by Gina Keliher
“Mr. Shaw? How very nice to finally meet you. I’m Ian.” Not only did my blood run cold, it froze. Stay the hell way from my dad.
“And he’s leaving. Bye. See you. Go!”
He does that sexy chuckle and turns and walks away. I look back at my dad who has one eyebrow raised. It needs a bloody good trim.
“Sorry dad.” I’m mortified.
“That you didn’t tell me you had a boyfriend? I would hope so. Anything in there that will spoil or have we got time for a cuppa?”
“Cuppa, please.”
After a quick cuppa and a promise from dad not to tell mum I head back home. Must phone mum and tell her dad’s eyebrows are out of control.
“Where have you been? Parker will be here in 30 minutes, you’ve been summoned.”
“Oh, what’s going on?” I ask. I'm stumbling through the door with my shopping. Too many toilet rolls and kitchen towels.
“You and the gang need to go and make sure everything looks good for the party. I’m not allowed to go.” Poppy has a great ‘oh poor is me’ face.
“Don’t worry; I’ll fill you in on anything that may affect your wardrobe.” I promise her. “Is Parker picking the others up first?”
“No apparently they were down that way so you’ll be the last to arrive.” She narrows her eyes. “Is it warm out? You look flushed.”
Chapter Thirty Six
“Parker, can I ask you a question?”
“You know you can, Miss Alice.” He replies, looking in the rear view mirror. “What’s troubling you?”
“Nothing. I mean nothing’s troubling me.” I immediately jump on the defence. “I’m just curious. Have you ever met a ‘Taker’?”
“I have.”
“And? How did you kill them?”
“I didn’t.”
He’s not giving up much. “If you don’t want to talk about….” I begin.
“It’s just a time in my past I’d rather not remember. Let’s just leave it as it didn’t end well.”
I thought we had a really good chat the other week so I’m not going to leave it at that. “I’ve met him Parker.”
The car swerves onto the hard shoulder and Parker slams the brake on. He turns in his seat to look at me and the look on his face is of sheer despair. The ticking of the hazard lights is loud.
“Miss Alice. Whatever you are doing it has to stop. He is very dangerous and probably very charming correct?”
I shrug noncommittally. “He seemed alright.”
“He isn’t.” Parker isn’t mad at all. Not angry just so downright sad. I hate that look. “Stay away from him. I don’t know what happened and I don’t think I want to know.” He pauses then asks shocked, “Did Miss Penelope meet him?”
“No. I, I met him alone.” I know how stupid this sounds so I hang my head.
Parker puts his hand under my chin and lifts my face so I’m looking at him. “No more. When you can kill him should be the next time you face him. Until then, I’m going to ignore this conversation ever took place. Your friends would be mortified if they found out. The last thing I’m going to say on the matter is this; he won’t come straight for you. He’ll go after the people you love first. He’ll take away everything that is dear so when he does get to you, you’ll welcome your own death.” He turns, back, starts the car and continues to drive.
I think of the way Ian introduced himself to my dad. How he sent the letter to me at Lisa's. He knows them and he knows where they live. I don’t care how attracted to him I am, I’ll kill him first. Promise.
“There you are Alice darling.” Perfunctory air kissing on either cheek. “Come out back, the other’s love it. They got here about 20 minutes ago.”
As always, Lady Howard looks immaculate. I wonder how long it takes her to do hair, make up and choose an outfit for the day. She click clacks through the corridors until we get to the pool room. Scary sculpture isn’t there.
“Where’s mother and daughter?” I ask.
“Oh, George adored it so I moved it into the library. The men made such a fuss. You’d think it had weighed a ton.” More like two. “Come along dear. What’s wrong?”
I’ve stopped at the patio doors. I can still see the maze, front and centre but next to it is an entirely new building. It looks like a mini manor house. It must be about 1600 square feet. “What is that?” I ask.
“Why silly girl, that’s the new room I had built for the party. Come on, the others are inside.”
