease round the curves. Carmel said it ‘hugged’ Stella thought the clothes seemed to scream for air.
Carmel grabbed an apple for breakfast, she liked to make out she ate nothing. Yet Stella knew there was a secret stash of fatty food in her bedroom cupboard, after all she cleaned her bedroom to get her off her back. Millie had made Carmel and Baker go on a diet, it seems the trip to the shops was not successful as designer clothes are not forgiving.
It didn’t bode well for Stella as it meant they would be grouchy and their favourite punchbag, her.
Baker waddled in. Her designer handbag almost as big as her. She opened the clutch with a furious snap and dropped bar after bar of chocolate in. She looked at her sister. “Screw it I’m not dieting.”
Carmel looked; “Well if you don’t then I’m telling mummy.”
Baker’s eyes narrowed; “How old are you, stupid.”
Carmel’s face creased to think of a comeback; “Don’t call me stupid, stupid” She pushed
Baker.
Stella stood up to avoid the confrontation, but it was a bad move, as Carmel pushed Baker she flew straight into Stella’s hands, taking the plate out and falling to the floor.
CRASH!
“What is going on in there?” Millie appeared suddenly at the doorway. “Baker what on earth are you doing?”
Baker looked at her stained top, drenched in milk. Her lip started to shake. She screamed; “Stella poured her breakfast on me!”
Stella stared; she couldn’t believe she was going to get the blame.
Millie looked at Stella coldly “Is this true?” Her expression read I’m not going to believe you.
Stella shook her head. Baker got up and shook herself down. “Look at my top mummy, it’s ruined.”
Millie grabbed Stella and forced her into the wall. “Do you know how much this cost me you stupid girl? A lot of money.”
Stella looked at her in the eye. “You mean a lot of my father’s money.” She wanted to say. She didn’t have the guts, so continued to take the barrage of abuse.
Millie; “Well I will ask your father to take the money out your wages. Now, go tidy this place up its disgusting. We have lives to lead.”
Millie turned, ending the conversation yet stopped when she saw the open handbag. She marched over and screamed tipping it of its contents. She turned to the girls who had retreated towards the doorway.
“If I find any chocolate in this household, it is not going to be very nice for that person.” She hissed, staring straight at Stella.
“Yes mummy.” Carmel and Baker chimed.
“Is that clear Stella.” Millie said.
“Yes Millie” Stella said quietly.
Millie smiled, “Run along and be a good girl and get to work Stella. Baker go change your top.”
Baker and Stella left the room. Baker huffed up the stairs while Stella followed watching her movements and feeling anger build with every step.
Why did you do that Baker? Why do you like to get me into trouble? Stella wanted to scream.
Baker turned, “What you looking at freak? I can’t believe you ruined that top, I was going to impress Marcus today and you ruined it.”
Stella recoiled at the venom, “Who is Marcus?” She muttered trying to make conversation.
Baker stopped, either shocked that Stella had spoken or that she could be so stupid. “Well Marcus Charms is the best looking guy in school, not that you would know, and anyway he wouldn’t look twice at you. He would be like everyone else and acknowledge that you don’t exist.”
Baker grabbed a top out the cupboard; she smiled “No offence.” She slammed the door in Stella’s face.
Stella turned round and sighed. Marcus Charms, I think you may be my Prince Charming.
Her dad appeared “Stella” he said and beckoned her to come down, he gave her a hug,
something he only did when Millie was not about; “I heard what happened. I know it wasn’t you.”
Stella smiled into his shoulder, she missed their closeness. Everything had changed since he married Millie, she couldn’t blame him but she knew she had to break Millie’s spell before she lost him forever.
Stella smiled and said; “Thanks dad.”
Eddie smiled, “You’re my favourite girl, you know that don’t you?”
Stella’s heart warmed, “Yes dad.”
Eddie smiled, yet Stella saw a twinkle appear in his eye as reached into his pocket, “Well as we seem to have a chocolate ban, I think we can risk it.” He lifted two sachets of hot chocolate mixture. “Cream and marshmallows?”
Stella nodded in excitement. Eddie smiled “Our little secret eh? Just hold the fort while I make this.”
