Page 30 of The Big Dip in Crumbleton
‘I’m not being daft,’ said Libby with a shrug. ‘Two days ago, nothing could have dragged him back to the Big Dip Dance.’
‘Why… what happened?’ said Scarlett.
‘Let’s just say, last time he went, it didn’t end well,’ said Libby, perching on the edge of the bed. ‘He’d been with the same girl ever since school, and she dumped him that morning on the beach, right after the swim.’
‘That’s rough,’ Scarlett winced.
‘It gets worse,’ said Libby. ‘She’d been seeing his best mate behind his back. Pete still went to the dance that night only to find them snogging in the corner.’
‘No wonder he left the country,’ Scarlett murmured.
‘Wait… that’s not all,’ said Libby, lowering her voice, as if she was about to reveal a state secret, ‘I think he’d been planning to propose to her that night at the dance.’
Scarlett’s eyes widened. ‘What makes you say that?’
‘I saw a ring on his bedside table that morning when I was hunting for a pair of goggles,’ said Libby, her face solemn. ‘It was a great big diamond thing in a heart-shaped box. I never saw it again, and he’s never mentioned it… but a ring like that couldn’t be anything else, could it?’
Scarlett shook her head. ‘That’s awful.’
‘It was,’ said Libby. ‘I mean, he couldn’t really get out of doing the swim this morning because he’s one of the Surf Club’s senior lifeguards. But the fact that he’s volunteered to go tonight after swearing he’d never go to the dance again…’ She gave Scarlett a meaningful look. ‘Let’s just say, it’s a big deal.’
Scarlett felt the weight of that statement settle on her shoulders. So, tonight was far more important to Pete than having a bit of a drink and a dance with a random woman. It was his chance to create new memories that would hopefully replace the old, painful ones.
‘And that,’ Libby declared, hauling herself back off the bed, ‘is why you can’t wear the navy dress. If my brother is brave enough to face his demons, you can be brave enough to wear something spectacular.’
‘I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard, though,’ Scarlett protested weakly.
‘It’s not about trying hard,’ said Libby. ‘It’s about having the guts to wear something that makes you feel amazing. It’s time for you to go full Cinderella!’
With that, she pushed aside all the remaining clothes in her wardrobe to reveal a garment bag hidden at the back. Unzipping it with a flourish, she took out a dress that made Scarlett gasp.
‘See – that’s the reaction I was going for!’ laughed Libby.
It was a silk slip dress in a deep, rich gold that shimmered under the bedroom light. It was floor length, with delicate spaghetti straps and a subtle cowl neckline that draped gently without being too revealing.
‘I’ve been saving this for a special occasion,’ said Libby, holding it up for Scarlett’s inspection. ‘Got it in a vintage shop in Camden last summer, but I’ve not had the chance to wear it yet.’
‘It’s gorgeous,’ Scarlett breathed.
‘Try it on,’ Libby urged.
‘Are you sure?’
Libby nodded, quickly stripping the dress from the hanger and holding it out for her to slip into. The silk flowed over Scarlett’s skin like water before settling lightly against her curves. It felt both decadent and comfortable, like wearing liquid gold.
‘Okay, wow,’ said Libby, as Scarlett turned to face the mirror. ‘That’s the one. Pete is going todie!’’
‘It’s perfect,’ said Scarlett, turning from side to side and admiring the way the silk caught the light. ‘But I can’t take your special dress.’
‘Yes, you can,’ Libby insisted. ‘Consider it my contribution to making tonight memorable.’
‘For Pete?’ Scarlett asked, raising an eyebrow.
‘For both of you,’ said Libby. ‘Right… now it’s my turn. Can’t go letting the side down, can I?’
CHAPTER11
PETE
