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“Yeah, that’s me.”
“Then yes, for you. And your three companions.”
“Oh, rightio then.” She looked at Juniper and Nora, who both shrugged in confusion.
“You gonna get in or are we gonna stand here all day?” Leah gave Mikayla a gentle push.
“My name’s Douglas, Madam. I will be your chauffeur for the day’s activities.”
“Ah, okay. Thanks, Douglas.” Mikayla climbed into the car behind Nora, Juniper and Leah. “What day’s activities?” She asked, completely bewildered. As far as she was aware, they were taking a tram from the city to the inner suburb of Armadale for some dress shopping. After that, they would maybe grab a bite to eat before heading back to the hotel.
As the long car eased into traffic, Douglas lowered the privacy shield. “Under the front seat there, Madam, is a drawer. If you pull that out, you’ll find a picnic basket. On the side wall to your left, if you lift that lid, there is a bottle of champagne and some glasses.”
Mikayla’s eyes goggled as Leah found the picnic basket and Nora the bottle of champagne. “What the fuck is going on?” She whispered as Douglas raised the privacy shield.
“Someone’s gone to a bit of effort,” Nora said as she popped the cork on the champagne and poured it into the crystal glasses Juniper was holding out.
Mikayla took the glass Juniper handed her, smiling a confused thanks. Then as comprehension dawned, she narrowed her eyes at Leah. “Would that someone be my brother, by any chance?”
Leah shrugged, leaning back in her seat and taking a sip of champagne. She’d told Callum he could trust her, and he could.
“Leah?”
“Just roll with it, Sinclair.”
“Okay then! What’s in the basket?”
Leah lifted the lid and burst out laughing. Reaching in, she pulled out a packet of corn chips and threw them at Mikayla. “I’m guessing the snacks are from Rafe.”
“Aaaww.” Mikayla passed her champagne glass to Nora and ripped open the chip packet. “So, what are these other activities?” She asked, holding the packet out to Leah.
Leah took a chip, crunching on it and gazing at Mikayla wordlessly.
“Hmm, they say it’s the quiet ones you gotta watch.”
With the mid-morning traffic mild, the limo arrived at their first destination in just under twenty minutes. Mikayla glanced out the rain splattered window as they pulled to the curb and gasped. “I’ve read about this shop. It’s by appointment only.”
“Good thing you’ve got an appointment, then. Out you get,” Leah said as Douglas opened the door, holding a black umbrella for Mikayla to step under. Struck speechless for probably the first time in her life, Mikayla stood on the sidewalk gazing up at the signage above the gold rimmed doors. It read,“ArabellaBianchi Bridal”in large pink and gold lettering.
“No, it’s too much,” she said, turning to get back into the limo. “I’m guessing these dresses cost a bomb.”
Leah stopped her with a gentle hand on her arm. “Just go with it. If you don’t find anything you like, we’ll go somewhere else.”
“You sure?”
“I promise.”
“Okay. But I’ll only try on the cheapest dresses they’ve got.”
“And you’ll still be trying on a sizable deposit on a house,” Leah laughed.
“God, don’t tell me that.”
They stepped through the tinted doors, into the reverential quiet of one of Melbourne’s most exclusive bridal boutiques. The cream carpet was thick underfoot. The pink and gold furniture was delicate and expensive looking. Fresh flowers adorned every available surface. Classical music played softly in the background.
“Ms Sinclair?” A small, dark-haired woman stepped forward, smiling in welcome. There was just the hint of an Italian accent.
“I wish people would stop calling me that,” Mikayla said out of the corner of her mouth.