We walk in and Annabel is on a stage looking straight at me as I walk through the doors.
“Hi Alice, about time you showed up. Can you please help that man hang the drapes straight?” She points to her left.
I swivel in that direction but slowly to take it all in. How did Lady Howard get all this done in such a short amount of time? The stage is in front of me and off to my right, where Annabel pointed is a roped off area with wine and purple coloured drapes. They have gold trim throughout. There must be at least a hundred cushions scattered around for seating with low tables here and there that are a perfect height for sitting on the floor. I turn around and notice a similar setting on the other side. The drapes that are covering the walls actually meet in the centre of the ceiling and puff out. There must be a million yards of fabric in here.
There are candles on high poles dotted throughout which on closer inspection are battery operated flicker lights. No fire hazard in here.
The pièce de résistance is just to the side of the stage, on the left. There is a huge Moroccan tent that will probably seat ten to twelve people comfortably. Low orange sofas, candles and, oh my god! There’s a huge chandelier hanging right in the middle of it.
Unless my eyes are deceiving me there are also balcony rooms upstairs.
I turn around and Lady Howard is giving me a questioning look.
“She is going to freak out!!” I scream and hug Lady Howard until I think I’m going to break her. “Oh my god, look at this place. You said marquee, this is, is, flipping amazing!”
Lady Howard has received the final OK and goes off to bother one of the workers.
“You ain’t seen nothing yet.” I turn back to the stage and Robbie is one side, Stefan the other both lugging what look to be giant fire hoses onto the stage. Robbie looks like his face is about to rip in two if he smiles anymore. “Foam party!”
We’re back in the pool room.
“DJ starts at 7. Even though party doesn’t start until eight, we’ll want music for anyone who shows up early. Alice shut your mouth.” Annabel says.
“Live band start at 9:30. DJ breaks, they’ll be on for about an hour and a half. Alice, close your mouth.” Stefan says.
“Check. DJ comes back on at 11 and that’s when things get crazy. Foam will be turned on and sprayed over anyone on the dance floor. Alice for goodness sake could you shut your mouth?” Robbie asks.
I do, with a very audible snap. “I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s out of this flipping world. I’m sooooo excited I want it to start now.”
Everyone looks at each other and then back to me.
“We know!” They all scream together and the next thing you know, we’re all dancing around the table like a bunch of crazed monkeys.
I have got to rethink what I’ll be wearing.
Chapter Thirty Seven
I’ve got a lift home with the gang. I didn’t see Parker again and truth be told am a little worried at how sad he seemed. Maybe I’ll have chance to catch up with him before next weekend.
My mobile rings. Forgot to change ring tone. It’s Jason.
“Hey stranger, have fun with you sister?” He asks.
“Great time. What’ve you been up to?” Am feeling horribly guilty about this morning. I didn’t even think of Jason when I was kissing Ian. What kind of person does that make me? Oh my, am I a floozy? Tramp? That just sounds like my grandmother.
“Oh, you know. We all went and played some pool, shot some darts that kind of thing. Nothing too exciti
ng.”
“Still fun? Who’s ‘we all’.” I’m curious to know.
“Usual crowd. Me, Adam David and Ian.”
I’m not supposed to have met Ian am I? No. “When will I get to meet Ian?” I ask.
Annabel snaps her head around and Robbie looks back over the seat. Stefan is driving but I see his shoulders tense.
“Dunno. He mentioned the party so I guess then. Unless you want to come over tonight and meet him? We’re just going to be hanging out here.”
The thought of meeting Ian with Jason in the same room is more than I can handle. I can feel everyone in the car concentrating on my every word. “It’s been a hectic day. Maybe just you and me tomorrow? I can’t wait to tell you the latest on the party. You’re going to laugh your head off.”
“Sounds good. Want to meet for lunch and take it from there?”
“Sure. Come get me around noon. Bye.”
“So?” Robbie asks the minute I hang up.
