Fifteen minutes later they pitched up at the Caracove Bay hair salon.
‘Hello, Lexie!’
‘Hi, Shelly,’ Lexie answered. ‘Are you ready to make Kathleen and me look like movie stars?’
‘I certainly am,’ she said. ‘As it’s a special occasion I’m putting you both into the private room upstairs.’
‘Really?’
‘Follow me,’ Shelly instructed. ‘This is where we do all the graduation girls, brides and hen nights. It’s a self-contained salon where you can have a little glass of bubbly and chat without anybody interfering. I’ll be looking after you, with Kaylee, so it’ll be fun.’
‘Super! Is it feasible for us to take the room when there’s only Kathleen and me?’ Lexie asked.
‘Sure it’ll be fine,’ Shelly said.
‘After you,’ Kathleen said, as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
Lexie ran up and opened the door at the top.
‘Surprise!’
‘Oh, my God! I wasn’t expecting this,’ Lexie said, nearly falling backwards. There, looking thrilled with themselves, were her mother, Maia, Dee, Amélie, Agata and little Britta.
‘Did you know about this?’ Lexie asked Kathleen.
‘I arranged it.’
‘Thank you!’
‘I didn’t know what to give you as a present so I thought I’d do something you’d remember.’
‘You’re so kind,’ Lexie said, glassy-eyed.
‘Not only are we having our hair done, but I’ve booked a makeup lady too,’ Kathleen said proudly. ‘She does lots of TV makeup and she sounded lovely over the phone.’
‘Brilliant!’ Lexie rushed to kiss everyone.
‘I’m having GHD curls and I’m going to ask the makeup lady to put on these.’ Amélie held out the craziest pair of false eyelashes Lexie had ever seen.
‘Amélie! How are you going to see through those electric-blue feathers?’ Lexie laughed.
‘Aren’t they mint-bomb?’
‘I love them,’ Kathleen said. ‘If I was fifty years younger I’d wear them too.’
‘Why don’t you get some extra-long luscious lashes?’ Amélie asked, with one eyebrow raised.
‘I might just do that.’ Kathleen giggled.
Maia handed Lexie a lurid pink bathrobe and feather boa.
‘It’s my birthday, not my hen night,’ Lexie remonstrated.
‘Stop nit-picking,’ Maia said. ‘You wouldn’t allow me do any of this when you got married so I’m doing it now. I’m feeling quite calm at the moment but I could turn on you at any second, so don’t annoy me.’
‘Okay, crazy lady, I’ll wear it all.’
‘And you have to let me take photos of you and put them on Facebook,’ she continued.
‘What?’ Lexie looked stricken. ‘But I thought you hated Facebook!’
‘I’ve become obsessed with it lately. It’s like a drug. Seeing as I can’t drink wine in the evenings I’ve started messing around on my computer. I was buying loads of baby things on-line, but figured Josh and I would be broke by the time I give birth, so I’ve substituted Facebook.’ She sighed.
‘That’s healthy.’ Lexie rolled her eyes.
‘It’s shameful but I can’t help it. I’m not downloading the app on my phone or I won’t do any work. I’ve become so nosy. I think of people from way back when and start trying to find them. I’ve got over three hundred friends already.’
Lexie laughed. ‘I never go near it, but maybe I’m missing out.’
‘Oh, you are! Please join and then at least I can converse with you. If I’m sharing too much information you can call me and tell me to stop. I don’t trust myself any longer.’
Penelope and Agata went first as there were only two basins in the room. The others sat on the shocking pink sofas and admired the pony-print laminated table.
‘This place is sick!’ Amélie said, as she bounced baby Britta on her lap.
‘Doncha just love it?’ Shelly asked. ‘I would actually live here if my husband didn’t object. I put in all the décor I’m not allowed have at home.’
‘When I get my own place it’s soooo going to be like this,’ Amélie vowed.
Agata decided to have her hair straightened and Penelope opted for an up-style. A tray of drinks arrived, with a three-tiered stand of divine cupcakes. Decorated in pastel colours, they looked almost too good to eat. ‘They come with love and compliments of Ramona from the café,’ Shelly said.
A little envelope was tucked into the cakes. ‘Aw,’ said Lexie. ‘She’s written, “Happy birthday to one of my best and favourite customers. See you this evening, love Ramona.”’
