“This is fromAnne of Avonleaby Lucy Maud Montgomery,” she announces, cutting me off and clearing her throat. “‘Perhaps, after all, romance did not come into one’s life with pomp and blare, like a gay knight riding down; perhaps it crept to one’s side like an old friend through quiet ways; perhaps it revealed itself in seeming prose, until some sudden shaft of illumination flungathwart its pages betrayed the rhythm and the music, perhaps… perhaps… love unfolded naturally out of a beautiful friendship, as a golden-hearted rose slipping from its green sheath.’ There! What do you think? I thought that was perfect to be spoken aloud on Ruby and Leo’s day.”
“You know what, Mum? I was dubious at first, but I have to agree with you. That is pretty perfect.”
She sighs heavily. “Love can find us when we least expect it. Keep that heart open, darling!”
“Mum, I really do have to go now.”
“Have a wonderful time, I can’t wait to hear all about it. Bye, darling. Love you,” she adds tentatively.
“Yeah, bye, Mum,” I say, looking down at the ground. “You too.”
I know she’s smiling into the phone as I hang up.
Armed with the deodorant, I make my way back to Ruby’s room. She raises her eyebrows at me in the mirror when her mum opens the door to let me in.
“Where did you go?” she demands to know. “I’ve had to hold my arms at a very awkward angle to get air to the pits.”
“Honestly, Ruby,” her mum mutters disapprovingly.
“Sorry, my mum called and I really don’t know why, but I picked up.”
“Ah, how is she?” she asks, happily putting the deodorant on and disturbing the hairstylist.
“She wants me to tell you that she buried a sausage in your honor last night and that’s why it’s not raining today.”
“What a hero.”
“And then she read me a passage by someone I didn’t know about a knight and pomp and… uh… well the gist was that you and Leo were pals first and then you realized you loved each other. It was slightly more eloquent than that, though.”
“No kidding.”
“It was actually very meaningful.”
“Oh, well, let’s hope I hear it one day.”
“How are you feeling?” I ask, sitting down on the bed.
“Sweaty.”
“I just brought you antiperspirant.”
“True. Now, a little less sweaty than before,” she admits. “I hope the day goes to plan and everyone has a good time.”
“They will.”
“It’s just, you know, a lot of my family have traveled all the way from Mauritius. They’ve made ahugeeffort to be here, so I really want them to have a good time and—”
“Ruby,” I interrupt, “they’re here to see you get married. That’s all that matters. Everyone is going to have a wonderful day celebrating that. It’s going to be brilliant.”
She exhales as she gazes at her reflection, her hair almost finished. “This feels like a big moment.”
“It is a big moment.”
She bites her lip. “I’m nervous.”
“That’s normal. But everything is going to be amazing.”
“Are you nervous? You should be.”
