“You’re a princess and you need to go to the ball,” Isabelle explained with a like-duh expression on her face.
“Oh, yes. The ball. How could I forget?” I played along.
It was one thing they never taught me at med school—the importance of playing along. Working in a children’s hospital meant I had to believe. I had to believe in miracles and wishes, not just to get their tiny bodies through the battles they faced, but also to give them hope. I believed in fairies and unicorns and mermaids. I knew enough about most sports to make me dangerous, and I could play a mean game of Fortnite. My closet was filled with scrubs covered in llamas, sloths, and superheroes. They mightn’t have taught me what I needed to know, but thankfully I was a fast learner.
“Well then, Miss Isabelle. I best be on my way. I still have to put on my ballgown if I’m going to meet my Prince Charming.”
Isabelle bounced on her bed excitedly. “You’re going to have the best time.”
“I will. Because I have the best hairdresser ever.”
I gave her a hug and thanked her for doing my hair, wondering how the hell I was ever going to get some of these knots out before heading for the door. I was almost in the corridor when I heard my name being called from behind me.
“Charlotte?”
“Yeah?” I spun around to find the smile had dropped off Isabelle’s face.
“Will you come see me tomorrow and tell me all about it?”
“Absolutely,” I promised easily.
“You promise?”
Without hesitation, I walked back over to Isabelle’s bed and held out my pinkie. “Pinkie promise,” I confirmed, and when she linked her finger with mine the promise was sealed. And I never broke a promise.
Making a mental note to find a picture of me all dressed up and looking pretty to show Isabelle, I headed down the corridor to where the vending machine was calling my name. A packet of those barbecue crisps had my name written all over them.
“Nice hair,” Liam teased.
“Oh shit!” With all the talk about Prince Charming and balls I’d completely forgotten about the bird’s nest on my head.
“Which hairdresser did we stop and see today?” he asked. Around here, it seemed to be one of the kid’s favorite hobbies. I put it down to the fact that a lot of them lost their own hair or didn’t have any so it made them happy to spend their time plaiting,
“This masterpiece is courtesy of Isabelle,” I confirmed proudly. No matter how bad or ridiculous I looked, I wasn’t going to let it embarrass me. I was lucky to have Isabelle to do my hair.
“Ah. Fairy godmother Isabelle.”
“Yep.”
“Well, it seems, Doctor Rowe, that you don’t need to go to the ball to find your Prince Charming.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I asked Liam as he started talking in riddles.
“Your Prince Charming.”
“I don't have a Prince Charming. Hell, I don’t even know a cute frog I could kiss.” Geez! Now there’s a depressing thought.
“That’s not what I heard.”
“Then you better get your hearing checked.”
“Wanna bet?” The smirk on his face rattled me. I hated people knowing things about me that I didn’t. It pissed me off and made me anxious, even if what they thought they knew wasn’t true.
“Liam …” I growled, trying to act menacing.
“Go fix your hair and then come see me. I might just have the glass slipper you’ve been searching for.”
I didn't move. I was a stubborn pain in the ass, and I wore it like a badge of honor. Folding my arms across my chest, I decided that two could play at this game.
