My friends were insane.
I grabbed William's wrist, and tugged him further into the room. I pointed out each person, “Zeke, Lana, and Joe. This is William,” I said, “He went to school with me for a while.”
“Ohh, I should have known,” Eric clapped him hard on the back, “Rich boy, huh?”
“Guilty as charged,” William said, “It's nice to meet you all. My sister Amanda will be along shortly, and a friend of mine.”
“Is your sister cute?” Eric asked.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, “Jesus Christ, Eric. We're going to get you neutered if you don't learn to chill around girls.”
“ I was blessed with this stunning body, and it is my duty to share it with beautiful women.”
“Kind of like how it's my duty to share my fist with the faces of idiots?” I asked.
“Ouch,” Poppy laughed, and punched my shoulder gently, “Nice one.”
“ My girls,” Eric said to William, “They're so witty. And so violent.”
“You say that like it's a good thing,” he replied.
“I like them feisty.”
“And we like you silent,” Lana said.
“Awesome,” I laughed, and she slapped the palm of my hand.
William smirked at me, “And this is how you spend every day?”
“Only the days I'm around these idiots,” I said, “Something wrong with that?”
“Not at all. It's good to see you acting like a normal person.”
“Excuse me,” Zeke said, “Kid, there's nothing normal about us. You take that back, now.”
“What are we taking back?” the same woman I'd seen the previous day asked as she joined us.
Amanda was beautiful, and I had no problem saying it. Her hair was a fair blonde, and her lashes were long and thick, framing her bright blue eyes perfectly. With such long legs, and a slender waist, it was a wonder she wasn't working as a runway model or something. She was dressed casually, in pale blue jeans and a white blouse. Her hair was curled gently at the ends, and fell just past her shoulders.
“ That I asked if you were cute, when I should have used the word radiant,” Eric said.
Max mimed being sick, and Zeke said aloud, “I think I just puked in my mouth a little.”
“Uh – Amanda?” William indicated that I was the one she was meant to meet, and she came over to shake my hand, “This is Beth.”
“Yes, I remember you telling me. It was a shame you had to run off yesterday. I wanted to hear more of your piano playing.”
“Sorry, I should have asked before -”
“It's fine. Henry explained. And we weren't angry, so don't worry so much. My brother's told me a lot about you, so I feel like I know you already.”
“He told you about me, and you still want to talk to me?” I laughed, “Wow, you're brave.”
“It was only good things.”
“Then it was all lies,” I said.
“It wasn't,” William said, “And it wasn't all good. I told her about you head-butting my nose.”
Amanda whispered, “That was a good thing. Trust me.”
“I though so, too,” I whispered back.
“Didn't you say you had a friend coming along, young man?” Joe asked.
“Yeah, where is he?” William asked his sister.
“Relax. He was just taking a picture on the terrace. Look, there he is.”
I was torn between wanting to hug him, and wanting to hit him in the face. Charlie hadn't changed much since I'd last seen him, and he beamed at me when our eyes met. Of all the people who might have come to spend time with William, I hadn't thought it would have been him. It was difficult to be angry at him for hurting Jenny. I mean, I wasn't pleased that he'd given into William's suggestions of her not being good enough so easily, but it hadn't been his decision to move away. That was down to his parents.
“Beth, it's been forever,” he said, and came to hug me. I patted his back awkwardly, aware that I was getting sea water all over everyone that was doing that to me. He let me go, and didn't look bothered by it in the least. He looked me up and down, and decided, “You look like you're well. Are you here on your own?”
“On her own?” Max asked Poppy, “What the hell are we?”
“Shush,” Poppy hissed back.
“The girls are all in Italy on the school trip,” I said, “I couldn't afford it. Poor girl, you know?”
“Ah. Well, this is a great place to spend a couple of weeks. And these are your friends?”
“Guys, with is Charlie. Charlie, this is – well – everyone. Introductions take too long, sort it out yourselves,” I said, “Zeke, can I get a massive cookie and cream milkshake?”
“It'll go straight to your hips,” he teased.
“My foot's gonna go straight to your balls if you don't bring one over. I'm a paying customer, you know?”
“I know, I know. You need to calm down that attitude of yours,” he said.
“You shouldn't be lecturing anyone about that,” Lana said, and rounded the counter so she could forcefully encourage her husband back out to the kitchen, “Guys, sit down, and I'll come take your orders in a second.”
Joe was cool with us pushing a few tables together so we could all talk to one another. Once Charlie knew everyone by name, he didn't hesitate to laugh and chat with them like he'd known them for years. I guessed that he wasn't as intimidated by them because they were mostly guys, and not rich girls trying to get his phone number. Poppy took up a seat beside me, and Amanda was on my other side. It was a relief not to be beside William, because I didn't know if I could say anything nice to him until something happened to repair Jenny's relationship with Charlie.