Stella sat herself on the counter humming. She picked up the copy of Cinderella on display and flicked through to her favourite part, where Cinderella met the prince. She looked at the illustration; his cloak exposed his macho, lean arms, his face was handsome and bore a smile that rivalled the sun. She read the caption underneath and smiled. “Prince Charming” She was too enthralled to hear the door open.
“Hello?” a warm voice said; Stella looked up and jump falling from the counter backwards, yet the fall never came, a heroic hand saved her. Confused she looked up.
“Are you alright? I didn’t mean to scare you.” He said, she nodded, jumping off the counter and colliding with his chest. She pulled back and took a closer look at his face, smooth and smiling, his grin was perfection as his lips formed a circle of infinite possibilities.
“Hi” she said; “Welcome to Stella Books.” She pulled herself together and smiled.
“Hi.” He replied, “And you are?”
“I’m Stella,” she replied, she raised her eyebrow, your turn.
“I’m Marcus by the way,” He said stepping forward towards her.
She manoeuvred herself out of his grasp; the closeness was creating too much heat. “Were you looking for anything?”
Marcus stared at her curiously “I…” He stared forward, mouth open, Stella followed his gaze, he muttered “Oh no.”
Baker and Carmel came bounded in and chimed together. “Marcus there you are we wondered where you got to!” They restrained themselves from pushing each other but they managed to crowd round Marcus, who became physically uncomfortable.
Marcus “I thought I would come and look at the shop. You talked a little about it and I was just talking to Stella.”
The sister’s eyebrows rose in sync. “Were you?” said Baker, her smile forced; Stella knew she was in for it later. “Well we do love our Stella.” She pulled Stella into a tight hug, but there was no warmth and she let go as quickly pushing Stella to the side.
“Why don’t we give you a tour of the house?” She took Marcus’ arm possessively.
Marcus grimaced, yet the sisters did not notice. “I really have to be going, you know lots of work.”
They pouted and whinged; “Oh Marcus do you really have to go?”
Marcus pulled away; “Sorry ladies, maybe another time.” He looked directly at Stella, their eyes holding, her heart stopped, “I’ll pop by another time.” He said slowly.
He turned and left through the door.
Baker turned on Stella “What did you say to him?” She pushed Stella against the bookshelf.
Stella felt the pain go up her back, “Just hi.”
Baker face flushed with anger; “Well next time, keep your mouth shut.” Baker looked at Carmel.
Carmel mimicked; “Oh, yeah, keep your mouth shut.”
They turned and left as Eddie appeared in the doorway with the hot chocolate.
Baker looked and snapped as she smelt the chocolate; “What’s that?”
Eddie replied “My drink. Now get gone.”
Eddie turned to see Stella had slipped down the bookshelf; he came and sat down next to her. She turned to him and took the drink, they sat in silence. He knew she would put this in her notebook, but what he didn’t know was what damages would happen next.
The opening had been a great success, so many of the locals had come to have a look. She watched and smiled at her father as he shared his knowledge with the kind old Mrs Goodfair.
She was the very first customer, and was particularly interested in magical stories; she had sat and chatted to Stella, who had listened politely, she was shy around strangers. Yet when they went, Stella liked to note them down in her notepad; she would turn them into characters in her little fairytales.
She sat down and opened her notebook. She wrote the title The Unusual Fairytale Chronicles. In her head she planned to turn real life into a fairytale. She was Cinderella, Millie was the wicked stepmother, Carmel and Baker the ugly stepsisters, Mrs Goodfair she decided would be the fairy godmother. She seemed the type for the fairy godmother, kind and dotting. Stella sighed, she needed her Prince Charming, but at this moment in time he was unavailable.
“Hello Stella.” A voice said.
Stella jumped and snapped shut her notebook. She looked round to see Mrs Goodfair.
Mrs Goodfair; “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
Stella smiled; “It’s ok, I was off in my own little world again.”
Mrs Goodfair nodded to the notepad in her hand. “Do you write?”
Stella held the notepad protectively against her chest. “Sometimes, but they’re just nothings, I just make them up inside my head.”
Mrs Goodfair smiled, “Well maybe I could look some time, I do like a good story.”
Stella nodded, “Did you find what you were looking for?”
Mrs Goodfair grinned; “Yes your father seems to have everything in this place. I needed another fantasy novel; I can’t get enough of those.”
