by Lacey London
‘Are you sure you don’t want a drink?’ Oliver asks, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear.
Shaking my head in response, I lean back and rest my head on his shoulder. No matter how cold it is outside, for some inexplicable reason Oliver is always toasty and warm. I wish I could say the same for myself. It only has to drop below room temperature for my hands and feet to turn into blocks of ice. Lianna jokes that it’s because I’m cold hearted, but my argument is that I was born in the wrong body. I’m totally convinced that I was destined for a remote Caribbean island and to be basking in forty degree heat. With a Pina Colada and a copy of Cosmopolitan, obviously.
Oliver runs his fingers down my spine and I enjoy the feeling of his gentle touch on my skin. If I ever win the Lottery, I am going to pay someone to do this to me all day long. I’d also have a live in hairdresser to blow dry my wild curls. Glossy, straight hair is a luxury you can only really appreciate if you have a crazy, animal like mane like mine. Feeling my eyelids start to get heavy, I turn onto my side and watch the Christmas tree lights twinkle vibrant shades of red and gold. From my position on the sofa I can see hundreds of tiny people on the dark streets below, clutching shopping bags and playing around in the freshly fallen snow.
So grateful to be out of the cold, I listen to the laughter that is filling the room and let out a sigh of relief. Everyone is smiling, suitably fed and toasty warm. The fire crackles quietly, providing a lovely background noise to the pretty scene. It’s a little early to say, but I have a funny feeling that Christmas at the Morgan’s might just be a success after all.
All I want for Christmas is you.
Just kidding.
Get me diamonds.
December 14th
‘It’s moving day!’ Lianna squeals, jumping onto our bed and diving in between Oliver and myself like an overly excited toddler. ‘Come on! Wake up!’
Peeling open an extremely tired eye, my brow creases into a frown as Lianna shakes me roughly. ‘What time is it?’ I ask, my voice hoarse as I try to block out the bright morning light.
‘It’s moving time!’ Her voice is so high pitched it actually hurts my ears just listening to her. ‘Come on! Today’s the day that you’re finally going to get rid of me.’
‘OK!’ I surrender, not wanting to be subjected to her screeching for a moment longer. ‘Just give me a few minutes to wake up properly.’
I pull a pillow over my head and stretch out my legs in a bid to breathe some life back into them. Oh, what I wouldn’t give for five more minutes of delicious sleep. Rolling off the bed and yanking open the curtains she turns her attention to a sleepy Oliver. ‘Rise and shine, Mr Morgan. We’re going to need those muscles of yours today.’
Letting out a groan that resembles a bear with a sore head, Oliver pulls the duvet up over his head and rolls over. From the looks of things, I don’t think that he will be moving any time soon. Pushing myself up onto my elbows, I look out of the window and I’m pleasantly surprised to see that it isn’t raining. Yes, it’s cloudy and looks colder than ever, but at least it is dry for the first time in weeks.
‘Come on!’ Lianna shouts again, motioning towards the door. ‘What have I got to do to get you both up?’
‘Bacon.’ Oliver growls from beneath the sheets. ‘And coffee. Lots of coffee.’
* * *
An hour and a half later we arrive at Lianna’s new house with our caffeine levels in over drive. Well, when I say we, I mean, Lianna, my mother, Janie and myself. We decided over breakfast that if we had any hope at all of getting this done in one day, we were going to have to split up into two groups. After a little deliberation, we agreed that the boys would collect the furniture from Lianna’s mother’s house whilst the girls unpack the mountain of clothes that are already here. Any outsider would think that the girls got the easier job, but Li has more clothes than Donna Karen and Donatella Versace put together.
‘Ready?’ Lianna asks, turning off the engine. ‘I’ve made a start on the decorating but it still needs some work... just use your imagination.’
Flashing me a shy smile she throws open the door and runs up the garden path, not bothering to wait for the rest of us to catch up. I weigh up the dark grey sky and decide to make a run for it before the heavens open and we end up drenched again. It’s fair to say that Janie was less than impressed at being soaked by the good old English weather this morning. My blood ran cold when I heard her terrifying screams, only to discover that the commotion was the result of a few drops of rain.
