CHAPTER SEVEN
‘Bloody hell, Jaz. I can’t wear that!’
I’m over at Jaz’s flat and I’m staring at the Christmas pudding outfit she’s hired for me, wondering if she’s gone completely mad. (She’s grinning from ear to ear like a total fruit loop, so maybe she has.) I shake my head at her, panicking that there’s no time now to change it for a more modest version.
This is not the suet pudding, roly-poly, fun costume I imagined it would be.
This is the sort of red hot, steam-from-your-ears, over-flowingly boob-licious outfit that I’d never dare to wear in public, even if I was paid to do it. It belongs in one of those pole-dancing clubs. Not the bar of The Swan Hotel where members of the local WI sometimes gather for a small sherry.
What on earth was Jaz thinking?
Surely she knows me well enough by now to realise that overtly sexy is just not my style.
‘You can easily carry it off,’ she says earnestly, seeing my face. ‘You’ve definitely got the figure for it. And there’s a chance you’ll carry off Ethan Fox as well, wearing this!’
I blush scarlet. ‘Jaz, I only joined the am dram group last month. I want to make friends with everyone. Not seduce the director!’
She grins wickedly. ‘Are you sure about that?’
‘Yes!’
I’ve half a mind to bundle the thing up and stuff it back in its bag without another look. But Jaz insists I at least try it on.
I figure there’d be no harm putting it on and seeing what I looked like. If nothing else, it will stop Jaz nagging me. So I disappear off into Jaz’s bedroom. Carefully, I slide on the cream fishnet stockings followed by the little strapless dress with its puff ball mini skirt below a satin-look bodice.
To my surprise, it fits like a glove.
I stand in front of the mirror on my tip-toes, trying to imagine the outfit with heels, turning this way and that. The little puffy skirt is really quite cute. It’s the colour of glossy dark chocolate and there’s a little sprig of holly decorating the fitted cream bodice.
‘Are you decent?’ shouts Jaz. ‘Can I come in?’
‘Okay,’ I call back doubtfully.
‘Wow!’ breathes Jaz, eyes open wide. ‘I never realised you had legs, Fen.’
‘Of course I have legs.’ I laugh to hide my embarrassment.
‘Yes and they’re stunning.’
‘Don’t be daft.’
‘I’ve only ever seen you in jeans and baggy tops. This is quite a revelation!’ She grins at me.
‘Are you saying I’m normally frumpy?’
‘No, of course not!’ She grimaces. ‘Well, maybe a little. Sometimes. But this just proves you need to start making the most of yourself.’
The doorbell rings and Jaz runs through to answer it. Minutes later, she appears with Harry.
‘What do you think of Fen’s outfit, love?’ Jaz asks him.
Harry looks me up and down, then pulls a really comical face, blowing out his cheeks as if he’s about to explode. ‘Sizzling hot,’ he says.
‘There you go,’ says Jaz triumphantly. ‘Told you so. You’ll be a sensation at that fancy dress do.’
Harry slips an arm around Jaz and grins at me. ‘Do I get an invitation?’
‘Sadly not,’ says Jaz.
He turns and gives her a wicked smile. ‘Wouldn’t mind seeing you in something like that.’
I laugh, looking at the two of them; they seem so comfortable together.
‘Well, actually,’ says Jaz, snuggling closer, ‘I was planning a romantic meal for two tonight. Steak and chips. Your favourite. And you never know, if you play your cards right . . .’ She glances at me and grins. ‘Sorry, Fen!’
I shake my head. ‘Don’t apologise. Just go somewhere else so I can get changed.’
‘So what do you think?’ Jaz murmurs to Harry. ‘Do you want to come over later for that steak? I picked up some holiday brochures we could look at. I know you love Ibiza so I thought we could –’
Harry’s face falls. ‘Ah, sorry, love. Can’t do it, I’m afraid. Greg’s got a problem he needs sorting.’
‘A problem?’
‘Yeah, his – er – spider catcher’s stopped working, so he needs me to go round and fix it.’
She stares at him in confusion. ‘You’re joking, right?’
Harry shakes his head, ‘No, no, deadly serious. The guy freaks out if there’s one in his bath. It’s an emergency.’
He’s already heading for the door.
‘I might pop in later, though,’ he calls, and the door slams behind him.
