AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Like circus acts? People on stilts, fire breathing, aireal rings. That sort of thing?” I ask.
Casper turns his nose up as if that’s the most absurd suggestion he’s ever heard. For a second, my stomach rolls with a wave of nausea that almost knocks me off the chair.
However, Flora gasps and her eyes light up like I’ve just answered her prayers.
Screw you, Casper.
“Yes! That sounds wonderful. We want to treat our employees to something magical—an event they will be talking about for the right reasons and not just because Phillip had too much champagne, hit on a man, and pissed his wife off again.”
“I’m sorry?” I say. Phillip did what? He better be on this year’s guest list.
“You want a child’s party?” Casper asks, turning his nose up. He sounds thoroughly offended.
Good.
I don’t react to his criticism this time, though I do wish I’d sat somewhere else. Even though I’m mostly ignoring him, I canfeelhim. The heat from his body sinks into my skin, and the tense atmosphere clogs my throat.
Flora shakes her head gently, a hint of amusement in her soft gaze. “It’s not a child’s party, darling. It’s fun.”
I bite my tongue and almost take it clean off. Casper’s idea of fun is probably sacrificing newborns. Points to me for keeping that one inside my head.
Can we go back to the drunk, cheating Phillip scandal, though?
“Do whatever you like. It’s your party.” Casper’s tone is very sulky, but he’s wearing his usual bored expression. I don’t know why he’s here. He’s not contributing anything useful to the conversation.
Frederick laughs and lifts a brow at his son. Maybe it’s a challenge to go against us and come up with a better idea. Whatever it is it has Casper scowling.
“Fantastic idea, Ainsley. My wife and I love it. We have our theme.”
“Great.” I beam at the compliment and feel my confidence bloom. This means so much, and I want to get it right. I want to give them everything they want and more.
Reggie nudges me, smiling.
Yeah, we’ve got this.
“Do you want to have the party here or at another location?” Reggie asks.
“Not here.” Flora holds her heart. “It took me a week to get over the last party we had here.”
Casper rolls his eyes but doesn’t mention what he finds stupid about his mum’s remark. I could take a wild guess and assume that Flora wasn’t the one who cleaned up after that, but the staff did.
I’m surprised to find myself liking Casper’s parents. They’re both down to earth and seem like decent people. It’s hard to imagine them fighting to keep criminals out of prison.
I stir my tea in the pretty cup on the saucer. The weather is much kinder today, hence why we’re outside, and the warm sunlight helps boost my mood further. The stream of sunlight peeking through the trees makes Casper’s eyes look almost all icy grey.
I look away from him and push my fist into the gnawing apprehension in my gut.
“I saw the other day that you can hire Whendon Castle again. It’s a gorgeous place full of character. I know they’re having renovations done to one side of the castle, but it wouldn’t get in the way of a function,” I say.
Reggie scribbles the castle name down with his Apple Pen on his iPad. “I was thinking the same thing. It would be perfect. Large ball room, conservatory, and plenty of space in the gardens for fire breathing.”
“Oh, I love it there. Frederick used to take me for lunch when we were dating. I don’t know why we stopped going. Does it fit within the budget?” Flora asks.
Casper snorts.
Reggie glances up as he scribbles messy notes on the screen. “Yeah. It’s a little higher than upscale hotels in the area, but if you’re looking to wow…”
“Absolutely. Let’s pin down a date sometime at the start of July,” Frederick replies.