Shockingly, he was actually being polite to my friends. He even cracked a smile a few times, and complimented Zeke on the food he'd served. Joe looked a little lonely by himself, and we insisted on him joining us. Although he was getting on in years, he still had a wicked sense of humour. He delighted in telling us all about Lana and Zeke as they were as children, and regaled us with the dramatic tale of their summer romance.
“So,” Amanda said quietly while the boys were arguing about the best sport. Poppy had joined in with them, and I'd lost her emotional support to the heated debate. Amanda propped her chin in her hand, and asked, “Are you and my brother going out?”
“No,” I said quickly, “We're not like that. We don't get on that well.”
“I don't think that's completely true.”
“It so is,” I said, “I swear.”
“Is that why you two keep looking at each other? Don't think I didn't notice you peeking at him when you thought he wasn't looking.”
“I – I was just making sure he wasn't glaring at anyone, that's all,” I defended myself weakly.
“Will you and your Dad come to dinner at our house tonight? I told our Mum how good you were at the piano, and she really wants to hear it.”
I blushed, “I don't know. I mean, I don't usually play, and I was just fooling around. Plus, my Dad is really busy, and -”
“You're a bad liar,” Amanda laughed softly, “I like that. Come on, please? I need another girl to talk to. You can't make me put up with my brother by myself.”
“Isn't Chantelle there?” I asked.
“Unfortunately, yes. I like Charlie, but Chantelle is a little difficult to get along with. Like how she wouldn't join us for lunch today.”
“You invited her?”
“Only out of courtesy. She decided to stay with our mother, who I imagine is hiding somewhere in the grounds.”
I laughed despite myself. William glanced over at us suddenly, and our eyes met. I asked, “What're you looking at?”
“I can't remember the last time I heard you laugh,” he said.
“Now you're making me sound like a miserable bitch,” I said, “And I'm totally not.”
“I didn't mean it like that,” he said, “But the last time we met, you didn't have much to laugh about.”
“Good news,” Amanda said to break the silence, “Beth said she's coming to dinner with us.”
“Do I have to wear a dress?” I asked, “Because I don't own one.”
That was a lie. I had the clothes Jenny's mother had bought for me, and the outfit Freddie gave me in Paris. Dressing like a high class woman wasn't me. I got that William's family was rich and everything, but his mother should see me for who I really was, instead of who society might prefer me to be.
“Just don't wear jeans, and you should be fine,” William said.
“No, totally wear jeans,” Amanda said, “Then I can, too. Just come in casual clothes. It's fine. We don't dress in formal wear for a family dinner.”
“Seriously?” I asked.
“Yeah! You're perfect as you are. Right, Will?”
He looked away, and became interested in stirring his drink with his straw. Either the lighting needed adjusting, or he blushed when he said, “I've always thought so.”
Chapter Twenty-One
A positive engagement.
Even though Amanda said I could wear jeans, I was still nervous about turning up in front of her mother in my usual clothes. The woman put so much money into my school that she had a lot of influence. I didn't want to do anything that would convince her to have me expelled right on top of my exams.
I found the least battered pair of button up, high waisted, flared jeans I could find. They were a little dark, but with a white boat necked wrap sweater it off-set it a little. I didn't want to look like I was really Gothic, even though I kind of was. That could terrify some people. There was no avoiding all of my black and silver rose jewellery. Mostly because I didn't own that many things that were a different colour.
I was a monochrome kind of girl.
I should have worried more about Dad. I had to send him away four times to change. All his clothes seemed to have oil stains. Finally, I gave up trusting him with it, and dug through his drawers until I found an acceptable shirt. It needed ironing, but I had just enough time for that without making us late.
“Should I have worn a tie?” he asked as we hopped out of his truck. It looked really weird outside of the house. I didn't think William's mother would approve. She might tell us to move it out of sight, around to the back with all the gardening equipment and things.
The door opened before we knocked. I wasn't sure what to do with my raised hand, and dropped it pointlessly at my side. Henry grinned at me, “You look nice.”
“Hi,” I tried not to smile too broadly at the compliment, “Are we late?”
“No. They're waiting for you. I have to go into professional mode, now.”
“I get it. Do your thing,” I said.
He ushered us into the house. The entrance hall was pretty small, and we were soon back in the open living space I'd thought was so beautiful when I'd been given my impromptu tour. Henry cleared his throat gently to gain the attention of the room. In a clear voice, he announced, “Mr. Blake and Miss. Blake have arrived.”
