Chapter 24 NANCY
THE DELICIOUS SMELL OF PASTRY COOKING greeted me as I leaned against the door, letting it take my weight. Mum was bustling about tidying even though the place looked spotless. After a few moments, she saw me.
“Happy birthday, love!” She came over and pulled me into a hug. “You’re back early.”
“We were given the afternoon off.”
“You okay? Your eyes look red?”
“One too many mojitos.” I looked away and walked to the fridge, gripping my hands to hide the residual shake.
“I’d better hydrate before going out.” I twisted the cap off a bottle of Evian and gulped back the water, grateful for the pleasant coolness covering the lingering sensation of a chokehold.
That attack was so much worse than I remembered.
“And make sure you eat too. I’m cooking up some finger food. I know what you four are like when you get together.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to come tonight? We could have a dance together.”
She laughed, continuing to wiping the cloth in circles. “No, honestly, love, it’s not my scene, and, as Jem and Taio are out, Sade’s invited me over for cocktails.”
“How civilised. Will you check on the flat while you’re there?”
“Yeah, Monsieur DuPont called to say it was almost ready, and we should be able to move back in tomorrow.”
“So…DuPont’s got your digits.” I smirked at her, happy to divert my thoughts.
“Nancy, Monsieur DuPont is a very charming man and not my type.”
“You mean he propositioned you?” The face I pulled had her huffing.
“I am not having this conversation with my daughter, thank you very much.” She began to fan out some magazines. “Anyway, I was saying that I’ve packed my stuff, and I’m going to stay over at Sade’s so I can go straight there in the morning.”
“Yeah? I guess that makes sense.”
“So, you’ll have the apartment to yourself tonight if you…want someone to stay.”
“Mum! Ugh!”
“Just saying, love. Alex’s been over every evening this week, but he hasn’t stayed, and if that was for my benefit, you won’t need to worry tonight.”
“Stop talking, please! I’m not having this conversation on my birthday.” I stalked to the sofa.
“Oh, that reminds me,” Mum said airily, and went to her bedroom, returning a minute later with a neatly wrapped present. “I got you this.”
My grimace became a grin. “What did you get me?” I tore the sparkly paper, revealing a necklace box.
“I saw it on the way to work the other week, and it made me think of you.”
Inside lay a flying dove pendant, shaped from twisted gold threads and attached at each end by a delicate chain. “I love it!”
“It reminded me of your tattoo. You always said you liked doves. They mean peace, right?”
“And new beginnings,” I whispered. “Help me with it. I want to wear it now.” I pulled back my hair so she could attach the small clasp, then checked myself in the mirror. “It’s perfect. Thank you.” I planted a kiss on her cheek.
“I’m glad you like it; it suits you.”
I continued to examine the pendant in the mirror, but a deep tiredness had begun to creep in. “If you don’t mind, I’m gonna lie down for a bit.”
“Of course. You sure you’re alright?”
“Yeah, I just need a rest. I’ll set an alarm for five so there’s time to shower and get ready.”
“When are your mates coming over?”
“Six. When do you need to head off?”
“Not till eightish, so we can all enjoy a drink together.”
“Sounds perfect.” I closed the bedroom door and turned to find Alex’s gift hanging in the walk-in wardrobe.
It was a gorgeous black minidress decorated with sunshine yellow and sunset orange floral prints.
Inside, I found the Prada label. Dear god, how much did this cost?
I hunted for a price tag, but instead found a note.
I’d love to see you in this. There are heels on the rack.
Happy birthday, bella donna x
I smiled at Alex’s neat handwriting, not in the least bit surprised he’d noted my dress and shoe size, and went to the rack, which was bare except for a pair of summer-yellow Jimmy Choo strappy heels with a thoughtful pack of Party Feet tucked inside.
Too shattered to comprehend the lavish gifts, I backed out of the closet, stifling a yawn, and crawled on top of the duvet, just about managing to set an alarm before collapsing.
I woke with a start to Louis’ trumpet and Ella singing of dreams. With my eyes still half-closed, I stripped out of my suit and plodded to the bathroom.
The huge showerhead above the wet room gently rinsed me with warm rain for the next twenty minutes until I felt alive again. Shaved and shimmering, I got ready.
I’d splurged on some negligee from Victoria’s Secret as a first month’s pay/birthday present for myself. Thankfully, the shop assistant was also curvy and knew exactly the right balance between supportive and downright sexy.
