Page 123 of Seven Letters

‘OK.’ Izzy pretend-groaned.

While she peeled and ate the banana, Riley waved her hair with the wand and began to pull back the sides and clip them into place. By the time Izzy was halfway through the chocolate, Riley had finished.

‘That’s enough chocolate for now. Save some for later. I think you’re going to be happy with your hair. I’ve added in some of these little white butterfly clips I found and it looks very cool.’

Riley brought Izzy to the mirror hanging on the back of her bedroom door. ‘Ta-dah.’

Izzy’s face lit up. ‘Ooooooooh.’ She turned her head to get a better look at the butterfly clips. ‘Riley,’ she gazed up at her cousin, ‘it’s so beautiful. I can’t wait for Mummy to see it when she wakes up later. She’ll love it.’

Riley turned to get some hair spray and to fight back tears. Izzy continued to coo behind her.

When she had regained her composure, Riley held up the can. ‘Now we need to spray loads of this in, so your waves don’t move or fall or droop. Close your eyes and your mouth.’

There was a knock on the door. ‘Is everything all right?’ Adam asked.

Riley looked at Izzy. She nodded.

‘All fine, thanks.’

‘Daddy, I don’t want you to see me until I have my dress on.’

‘OK, Sweet-pea. We have to leave in five minutes.’

‘Relax, she’ll be ready,’ Riley said.

Riley drowned Izzy’s head in hair spray. Izzy coughed and spluttered as the fumes went up her nose.

‘Do you have to spray so much?’ She coughed again.

Riley shrugged. ‘If you want it to last all day, then yes.’

Izzy put on her tights, then Riley carefully helped her into her dress and zipped up the back. When Izzy turned, Riley felt a huge lump form in her throat. She looked so young and innocent and beautiful. She was so like Sarah.

She fell on her knees in front of her cousin, pretending to bow at her feet, giving herself a moment to get herself under control. Izzy giggled.

‘If I say so myself, I did a brilliant job. However, I have to admit that it was easy. You are absolutely stunning, Izzy. Don’t move. I have to take a photo.’

Riley stood up and pulled her phone out of the back pocket of her jeans.

Izzy beamed into the camera. ‘Show me?’

‘Hold it just one more second,’ Riley said. She grabbed Sarah’s phone and took a photo. She didn’t know why, but it made her feel like Sarah was there in spirit.

‘Show me now?’ Izzy said.

Riley showed her the photo and Izzy squealed. ‘I do look like a princess. I really do. Mummy said I would and I do.’

She tried to throw her arms around Riley, but Riley pushed her back gently. ‘No hugs allowed until after everyone has seen your perfect hair and dress. After everyone has seen how utterly gorgeous you are, you can hug and jump and do whatever you want. But I want you to be flawless when you arrive at the church.’

Izzy did a little dance. ‘I’m so happy, Riley, thank you.’

‘You’re very welcome. I’m pleased with my work. Maybe I should forget about being a human-rights lawyer and become a stylist.’

Izzy was too busy twirling in front of her mirror to answer.

‘We need to go, Izzy,’ Adam called.

Riley packed up her stuff. She handed Izzy her white bag and helped her buckle her shoes. ‘Ready?’

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