Secrets of a Teenage Heiress by Katy Birchall (19)

‘The party is not over,’ I announced to the conference room, where Sky’s entourage had gathered. ‘I can confirm that we can hold it here tonight.’

They burst into applause and whoops, immediately getting their phones out at the ready.

‘But –’ I held up my hands to quieten them – ‘it’s going to be a lot of work and we’ll need all hands on deck. Let’s just say that the room we’ve got available isn’t exactly your average party venue.’ I shared a smile with Cal. ‘Let me introduce you to the team.’

I gestured to Audrey, Matthew, Cal, Chef and Ellie, who were all standing in a line next to me. They waved to the crowd.

‘We need a group of volunteers to help Cal clean out the venue and set it up. Chef and Sasha are going to be sorting canapés and Jamie will be in charge of drinks, so I’m going to need someone from Sky’s team to select from a list of food options. Audrey has called in our florist, who will be arriving any minute. They will be in charge of decorations. We need someone from your team to get in touch with Sky’s record company and get promotional material, anything they want on display when it comes to the latest album. Ellie is going to be sorting out the sound system, lights and any electrical equipment that we’ll need – can someone liaise with her about a DJ? She’s also going to book an official photographer. We have one on speed dial. Matthew will be in charge of the guest list; we need a confirmed one in the next half an hour so we can be sure of capacity and how much food we need to provide. We also need to make sure that each guest confirms they’re aware of the change of location. And –’ I took a deep breath – ‘I will be overseeing everything. If you have any questions or problems, you come to me. OK, now work out who of your team is doing what.’

They huddled together excitedly. I noticed Audrey watching me with a funny look on her face.

‘What?’

She hesitated. ‘It’s just, you really reminded me of your mother just then.’

‘What, bossing everyone around?’

‘No.’ She smiled. ‘Taking charge.’

I don’t know how we managed it, but it worked.

As soon as Sky’s entourage had delegated people to each task, everyone leaped into action and by the evening, what used to be mine and Cal’s bizarre secret storeroom and escape exit, now looked like the most exclusive party venue in the city. It had been completely cleared and, thanks to Amy and her team, it was sparkling clean. A huge canvas of Sky’s latest album cover was hanging on the wall, lit up by white globe lamps and masses of fairy lights, twinkling everywhere. The florist had created an archway of flowers over the door frames and all over the tiny patio, so walking through into the room, it was as though you were entering a scene from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Jamie had even created bespoke drinks for the evening, which Timothy and his colleagues were ready to serve, and the canapés looked too perfect – Chef informed me that Sasha had insisted on taking charge of them. He was so impressed with her, he told me proudly, that she was now in line for a promotion.

With guests due to arrive any minute – guided by lanterns set up all down the back road – Cal and I nervously led Sky down through the tunnels to see what she thought. Dressed in a sparkling silver Lewis Blume dress and bright royal blue heels, she tottered down the now-lit maze of corridors and into her party. Her eyes filled with tears as she stepped into the room and took it all in.

‘It’s . . . beautiful.’

She reached for my hand and squeezed it.

‘It’s perfect,’ she whispered. ‘I can’t believe you did all of this.’

‘All in a day’s work.’ I laughed.

She pulled us both in for a giant hug and, while her assistant diverted her attention to check the guest list, Cal and I hurried off to get ready.

Grace was on the sofa, eating popcorn and discussing the works of Tim Burton with Fritz, while Edward Scissorhands played in the background. I had run up earlier to fill her in on everything that was going on and – after she’d had to go splash her face with cold water because of the shock – she had been super helpful, promising me she would look after Fritz for the day. And there she was waiting, just like she’d said. Not only that, but she’d gone through my wardrobe and put out a variety of ‘pop-star-party-appropriate’ outfits on my bed for me to choose from. We went with skinny black jeans and a red off-the-shoulder top, with my hair tied back in a high ponytail and striking red lipstick.

‘Are you sure you can’t come?’ I asked Grace, examining myself in the mirror.

‘I WISH, but it’s my granny’s birthday party.’ She sighed, looking very pained. ‘Mum would KILL me if I missed it. Even for Skylar Chase and a celebrity party.’

‘I’ve been there before.’ I nodded. ‘I promise I’ll try to introduce you to her at some point soon, OK? I mean it. Maybe when she’s back for the Christmas Ball.’

‘Thanks! You look amazing, by the way. Not as good as Fritz, though,’ she added, doing up the last few buttons of his tuxedo and straightening his bow tie.

‘Fritz, you’re so handsome!’ I scooped him up under my arm.

‘You both look great and tonight is going to be such a big success,’ she enthused, pulling on her jacket and picking up all her things. ‘You’ve got nothing to worry about.’

‘Thanks for being here today and looking after Fritz.’

‘It was nice to chill out with him.’ She gave him a pat on his head. ‘Well, I’d better get going. Don’t forget to call me tomorrow and tell me everything.’

‘Grace.’ I hesitated. ‘I know that hanging out with me won’t do much for your street cred –’

‘Are you kidding? Flick –’ she took my hands – ‘you’re about to host a party for Skylar Chase. You’re the coolest person on the planet right now.’

‘At school, I mean. And I just wanted to say that I really appreciate it. You coming over and everything.’

She smiled. ‘Good luck with tonight.’

She scurried out and shut the door behind her, leaving Fritz and me alone.

In the silence, the pressure of tonight hit me like a ton of bricks. I’d been rushing about so much during the day, I hadn’t even had time to really think about it. But here I was, standing in the hallway with the best-dressed sausage dog in London, about to go to a party I had organised for the biggest pop star in the world.

What happened if it went wrong? What happened if the lights all fell down or the music didn’t work or there wasn’t enough food? I mean, I’d told Chef to prepare double the amount just in case so surely that wouldn’t happen. But what happened if no one even showed up? If something went wrong, it would all be my fault. My mouth was suddenly very dry. I was frozen to the spot. I couldn’t go. I couldn’t believe I’d put myself in this position. What had I been thinking?

I jumped as my phone buzzed loudly on the hallway table.

I read it, took a deep breath and turned to Fritz.

‘You ready?’

He barked.

‘Me too,’ I announced, reaching for the door handle. It was time to go.