Chapter 20
Twenty
Ifight off a yawn as my alarm goes off Wednesday morning and sleepwalk from my room to the coffee pot.
Opening the drawer below the machine, I pull out the first pod my hands come into contact with, shove it into the machine, and press the button.
It hums to life with the happy sound of water beginning to boil.
I yawn again and close my eyes. I put in another late night last night. It’s one thing to sketch a design on paper, but once you begin cutting a pattern and fabricating the dress, problems arise you might never have thought of. Especially when your client adds a request you didn’t anticipate.
Take yesterday’s problem. For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out where or how to add a pocket to my design without making the dress appear bulky.
I spent hours playing around with my muslin mockup before finally deciding to create an opening near the right hip that could be hidden by the dress’s belt.
The trick is to use the tulle underlayer as the pocket’s lining.
By the time I cleaned up and finally arrived home, it was near eleven.
I’m expected back at the atelier this morning at eight.
Which would’ve been fine, except I didn’t fall asleep until two.
I couldn’t get my mind to quiet itself. It’s now just half six.
Sam and I have a chat scheduled in five minutes.
Suddenly, a splashing noise causes me to open my eyes. “Oh crud,” I mutter, scrambling to turn off my coffee machine and grab a sponge. I’ve forgotten to put a cup under the machine and now my coffee is in one giant puddle all over the ground. “So that’s the type of day it’s going to be.”
Using my limited time, I quickly wipe up as much as I can before grabbing my phone and calling Sam.
When he picks up, his voice is chipper, despite his ragged appearance. “Good morning, Min.” He’s started to let his hair grow out and has also begun to grow a beard. I’m not too fond of the scruffy look—it takes away from his handsome jawline. But it’s his choice, not mine.
“Hi.” I half-heartedly wave.
“What’s in store for you today? Did you sort out the pocket problem?” He sips on his own morning coffee, popping his riding helmet onto his bed.
“I did. It hit me late to use the lining of the skirt as the pocket.”
“I knew you’d solve the problem!” He grins, but it doesn’t fully reach his eyes. There are more lines than I’ve noticed in the past.
My eyes narrow. “Another late night for you too?”
He nods.
“Please tell me you got at least a few hours of uninterrupted shut-eye.”
“Um . . .” He tugs at the collar of his shirt.
“Sam, this isn’t good for you.” I rub my forehead. “Taking off one evening isn’t going to hurt your chances.”
“It’s not that simple, Min. I need all the time I can get to catch up.”
“I disagree. Your health should come first. Period.” I swallow hard, frustrated at what I’m about to suggest. We were supposed to have a long-overdue date. “What about this: Instead of us meeting for dinner at the pub tonight, what if you used the time to go to bed early.”
“But, Min, I want to see you.”
“You will.” I chew on my lip. “It just might not be in person. How about we plan a video chat for seven, then you are in bed by seven fifteen.”
He stares at me for a few moments. I can tell he’s fighting an internal battle. “Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
His Adam’s apple bobs up and down. “Min, thank you.”
We say goodbye to one another. I lean against the kitchen counter, wishing Sam would take better care of himself, then proceed to clean up the mess and start my day.
It’s Friday. Sam and I were never able to do our chat earlier this week.
He ended up falling asleep at five, when he’d finished his duties for the day, and slept straight through until five the next morning.
I knew he needed the rest. I don’t hold missing out on our virtual date against him.
Especially when he sent me a gorgeous bouquet of hydrangeas as an apology.
Knowing he’s at Horse Guards today, I make an effort to wake up early and get a head start on work at Clarissa’s. I take an early lunch to swing by the grounds. Call it a fool’s errand since I’ll see him for all of two minutes, but I think it’s worth it.
When I arrive, however, I’m late. It’s five after eleven.
I’ve been caught unaware in a downpour, and it’s taken me longer than normal to walk here from the Tube station.
I’m soaked through, but it won’t stop me from securing a spot behind the white line in my favorite corner next to John, the SearchTube live-streamer I’ve gotten to know over my last few visits.
He’s here every day at opening and keeps a running list of the names of the horses on duty by tracking their hoof numbers.
“Hiya, Min. You poor dear! Here.” He hands me his oversized golf umbrella. “Take this.”
“Hi, John. That’s kind of you, but I don’t want your camera to get ruined. I’m already wet. A little more rain won’t hurt me.”
“It’s no matter. I have another one in my pocket.” On cue, he wiggles a travel-sized umbrella free from the pouch of his raincoat and pops it open. “You’re just in time for the Blues to ride through.”
