We’re moving again but in Kitchener. Mom got a promotion here so we’re staying for good. We’re buying Elizabeth’s house and moving in the fall. Hope we get rid of the bats first.
Elizabeth was such a good person. She left almost everything to charity. She gave me something, too, but I’ll tell you about that when I see you. Mom also found out about her dad (he’s dead) but she has an aunt (alive). It’s really weird. I’ll tell you later.
Gotta go!
Luv,
G.
The sound of the doorbell pulled Garnet back to the present. She picked up her new watch on the dresser and saw it was nearly five o’clock. She crossed the room and peered through the blinds. The white limousine was parked on the street with the door open. She could see Justin and Michelle laugh as they shared a joke with Laura and her new boyfriend, Tony, from another school. Somehow Michelle and Justin had come to some kind of truce and agreed to attend the formal as friends.
And Laura was one of the kindest people Garnet had ever met. When Garnet had apologized to her, Laura had simply hugged her and said, “Hey, forget it. It’s okay.” She had a feeling that they were going to become good friends. The kids at Cameron Heights weren’t so bad after all.
Garnet picked up the silver evening purse that matched her strappy shoes, and was about to head downstairs when Ginger raised herself from her napping position. She leaped off the bed and, with whiskers bent forward, brushed up against Garnet’s ankles.
“Sorry, Ginger, but you can’t come with me tonight.” She bent down and gave the cat a quick pat on her yellow-brown fur. “But I’ll see you later.”
Garnet’s mother and Anna were seated on the couch, chatting with Dan in the armchair, when Garnet came downstairs. The women had gone over to Elizabeth’s house earlier to look at Sofia’s portrait and the old photographs.
Anna stopped talking in mid-sentence and Dan’s eyes widened as Garnet made her entrance.
“Wow!” Dan said, letting go of the small cardboard box he’d been holding and fumbling to catch it before it dropped to the floor. He looked more handsome than ever in a black suit and grey shirt with a matching silk tie.
Anna found her tongue again. “Mon Dieu. She looks like Sofia.”
Garnet’s mother stood up and went over to her daughter. With shining eyes she gazed at her for a moment before slipping her arms around her and giving her a kiss on the cheek. “You are beautiful,” she said proudly. She drew back and touched the sapphire pendant. “But I still don’t know about you wearing this “
“Oh, Mom. I want to wear it. It’ll be fine!” Garnet tried to reassure her for the umpteenth time.
Dan stood up. “I’ll protect her with my life. If anyone even tries to come near her, they’ll have to deal with me first. I promise,” he said, holding his hand up and tightening it into a fist. They all laughed and Dan handed Garnet the box, bowing. “For the princess.”
Garnet’s eyebrows shot up. “The princess? Oh, yeah, like Sofia. I forgot.” She lifted the lid and smiled. “Ooh! An orchid!” She pulled the corsage out and set the box on the table. Dan took the orchid from her and she held her hand out as he slipped the band onto her wrist. “It’s beautiful, Dan. Thank you.”
Dan’s lips curved into a lopsided smile. “Now, does the princess wish to attend the ball?” he asked, holding out an elbow.
Laughing, Garnet tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “Yes. Yes, she does.”
“Then let us go.”
And so they did.
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Available at your favourite bookseller.
www.dundurn.com
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The Jewels of Sofia Tate Page 18