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“Hey, birthday boy.” I kissed him on the cheek. “I’ve got your present upstairs.”
“You needn’t have.” He picked up his son and swirled him in the air, making the cape flap, just as Declan and Theadora stepped through the French doors.
My mother had cordoned off the pool area after the last party when some heavily inebriated soul fell into the water and had to be given CPR. However, she couldn’t bear to cover it over. At night, the pool turned into a rippling kaleidoscopic light show thanks to a lit-up cascade running down the rock wall.
I kissed little Dylan’s soft, puffy cheek, and when he smiled, I went all warm and fuzzy. Before my two nephews, I’d never thought of myself as clucky, but I’d suddenly developed a maternal pang.
I wouldn’t be ditching my contraceptive pill anytime soon, however, especially after the losers I’d attracted so far. I couldn’t trust myself to get it right, and being a single mother would never work for me.
Declan cradled fourteen-month Julian, who when unleashed turned into a destroyer on chubby little legs. They called it curiosity. I called it chaos. While standing close and looking gorgeous as always, Theadora wore a red gown which, with her milky complexion and dark hair, suited her. Apart from some lip gloss and light mascara, she had very little makeup.
Unlike me. If I could dip my head in a jar of foundation, I would. I had the best makeup artist in Clarice at the Pond. I hadn’t stopped thanking Ethan for setting up that spa. No one applied makeup like Clarice, who, as a former model, had interesting stories to tell about the pre-social-media nineties when one could fuck up and somehow slip under the radar. Not like now, where regrettable sex tapes that, in moments of complete madness thanks to party drugs, came to mind. Although I’d deleted them, I wondered if one would come to haunt me one day.
“So are we ready for a night of frivolities?” Declan asked.
I couldn’t tell if Declan was being cynical or not. He used to hate these big parties, often hiding in a corner with one of the older guests, chatting about airplanes or vintage cars. But since marrying, he seemed happy to go along with whatever functions my mother organised, including those held at Elysium.
I got the feeling that Theadora enjoyed dressing up.
What woman didn’t?
For me, parties were a good excuse to shop for a new outfit. And the possibility of meeting a hot guy who promised more than a few nights of fun also added to the buzz.
“Are you performing?” I asked Mirabel.
“Theadora and I are doing a couple of songs.” The pair shared a smile.
“Like that excellent Carmen piece at Mum’s soiree?” I asked.
“No. Just a couple of new songs.” Mirabel and Ethan exchanged a loving smile, yet another reminder of the love that filled the room whenever both my brothers and their wives were around. Despite a tinge of envy, I felt happy for them all. They’d gotten it so right.
“I haven’t heard the songs yet,” Ethan said, clicking his fingers for Freddie, who leapt up in the air, mesmerizing Cian. “But I’m sure it’s going to be sensational.” He blew Mirabel a kiss, and Declan drew Theadora close and kissed her hair.
“Please spare me the PDA.” Everyone laughed as I stuck my fingers in my mouth and pretended to chuck up.
“Is Orson coming?” I asked Mirabel. “Mum’s tight-lipped as always.”
“Last I heard he is. Only nothing is going on between them. Orson would like to, but from what I gather, your mother’s not so keen.”
“They are very different.” I bent down to take the ball from Freddie’s mouth before Cian lunged for the canine.
“Opposites can attract.” Mirabel’s eyes slid over to Ethan, who wore a pale-blue-and-green-check blazer over blue fitted slacks. I’d noticed his choice of clothing had turned more colourful since partnering with Mirabel.
“What do you think about Orson and Mum, Declan?”
He shrugged. “It’s none of our business.”
“I agree,” Ethan said.
I regarded Theadora and Mirabel and rolled my eyes. “They just don’t like our mother dating.”
“That’s not true,” Ethan protested, tossing a ball at Freddie, with Cian unsuccessfully racing the dog for it. “There are bigger questions to ask.”
Declan rubbed his neck. “Yeah, like where’s Bethany?”
“I asked Mum yesterday, and she’s not interested in finding her or the mysterious two billion dollars that obviously our dear half-sister pilfered. I think Mother’s happy to be rid of her.”
Ethan nodded slowly. “Can’t say I miss her.”
