Day 9: Chapter One, The Beauty

Yesterday I went up to the Troodos Mountains and spent some time with the youth camp spending a week up there. One of their tasks was to create a story for the variety night, and the requirements were that it include either Disney or Marvel characters, and some form of rescue (and potentially a spy). I got called in for help from one of the teams who were struggling to create their story, and within a few minutes we had an amazing story put together. I was not staying in the mountains long enough to see the fruits of our brain-labour, but on the drive home I typed this out on my phone. Further chapters to come!

CHAPTER ONE: THE BEAUTY

If she had to simper and cry one more time, thought Cindy, she would scream. She adjusted the strap on her shoe and glanced behind her with a scowl. Her two ugly stepsisters, again. It's like they were always behind her, following her, but badly. Surely they knew well enough to at least try to hide themselves. She shook her head and adjusted the shoe again, hoping the transmitter wasn't broken. It should be signalling the FGM, but it was hard to tell. She would give the stepsisters the slip in the orchard - they weren't smart enough to follow her there.

Thirty rows of apple trees later, Cindy sat down on a small bench and waited for the FGM to arrive. It wasn't long before there was what always sounded to her like a sizzling sound, and the image of the FGM appeared in mid-air with a small pop.

"Waiting long, dear?" the image enquired.

"Just getting rid of Oddit and Doddit over there," Cindy said, brushing aside her golden hair impatiently.

"Julia and Brandy?" the FGM said in surprise. "What were they doing?"

"I don't really know, but I don't trust anyone named after that particular kind of drink." Cindy said. "Now, on to business. Have you got the wand?"

"It's arriving on Thursday." the FGM said. "I couldn't get it from Carlos any earlier."

"Carlos!" said Cindy, surprised. "I didnt think you wanted to involve him this time."

"Well he is the only one who can make it to our specifications," the FGM said.

Cindy shrugged. "All right, just promise me he won't go all James Bond on me and try to spoil everything."

"Well, I can't promise anything, but I also know James Bond wouldn't worry your pretty little head anyway." said the FGM with a smile, and Cindy acceded this point with a nod.

"So, the ball is on Friday." Cindy said. "I think the invitation is supposed to arrive tomorrow?"

"That's a bit late notice," said the FGM.

"I know, but we need the element of surprise. I really am starting to wonder if this was the safest safe house we could get." She glanced at the FGM sideways.

"Don't look at me," that lady replied, unperturbed. "You were the one who said living with your stepmother would make everything easier."

"That was before all the cleaning began," Cindy said, rubbing her feet. "And I haven't worn a proper dress in weeks. Is the ball gown ready?"

"It is - would you like to see it?"

"Yes please," said Cindy, brightening up and turning round.

"All right, here it is," said the FGM, and clicked a button somewhere. Immediately her own image dissolved and was replaced by a glorious shimmering thing of white and sparkle and lace.

"Ooooh, perfect," Cindy said, peering closer. "Full skirted, that's excellent, plenty of room there for backup weapons...tight bodice, no problems with that, need the prince to take some notice....lace sleeves, good, the wand will fit well there." she nodded, business-like, and the image dissolved back to the older woman who was holding her own wand.

"Double blade?" Cindy asked.

"Of course. Oh! And I almost forgot," said the FGM with a smile. "Your shoes." Suddenly there before her, in the FGM's hands, was the most beautiful pair of silver shoes she had ever seen. They were so silver they were almost white, and yet had a vintage look to them. The straps were encrusted with what looked like diamonds, but....Cindy peered closer.

"Recording devices?" she asked, impressed.

"Only the best!" said the FGM proudly, as though she had made them herself. "They will capture every conversation in the room if you cover the floor properly, and they will weed out any background noise, including your dancing."

"MY dancing?" Cindy said, pretending to be shocked. "I'm as light as a feather!"

"I'm sure you are, dear," said the FGM, "but those heels may click a little, and I think it's a marble floor."

Cindy nodded. "And the bodice is similar," the FGM said, flicking back to the image of the dress. "This will ensure we have your and the prince's conversation."

Cindy rolled her eyes. "Believe me, it will be excruciatingly boring. 'I love you, you're beautiful, will you marry me, yadda yadda..."

"Well, if all goes well, you won't have to, will you?" inquired the FGM passively, and flicked away the dress. "I'll bring that on Thursday with the wand from Carlos."

"Excellent." Cindy brushed off what she called her 'peasant dress', and got up from the bench. "What about communication to Control?"

"Ah- we did hit a sticky spot there," admitted the FGM, "but I think we'll just go with the shoe, as before. You'll need to use it as the primary communicator."

Cindy frowned. "What, pick it up and talk into it?" she said. "Bit obvious, don't you think, FGM?"

"I'm sure you can handle it," the FGM said calmly.

"That's what you always say when I don't like something," Cindy grumbled, "but you're probably right. Besides, it's a pretty easy job. The prince will be terminated by midnight, and you will be back in business, Fairy Godmother."

"FGM," that lady insisted sternly. "we're not in a fairy tale here."

"We certainly aren't," Cindy retorted. "When do you transfer the five million?"

"Five!" the FGM exclaimed. "It was one on contract and four on completion. I've already paid you one."

"The price has gone up," Cindy said calmly. "You've made things difficult with the shoe, and the wand won't be ready until the day before the ball, which means I'll only have an evening to test it out. Five million on completion."

"Four and a half," the FGM countered.

Cindy was unmoved. "I could go up to six," she said. "Or you could get Rum and Coke to do it for you," she added slyly.

The FGM frowned, but nodded once.

"Five on completion?" Cindy insisted, waiting.

"Five on completion," the FGM agreed, and it was done.

"Fine. Now I had better -"

"CINDER-ELLLLLLL-A!" came a high voice across the orchard, and Cindy winced visibly. "I hate it when they call me that," she muttered, but flicked a hand to the FGM, who disappeared instantly. Cindy headed back down the orchard paths, and behind her all was still.

Coming soon: Chapter Two, The Prince.

*Note: 'Cinderella' image is a placeholder, as I will be uploading photos in a few weeks' time!