“Finally,” Amanda pushed the fashion magazine off her lap, and cut off Chantelle who was in the middle of talking about something in the article. She almost ran to me, and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. I froze up again, and didn't move until she let me go. When I was free, I smiled at her, and she looked me up and down, “I like the jeans.”
“I like yours, too,” I said.
“You look like you made an effort.”
“Me?” I asked, “Nah. I just threw on any old thing.”
Chantelle sauntered over, “Well, that's obvious. I can't believe you had the gall to dress so casually, Blake. Where do you think you are?”
“Where I asked her to be,” Amanda said, “Go back to your seat, Chantelle. Scoot. Go on.”
She wasn't brave enough to speak up against her, and Chantelle strode back to her chair. She flipped her hair over her shoulder, and kept her nose in the air. So long as she wasn't rude to my Dad, I would tolerate her for an evening. Even if I did want to kick her under the table, I would restrain myself.
Cow.
Amanda shook my Dad's hand, and introduced herself. I knew she'd be welcoming, and William had been nice to him when they'd met. Charlie liked everyone without exception, so he was fine. The only unknown entity in the room, was William's mother.
If I'd thought Amanda was beautiful, then her Mum was majestic. She'd aged gracefully, and although she wasn't that old compared to a lot of people's parents, she had a certain dignity about her that spoke of an underlying strength. With her husband having passed on, and her family being so distinguished, she must have fought hard to maintain their position in society. She was dressed modestly, but in that there was a certain elegance. She came to shake my hand, and I wasn't sure if I was supposed to bow or anything. My awkwardness endeared me to her somewhat, and she said, “My name is Harriet Davies. I've heard from my children that you're a good friend of theirs. It's nice to meet you at last.”
“Thank you for inviting us, Mrs. Davies,” I said, “This is my Dad.”
“Greg,” he said, and shook her hand, “I have a garage in town.”
“Yes, I heard from James that we have you to thank for getting some of our equipment back up and running. It's too bad this isn't our main estate. I'd have asked you to look at some of our classic cars for us.”
“For cars, I'm always willing to commute,” he said.
It looked like I'd been worrying for nothing.
Excluding a few snide comments from Chantelle, the dinner went pretty well. Amanda was more than happy to include me in conversations, and asked me about surfing, and music. It seemed we had more in common than I first thought. Although she was more into riding horses than waves, she was pretty proficient in the violin. So much so, in fact, that while we were drinking coffee, Harriet suggested that we perform a duet. Obviously I laughed. People didn't just do things like that in real life.
I should have known I couldn't talk my way out of it.
Dad and I followed the others up to the piano. On the stairs, he held me back, and whispered, “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“It's fine,” I said quietly, “It's just one song.”
“If you're sure you're all right with it.”
I nodded, and thought I saw William watching us from the corner of my eye. When I looked at him properly, he appeared to be deep in conversation with Charlie. Amanda appeared with a violin, and Harriet chuckled.
“What?” I asked.
“That was her old violin. She hasn't played that one since she was fourteen.”
“It's still in tune, Mum,” Amanda said. She plucked a string, and then adjusted it, “Mostly.”
Harriet showed me to the piano, and said in a low voice so no one else would hear, “I don't think it's the first time you've used this...”
“Sorry about that,” I said.
“No need. I'm just disappointed I missed the show.”
“She's good,” William assured his mother, “Clumsy, but good.”
“ I suppose that's all the private lessons she's been having,” Chantelle said, “Oh, don't think I haven't heard. I'm not that cut off from everyone. Gideon's the new Music teacher, isn't he?”
Amanda almost dropped her bow.
William stood quickly, “Mandy -”
“Me having lessons?” I asked, “I don't play that well. I'm counting on Amanda to make me sound better than I am. It's a big challenge, but I'm sure she can do it.”
She smiled, “You're putting yourself down too much. But you definitely need help.”
“So I keep telling her,” Dad said.
�
�� How do you feel about Beethoven's Spring Sonata?” Amanda asked.
“ I was hoping we could play Born to be Wild, but it's a good second choice.”
Maybe she thought I was joking, but I did rely heavily on Amanda's support. She was so talented, she could have been playing on a stage somewhere. It was almost a crime to suffocate her with my inadequate skills. In a way, it made me want to improve. Some people might be intimidated when they found someone so much better than them, but I wasn't. I mean, if I turned and ran every time I met a person like that, I never would have made friends with Jenny. She was a better person than I was in just about every way, and that inspired me to be better, too. Only to those deserving of it, obviously. Nothing could make me want to be nice to Chantelle.
One Word From You: A Pride and Prejudice Adaptation Page 19