‘How lovely,’ Penelope exclaimed.
‘She’s a doll,’ said Kathleen. ‘I asked her to do them for me and she insisted on giving them as her pressie.’
By the time they’d all had their hair done, the makeup lady arrived.
‘Hi, all, I’m Cat and I’m here to make you even more beautiful.’
‘As long as she doesn’t make us look like she does, I’ll be happy,’ Penelope hissed to Lexie.
‘Shush, Mum! She’ll hear you.’
Cat had bright violet bobbed hair and looked as if baby Britta had got at her with a packet of face paints. Her eyelids were coloured with stripes of fluorescent pink and black, her skin was Sudocrem pale and, the pièce de résistance, her lips were blue.
‘So, who’s first, then?’ she asked, popping some bubble gum into her mouth.
‘Me!’ Amélie jumped up and went to sit at a mirrored dressing table.
‘At least she’s enthusiastic,’ Dee whispered to Lexie.
‘I couldn’t agree more,’ Lexie said. ‘Although I’d prefer her not to look like a drag queen when Cat’s finished with her.’
‘I’m loving your eye shadow,’ Maia said. ‘Can you do mine like yours?’ Lexie had to stifle her giggles as her friend started rooting through Cat’s selection.
‘Maia,’ Lexie whispered, ‘I don’t think those are your colours.’
‘Exactly.’ Maia winked. ‘I’m milking this pregnancy thing. I’ll have a few more months of madness while I can.’
They were all pleasantly surprised by the wonderful job Cat did.
‘We look like models,’ Kathleen said. ‘Would you mind taking a group photo?’ Cat agreed readily.
As they all left, Penelope reminded them of the party’s arrival time. ‘So we’ll see you there at seven thirty,’ she said. ‘On the dot, please.’
Lexie grinned. Her mother was never going to change. She’d always be a fusspot but, for some reason, Lexie didn’t find that as annoying as she used to.
Maybe on hitting forty she was learning some tolerance …
Chapter 49
As Kathleen, Britta, Agata, Lexie and Maia walked back towards Cashel Square, they chatted amicably.
‘That was such fun, Kathleen. Thank you so much,’ Lexie said.
‘You’re welcome. I enjoyed it too. Nothing like a bit of girly time to lift the spirits.’
‘I’m delighted to have a day without the boys,’ Maia agreed. ‘I love them dearly but there’s only so much I can take of car noises and digging in the sand pit.’
Lexie put her arm through Maia’s. ‘I’m glad you’re honest about motherhood,’ she said. ‘You don’t act like a Mary Poppins style Mum when I know you’re not.’
‘Josh and I are a perfect match,’ she said. ‘He has the patience of a saint and loves nothing more than wiling away the hours at Calvin’s pace. He’s doing potty training with him at the moment and I can’t get over how encouraging he is.’
‘Calvin’s doing so well,’ Lexie said. ‘But I’m guessing it would be great to have him out of nappies when the baby comes.’
‘The carer at the centre we take Calvin to from time to time was really impressed. She said it obviously varies but that he’s pretty young to be almost trained, considering he has DS.’
‘All children differ, of course,’ Agata sai
d, ‘but you and Josh are a great team. Calvin is lucky to have you as parents.’
‘Thanks, Agata,’ Maia said, as her eyes filled with tears. ‘Every now and again it’s lovely to hear I’m doing something right.’
Lexie laughed.
‘What’s so funny?’ Maia shot back.
‘You! Sorry, honey, I shouldn’t laugh but you really are a looney! One minute you’re like a Rottweiler, the next you’re Mrs Sincere and then you’re blubbing.’
‘Yeah.’ She sighed. ‘Being pregnant is a crazy bat-shit thing, my friend.’
‘Will we have a snack and some tea?’ Lexie suggested, as they arrived at the house.
‘Sounds lovely, but we don’t want to impose,’ Agata said.
‘You’re not at all.’
Britta had fallen asleep in her buggy, so Lexie wheeled her into the sitting room. The inky sky rumbled menacingly as they sat down.
‘What an awful day,’ Lexie said, her hands on her hips. ‘Hey!’ She jumped as Sam appeared behind her. ‘Are you creeping up on us?’
‘No, I live here.’
‘What are you up to? You look guilty,’ Lexie said.