Stella smiled; “They are the best.”
Mrs Goodfair smiled, surprised, it was the first time she had had a proper conversation with the girl. She continued; “Oh, what is your favourite?”
Stella blushed. She never had conversations unless it was with her dad. “Um. Nothing really, uh.
Well I suppose I like the fairytales, which I know are for kids.”
“Oh no dear, fairytales are for everyone, they are the ideal life we wish we could have. Even an old codger like me still believes in them.” Mrs Goodfair said reassuringly. “And don’t let anyone tell you different.”
Stella smiled back, she admitted to herself she liked the old lady and enjoyed her company. She didn’t have any friends; Carmel and Baker’s friends all thought she was weird. Her sisters didn’t deny it; they said; “Oh that’s our stepsister Stella, she doesn’t go to school.” Their friends asked why, and they would reply “She has some condition.” Then their friends would look at Stella funnily and turn their back, she was not one of them.
* * *
Stella rubbed her head, “I’m fine.” She mumbled. She stared from under her golden fringe at her stepsister; Carmel was small and large all at the same. Her hair was short in a bob, but it didn’t fit her long pointed face, her body was bulky due to her shortness, causing her clothes to crease round the curves. Carmel said it ‘hugged’ Stella thought the clothes seemed to scream for air.
Carmel grabbed an apple for breakfast, she liked to make out she ate nothing. Yet Stella knew there was a secret stash of fatty food in her bedroom cupboard, after all she cleaned her bedroom to get her off her back. Millie had made Carmel and Baker go on a diet, it seems the trip to the shops was not successful as designer clothes are not forgiving.
It didn’t bode well for Stella as it meant they would be grouchy and their favourite punchbag, her.
Baker waddled in. Her designer handbag almost as big as her. She opened the clutch with a furious snap and dropped bar after bar of chocolate in. She looked at her sister. “Screw it I’m not dieting.”
Carmel looked; “Well if you don’t then I’m telling mummy.”
Baker’s eyes narrowed; “How old are you, stupid.”
Carmel’s face creased to think of a comeback; “Don’t call me stupid, stupid” She pushed
Baker.
Stella stood up to avoid the confrontation, but it was a bad move, as Carmel pushed Baker she flew straight into Stella’s hands, taking the plate out and falling to the floor.
CRASH!
“What is going on in there?” Millie appeared suddenly at the doorway. “Baker what on earth are you doing?”
Baker looked at her stained top, drenched in milk. Her lip started to shake. She screamed; “Stella poured her breakfast on me!”
Stella stared; she couldn’t believe she was going to get the blame.
Millie looked at Stella coldly “Is this true?” Her expression read I’m not going to believe you.
Stella shook her head. Baker got up and shook herself down. “Look at my top mummy, it’s ruined.”
Millie grabbed Stella and forced her into the wall. “Do you know how much this cost me you stupid girl? A lot of money.”
Stella looked at her in the eye. “You mean a lot of my father’s money.” She wanted to say. She didn’t have the guts, so continued to take the barrage of abuse.
Millie; “Well I will ask your father to take the money out your wages. Now, go tidy this place up its disgusting. We have lives to lead.”
Millie turned, ending the conversation yet stopped when she saw the open handbag. She marched over and screamed tipping it of its contents. She turned to the girls who had retreated towards the doorway.
“If I find any chocolate in this household, it is not going to be very nice for that person.” She hissed, staring straight at Stella.
“Yes mummy.” Carmel and Baker chimed.
“Is that clear Stella.” Millie said.
“Yes Millie” Stella said quietly.
Millie smiled, “Run along and be a good girl and get to work Stella. Baker go change your top.”
Baker and Stella left the room. Baker huffed up the stairs while Stella followed watching her movements and feeling anger build with every step.
Why did you do that Baker? Why do you like to get me into trouble? Stella wanted to scream.
Baker turned, “What you looking at freak? I can’t believe you ruined that top, I was going to impress Marcus today and you ruined it.”
Stella recoiled at the venom, “Who is Marcus?” She muttered trying to make conversation.
Baker stopped, either shocked that Stella had spoken or that she could be so stupid. “Well Marcus Charms is the best looking guy in school, not that you would know, and anyway he wouldn’t look twice at you. He would be like everyone else and acknowledge that you don’t exist.”
