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Chapter 39
Theadora
Declanwantedtodrag me back with him. I had to keep promising him that I’d make it to the Reboot opening. After more kisses, I waved him goodbye and watched him jump in his SUV.
When I returned to our apartment, I found Lucy pacing about and intermittently shaking her head. Just like me, she questioned whether this was a dream.
“Please say yes,” I said. “It will fun. We can go to the beach.”
“The beach?” I could see her trying to contain herself.
Eating at a restaurant and shopping at Marks and Spencer on that one occasion that I bought her lunch there, was as swish as things got for a girl who’d lived on scraps and worn nothing but hand-me-downs.
“I don’t know what to pack,” she said. “I’m all over the shop to be honest.”
I laughed. “Don’t worry. Just bring enough for a week and then we can return and move properly. Yes?”
She nodded with stars in her eyes. I knew exactly how she felt. It was like we’d entered a parallel universe where only hunky lovers and the promise of endless sunshine existed.
“Before we leave, we’re going shopping, and I’m paying for your makeover. Starting with your hair.”
Her eyes bulged. “Are you for real?” She looked worried suddenly. “But what if this doesn’t work?”
“What do you mean?”
She shrugged. “If you run away from Declan again. What will happen to me? There in a strange village all alone?”
“That’s pessimistic,” I said.
“I’m sorry.” Her mouth turned down. “I shouldn’t be so negative, but I’m nervous. I’ve got a job here.”
“Listen, Luce, I’m keeping that man.” I placed my hands on my hips, not allowing my own insecurities to gatecrash my bliss. “Do you hear?” I put my arm around her shoulder. “Bridesmere is like something out Agatha Raisin but by the sea. You’ll love it there. I promise.”
A big smile filled her face. Her excitement mine, as we laughed and swung each other around.
After that we went shopping. There was much to do, given that I’d promised to be in Bridesmere the next day.
I got the feeling Declan was scared I’d change my mind.
After spending that afternoon with him buried deep inside of me, while peering into each other’s eyes, falling deeper and deeper in, the likelihood of not going was like me, a serious acrophobe, jumping out of a plane.
Normally, window shopping was as good as it got for us in Oxford Street, but not today. We were to buy whatever we desired, and Lucy’s wide-eyed stupor proved contagious. Like visitors from another galaxy, we stared with wonder at the many windows filled with the latest fashions.
In possession of a credit card that Declan placed in my hand, I’d been instructed to buy whatever we wanted. While I processed that insanely generous gesture, he mentioned something about buying a ballgown.
“Or I can arrange the family stylist if you like,” he said as casually as someone asking if I wanted jam with my scones.
It was all too difficult to process, as though I’d slithered through a wormhole that ferried me to a universe promising endless pleasure.
I refused to take the card, but he wouldn’t let up. Declan kept reminding me that he was loaded. Without bragging, of course. That wasn’t his style, and one of the innumerable reasons why I liked him. Okay more than liked him.
It took a bit for me to swallow my pride, after reminding him of the money his mother had given me.
“Small change,” he responded with that husky bedroom voice.
In the end, I relented and took it.
Lucy linked her arm in mine, and we virtually danced along that colourful strip of shops.
