Page 16 of The Vanishing Bookstore
‘Next.’
Lenny snapped her attention to the guy calling her forwards and strode towards him. He scanned her passport, looked up at her and smiled, then asked her reason for visiting before telling her to put her fingers on the electronic pad so it could take her fingerprints. Then he curled his finger and beckoned Doraforward. Lenny thanked him and walked away. Dora gave him her passport and he did the same although he didn’t smile at her like he did her aunt. He handed it back and she heard Lenny hiss, ‘Come on girl.’
She did, walking away amazed at how easy it had been. She couldn’t believe it, she was in the States after all these years of dreaming about what it would be like. If she hadn’t been with Lenny she’d probably have squealed with delight, but her aunt wouldn’t take kindly to her making a fool of herself.
Next was the baggage collection. Lenny had insisted they take one case only, so they weren’t waiting around forever. They found the carousel and, like a dream, the first cases to come around were theirs. Lenny grabbed them both in the blink of an eye and Dora marvelled at her aunt’s strength, considering she never went to the gym as far as she knew. Passing Dora her case, Lenny smiled at her.
‘Sorry if I’ve been grouchy. I’ve never really liked flying or at least not this kind where everything is so damn complicated.’
She turned and walked out towards the exit, then stopped dead. Dora was worried something terrible was wrong, but a huge grin broke out on her aunt’s face.
‘We have a visitor waiting for us. I told her we could manage but she’s come anyway. I wanted to prepare you before you met her, but I guess the best thing for you to do is see her for yourself.’
‘Who?’ Dora’s imagination was running wild, who was Lenny talking about? Some friend, or was it her aunt that she had only discovered lived here just before they boarded the flight?
‘It’s complicated, probably best not discussed here where we are blocking the exit for thousands of tired travellers. Come, you can see her for yourself and, trust me, you will know it’s her.’
‘Who are you talking about, Lenny?’
‘Your Aunt Seraphina.’
Dora felt her mouth fall open. Her aunt? Before she could say another word, Lenny was out of the huge frosted-glass doors and walking into the arrivals hall. Dora rushed to catch up to her – it was so busy, there were so many people waiting for loved ones and friends to walk out – but then she saw her. Standing alone, her hands crossed in front of her, a tall woman with hair the same colour of spun silver as Lenny’s. She was dressed from head to toe in black, with a cape around her shoulders, her hair hanging down in soft curls, whereas Lenny’s was much wilder when loose. Lenny was walking towards her, and the woman was jumping up and down, her reflective pink boots looking as if they were hovering off the floor. Dora thought she was the most beautiful, striking woman she had ever seen. She was the image of Lenny but somehow softer around the edges.
‘Isadora.’ The woman squealed her name and Dora couldn’t help but grin, despite the fact that she had never met her before. Seraphina ran towards her, arms open wide, and scooped her into a hug so warm and loving that Dora felt as if she was melting into them and she felt a happiness settle over her that she couldn’t explain. Dora hugged her tightly. She smelled of caramel apples, cinnamon and something else she couldn’t quite put her finger on. Then it came to her: she smelled like home. But not Lenny’s apartment. No, this was a memory buried deep in the depths of Dora’s mind. One she had hidden away and being so close to Seraphina had woken it up, or at least a little because Dora still had no idea where exactly home was.
‘Let her go, Sephy, you’ll scare her to death.’
Sephy bent forwards and kissed Dora’s head. She whispered, ‘She’s such a grouch and a sourpuss, take no notice.’
Dora laughed, not meaning to, but it was true that Lenny was a sourpuss at times. Her aunt let go of her and suddenly Dora felt lost. She wanted to stay wrapped up in those soft arms forever. Sephy smiled at her, and her emerald eyes that were identicalto Lenny’s crinkled as they lit up. She stepped forward, closer to Lenny.
‘Come on sister, you know you want to.’
The two women hugged briefly and huge tears began to form and fall down Sephy’s cheeks. They were a sight to behold, both women were stunningly beautiful and tall, and every single person who walked past them turned to stare. It was Lenny who drew away first, but for the first time in her life Dora thought that her aunt looked relaxed. Sephy sighed, then reached out and took hold of both Dora and Lenny’s hands.
‘Come on, we have so much to catch up on and I’ve missed you both dreadfully, it’s been far too long. Don’t you ever do this to me again, I want you both to promise that it won’t happen next time. I’m not waiting a lifetime to see you both, ever again.’
Dora didn’t understand what she meant but nodded, realising that now she had met this glorious woman she didn’t want to ever let her go. As they walked along hand in hand, Lenny and Dora pulling suitcases behind them she caught sight of their reflection and smiled. She was like a raven in between two white doves, her black hair and tattoos making her the complete opposite of her silver-haired, beautiful, unblemished aunts. They had one thing in common though: they were all dressed from head to toe in black, except for Sephy’s pink boots. People were still turning to look at the trio as they made their way outside to where Sephy had parked.
The white van was almost identical to the one Dora had for the shop only much bigger. All the cars parked outside in the pick-up area were huge. Sephy ushered them towards the van, opening the rear door and releasing a strong scent of lavender into the air. She threw their cases inside then led to them to the front cab, which had three seats. Dora climbed in and sat in the middle of her aunts, still a bit shocked to have discovered that Lenny had a sister who was so beautiful and that it wasn’t justthe two of them against the world anymore. She had so many questions for Lenny, but they could wait, she didn’t want to embarrass her in front of her sister.
‘Seraphina, that’s such a pretty name.’
‘It is, thank you. But it’s also a huge mouthful so everyone calls me Sephy. I want you to call me that, Isadora.’
Dora laughed. ‘On one condition.’
‘What’s that, dear?’
‘You call me Dora.’
Sephy laughed, so loud it filled the cab of the van. It was an infectious laugh and even Lenny joined in.
‘Same old Dora. I’m glad to see you haven’t changed too much, although the tattoos and septum piercing were a little unexpected. But I like them, they’re modern and you’ve put a stamp on yourself that means something to you.’
‘Same old Dora… I’m sorry if this sounds rude, but I don’t remember you at all. Have we met before?’
Lenny glanced at her sister, who gave the slightest nod of her head.
