Page 28 of Knowing You
Kath nods.
‘You’re always telling me you wished many of your patients had thought to look after their health when they were young. Just think of it as a reboot – the old Violet needed an update, that’s all. And I’m sure she can still beat you at Scrabble.’
We play the game accompanied by a plate of biscuits, although I can’t face eating after reading those messages. A ball of heat still glowers in my chest. How dare Lenny.
Even Kath’s appetite is off and she looks more tired than normal. On Monday, she has an appointment to see the doctor. Her painkillers aren’t doing much for her arthritic pain and she has trouble picking up the Scrabble letters. She needs an extra lift. So I do what I’d never done before: let her win on purpose.
After walking Kath up to her room, I return to my flat. I put on a new top which is low cut, I brush my highlighted hair and apply make-up like the assistant in Boots showed me. I stand under the standard lamp to take a photo. It’s a trick I found online. I switch my phone’s camera to selfie mode and take about twenty different photos.
Finally I find one I like. It includes cleavage but has an air of professionalism and emphasises my cheekbones. I like to think I look serious but approachable. My stomach flutters as I notice the shadow of my collar bone that has never been visible before. The lamp’s light gives my highlights a Fifties movie starlet feel and the lipstick accentuates my mouth. Yesterday I had my contact lenses appointment. I’m allowed to wear them for a few hours every day, to start. They’ll be ideal for a night out with Casey Wilde.
I go into Instagram and put the photo through different filters. I hardly recognise myself by the time I’ve finished. I share it with my followers and immediately start getting likes. I’m surprised what a boost that gives me, as if I’ve had a sip of the headiest champagne. I block Lenny and Beatrix’s accounts before coming off. I want my new appearance to be a total surprise.
I return to the sofa, flip open my laptop and go into Outlook. The ball of heat in my chest ignites again.Looks aren’t everything? I load the new photo as my email signature, and write Violet Vaughan, Editor, Thoth Publishing. Punching at the keys, I start to type.
Chapter 12
Dear Violet Vaughan,
Thanks so much for your email. I’m delighted that you enjoyed Alien Hearts. More than that, I’m extremely grateful that you sent me my very first piece of fan mail. Let me assure you it will be duly printed out and framed. ? Really, I’m thrilled that my work made you cry and realise I have possibly the only job in the world where saying that is acceptable. After years of rejections, I still can’t get used to people in the industry saying I’ve done a good job.
However, I am surprised your friend Lenny gave you a copy to read and revealed my gender identity which is currently Top Secret – I’m aware that makes me sound like the biggest idiot. I’m just worried readers may not take the book seriously if they know I’m a man – although my agent tries to reassure me that I don’t need to worry about that.
As you wish, I won’t mention that you’ve emailed to Lenny – or to the agency. I agree, from what I know of him, that he was probably just being overenthusiastic and I wouldn’t want him to get into trouble either.
Oh, by the way – your photo looks kind of familiar. Have we met before?
Thanks again.
Yours truly,
Casey Wilde
Heart pounding, I lean back in the sofa. He responded quickly. On first reading it, I feel an inexplicable anxiety and can’t face my morning plateful of fruit. But then I take a step back and tell myself I can deal with flirting. I stop overthinking and light-heartedly email back. It doesn’t come naturally and I try to give my words a tone that matches the filtered photo in my email signature. As for him thinking he recognised me, this is good. It means I must look more like other young women and don’t stand out anymore.
Dear Casey,
I’m moved to tears at the prospect of my words framed and hanging in your house. Thank you. It’s truly an honour. ? But seriously, Alien Hearts is unique. Bold. Romantic. Gripping. Emotional.
I wonder if I may tempt you with an invitation to meet up. I’m so excited about your writing and would love to discuss your methodology and how you researched. And I know a lovely coffee house next door to a vintage bookshop. Perhaps I could meet you there one day after work.
Yours equally truly,
Violet Vaughan
I hug the laptop to my chest, as if it’s a best friend. This is fun. I get up to take a shower. Will he bother to reply? I’m almost in my bedroom when an email landing in my inbox pings. I hurry back to the sofa.
Dear Violet,
That would be great. Meeting a fan will be good practise for when I undoubtedly become a household name. (I hope you realise I jest!) Jokes aside, I appreciate your kind words. But I drink more than enough coffee during the day – how about cocktails?
Yours,
Casey
Of course. The suggestion of a cafe next to a bookshop is too like the old me. I don’t want to appear ignorant and think hard of a cocktail bar I can suggest. They aren’t the kind of place I visit often, but one comes to mind. Months ago I went with Farah. We’d been chatting about the fact that she didn’t drink and I didn’t much either, so we found a place called The Olive Bar where the mocktail menu was wide-ranging, including a lavender spritzer and virgin ginger mimosa.
Dear Casey,