Baker grabbed a top out the cupboard; she smiled “No offence.” She slammed the door in Stella’s face.
Stella turned round and sighed. Marcus Charms, I think you may be my Prince Charming.
* * *
Stella was tidying the bookshelves as the shop approached closing time. Mrs Goodfair had been in, looking rather concerned asking if everything was ok at home. Stella had shaken it off, but she couldn’t help feel it was like she’d known, because she left straight afterwards without saying goodbye.Her dad appeared “Stella” he said and beckoned her to come down, he gave her a hug,
something he only did when Millie was not about; “I heard what happened. I know it wasn’t you.”
Stella smiled into his shoulder, she missed their closeness. Everything had changed since he married Millie, she couldn’t blame him but she knew she had to break Millie’s spell before she lost him forever.
Stella smiled and said; “Thanks dad.”
Eddie smiled, “You’re my favourite girl, you know that don’t you?”
Stella’s heart warmed, “Yes dad.”
Eddie smiled, yet Stella saw a twinkle appear in his eye as reached into his pocket, “Well as we seem to have a chocolate ban, I think we can risk it.” He lifted two sachets of hot chocolate mixture. “Cream and marshmallows?”
Stella nodded in excitement. Eddie smiled “Our little secret eh? Just hold the fort while I make this.”
Stella sat herself on the counter humming. She picked up the copy of Cinderella on display and flicked through to her favourite part, where Cinderella met the prince. She looked at the illustration; his cloak exposed his macho, lean arms, his face was handsome and bore a smile that rivalled the sun. She read the caption underneath and smiled. “Prince Charming” She was too enthralled to hear the door open.
“Hello?” a warm voice said; Stella looked up and jump falling from the counter backwards, yet the fall never came, a heroic hand saved her. Confused she looked up.
“Are you alright? I didn’t mean to scare you.” He said, she nodded, jumping off the counter and colliding with his chest. She pulled back and took a closer look at his face, smooth and smiling, his grin was perfection as his lips formed a circle of infinite possibilities.
“Hi” she said; “Welcome to Stella Books.” She pulled herself together and smiled.
“Hi.” He replied, “And you are?”
“I’m Stella,” she replied, she raised her eyebrow, your turn.
“I’m Marcus by the way,” He said stepping forward towards her.
She manoeuvred herself out of his grasp; the closeness was creating too much heat. “Were you looking for anything?”
Marcus stared at her curiously “I…” He stared forward, mouth open, Stella followed his gaze, he muttered “Oh no.”
Baker and Carmel came bounded in and chimed together. “Marcus there you are we wondered where you got to!” They restrained themselves from pushing each other but they managed to crowd round Marcus, who became physically uncomfortable.
Marcus “I thought I would come and look at the shop. You talked a little about it and I was just talking to Stella.”
The sister’s eyebrows rose in sync. “Were you?” said Baker, her smile forced; Stella knew she was in for it later. “Well we do love our Stella.” She pulled Stella into a tight hug, but there was no warmth and she let go as quickly pushing Stella to the side.
“Why don’t we give you a tour of the house?” She took Marcus’ arm possessively.
Marcus grimaced, yet the sisters did not notice. “I really have to be going, you know lots of work.”
They pouted and whinged; “Oh Marcus do you really have to go?”
Marcus pulled away; “Sorry ladies, maybe another time.” He looked directly at Stella, their eyes holding, her heart stopped, “I’ll pop by another time.” He said slowly.
He turned and left through the door.
Baker turned on Stella “What did you say to him?” She pushed Stella against the bookshelf.
Stella felt the pain go up her back, “Just hi.”
Baker face flushed with anger; “Well next time, keep your mouth shut.” Baker looked at Carmel.
Carmel mimicked; “Oh, yeah, keep your mouth shut.”
They turned and left as Eddie appeared in the doorway with the hot chocolate.
Baker looked and snapped as she smelt the chocolate; “What’s that?”
Eddie replied “My drink. Now get gone.”
Eddie turned to see Stella had slipped down the bookshelf; he came and sat down next to her. She turned to him and took the drink, they sat in silence. He knew she would put this in her notebook, but what he didn’t know was what damages would happen next.
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