Jaz looks at me and does a dramatic shrug. ‘See what I mean?’
I shake my head in bewilderment.
*****
On Friday night, I’m a bag of nerves getting ready for the Christmas night out – but I tell myself everyone will be in the same boat. We’re all going to look ridiculous in our fancy dress outfits. That’s the whole point of the evening!
I drive over to Sunnybrook and park outside The Little Duck Pond Café.
I’m planning to get some much needed encouragement from Ellie, perhaps over a quick glass of wine for Dutch courage, before walking over to the Swan Hotel bar and joining everyone there. Ellie has invited me to stay over in their flat above the café so that I can have a drink or two without worrying.
As I get out and lock the car, my heart is already skipping along with a mix of excitement and dread at the thought of walking into that bar, dressed like this, all on my own. Plus there’s been a slight awkwardness between Ellie and me, ever since her comment that I should beware of Ethan. When I asked her about it the other day, she dismissed it as just a throw-away comment and I didn’t pursue it. But the fact that I’ll be seeing Ethan tonight – and Ellie knows that – means I’m feeling slightly defensive when I walk into the cafe.
As soon as she sees me, she grabs a bottle off the counter and holds it aloft. ‘Wine?’
‘Yes, please.’
She brings two glasses of white over to the table and plonks them down, then she collapses into the seat opposite, her face taut with stress. ‘I can’t stand this, Fen. I really can’t. I think I’m going slowly crazy.’ She reaches for her glass and downs a third of it in one long swallow.
‘Is it Sophie?’ I frown at her in sympathy. It’s clear my feelings for Ethan are the least of her worries tonight.
Ellie heaves a despondent sigh. ‘I’ve hardly seen either of them all week. And when I got cross with Maisie the other morning for being naughty, she calmly informed me that Sophie never shouts at her.’ Her face is wreathed in worry. She hasn’t even noticed my outfit, even though I should probably be arrested for indecent exposure, what with the acreage of boob spilling over the tight satin bodice.
‘I’m worried Sophie’s up to no good, Fen.’
‘In what way?’ I ask carefully.
‘She wants Zak back. I’m certain of it. And I think she’s using Maisie as an excuse to get close to him.’ She’s on the verge of tears. ‘Oh, Fen, I don’t think she cares about Maisie at all.’
‘What?’ I stare at her in horror. ‘No way, Ellie. Sophie might be cold, unfriendly and extremely irritating, but she’s not that wicked.’
Ellie just shrugs.
‘You’re over-thinking things,’ I say gently. ‘And I really don’t blame you. But honestly, Ellie, you’re just letting your imagination run away with you. You have to stop torturing yourself. It’s all going to be fine.’
Ellie sighs. ‘But even if Sophie has come back purely for Maisie, what if they have such a great time together that Zak starts to realise he still cares about Sophie?’
‘He won’t. He loves you,’ I tell her firmly.
‘Well, maybe, but if Sophie wants her family back, she’ll be at her most alluring and charming, won’t she? And Zak did love her once, remember. What if all his old feelings for her come flooding back?’
‘They won’t. Trust me, Sophie is history. Zak isn’t going to throw away what he has with you.’
‘But Sophie is Maisie’s real mum.’
‘Well, yes . . .’
‘I just keep thinking Maisie is sure to bond with Sophie. And then Zak will see that and realise they belong together as a proper family.’
‘But you’re a proper family. You, Zak and Maisie. You’ve been a brilliant mum to that little girl. You still are.’
Ellie smiles sadly. ‘Thanks, Fen. That means a lot. But I can’t lie. I’m scared.’
I reach over and cover her hand with mine. ‘I know you are, love. But Zak and Maisie adore you. Anyone can see that. Just have faith, okay?’
She nods, her eyes filling with tears. ‘Coming to Sunnybrook transformed absolutely everything for me. I love my life now. I never dreamed I could be this happy.’ She shrugs. ‘I just can’t help thinking I’ve been living in a fool’s paradise these past six months, since getting together with Zak.’
I shake my head, wishing I could think of some magic words that would take my best friend’s pain away. I really do think she’s letting her imagination run away with her. But maybe I’d be the same in her situation.
A tear slides down her face. ‘Oh, Fen, I can’t lose them now!’