“He wanted me to go there tonight. Boys’ night but I was invited. Naturally I said no as I wasn’t going to go on my own. Not after what happened last time.” I know they’re thinking outside the White Heart. I’m not. “But Jason did say Ian was going to the party.”
“He’s an overconfident fool but I’m glad of it.” Robbie states.
To break the tension I ask “Is anyone bringing a date?” The boy’s shake their heads ‘no’.
Annabel visibly pales but then bright red spots appear on her cheeks. “Annabel?” I ask.
“No.” If she shakes her head anymore it’ll fly off. “No date.”
I get dropped off at home as it appears these three have plans. What kind I didn’t ask but Annabel did say ‘just plans, not a date or anything’ three times. She obviously has a date.
I put my key in the door but it flies open and Poppy is there looking panic stricken. My stomach flutters in worry. She grabs me by the arms, slams the door closed and leans against it breathlessly.
“Just tell me there’s no pink. Pink and my hair just do not go.” Her hair is down for once and she has it scrunched into bunches with her hands.
I can’t help but laugh. She had me worried there for a minute. She finally releases her hair but the panic is still evident.
“Oh Poppy, you’re going to love it.”
She can see from my expression I mean it and she screams with delight while running to the couch and jumping up and down on it.
“Oh my god, oh my goodness oh my gracious.” She stops and holds my gaze steady. “Spill. I want to know all about it.”
There is no way I’m telling her everything and she’d kill me if I did, but I tell her just enough about gold’s, purples and wines to let her plan her wardrobe. This naturally results in the fact we have to go shopping this week.
“Please can we do it tomorrow, please?” Poppy begs. “What if they’ve sold out by Sunday?”
“Sold out of what?” I ask perplexed.
“Well I don’t know so we should go tomorrow.”
“I told you, I have a date with Jason tomorrow.”
“But he’s a boy and I’m your best friend and it’s my eighteenth birthday and if I’m wearing the wrong thing it’s all your fault and my birthday will be ruined and..”
“Oh my goodness, be quiet. I’ll call him now.” I give in.
I do and he laughs and understands. Particularly with Poppy saying ‘thank you, love you’ and blowing him kisses in the background. We agree to meet Sunday.
Shopping is a brilliant success.
Poppy manages to unearth this fantastic dress. It’s a strapless, knee length plum number, with a thin gold stripe running down one side. She also found the most amazing pair of sandals; Jimmy Choo’s of course, that she thought were a bargain at ₤800.
Amazingly, I found a dress in the same store. It’s a deep red wine colour, floor length and with it’s empire waist I look like a princess fit for Aladdin. Miraculously I found gold Jimmy Choo espadrilles at only £400.
We both decide a haircut is in order and after we book pedicures and manicures for Friday lunchtime.
Having had such a fantastic day of shopping we decide to stay in the City for dinner.
We must both look radiant as a couple of German executives do their best to chat us up. Having politely turned them down, we enjoy a fantastic steak dinner and head for home.
“I’m completely pooped and amazingly happy. These were the last dresses in our size. They could have sold out by tomorrow.” Poppy winks.
“Good call babe. After I get home tomorrow we’ll decide how to do our hair. That place on the high street that just opened is getting rave reviews.”
We look at each other, giggle and run over to the computer to look at various ‘up do’s’ that we’ll try out before next weekend.
Chapter Thirty Eight
Jason arrives on time as always.
“Thank you so much for yesterday.” Poppy announces as she opens the door. “We found the perfect dresses and they were the last two left in our sizes. I would have literally died if we hadn’t got them.” She throws her arms around his waist dramatically. The smell must be getting better!
“Put him down Poppy.” I say as I grab my bag. “Let’s go.”
“I wanted to get something for Poppy for her birthday but I’m not sure what she’d like. Or should I say something I can afford on a mechanics wages.” Jason says as we walk to the car.