Next, I styled my hair and makeup big and bold for an evening of dim lights and dancing: dusky-gold shadow, long black lashes, glossy peach lips, and a bright yellow headband to keep my fro in check.
With the addition of a few pins and a little gold glitter, I checked the ensemble out in the full-length mirror. Snatched!
The dress was cute and summery. Perfectly timed for the beginning of June.
Gathered shoulders plunged front and back as far down as my cleavage, and below, a belt hugged my waist, cinching the short, airy skirt into my figure so the flowing crêpe skimmed the widest part of my hips.
There was just enough fabric to keep it classy.
The cut showed off my new necklace, and I added matching gold hoops and a heart nose stud to finish.
Mum made me model my outfit up and down the long room like a runway. “You’re stunning, love!”
I beamed at her as the buzzer rang and skipped to the monitor. “Hello?”
“Wagwan! We brought the birthday party to you!” AJ moved in close to the camera, causing me to step back, laughing.
“Come up! We’re on the top floor.” I opened the door and waited for my friends. They stumbled out of the lift in a fit of laughter, then whooped when they saw me.
“Happy birthday, li’l sis!” Jemima scooted in for a hug, her braids twisted into an updo, showing off her D you’re owning it.”
“Why, thank you.” I framed my face in mock Vogue.
Kim laughed, then proudly held out a bottle of Kylie Minogue Prosecco Rosé. “I brought bubbles!”
“Perfect, I’ll put it in the wine cooler.”
“Wine cooler?” Kim stepped into the penthouse and stopped beside Jemima and AJ, who were gawking at the obscene luxury.
“Shit a brick,” Jemima managed.
“This is where you’re living?” AJ looked around, stunned.
“Yeah, it’s weird, innit?” I laughed self-consciously. We were far from home—figuratively, if not literally.
Kim turned to me. “Who the hell are you dating, Nancy?”
Mum caught my sheepish expression. “Let’s open a bottle, birthday girl. We can all have a drink and chat.”
Two hours later, we’d finished a couple of bottles of Bollinger while Kim, Jemima, and AJ reacted in astonishment at the news that I was dating a famous aristocrat.
Jemima had worked out how to use the surround sound system and was dancing to some pop tracks while AJ spun Mum in his arms as she shrieked.
Kim had just finished painting my nails summer yellow to match my outfit.
One of the many perks of having a beautician for a best friend.
“It’s almost eight. We should wait outside for Alex and William.”
“About William?” Kim asked, packing away her kit. “You haven’t said much about him.”
“I’ve not met him,” I said absentmindedly and saw Kim’s dismayed expression. “It’s fine, Kim; he’s Alex’s brother.”
She pulled out her phone. “I’m looking him up.”
“Kim!”
“I knew I shouldn’t have agreed to a blind date.” She tapped at the keyboard. “Knowing my luck, he’ll be some messy-haired toff who can’t keep his hands to himsel—” She paused for a long moment, then pressed standby, and slid the phone into her bag.
Jemima came over, pulling on her jacket. “So, what does he look like?”
“He’s alright.” Kim shrugged, poker-faced. “Apparently, he’s a fashion photographer.”
I popped the cushions into the balls of my heels and strapped myself in. “Yeah? Well, he can take some super cute pics of us ladies then…and AJ, of course.” I pinched his cheek, and he put his arm around my waist.
“Where’s my bag?” Jemima looked about while she downed the rest of her champagne.
“Where you left it.” Kim gave her a wry smile.
“Here you go, putus.” AJ handed Jemima her clutch with an eye roll, then gathered her in his other arm.
I kissed Mum goodbye as we hurried out the door and into the lift. Outside the front, we were greeted by the outrageous sight of a gleaming black and chrome Range Rover stretch limousine.
“Shhhit!” AJ hollered.
“Damn, girl!” Jemima gawked.
“That’s some Uber,” Kim sniggered.
“Oh my god,” I mumbled wide-eyed, partly at the transport and partly at Alex, who was leaning against the car with a younger guy I guessed was his brother. He wore a sinfully tight polo shirt and jeans with a plain black baseball cap. It was his most ‘urban’ outfit yet.
“You look gorgeous,” he said, interlinking our fingers and pulling me in for a kiss.