‘You do, actually,’ Maia agreed.
‘None of your business, either of you,’ he said, tapping the side of his nose with his finger.
They finished their snack and Maia went home to change and pick up Josh. Downstairs there was great excitement as Kathleen and Agata dressed Britta.
‘Oh, she looks just darling,’ Kathleen exclaimed.
‘Well, that isn’t surprising, seeing as she’s wearing head-to-toe designer clothing,’ Agata said, with mild disapproval. ‘I still cannot believe you bought her Prada. She’s a baby!’
‘She’s my granddaughter so I’ll spoil her if I like – isn’t that right, Britta?’ Kathleen cooed.
Britta looked edible in a sugar pink and white gingham dress with a soft tulle underskirt, pale pink ballerina tights and the most stunning shoes Kathleen had ever laid eyes on. They were Mary-Janes with a diamanté bow at the front in shiny supple patent leather.
‘Look!’ Britta shouted, and pointed at her shoes.
‘New shoes for Britta,’ Kathleen said, encouraging her to talk.
‘Sooz,’ Britta repeated, and clapped.
‘I’ve died and gone to Heaven,’ Kathleen exclaimed. ‘She’s just precious. That was worth every cent.’
‘You’re a sucker,’ Agata said drily.
The tiny bolero cardigan with diamanté clasp made Agata giggle. ‘That is just the limit! It’s so tiny! How on earth do they make these things so small?’
‘Isn’t it heavenly?’ Kathleen agreed. ‘That’s what set me off on the whole shopping spree. I was in the store looking for a little gift for Britta and I spotted it on a shelf. Well, I was a goner. When I realised there was an entire outfit to match, I just had to have it.’
‘Did you say thank you to Grandma Kathleen?’ Agata asked.
‘Tata!’ Britta said, puckering her lips. Kathleen leaned in and they did a sucker-fish style kiss.
‘You’re welcome, baby girl.’ Kathleen laughed. ‘Oh you do bring such joy to my heart,’ she said. ‘It’s wonderful to have you both here!’
Agata hugged her. ‘I’m going to miss you when you go,’ she said.
‘And I’m going to miss you two more than you’ll ever know,’ Kathleen said. ‘Maybe you’ll come visit.’
‘I’d love that, you know I would,’ Agata said. ‘Let’s see how my finances work out.’
Amélie was having a rare moment of compatibility with Dee. ‘Mum, you look really great in that.’
‘Do I?’ Dee looked doubtful. ‘I’ve tried on everything I own and it all makes me look like a beached whale.’
‘That dress is gorgeous. Pale lilac is so this year,’ Amélie said. ‘It would be a trillion times better if you put a fun necklace and earrings with it. I have just the thing, if you want to try?’
‘Eh … I’m not sure your stuff would work on me, love. I wasn’t even sure about the colour of this dress, but the girl in the maternity shop insisted I buy it. I might be a bit long in the tooth …’
‘Mum, if you’re young enough to have a baby, you can certainly rock it in some bling.’
Amélie ran to her room and came back with a diamanté choker and matching earrings. She fastened the choker around her mother’s throat and handed her the earrings to put on. ‘I reckon this would be mega too,’ she said, producing a cream goose-down bolero.
‘I’d never fit into that,’ Dee said. ‘And it’s a step too far for me.’
Amélie was having none of it and insisted her mother at least try it on. ‘See? It fits! You look wowzers, Mum!’
‘I do?’
‘Of course.’ Amélie seemed a little puzzled. ‘You’re very pretty, Mum, but you stick to rather stuffy clothes so you rarely stand out. You should put yourself out there a little more.’
‘Thank you,’ Dee said. ‘Now let’s see you in your finery. Grandma will be very proud of us both, which is good, seeing as she kindly bought all the new stuff.’
‘I’m sorry things are so hard financially for you and Dad at the moment,’ Amélie said. ‘I’ve realised since I’ve worked in the gallery how hard it is to make money. I always assumed Auntie Lexie was loaded and didn’t do much work. But she’s there all the time and never stops. Just because she charges three hundred for a painting, it doesn’t mean she has three hundred to go and spend on makeup. There are rents and rates and wages and all that to be paid first.’