“That’s incredibly thoughtful. She won’t expect anything.” I say, thinking that really is the sweetest thing ever. And also thinking do I have to come up with everyone’s present for her when I haven’t even thought of my own yet?
“I don’t want to go empty handed. It was nice of her to invite the boys too.”
I squeeze his hand. I swear his Being is getting lighter. “Then let’s go find something from the both of us. But let’s get out of town; I think I’ve been in every store here a thousand times the last couple of weeks.”
As we’re driving, I’m watching Jason. Feeling guilty. Horribly so. He seems so content, not arrogant or obnoxious like his friend Ian. His face is not perfectly sculpted but it’s a familiar face to me and that’s just as attractive. I hold his hand and he turns and smiles at me. There’s no electrical charge, no earthquakes or lightening bolts. This is the one I should be with. I’m so comfortable with him. Whatever I was thinking the other day, I have to remember Ian is not going to turn into a good guy. Jason could. No, correction, Jason will. I smile and still holding his hand lean back into the seat and gaze out of the window.
We’re staying away from the motorways and taking back roads ‘for inspiration’ Jason joked.
“What’s a Maltipoo?” I ask him
“A multi poo?” He asks quite horrified.
“No silly,” I giggle, “a Maltipoo. Apparently there are some for sale. Up ahead about a mile.”
“Only one way to find out.”
We turn into a farmhouse and there are 6 cars parked outside. We walk up to the front door and are about to knock when a friendly looking older lady walks out of a barn opposite.
“Here about the puppies? They’re in here.”
Jason and I look at each other, shrug and follow the lady into the barn.
The first thing we see is a little dark haired girl bawling her eyes out. “But I need them all.” She sobs, hiccupping between each word.
“But all these other people need to share a little love too.” I assume it’s her mother trying to explain.
Jason and I step forward to see what all the fuss is about.
“Are they real?” Jason asks leaning forward.
“They’re tiny. I thought she said puppies. These look more like guinea pigs.” I look questioningly at him.
The owner appears and says “Is it for you? Do you prefer the off white or black. I only have one female in the lighter colour left.”
“To be honest, I didn’t know what a Maltipoo was. We were just driving past and,” I look to
Jason for back up but he’s picked the little fur ball up!
“Look Alice, she’s so, Poppy!” He passes it out to me.
Well I have to hold it because otherwise I look like an animal hater, which I’m not. But a puppy! That means training and vets bills and accidents and is it yappy or barky? Way too much responsibility. I know Poppy is an animal lover but a puppy. No, no can do. Pass it back. Put it down, walk away.
I’m in love.
She’s got these tiny brown button eyes, a perfect little brown nose and scruffy ears.
“They’re not a pure breed.” The lady is telling us. “They’re a cross between a Maltese and a Poodle. Adorable aren’t they. Only £100 but as you can see, I don’t breed them for the money. I make sure they’ve had all their shots, are de-wormed etc. and I’ll send you home with a bag of food. I’m a bit fussy with the food, I only feed my dogs the very best.”
I’m trying to give her back but this little bundle has fallen asleep with her head on my shoulder. I look to Jason for help but he’s picked up the dark one and is tickling under the dogs chin! Useless.
“I’m afraid you can’t take them today. Friday would be best. I won’t send them before they’re ready. May only seem like a week but I’m very particular. I’ve found if I send you away today and you come back later then you really want the puppy so I know it’s going to a good home.”
She seems very pleasant but I want to tell her to shut up. I can not have a puppy.
“I think Poppy would go wild,” Jason says. “and I can see you’ve fallen in love already.”
Thanks for your help. A Maltipoo puppy for Poppy. Stefan would love this.
“I’m just not sure. Maybe we should think about it. You’re right not to give them away on first sight because it’s all too easy to fall in love at first sight and then realize it might not be the best move.” I tell the lady. “We may drive back this way later and if she’s still here, well, maybe it was meant to be.” I hand the little fluff bunny back and nudge Jason.