Page 39 of Clara's Secret Garden
Standing there, staring at the defeat on my face, I feel hollowedout inside. I want to sob my heart out, but I know I can’t. Not now.
I should have known that when Rory fell for someone, itwould be a gorgeous girl likeLois, with her feisty personality,confidence and startling beauty.
I need to go out there and look as if I’m over the moon forthem. Nothing short of an Oscar-winning performance will do. So I take a deepbreath and perfect my smile in the mirror.
Then I go out and act so happy, I almost start believing itmyself...
*****
After a while, the party starts to break up. Gran’sfriends are anxious that she should get some rest, but they leave promising tocome back next day.
‘Right, we should be going, too.’ Lois smiles at Rory. ‘Ineed at least three hours to get ready for our date tonight.’
‘But you look perfectly gorgeous as you are.’ He reaches outand gently tucks a loose blonde strand behind her ear. ‘The trick is to knowwhen to leave a work of art alone.’
I stare at the back of Rory’s head in disbelief. As long asI’ve known him, he’s never once acted all mushy like that. But I suppose lovewill do that to you.
‘Ha! Well, if you think I won’t be doing the full spa ritualat home first, you’re seriously deluded,’ quips Lois.
Giggling like a schoolgirl, she turns to Gran, giving her a quickkiss on the cheek. ‘Right. Bye, Paula.’
Rory ushers Lois out. ‘After you.’
‘No, after you.’ She flutters her false eyelashes.
He grins. ‘No, really, after you. Ladies first.’
‘Aw, that’s so cute.’
I almost laugh. The urge to do a vomiting mime is fairlystrong, but I manage to resist. Bitterness is not an attractive quality.
‘Well,’ says Gran after they’ve gone.
‘Hmm.’
‘They seem happy.’
‘They do, don’t they?’
‘She probably deserves a fling to cheer her up after thatawful business with Ronnie.’
‘Do you think it might be just a fling, then?’
She frowns. ‘Who knows. I just hope that lovely man realiseswhat he’s letting himself in for. Does he have bags of money?’
I burst out laughing. ‘Gran!’
‘Well, it’s true that our Lois likes her luxuries. Or more particularly,a man who can afford tokeepher in luxury!’
‘That’s true.’
I’m reluctant to leave Gran but I know she probably needs arest, so I prepare to go, telling her I’ll be back later to make sure she’sokay.
She pats my cheek. ‘Stop worrying about me. I’ll be fine.’
‘I know you will be, because you’re going to be reallycareful with your diet and you’re not going to do anything too tiring, okay?’
Gran salutes with a grin. ‘Yes, Miss.’