Turning around in my seat, a grin spreads across my face as I watch Janie weigh up the clouds dubiously. ‘Do you want to borrow my hat?’ I ask, tearing off my knitted ski hat and passing it between the seats.
‘What the hell is that thing?’ Taking it with the tip of one of her hot pink acrylics, her revulsion is clear to see. ‘I’d rather wear road kill.’
My mum lets out a little giggle and I throw her a stern stare. Snatching back my hat, I tug it on and make a sound that lets them know I am far from impressed. We haven’t even stepped foot out of the car and already they are getting on my nerves. I have got a feeling that today is going to be a very long day.
As Janie fashions an umbrella out of a couple of old magazines, I brave the cold trudge through the sludge to the front door. Letting myself in, I am pleasantly surprised. The first thing that hits me is the distinctive smell of fresh paint. Lianna was right, she really has been decorating. Wandering along the hall I run my fingers across the beautiful new wallpaper and shake my head in disbelief. She must have done all this on her own. I did wonder what on Earth she was doing sleeping here on her own the past couple of nights.
I pop my head into the living room and actually let out a little gasp. The worn floorboards that the last time I was here were dusty and scratched, are smooth, glossy and frankly, look rather amazing. A single wall has been painted a gorgeous shade of green. A near empty tin of paint on the windowsill informs me that it is subtle sage. Nodding my head in approval, I make my way into the kitchen. Wow! It looks like she has been working her magic in here too. Bright red tiles line the new worktops and splashes of classic navy have been dotted around the room. The dark horse, if I knew that she was this good at interior design I would have had her spruce up the guest bedroom whilst she was at ours.
‘What do you think?’ Lianna asks as she runs down the stairs excitedly. ‘I know I haven’t done much yet, but you can get the feel of the look I am going for.’
‘I think it’s fantastic!’ I reply, draping an arm around her shoulder encouragingly. ‘Have you done all this yourself?’
She nods in response and leads me to the master bedroom. ‘This is my favourite part.’
Throwing open the built in wardrobe, I let out a gasp as she flicks on the light. The entire unit has been knocked through to make a giant walk in closet. Shoe rails line either side and at the far end is a long rail that is just waiting to be dressed in amazing dresses, coats and bags. Jealous isn’t the word.
‘I want one.’ I mumble, trying not to feel envious.
‘Well, you better put it on your Christmas list, because this one’s all mine...’
* * *
‘Is that the last of it?’ Oliver hollers across the garden to Randy who shoots him the thumbs up sign in response. ‘Thank God!’
Collapsing onto Lianna’s pretty new sofa, he kicks off his shoes and lets out a super sized yawn. It might have taken us until almost midnight, but between the seven of us we have finally moved everything in. Looking around the now cosy house, I have to admit that we have done pretty well. It’s safe to say that we have transformed the blank canvas into a lovely house that Lianna will be proud to call her home.
Although the girls have done a great job with the interior of the house, the biggest thank you of the day has to go to Oliver and Randy. For hours on end they have ferried furniture from the other side of town. It seems that sofas, televisions and kitchen equipment are a lot heavier than they lo
ok and carrying them is made even more difficult by the fact that is freezing outside. Technically I should be crediting my father with the boy’s hard work too, but his bad back excluded him from any major lifting. Instead, he declared himself logistics manager and spent the majority of the day barking orders at the rest of us.
Deciding that our hard work deserves to be rewarded, I make a grab for Lianna’s car keys.
‘I think this calls for a celebration.’ I mumble to Oliver as I tug on my shoes. ‘I’ll nip to the supermarket and get a bottle of fizz.’
‘Do you think that’s wise with everything that will be happening tomorrow?’ Raising his eyebrows tellingly, he sends me a mental SOS which I decode immediately.
‘Oh...’ I reply, suddenly remembering about Li’s surprise birthday party. ‘Maybe you’re right.’
