Page 127 of Save You
I study her thoughtfully.“What’s wrong?”I ask.
Ember only hesitates a moment.“I really wish I could do an internship at a firm that makes ethical, eco-friendly, and stylish plus-size clothes,” she explains in the end.“The trouble is, it’s really hard to find anything that ticks all those boxes.So I guess I’ll just have to apply to anyone that’s offering anything.But it doesn’t seem like there’s much point working for people who don’t even make clothes in my size.D’you see what I mean?”
I nod.“Yes, but work experience is important.And you’d be able to see what they do and figure out how you’re going to do things differently one day.”
“But I feel really uncomfortable about it.”She sighs.“I keep asking myself, should I trust my gut instinct, if it’s telling me not to go there?”
“It might just be nerves.Remember how many good people have your back.Your blog has so many readers.They all believe in you and your vision.”
“That’s sweet of you.”
“I’m not just saying it to be sweet.I mean it.I’m one hundred percent certain you’re going to start your own fashion empire one day, and get off to a flying start.”
Ember grins from ear to ear—mask or no mask, I can tell by her sparkling eyes.
“During the holidays, we can make a list of possible companies, maybe?”I suggest, running my brush over the inside of the rack.
“That’s a great idea.I’ve made a start because I’ve been wanting to put together a guide to ethical plus-size fashion.”
I’m about to tell her it’s a plan when there’s a knock on the garage’s side door.
“Ruby?”
Ember and I freeze.We can’t let Mum see what we’re doing here.She is absolutely incapable of keeping a secret, especially when it comes to presents for Dad.We’ve experienced that more than once over the years.
“Don’t come in!”Ember yells in alarm, taking a hasty step in front of the spice rack so that Mum wouldn’t be able to see it if she stuck her head around the door.
“I wasn’t going to,” she says, her voice muffled.“Ruby, you’ve got a visitor.”
Ember and I look at each other in confusion.
“Lin?”she asks.
I shake my head.“No, she’s spending the holidays in China with her mum, visiting family out there.”
Ember’s eyes widen.“Do you think it’s…?”She doesn’t say his name, but my heart still skips a beat.
“Who is it, Mum?”I call.
“Any chance you could come out?I have no desire to have a conversation through the door.”
I roll my eyes and pull one loop of the face mask off my ear so that it partially hangs down, making me feel like a surgeon taking a break in the middle of a major operation.I open the door a crack and squeeze out.Mum looks at me and the mask with raised eyebrows, and I spot her standing on tiptoes in an attempt to peek round the door.I hastily shut it behind me.
“Who is it?”I ask quietly.
In an instant, Mum’s face is serious again.“It’s the Beaufort girl.”
My heart plummets.I’ve got déjà vu for the evening when Lydia came here looking for James.Surely there can’t have been another disaster.
Not again.Please, not again.
“Where is she?”I ask.
Mum nods toward the hall.“In the living room.Your dad and I are in the kitchen if you need us.”
I nod and take the mask off completely.I walk down the hall toward the living room with cautious steps.This time, I’m bracing myself, Ember’s wise words still fresh in my memory.
Lydia is sitting on our old, flowery sofa, her hands clasped in her lap, her eyes fixed on the coffee table.She’s wearing a loose, floaty chiffon blouse with a black pleated skirt, and her hair is in a ponytail, as usual.Not a strand is out of place.As ever, Lydia gives the impression of having everything perfectly under control.
