Edwyn tried to be reassuring, but seeing Freya laid up and looking so pale had worried him. “She’ll be fine. She’s as stubborn as a mule so your job for the next few days is to make sure she gets proper rest and isn’t bothered by lots of people. They will all want to see how she’s doing, and she will tire herself out talking to them and fretting about them being fed and watered.”
“Of course. I will make sure she’s taken care of. You can count on me,” said Amelia. Edwyn smiled at the woman who looked so much like his friend Evie. “Thanks, Amelia. I know I will be leaving her in good hands.”
Evie swerved into Freya’s driveway in Florence. She’d received a text from Kate about Freya being poorly, which was the first she’d heard about it. She leapt out of the car and ran to the door, pushing it open.
Amelia stepped into the hallway, her arms folded.
“Ever heard of knocking?” she said mildly, eyebrows raised.
“We don’t do that here. Where’s Freya?”
“She’s sleeping.”
Evie went to go past Amelia, who moved subtly to block her path.
“I’m sorry, Evie. But Edwyn has left strict instructions that Freya must rest, and not be bothered by anyone.”
“I’m sure Edwyn didn’t mean me, Amelia. I just want to look in and make sure she’s OK.”
“That’s what they’ve all been saying, Evie. Look, I’m so sorry but I don’t want to upset Edwyn. He has trusted me to look after Freya and make sure she gets better. He said no exceptions.”
Evie stared at Amelia, who met her gaze. Her face was perfectly poised and calm and she wasn’t backing down.
“If you don’t mind, I think maybe it’s best if you leave?” said Amelia. “I’ll message you with any updates, but I don’t want Freya waking up to all this noise in the hallway and trying to get up. I’ll let you know when it’s OK to visit.”
Evie left seething. ‘If anyone should be looking after Freya, it should have been me. How dare Edwyn ask Amelia? She barely knows Freya.’ Evie was so annoyed she called Edwyn at work, which always irritated him unless it was Kate needing something urgent.
The two of them snapped at one another, with Edwyn saying angrily that Amelia was staying in the same house as Freya, so it made more sense for her to take care of her and that she was doing a fine job. He added that anyway Evie was always busy with her painting and couldn’t be relied upon.
Evie furiously told him that he still should have asked her first and she should be allowed to visit Freya and not barred from her presence because of his stupid orders.
Edwyn was about to say that of course she wasn’t banned from visiting and could pop in and see Freya anytime, but Evie had already hung up on him. She texted Amelia to ask for any updates; Amelia simply replied tersely that there was no change.
Evie wondered how it was possible for her to be effectively shut out of Freya’s life by Amelia, who refused to back down and clearly enjoyed getting one over on her.
After a few days Freya started to rally. Amelia brought her coffee in bed and a tray with fresh fruit and thick buttered toast, then told her she was going out for a bit of shopping.
“I want to get my hair done and I need to get something to wear for your surprise party that of course you know all about.”
She looked down at Freya, who was managing to nibble a bit of toast. “Are you sure you feel well enough for the ‘surprise’? I could tell them to postpone it, you know.”
“Away with you. Not a bit of it”, said Freya, her voice still hoarse. “I’ve got a fabulous orange and yellow kaftan I’ve been saving for a special occasion. It is all trimmed with massive sequins and makes a noise when I walk so it will be even better when I’m dancing. I will be like a living tambourine.”
Amelia thought it sounded hideous, but said ingratiatingly, “You will look absolutely beautiful, especially with those scarlet velvet slippers and lots and lots of chunky bracelets and necklaces.”
Freya smiled happily. She planned on wearing as much bling as she possibly could.
She wanted to be dazzling for her party and was determined to be back on her feet in time for her big night.
Amelia told her, “I will be away most of the day and I’ll bring you back something silly. I’ve made you up a chicken salad sandwich with that mayonnaise you like; it’s in the fridge. Call my mobile if you need anything,” she said, disappearing out the door.
Amelia’s cheery demeanour vanished as she drove Freya’s car into town. She had a plan. First up was a visit to Agnes at the hair salon. Sitting on the chair Amelia told her, “Agnes, I need you to give me a makeover. You did Evie’s hair so beautifully that I want exactly the same.”
Agnes lifted up a strand of hair and tutted, “Well, it’s not going to be easy going from your black hair to blonde. It might take a while. And more than one session. Are you sure that’s the way you want to go? And I know everyone says this to you, but you look so alike already – this is going to make it tough for us to tell you and Evie apart.”
Amelia gave her a worried look. “Oh, do you think Evie will be upset? I wouldn’t want to do anything to offend her.”
“Don’t you worry, I’m sure she will be flattered,” said Agnes with a smile. “She’s the most easy-going person I know”.