It’s a running joke amongst our social group about Lianna’s ability to drink a bottle of Tequila and wake up fresher than a teenage girl at summer camp, but unfortunately this can’t be said for the rest of us. The thought of having to attend a birthday party with a raging hangover makes me feel a little queasy.
‘Who wants a scotch?’ Janie demands, rather than asks, handing each of us a rather large glass of whiskey.
Not daring to say no, I take the golden liquid dubiously and shoot Oliver a worried look. He knows more than anyone just how hard his mother is to say no to. Looking around the room at just how happy everyone looks, I decide that one small glass couldn’t hurt. Lianna’s eyes sparkle as she video calls Marc and Gina to show them the result of our hard work. Watching her proudly give them a tour of her new home, I snuggle into Oliver’s chest happily. Thank God we managed to get her sorted out. Looking at her now it’s hard to believe that just a couple of weeks ago she turned up on our doorstep with nothing but tears in eyes and a battered holdall. It just goes to show that with great friends by your side, you really can get through anything...
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas,
but if the white runs out,
I’ll drink the red...
December 15th
‘What do you think?’ Lianna asks, twirling around to show me her outfit of choice for the evening. ‘Don’t I look cool?’
Eyeing up the retro Dr Martens and ripped dungarees dubiously, I bite my lip as I try to think of a suitable response. Don’t get me wrong, she looks great. Totally rocking this season’s geek chic, but I don’t even think that she would be allowed inside Snowflake dressed like this. This is the problem with surprise parties. Li thinks that she is having a casual curry at our local Indian restaurant and has dressed for the part perfectly. However, Snowflake is more of a who are you wearing rather than what are you wearing kind of place, if you get what I mean. Being the fashionista that she is, I know that she would rather die than be seen dead in Snowflake looking like a reject from the Saved by the Bell fan club, but how do I tell her this without giving away the surprise?
‘You haven’t said anything for about three minutes so I am guessing that you don’t approve.’ Squinting her eyes at me, she proceeds to kick off the heavy boots.
‘No!’ I protest. ‘I love the Dr Martens... it’s just that... well... why don’t you dress up a little more tonight. It is your birthday after all.’
‘We’re going to Saffron.’ Li looks at me like I have lost my mind as I try desperately to think of a way to encourage her to change.
Saffron is a little Indian street food eatery in town. The surroundings are nothing to write home about and it is almost always full of hoodie wearing students, but they make the best lamb bhuna in the world. To be fair, the idea of getting glammed up to go to Saffron is actually laughable. Getting her to change is going to be harder than I thought. Pulling my dressing gown tightly around my ice cold body, I suddenly have an idea.
‘Do you know what would be really fun?’ I ask, plastering a ridiculous smile on my face and ignoring her annoyed expression.
‘What?’ She grumbles, folding her arms and throwing herself down onto my bed.
‘I could give you a makeover!’ My voice is ridiculously high and over pitched, but I really don’t care.
‘No!’ She fires back stonily. ‘Absolutely no chance.’
‘Oh, come on! Today is the day that you turned thirty. Let’s mark this new chapter in your life with a whole new look.’ I’m trying to make this sound as exciting as possible, but I am already aware that I am failing miserably.
As soon as the word thirty escapes my lips, I know I have made a big mistake. Up until now, Lianna had been surprisingly upbeat considering her recent meltdown, but the look on her face right now tells me that we have just taken a huge step back.
‘Actually, I think I would prefer to stay in tonight.’ Li’s voice is quiet as she grabs the remote and flicks on the television. ‘I’m too tired to go out.’
‘No!’ I yell, a little too loudly. ‘We have to go out. Oliver has made reservations.’
‘So...’ Burying herself under the duvet, she lets out a loud sigh.
I look down at my watch in a mild panic as I realise that I have just one hour to get Lianna out of this sulk and into a decent outfit. Oh, God. I had one job. My only responsibility was to get her to the bloody place on time without her knowing. Marc will kill me if I screw this up.