Dee smiled. ‘I’m glad you’ve learned so much.’ She stroked her daughter’s hair tenderly. ‘It’s good that you understand the value of things a little better. I wish Dad and I could give you more things, but it’s not going to be that easy once this little baby’s arrived.’
‘I know,’ Amélie said. ‘I was thinking maybe I could get a summer job that pays proper money next year. You’ve been more than generous with pay, but I want to plan my strategy and try to make money for all of next summer.’
‘That’s a good idea,’ she said, smiling. ‘For now, though, you need to knuckle down and do your best at school.’
‘I will.’
The front door opening let them know Billy was home. Amélie ran to her room to get dressed.
Penelope and Reggie were getting into their taxi as the rain persisted.
‘This is ghastly,’ Penelope complained. ‘I stupidly assumed we’d have a gorgeous sunny evening.’
‘It’ll be splendid either way, love. Don’t get yourself in a tizzy. There’s no point. As long as people show up and enjoy themselves, your job has been well done.’
‘That’s true.’ Penelope sighed. ‘You know, it was strange at the salon today. I haven’t seen Lexie so relaxed or cheerful for a long time.’
‘That’s great.’ Reggie nodded.
‘Dee is blooming, and she and Amélie seem to have called a truce on their constant snapping.’
‘That’s a relief. Poor Dee doesn’t need any added stress right now. Please God Amélie is back on track now too.’
‘Agata – the artist – was there with her baby,’ Penelope said. ‘She’s a dotey little thing, I must say. Typically Scandinavian, with white-blonde hair, big blue eyes and divine sallow skin.’
‘She sounds very sweet,’ Reggie said, patting his wife’s hand.
‘You met her at the gallery one night, Reggie,’ she snapped.
‘Did I? If you say so, dear.’
Penelope clicked her tongue off the roof of her mouth. ‘Anyway, Lexie was terribly good with the little cherub. Very natural with her … I’ve no idea why she won’t have a baby, Reggie. What’s the big deal? Most people do it!’
‘Most people,’ Reggie repeated. ‘But that doesn’t mean Lexie and Sam ought to. You said yourself, dear, she was happy today. It’s her birthday party tonight. Don’t bring up Babygate. Let it slide and maybe it’s time we accepted her decision. All I ever wanted was for our children
to be happy. We can still be there if they need us but, equally, we ought to keep quiet when they don’t. They’re all adults now, Penelope.’
‘But mothers know best, Reggie. What if she’s making a mistake she comes to regret?’
‘Then that’s her lookout,’ Reggie said. ‘One woman’s happiness can be another woman’s nightmare. Don’t you see? We can’t tell Lexie how to be happy. She needed to find her own version of happiness and I think she has.’
Penelope sat in silence for the rest of the journey. What Reggie had said made perfect sense. She just wasn’t sure she liked it.
Chapter 50
Lexie, Sam, Kathleen, Agata and Britta arrived just after Penelope and Reggie.
‘Hello!’ Reggie said, kissing each of them in turn. ‘Isn’t it just dreadful out there?’
‘Hi, Daddy,’ Lexie said. ‘It’s like winter. The wind is unbelievable.’
‘All the more reason to have a nice drink,’ Sam said, shaking hands with Reggie.
‘My thoughts exactly! Let’s get to the bar.’
The women chatted to Penelope in the reception area just inside the main entrance.
‘As Lexie knows, I had intended hosting the drinks reception out on the veranda but unless we all want to be blown to Wales that’s not an option,’ Penelope said.
‘It’s lovely in here,’ Agata said. ‘I love the old-world style of the place. The heavy gold and burgundy tones suit the Georgian building so well.’
‘Reggie and I have socialised here for years. It’s lovely to have as a facility,’ Penelope agreed. ‘Kathleen, how are you feeling now? I hope the day hasn’t been too much for you, with the salon earlier on.’
‘Oh, no, I’m feeling great, thank you, Penelope. I can really notice the difference in my stamina. Even this time last week when you called to me in the evening I was quite tired.’
‘I remember,’ Penelope said, looking concerned.
‘But now I’m so much better. I’ve actually been given clearance to fly home, which is rather handy. I didn’t fancy the swim.’
‘No.’ Penelope laughed.
‘I’m so excited about tonight. I can’t tell you how pleased I am to be in a position to invite my friends too. That was such a wonderfully kind idea.’
The Summer Guest Page 35
