Chapter Twenty-Two
Lilavati
There are so many of us that we have to split up at the upmarket shopping complex Emily chose for our outing today.
Mum tries to insist I go with her and Grandie to Prada, Tommy Bahama and Gucci, but I saw a sign for Johnny Was, which is much more my style.
Under the cover of needing the bathrooms, I disappear and wait till they wander off to make my move.
Moments later, I’m peacefully browsing colourful racks of clothes in a shop Mum wouldn’t be caught dead in.
“That would look amazing with your colouring,” an Australian voice says from behind me.
I spin to find one of the girls from the limo I was in.
Her name is Louise, I think. I must look startled because she continues.
“Don’t worry, I won’t rat you out. I can’t think of anything worse than spending the day with that lot.
” She inclines her strawberry blonde head in the direction the rest of the group went.
“Oh, I, um …” I don’t know who she is or what she’s up to following me here. I internally kick myself for my paranoia. She doesn’t seem to need a response.
“I saw Emily pawing your boyfriend on the dance floor last night. He looked like he was in pain. I know she’s your cousin, but holy crap, that woman is a nightmare.”
“You’re not a friend of hers?” I ask, not knowing whether to trust her.
“No. Not really. I have no idea why I was invited to this circus. You probably don’t remember me. We lived across the road from Emily and her parents. We went to school together. Louise Baker.”
“Oh, that’s right. I remember now.” I vaguely remember a shy kid with braces being around when we visited. “The braces did a good job,” I blurt. My cheeks burn, but Louise just laughs.
“Thank God. Anyway, I think you should try that on.” Her eyes scan the rack beside us. “And maybe this, too.”
I don’t have a lot of friends. And those I do have are just as busy and career focused as me.
I rarely go shopping, and I’ve always low-key disliked it.
But before I know it, Louise has me in a fitting room with a growing pile of outfits.
I think I’ve tried on everything in the shop.
I’m just unbuttoning the last blouse when her face appears between the curtains.
“Oh. My. God. The assistant just unpacked this from a new delivery. You have to try it on. Your boyfriend would lose his mind with you in this.”
It’s short. It’s sheer. There’s colourful embroidery in all the right places. And it’s gorgeous. It’s also way sexier than anything I’ve ever worn in my life. The look on Ant’s face when I shed my dress beside the pool last night flashes through my mind, and my entire body reacts with a shudder.
“Open up. Show me,” demands Louise when I confirm I have it on.
I draw back the curtains, a little shy.
“Argh!” she squeals. “You are …” She makes jazz hands.
“Spectacular,” a woman on her way to the change room next to me says when it’s clear Louise is beyond words.
“Yes. That.” Louise nods and does a little happy dance. “You could wear it tonight on the cruise. Eeek! Emily will be green. Please, please, please buy it.” Louise slaps her hands together in a begging pose; her green eyes glitter with excitement.
I don’t know about Emily being green, but I do know my mother and grandmother would hate it. And Ant would love it. A thought that gives me something akin to a hot flush. And a burst of confidence.
“I don’t know …” I start. And then my phone buzzes.
It’s my mother.
Mum: Where did you get to? I’ve found you some lovely dresses in a little boutique on the corner of level 2. We’re meeting for lunch in 45 minutes, so you’d better hurry
I’m still deciding how to respond when Ant texts a picture of himself looking all kinds of sexy in golf wear, of all things, sitting in a cart next to Warren, towering palm trees and emerald grass stretching out behind them.
Ant: How’s the headache?
My heart does a little pirouette. He’s set me up for my alibi. Bless.
Me: It was alright for a while, but I feel like it’s coming back. I’m so sad, but I don’t think I’ll be able to manage a whole day shopping
Ant: You need to take care of your health. Stay hydrated and head back to the room for a nap. You don’t want to miss the cruise this evening
Me: Good point. Will let you know when I’m on my way back
To my mother I send:
Me: Sorry. I got a bit lost. I’ll meet you at the restaurant. Text me the name
“Well?” says Louise. “Are you going to buy it?”
I look down at myself. Then at the pile of clothes on the chair in the corner.
“I’m going to buy all of it,” I declare, in a move so unlike me I hardly recognise myself.
In the end, I spend so much money that the assistant gifts me a gorgeous pair of earrings to go with the dress.
I pay and ask her to hold the bags. I don’t need my mother going through them and telling me how inappropriate everything is, or insisting I return them.
“I’ll be back after lunch to pick them up.”
Louise and I wander through the centre, towards the restaurant, both keeping an eye out for the enemy.
We pass a surf shop that has a shirt in the window in the same colours as the dress I’ve just bought.
A Hawaiian-style shirt. Ant would love it.
Louise laughs when I tell her how much my mother will hate it. So I buy it.
My new friend and I are the first to arrive at the restaurant. I order a vodka tonic and a bottle of sparkling water to fool Mum and Grandie with. I could say I don’t know what’s come over me. But I do. It’s Ant. And with any luck, he’ll be coming over me again before the day is out.
“I’m going to claim a headache and grab a cab back to the resort after lunch if you want a lift,” I tell Louise, who agrees immediately.
“Pool. Book. Quiet cocktail. Say no more.”
“I don’t remember seeing you at the bridal shower.” If I had, I suspect I would’ve had a better time.
“No. I was interstate for work. Shame.” Louise pulls a faux frowny face, then laughs.
“There you are. Where on earth did you get to?” Grandie says, lowering herself into the chair beside me.
“I couldn’t find the bathrooms, and by the time I got back, you’d all gone,” I lie.
It’s clear from her expression that Grandie hasn’t bought my excuse, but she wastes no time getting down to business.
“I didn’t have the opportunity to speak to your young man last night. I’ve asked Emily to make sure you and he are sitting beside me tonight.”
For crying out loud. It’s a twilight cruise. Are we going to have assigned seating at every meal? Then again, the sooner we get the inquisition over with, the better.
“Of course, Grandie. That would be lovely.” I risk a look at Louise, who knows my grandmother from childhood. She looks like all she needs is a choc-top and a tub of popcorn.
“You certainly seemed to be enjoying yourselves on the dance floor.” Grandie sniffs as she says it, as though she means it as a euphemism for something else. I bite my lip to avoid the dirty smile that’s building.
“We did. I can’t remember the last time I went dancing.”
“Hmm. And is he the reason you wore that very revealing dress last night?” she asks, lips pursed.
“Oh, Lili’s dress. It was gorgeous, wasn’t it?” Louise pipes up. “I’m sure I saw a picture of that Swedish princess, or is she Danish? … what’s her name? … wearing one very similar at a gala last week. The latest edition of Vogue, I think it was.”
Well played, Louise. I could take lessons in handling my family from this girl.