‘He’s coming out tomorrow night with us?’ Belle asked. ‘For Alex’s birthday?’
But it was Alexandra who Will looked at, giving her a grin that told her he’d seen just how long she’d stared after his friend. She would thank him later for his discretion, because if Belle knew, she wouldn’t stop talking about it.
‘Yes, Belle, he is. Along with a handful of my other friends, so you’d better be on your best behaviour. Don’t forget I’m doing you a favour by letting you come.’ He smiled. ‘Actually, I’m doing it for Alex. It might just be the best birthday she’s ever had.’
Alexandra fanned her face with the evening’s programme she was still holding as she tried to avoid Will’s gaze. Suddenly, Saturday evening seemed a whole lot more appealing than the quiet night she’d previously been wishing for all these weeks.
As they walked back out to the foyer, Alexandra found herself lost in her own thoughts, thinking about what she would wear. Perhaps the minidress would be fun after all. It was fashionable but not a complete departure from what she would usually wear, and she’d get Belle to help her with her hair to make sure it looked sleek and styled.
She doubted Will’s friend Bernard would even notice her, especially with him most likely being a few years older than her, not to mention such a talented musician, but a girl could only hope.
‘Alex?’
Alexandra looked up, blinking at Will as she realised she had no idea what they were talking about.
‘She’s daydreaming about the orchestra, I suspect,’ Belle said with a sigh. ‘Honestly, sometimes I wonder if you and I are even related.’
As they caught up to her aunt and uncle, William extended his arm and Alexandra happily took it, dropping her head to his shoulder. There was kind, and then there was Will; he’d been her constant since she’d arrived to live with the family. Quick to make her laugh, the first to tease her if he could see she needed cheering up, and the person who’d patiently sat with her for hours when she’d first begun trying to decipher sheet music. She also suspected that he might be trying to hide something from those around him, although she’d never ask him. It was one of those things she expected would always remain unspoken between them.
‘How did you enjoy the evening, Alexandra?’ her aunt asked as they all strolled together from the Royal Festival Hall out into the night air.
‘It was magical,’ she said truthfully. ‘I couldn’t think of a more beautiful way to spend an evening if I tried. It will truly be a birthday I’ll never forget.’
Her aunt and uncle beamed at her, and she tucked closer to her cousin. Sometimes she dreamed of what it would be like to perform to a crowd like that, to live a life of music, but most times she was simply content with being a spectator. Although tonight had made her start to wonder all over again.
15
Alexandra had never been in such a place, and certainly not at this time of night, not without her aunt or uncle. She looked up at the gold Café de Paris lettering above the door, her arm linked firmly through Belle’s, not wanting to become lost in the crowd. Smoke clung to the air and there were people everywhere, many of them facing the cabaret performance on the stage, with others drinking and talking in groups. It was like nothing she’d ever seen before, and she immediately loved it.
Will walked ahead of them, and they hurried in their higher-than-usual heels to keep up with him, stopping only when they saw him wave and make his way to a table. There were five young men about the same age as him, and two of them had girlfriends who looked both her and Belle up and down.
‘Will! Good of you to join us!’
‘I see you’ve brought some lovely young women with you.’
His friends all called out and grinned, clearly having already consumed a few drinks.
‘My sister and my cousin,’ he said grimly. ‘So hands off. It’s Alexandra’s birthday, so you’d all better be on your best behaviour.’
Alexandra was disappointed that Bernard wasn’t there. She’d thought about him all day after meeting him the night before, hopeful that she might get to meet the talented young musician properly, but clearly it wasn’t meant to be.
‘Ladies, what are you drinking?’
‘Champagne, of course,’ Belle said. ‘It’s a celebration, after all.’
‘Did I miss the introductions?’
A deep man’s voice raised over the loud music on stage made Alexandra turn. Her heart practically skipped a beat as she found herself face to face with Bernard.
‘Belle,’ her cousin said, inching forward past Alexandra and extending her hand.
‘Your sister?’ Bernard asked Will with a grin.
‘Yes, my sister, how could you tell?’ Will groaned. ‘And don’t tell me it’s because we’re so alike.’
‘And I’m Alexandra,’ she said, mustering all her courage and hoping she wasn’t blushing. ‘Will’s cousin.’
When Bernard took her hand, all the tiny hairs on her arms stood on end. He was easily as handsome up close as he’d been on stage, and she found herself desperately hoping they could sit together.
