“I’m going to your sister's bridal shop so Natalie can try on dresses. Grace invited us.” His face darkened as I explained the offer Grace had made to Natalie. “Why didn’t you tell me she’s been asking to meet me?”
“I thought we had enough on our plate.”
“How much we put on our plate is supposed to be a joint decision,” I reminded him.
“You’re already dealing with my mother.”
“And you’re already dealing with my father. Besides, unlike your mother, your sister actually seems to like me. When did you last see her?”
“I don’t know,” he said and I frowned at him. Alfie Tell knew everything, remembered everything. “Four years ago I think. Before I met you.”
I stared at him, open-mouthed. “You haven’t seen her infouryears?”
“I hadn’t seen my mother in three.”
“But…” I was about to ask him about birthdays but I knew Carolyn Tell wouldn’t care about Alfie’s birthday. It was coming up soon, the first one I was going to get to celebrate with him. It hadn’t escaped my notice that he hadn’t mentioned it yet. “What about Christmas? You don’t see each other for that?”
“Maybe they see each other but I…I’m not exactly invited.” I wanted to cry for him. “Don’t look at me like that. Hanging out with my mother and sister isn’t how I want to spend my time anyway.”
That wasn’t the point and he knew it. The point was he should have someone to spend Christmas with. I was sure Ada and Elliot would want to spend Christmas with him but I could imagine Alfie not wanting to intrude on Elliot’s rare time off.
I went to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. “This Christmas you and I are getting a big fucking tree. We’re going to sing carols at the neighbours. Oh! We can go to Santa’s Grotto and you can sit on his knee and ask for something!”
“I already have everything.” He kissed me softly. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about her wanting to meet you. Too much all at once, I suppose. My sister is connected to a past I’m trying to move on from.”
“I guess I just don’t understand why she can’t be a part of your future. I’ve never met her but she doesn’t seem unkind likeyour mother, or only interested in money. She owns her own company, Alfie. I mean…”
“I know. I just put her in a box. My father and Charles didn’t hurt her like they hurt me, she lost a father and brother because of me. I don’t know how to look at her.”
“You start by smiling and saying ‘Hi’. She doesn’t know what happened and you don’t have to tell her. I’ve got your back whatever you choose, if you don’t want me to go today I won’t.”
“I don’t want you to go but you should. If not least just to get Natalie a dress. Speaking of dresses, wear something else.” He eyed my dress with distaste.
“You don’t like it? You picked it.”
“Not for meeting my sister.” He went to the end of the closet that had my own clothes that I’d picked out myself. He pulled a dress off a hanger that I’d had for years. I remembered it had torn on the waistline once and Keira had mended it for me. “This is better.”
What was he trying to do? He wanted them to see me exactly as I am. It was almost like he was showing off.
“Is she close with your mother?”
“I expect they’re thick as thieves.”
“You expect it or you know it?”
“I expect it, what I expect I’m usually right about.” I guess I was going to have to get the true measure of Grace myself.
I sat, practically drowning in a plush cream armchair, watching as Natalie turned this way and that in a mermaid-style gown.
“Are you sure about the veil?”
“Yes, you absolutely shouldn’t wear a veil with this dress.” Grace told her. Natalie pulled at the front for the twentieth time.The cleavage wasn’t exactly subtle. The dress was daring, a step out of my sister's comfort zone. Apparently a step too far.
Grace directed her assistants from the comfort of her chair, ordering them to try her in the ‘Adaline.’ I had no idea what that meant but Grace was speaking Keira’s language, not mine. Natalie disappeared with the assistant to try on her tenth gown. She was in heaven and I had already decided that it didn’t matter what kind of person Grace was, I wasn’t going to ruin this for my sister.
There was a glass of champagne clutched between her perfectly manicured fingers. She wore a deep green suit which I hadn’t expected. She had the Alfie Tell grey eyes but hers were bright and alive, no cold calculating there. We’d discussed the weather, the tube ride over here, the location of her store and everything about the wedding that Natalie had planned which apparently wasn’t much. Grace had already contacted a wedding planner who would help pull something together on short notice.
“Lola,” Grace said, startling me out of my thoughts, “you were telling me about your project.” She picked up my phone and resumed flicking through the photos I’d taken of my work at Chelsea. “This is impressive. Have you thought about working freelance for weddings? I could put you in touch with some planners who could offer you work. Brides often want floral structures, it’s hard to find someone who can make them so exquisite.”
