Page 56 of Unapologetic Love Story

‘So what?’

‘Is it true?’

‘Of course it’s not true. We didn’t leave together.’

‘No smoke without fire.’

‘Yeah, that’s what the witch burners said. No, there is no smoke. Or fire. Tom Branimir may be writing a piece about me. Which, if you’ve read his previous stuff, is not good. He’s not to be trusted.’

‘I didn’t ask if he was to be trusted. I asked if you’re sleeping with him.’

‘For God’s sake,’ barked Meggie, her bracelets jangling in distaste. ‘Don’t use that language at this table. Go into the garden with Bear and Blue if you want to talk filth.’

Both sisters clammed up, but Solana kept kicking Raina under the table, her silent and slightly aggressive way of telling her older sister that the conversation was not in any way over.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Solana decided she would drive Raina all the way to Barnes and come to the party. The mere mention of a gathering at Raina’s house was enough to send her little sister bolting upstairs to change out of her gym clothes and into something more celebratory. While their parents weakly protested, the girls piled into Solana’s Mini Cooper and scattered the stones on the driveway as they sped out onto the street, heading for London.

‘You have to help me set up if you’re coming,’ Raina said sternly, putting her playlist on and adjusting her seat. ‘God, how short are your boyfriends-slash-girlfriends? My legs were pressed right up against the glove box.’

‘I don’t let boys in this car,’ Solana said, laughing. ‘But check said glove box, by the by.’

Raina opened it to find a little purple bag. She made a noise of delight, lifting out a giant golden coin. A voucher for Liberty of London.

‘I know you love that place,’ Solana said gleefully. ‘And you’ll be needing a dress for the Mondays.’

‘You are a class act, Solana Lewis.’

‘It’s a hundred quid – consider it a contribution to your winning outfit.’

‘I doubt we’ll win.’

‘You will.’

Raina was feeling something pretty close to elation. She was speeding home with one of her favourite people to spend time with some of her other favourite people. She’d been very liberal when buying food for the party, all of which was waiting in the kitchen to be put out. The fridge and drink trolley were both heaving with bottles from the corner shop, and Pepper was bringing a cake from a bakery on the Fulham Road. She was nominated for two Mondays, celebrating a birthday and had managed to escape lunch with her parents without a single argument or deeply traumatic comment from her mother.

‘So, Rai,’ Solana said gently, ‘what’s really going on with Tom Branimir? We’re not in front of the parental boomers now; you can tell me.’

‘Nothing’s going on,’ Raina insisted, turning the air conditioning on and closing her eyes. ‘He’s scoping me out for a story, that’s it.’

‘I like him, you know,’ Solana said gingerly. ‘I’ve screenshotted a bunch of his stuff to use in my dissertation. Quoted every article, too. He’s very quotable.’

‘I’m sure. Can’t wait to see how he ruins my reputation.’

‘So, let him ruin your reputation in, like, a nineteenth-century way.’

‘Oh, my God,’ cried Raina, spluttering out a laugh and opening her eyes to gape at her little sister. ‘Look at what Oxbridge is doing to you!’

‘He’s so hot, though! And that picture? He’s looking at you the way Mum looks at a nice South African red!’

‘Warning,’ Raina said, putting on her older sibling voice and pointing a finger at Solana’s cheek. ‘That’s a yellow card.’

Solana laughed but they sat together in silence for a moment, enjoying the music and the cool air. Solana flexed her hands on the steering wheel and stole a quick glance at her sister.

‘I think it would be great to see you happy with someone.’

Raina let out a breath and smiled widely. ‘And you think the guy you’re quoting in your university essays is the one to do that?’