Tugging off the duvet, I slide in beside her and poke her in the ribs gently. ‘Li? Turning thirty doesn’t have to be a big deal. You’re looking at it all wrong.’
Lianna doesn’t say anything, but the fact that she doesn’t burst into tears at the mention of the big 3-0 is something at least.
‘Instead of wallowing over the things that you haven’t achieved yet, you should be taking this huge milestone as the chance to start a new chapter in your life. You have a clean slate, a brand new decade to create the life that you always wanted.’
There is slight movement under the covers and I know that I am winning. She pokes her head out of the sheets and curls one corner of her mouth into a half smile.
‘Now you’re going to get up, put some lipstick on and pull yourself together. OK?’
* * *
‘You look incredible.’ Oliver mouths, visibly very impressed.
‘Doesn’t she?’ I agree proudly, as Lianna shows off the result off her impromptu make over.
Rocking my backless Versace dress and a pair of my much loved Louboutins, she looks every inch the superstar that she is. Happy that I am halfway to completing my task, I grab my lipstick and apply a slick of red to my lips.
‘Ready?’ Oliver asks, as a cab pulls up outside.
‘Ready as I’ll ever be.’ Lianna smiles and makes for the door, taking extra care not to fall over in the ridiculously high heels.
‘Don’t you need a jacket?’ I hold out a black blazer, but she shakes her head and tosses her hair over her shoulder confidently. ‘But you’re going to freeze!’
‘Clara, I think you will find that I am now old enough to make my own decisions. Even if I know they are totally stupid.’
Tossing my blazer onto the couch, I grab my clutch bag and follow her down the slushy path. ‘That’s my girl.’
* * *
‘This driver has absolutely no idea where he is going.’ Lianna presses her nose up against the cold glass and attempts to get a proper glimpse of where we are going.
Thankfully, the fact that the night sky is powerful shade of black makes it difficult for her to see exactly where we are. I lock eyes with Oliver and try to get him to distract her from the window.
‘Blackstone Street is closed. He’s probably following a diversion.’ He scratches his nose and looks down at his feet nervously.
Gosh, he really is a terrible liar. Stifling a giggle, I sit back in my seat and try to send a discreet text message to Marc. Typing without looking at the screen is not as easy as it looks. After three or four failed attempts, I finally click send and inform Marc that we are just a couple of minutes away. I cannot wait to see Li’s face when she realises what is happ
ening. A frisson of excitement bubbles in the pit of my stomach as I see the iconic Snowflake sign glowing in the distance. Grabbing Olivier’s hand, I give it a little squeeze and try not to give the game away.
The taxi comes to a steady stop outside Snowflake and I smile widely as Lianna spins around in her seat looking totally confused.
‘Snowflake?’ Her brow creases in confusion as she tucks a stray strand of blonde hair behind her ear. ‘What are we doing here?’
‘We are here for you!’ I squeal, clapping my hands together excitedly.
Lianna’s jaw drops open as Oliver slips the driver a handful of notes and holds open the door. ‘You ready, birthday girl?’
* * *
‘Surprise!’ The glistening room erupts into raucous noise as Lianna steps into view.
‘Arghhh!’ Li squeals, jumping up and down and clapping her hands ecstatically. ‘Oh... my... God!’
Taking a step back, I laugh happily as Lianna is dragged into the crowd of people, each one wanting to squeeze her tightly and shower her in gifts. A chorus of happy birthdays echo around the room as party poppers explode over head, covering us in a layer of pink and purple glitter. Scanning my surroundings, I realise that I had forgotten just how cool this place really is. The funky igloo shaped booths have been dressed up with sparkly birthday bunting and a cool white Christmas tree stands proudly in the centre of the room. Hundreds of beautifully wrapped gifts sit underneath the branches, waiting patiently to be ripped open by the birthday girl. A giant number 30 balloon floats around on the dance floor, happily bobbing along to the pumping music. How could turning thirty get any cooler than this?