Page 45 of The Heiress
Mrs. Pritchard showed me where the laundry room was, but admittedly I never listened when she showed me how the washing machines worked. I thought it had been part of the tour of the premises, like the recreation room, the library, the dining hall. I didn’t realize I had to do my own. Embarrassingly, it had been Mya, the freshman, who showed me where to put the detergent and how to set the machine. Most of the girls did their laundry on the weekend, but I hated the thought of my clothes sitting in the hamper fordaysat a time, so I did mine every second day. It was another of my hide-outs. No one bothered me there.
Mastering the dishwasher seemed like a bigger achievement than it actually was, but it was one of those moments when I wanted to text Mom and Dad straight away. Like when you find a cool pair of shoes to buy or get a good grade. I asked Laura if there was anything else I could help with, and she said, “Come with me.”
Laura had told Phoenix to wash up his own breakfast plate, but I wouldn’t have minded waiting and putting it in the dishwasher for him. But Laura swept me upstairs to her bedroom.
“I need some clothing advice,” she said, leading me into her bedroom. It had a romantic country feel to it which was in complete contrast to the plain tones of the rest of the house. The walls were pale lilac and white and her bed cover was a pretty floral design. The light shades were colorful stained glass. Vases of fresh flowers adorned her night stands.
“Oh, this is stunning,” I said.
“My sanctuary,” Laura said. “I like all the pretty things.”
“It’s lovely,” I said, standing at the balcony which overlooked the back end of the tennis court and a paved courtyard. “Does Taylor come over often?” I asked in what I hoped was a casual, just-making-small-talk kind of voice.
“Yes, she’s been over a few times,” Laura said enthusiastically. “She’s been marvelous for Phoe’s confidence.”
Even though I knew they were only friends, that it had likely been Taylor he was speaking to on the phone last night, my heart jolted that she was the one who was helping Phoenix, boosting him, raising him up. I wanted to be the one to do that, but he hadn’t even appreciated that I’d picked up his tennis balls.
“He looked really good out there,” I said, the memory flashing of him in his black shorts and t-shirt so proud as he’d slammed that ball away for a winner—almost like he’d been showing off to me. Feeling my heart rate elevate at the mere thought of it, I quickly clarified my meaning. “His tennis, his tennis shots were really good.”
Laura didn’t seem to notice my inner turmoil. “Taylor’s been instrumental in getting Max back into the game too,” Laura said softly. “It’s so good to see Max back on the court.”
Max?I was suddenly lost, wondering if he’d been in the accident too.
Laura’s breath whooshed out of her in one weary sigh, and she quickly changed the subject. “Now, I need some advice on this.” She led me into her closet and selected a pretty green tiered print dress on a hanger. “What do you think of this? With these boots? Too much?” She pointed to her shoe racks and I perused the rows of shoes, sandals and boots, my eyes immediately drawn to a pair of shorter suede boots with an open toe.
“Maybe these?” I said, picking one up. “They’re not so heavy. And the diamanté heel is so cute.”
“Oh. I haven’t worn those in a long time. Yes, they’re a much better choice.”
“Is this for today?” I asked. “Is the tennis quite fancy? Do I need to change?”
“Oh no,” Laura said with a reassuring smile. “I have to see a client this morning. Then I’ll meet you and Phoenix there. Is that okay?”
“Sure.” I nodded. “So I don’t have to change into the pink gown I bought the other day?”
It warmed my heart to hear Laura’s peal of laughter. “You’d look adorable in it, but we’ll save that for a special occasion,” she said, her eyebrows lifting. “And you look perfect in what you’re wearing. You have such great style.” She cast her eyes over my alpaca-wool blend sweater, soft and cozy with fluted sleeves that I’d bought yesterday.
“Twenty percent off!” I said, and we laughed.
I helped Laura choose a purse too, then went back to my room and put more effort into making my bed, smoothing the cover and positioning the pillows the way they had been when I’d first arrived two days ago.
That’s right, it had been two days since I’d been caught out with my lies, hiding out in a hotel room, my heart closed from my own stubbornness and misguided bitterness. And now I felt like a different person. Less focused on myself.
I was working on my English essay when Laura popped in, looking gorgeous in her green dress and her blond hair sleek and straight.
“Wow!” is all I said, excited to see her face radiant, and not from the makeup, but an inner glow, her eyes brighter, her cheeks a little fuller.
I walked downstairs with her, asking permission to do my laundry. Laura ruffled my hair and said, “Of course you can. But I don’t mind doing it, if you want to leave it in the hamper.”
I shook my head, an ironic thought that this was one of the reasons Mom and Dad had sent me to Covington Prep—to give me the chance to have a normal life—Hey, Mom, I’m doing my own laundry!
Phoenix came out from his room, dressed in a pair of black jeans. Oh, he was wearing a t-shirt too, but I couldn’t seem to see past his legs in the tight pants. Surely an elevated heart rate was extreme in this instance. Laura kissed Phoenix’s cheek and hugged me even though we’d be reuniting in about an hour’s time.
“Thanks for the advice,” Laura called cheerily as she left.
“You look great,” I said with a wave, and I turned back to Phoenix. “It must be an—”
But Phoenix had gone, slipped back into his room I supposed.
