When I arrived back at the base half an hour later, Aliya's car was already waiting near the house, just as she'd promised.
"How does she know where we live, and how did she get access in?" Mom sounded wary.
"No idea, but everyone also seems to know that I live on base, not just moved here, but specifically to the base, its weird" My brows furrowed trying to make sense of it all.
"Small town I suppose" mom trailed off.
The little red Mini looked like it had been plucked straight out of a vintage car show, its glossy paint shining in the rain. Aliya waved from the driver's seat, and I climbed in, surprised by how immaculate the interior was.
"Nice ride," I said, buckling my seatbelt.
"Thanks! She's my baby," Aliya replied, patting the steering wheel affectionately before pulling out onto the road.
The café she'd mentioned turned out to be a cozy little place tucked away in the corner of a quiet village. Its brick exterior was adorned with fairy lights, and the smell of freshly baked pastries wafted out as we stepped inside. Aliya led us to a small table by the window, where we could see the sun setting over the rolling hills.
"Okay, confession time," Aliya said, grinning as she stirred her tea. "I dragged you here because this place makes the best carrot cake you'll ever taste. Trust me, you'll be hooked."
I laughed, feeling some of the day's tension start to melt away. "I'll take your word for it, hey, how did you get access into the base, do you have family there?" I couldn't help but ask, the question had been bugging me, its supposed to be a secured base.
"Oh yeah, no my family know a couple people well there so security let me in" She says nonchalantly.
As we chatted about school, Wales, and everything in between, the door to the café opened, and a tall figure walked in. Aliya glanced up and groaned.
"Speak of the devil," she muttered under her breath.
I turned to see who she was talking about and immediately understood her reaction. The guy was stunning— at least 6'5, dark hair, perfectly shaped beard, clothes styled effortlessly, sharp jawline, and an air of confidence that practically filled the room. He looked around, his dark brown eyes landing on us.
"Aliya," he said, his voice smooth but carrying a hint of authority.
"Ethan," Aliya replied, her tone dripping with annoyance.
He walked over, his movements unhurried, and I suddenly felt like I was under a spotlight.
"This is my brother," Aliya said, her voice tight. "Ethan, this is Emma, the new girl I told you about."
Ethan's gaze lazily shifted to me, and for a moment, I felt completely disarmed. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes—curiosity, maybe, or judgment. He placed both hands on the corner of the table, leaning in.
"Emma, the American" he said, nodding slightly, he turned back to his sister.
"Hi" I managed to say, though my voice came out quieter than I'd intended, he sounded like he sneered the word 'American', as if it was an insult.
Ethan stood, poker faced. As if he'd picked up on my unease, he smirked and turned his attention back to Aliya. "Don't be late getting back. You know the rules."
"Noted, Captain" Aliya said curtly.
With that, he smirked, turned and left, leaving a trail of intrigue in his wake. I noticed a large group of girls had congregated near the doorway, staring and giggling as he walked past. Aliya sighed, rolling her eyes as she reached for her tea.
"Sorry about him. He thinks he runs the world. He's the captain of the Welsh Rugby team so, his ego's pretty big" she laughs, and shakes her head, but didn't say anything else, as if that was normal behaviour between two people.
I didn't respond, I was too busy trying to figure out why my heart was still racing.
"So, shall we go back to yours?" Aliya looked at me expectantly.
"Erm, oh yeah if you'd like" I quickly blurted, caught off guard by the direct tone of her voice.
It took very little time to return to base, at the security post, the guard instantly greeted Aliya "Miss Taylor, good evening" and buzzed us through without a second look. I looked quizzically at Aliya, she shot me a sheepish grin.
"What is it that your family does again?" I asked
"They're involved in the base" she side eyes me when I sit in silence, determined to get more information.
"I suppose it's a a multi-generational thing" she continues "our company has been a key supplier of cutting-edge military technology, such as advanced aviation components, defense systems, or top-secret surveillance equipment. Over the years, our family's expertise in engineering and technology made us invaluable partners to the RAF, providing the infrastructure for many of their most secretive operations, a series of lucrative contracts that spanned decades, made us the go-to source for high-tech military supplies I guess".
I stare at her, mouth open.
"I don't shout about it, people automatically assume that you're loaded and will pay for everything after they know what my family do".
She parked in the drive outside my house and turned to look at me, her face fallen, as if she expected me to leave now that I know this.
"Posh or not I'm not making you a cup of tea, you can have coffee like normal people, I'm already sick of tea" I started to get out he car.
"Really!" She practically bounced out of the car, dancing all the way up the path to the front door.
I swung it open "mom, we're back" I yelled.
"Oh good! I was beginning to worry" mom comes fussing from the kitchen.
"It's only 7:30" I protested.
"Ah Aliya! "Croeso i'r tŷ!" (Welcome to the house). Mom exclaimed but no coherent sounding sentences came out.
"What was that?!" I begin to laugh, Aliya cuts across "Diolch yn fawr, Mrs Taylor, Croeso cynnes I Gymru" (Thankyou very much Mrs Taylor, a warm welcome to Wales).
I stood between them, both smiling at each other "I need coffee" I grumble and made my way to the kitchen.
Both follow me into the kitchen, mom asking Aliya for tips on her Welsh, Aliya congratulating her on her effort and encouragement to continue. I finish making us three coffees just as mom starts asking Aliya how my first day was.
"Really well" Aliya smiles at her, before mom can ask any more questions, I blurt out "oh have you seen the beach in Tread… Treading.." I stumble over my words
"Treaddur?" Aliya giggles "yeah it's one of the busiest places in summer, winter nights are nice there too, a few of us locals go down there, have some food, drinks and a fire pit, oh and someone always brings a guitar" she added.
"Drinks?!" Mom exclaimed "And do the parents know where all of you are doing that" she scolded.
"Erm, yeah" Aliya looked confused.
She had just admitted point blank that they all illegally go drinking at the beach in front of my mom, yet she looked utterly bewildered, realisation seemed to cross her face "Oh, no Mrs Morgan, we can drink at 18 here, we're not underage drinking!" She started laughing.
Mom looked over at me "you're only 17, don't even think about it" I smiled, she knew damn well I'll be 18 soon.
Aliya excused herself to leave, halfway out the door she calls back "Oh I'll pick you up for school tomorrow Emma! Bye Mrs Morgan!" And off she went before waiting for a reply.
***