Page 131 of My Year of Saying No
‘Oh. Oh, it is?’
‘Of course.’
‘Oh. Right. Good. That’s good then.’
‘You OK?’
‘Am I OK going to the biggest social event I’ve ever been to in my life, and not knowing hardly anyone? Yep. Fine. Dandy. Perfectamundo.’
‘Now you’re beginning to worry me. Is that even a word?’
‘Of course. No, I’m fine. Honest.’
‘Just let me know as soon as you get there and I’ll come and meet you anyway, OK?’
‘You don’t have to do that.’
‘I want to.’
‘OK. But I mean if you get caught up talking to someone—’
‘Then I’ll have to make my excuses and tell them there’s a very hot date waiting for me. Believe me. They’ll understand.’
I felt my cheeks colour with pleasure a little at his words. ‘Not if it’s one of the women who was planning on bidding on that date with you.’ I said, laughing.
I heard the sigh of relief he let out. ‘Thank god for Harry and his generosity. To be honest, I think an all-expenses-paid luxury weekend at his Paris apartment is going to raise us a lot more money than pizza with some old soldier.’
‘You’re not old. And anyway, I know which I’d rather have.’
‘Paris?’
‘Obviously.’
He laughed, the sound rippling through me and twisting into my stomach to mix with the excitement and nerves already lodged there.
‘Right. I’d better go. I’ll call you when I get there.’
* * *
‘If you just want to wait here, Miss Wentworth, Mr Marshall will be with you shortly.’
‘Thanks,’ I said and grabbed the skirt of my dress, making sure I didn’t end up base over apex before the night had even started. Unlike Jess, I wasn’t used to such high heels, although I did love them. They were accessorising a full length ball gown – another new experience for me and also assisted by Jess who’d basically gone and chosen it for me from a very swanky boutique. She would have even tried it on, had we been similar sizes, but I’d at least managed to do that bit, and she’d then worked her magic in getting the small alterations needed completed in time for the gala. The end result was definitely a different look for someone who spent approximately 70 per cent of her life in pyjamas. I’d snapped a pic at home for Mum and sent it to her. She’d then called me, crying, to say how beautiful I looked and I’d had to cut the call short before she set me off and ruined the make-up I’d paid a fortune to have done in between trying to get everything else done today.
A shrill scream pierced the air and two of the security guards turned, bodies tensed. Slightly embarrassed, I gave them a little wave, pointed to Jess, made a little ‘what can you do’ face and got swept into Jess’ arms.
‘Oh my god!!!!’ she screamed. I could practically see all the exclamation marks dancing around our heads. ‘You look bloody amazing!’
‘Umm, thanks. You look gorgeous, of course. As always!’ I turned her round and admired the tiny sparkling Swarvoski crystals in the back of her hair as they sent darts of light out like little fireflies each time she moved. ‘Your hair looks beautiful.’
‘Do you like it?’ she swished a bit more. ‘I’m sort of trying it out for the wedding. I was thinking if I had this like under the veil, then I…’ She drifted off when she realised my attention had also drifted off.
Harry stepped forward, said hello and kissed me on the cheek and I think said something about how lovely I looked, which I nodded at, trying to focus and not be entirely rude despite the fact I was no longer really listening.
‘We’ll catch up with you in a bit,’ he said, taking Jess’ hand and leading her away. She turned and widened her eyes, as she gestured with her head before blowing me a kiss with a huge grin on her face.
* * *
Seb stepped forward and I tried to remember the last time I had ever seen someone look this good. In full black tie with a perfectly fitted suit – this was definitely not an off-the-peg job – he looked better than even I could have imagined, which was saying something. I surreptitiously checked that my jaw hadn’t physically dropped as much as it had mentally. This was the first time I’d seen Seb in anything other than casual clothes and, well, let’s just say he definitely made it work. Judging by some of the looks I now saw being directed his way, I wasn’t the only one to think so. Right, so now I just needed to be as calm and smooth and classy as those other women.
