THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS

Elvis, who had seen the two girls leaving with Ms Richards approached them as soon as he saw them coming towards the playground where other pupils were practicing.

Seeing the girls jumping about in excitement, his brow rose in an inquisitive arc. "What’s going on? Why are you so excited?"

Sophia and Eleanor rushed over to Elvis, bubbling with enthusiasm to share the news.

"Elvis, guess what?" Eleanor grabbed his hands, her eyeballs almost disappearing into their sockets.

Without much ado, she shared the good news with her brother.

"The teacher has just told us that I and Sophia have been chosen to welcome the special guest next week. It’s going to be so much fun!"

"Yes, yes," Sophia supported enthusiastically. "We might even get to greet them with flowers and show them around like is usually shown on TV."

Elvis’s eyes widened with excitement, mirroring their joy.

Her sister’s joy was so contagious that Elvis found himself smiling unconsciously. "That’s awesome! You both are going to do great, I’m sure. Who is the guest coming?"

"She only told us that it was an important guest."

"She also told us that the rehearsals will begin tomorrow during break, so I won’t be able to hang out with you starting from tomorrow," Eleanor chipped in, her face glowing with anticipation and happiness.

"You are free to do whatever you want. I will just concentrate on my soccer practice."

Since Sophia was around and they were so engrossed in discussing the forthcoming event, they didn’t mention anything about their father.

That evening, when they got home, Eleanor recounted her discussions with their teacher to their mother who had also received a notice from the teacher on what to get for Eleanor.

After that was sorted out, Kathleen glanced at Elvis. "What is our genius doing in the event aside from soccer?"

"Just soccer mom. I don’t want to do anything else."

"That’s ok baby, as long as it makes you happy."

It was good enough that he agreed to even participate in the games. So Kathleen did not press further.

Eleanor, who has been massaging her mother’s feet, stopped briefly. "So what has been going on with you, mom. You’ve been home these days far too much."

Kathleen pretended to be offended and asked in an aggrieved voice. "Don’t you want to see me more?"

"No, no mum. That’s not what we mean. We were thinking that it would be a great idea if you can hang out with your friends some more since you are always busy. " Elvis quickly amended.

He knew where Eleanor was headed with the question. It’s just that the way she went about it was wrong.

"Especially Aunt Lauren," Eleanor added deliberately.

"Why aunt Lauren?" Kathleen peered at her in suspicion.

Eleanor had been prepared all along so she said naturally. "Have you forgotten that you promised grandma Holmes that you would get aunt Lauren a boyfriend?"

The answer she gave seemed reasonable enough, so Kathleen did not probe further.

"You don’t have to concern yourselves with adult matters. Just concentrate on your school work. Or do you have a boyfriend to introduce to her?"

Eleanor was about to say no but a figure came to her mind.

"I do mummy,"

Kathleen was taken aback. What has her children been up to? "Who do you know that you want to introduce to her?"

If she remembers correctly the only adult male she had been in contact with were her family and the driver.

The only unmarried male in the house was Mr Wallace, the butler. "Do you want me to introduce Mr Wallace to Lauren?"

Eleanor’s voice twisted in a grimace. "Nah... he is too old. I have a better option for her."

Kathleen folded her arms across her chest and looked amused. "This is serious. Tell me, who is the person you have in mind?"

"What about Sophia’s uncle?" Eleanor said excitedly.

Kathleen’s forehead furrowed in a frown. "Sophia’s uncle? I don’t seem to know him."

"He is the man that stopped us at the school parking lot the other day," Elvis said with a sneer at the memory of how the man had pestered him in the past.

"Oh, I remember him now?" Kathleen wondered why he had not shown up these few days.

Anyways, it would be best if he never shows up again.

"You can introduce him to aunt Lauren. He is very handsome and nice too. You can all go out for lunch or dinner, sometimes." Eleanor saw that the mother was thinking about something

"Don’t bother about not being able to pick us from school these few days. Kind old Mrs Carr will do."

Kathleen couldn’t help but feel that the children were doing all they could to get rid of her. "Why does it look as if you both are up to something?"

"Aren’t you overthinking things, mom? We are just looking out for our godmother," Elvis explained.

Kathleen pursed her lips and nodded her head a few times in a row. "I see."

Eleanor took her mother’s hand. "So are you going to introduce them to each other?"

That would have been a great idea but, your godmother is going to be busy in a while so I don’t think she will be free for such meetings.

"You know you can get her to do anything mom. Help her to create the time. Don’t forget you have made a promise to grandma Holmes and she will soon be asking you for feedback from you. What would you tell her then?"

As if in cahoot with the children, her phone rang and elaborately displayed on the screen was a beautiful picture of Lauren.

Before she could scold her for disturbing her life due to her single status, a soft voice sounded from the other end as soon as she swiped the screen.

"Hello, Kathy darling,"

"Good evening Aunt. How are you today?" Kathleen felt a serious headache coming and couldn’t help but groan inwardly.