“You’re sure? I was worried I might’ve missed them.”
“Positive. In fact, I can hear them now.” He holds up his camera and presses Record. I stay quiet as he narrates.
There’s a clip-clop noise and a parade of horses appears from the tunnel and waits for the stable doors to be opened. Even in the rain, the riders sit tall as if it’s a sunny day. I squint and look for Sam. Is he in this group?
“In the back,” John whispers. “Your man is riding one of the newer horses, named Valiant, this morning.”
I turn my head. I should’ve realized he’d be the only soldier with a beard. Scooting as far forward to the edge of the line as I can, just as the line of horses begins to move, I say, “Green eggs and ham!”
His head shifts my direction. He sees me and his eyes light up.
He mouths, Fashion Guru, to me before riding inside to the warm stables.
Just like that, it’s over. He’ll be on duty all weekend.
The next time I’ll see him will be during our video chat on Monday.
Unless he texts me. But lately, he’s been too busy.
Tourists begin rushing around the yard to the horse boxes to snag a few photos before fleeing the rain.
“Thanks, John. Just a question. How did you pick out the name of the horse so quickly?”
“Oh, Valient’s blaze is off center. Once you’ve seen as many horses as I have, when you see a marking like his, it’s hard to forget.”
“Good to know.”
“Will you be here tomorrow?” he asks.
“Probably not, I’m working all day. Saturdays are busy.”
“Do you ever get a day off?”
“Sundays.” I shiver. The cold is beginning to seep into my clothing.
He shakes his head. “You’re a dedicated lass. I hope your young man appreciates how often you’re here. Will you be back Monday?”
“If I can arrange it around my work schedule again.”
“I’ll see you then.”
“Here’s your umbrella.”
John waves me off. “Keep it until Monday.”
We chat a moment longer, then head our separate ways. With squishy shoes, I begin the long trek back to the Tube stop and back to Bond Street.
Mr. G takes one look at me on Saturday and sends me home. I spend the entire weekend sick in bed. I manage to make it into the atelier on Monday, but Sonya sends me home after finding me asleep in my office.
“Don’t come back until Wednesday. This is a marathon project, not a sprint. Both Clarissa and I understand how dedicated you are, Minerva, but it’s okay to take some time off to heal up. Your team are experts. Trust them,” she instructs me.
I open my mouth to protest, but I have no voice. It’s then and there I know I have no alternative but to listen to what they’re telling me and go home and rest—ironically, what I’ve told Sam. I reach my flat and climb into my bed for a nap that lasts twelve hours.
When I awake, I have a few missed texts from Liz.
Liz
Are you feeling any better, Min?
Liz
Are you alive? You haven’t answered me in like three hours. That isn’t normal for you.
Liz
I’m coming over when I get off work. I hope you’re at least dressed.
I snigger at this. I’m always dressed in at least pajamas.
Liz
Stopped by, but you were passed out of it. I stopped by Sainsbury and did the shopping that was on your list. You can thank me later. Text me when you wake.
Min
Sorry I missed you.
Liz
She’s alive! Feeling better?
Min
Much. I guess my body really needed sleep.
Liz
Dur.
Min
I know.
Liz
If you’re feeling up for it, I’ll swing by with some hot soup and grilled cheese when I get off. We can have a girls’ night in and watch a film or Project Catwalk until you fall asleep. I’ll even let you pick.
Min
Gee, thanks. Even though it is my turn.
We decide on six. Stretching, I climb out of my bed and hop into the shower. Once I’m feeling clean and more myself again, I rummage through the fridge and heat up a plain bagel to go with a cup of Earl Grey.
As I eat, it takes me just under an hour to clear out my email inbox and call my parents. I missed our normal call window on Sunday. What surprises me, however, is that I have no texts, voicemails, or missed video chat alerts from Sam.
“We were supposed to talk Monday,” I say aloud, checking my calendar to confirm I had the date right. My head is still a little fuzzy. Today is Tuesday.
I frown. It’s not like him to forget, but I’m beginning to grow weary of always being the one to initiate the conversations.
On a whim, I tap his name and video call him. It’s around ten thirty. When it keeps ringing, I’ll decide I’ll leave him a voicemail. But that plan never comes to fruition because he finally picks up.
“Hi, Min, good timing. I’m just running over to the food hall for lunch,” he says, holding the phone in front of him. I see a few horses in the back as he leaves the stables.
“Hi,” I croak. I may feel better, but my voice isn’t fully back.