12

Muffin was thrilled to see her, acting as though they had been separated for months and throwing his tiny furry self all over her like a hyper-rodent on heat. His small pink tongue attacking her hands and face ferociously when she tried to sit down on her bed. She barely had time to rustle up something to eat before she needed to start getting ready and realised her answer machine was flashing with a ton of messages.

Every single one of them was from Abby. Checking in. Sharing excitement. Confirming eight pm at the front car park. Describing her final choice of dress and finally wishing her luck. Every call ended with ‘Don’t need to call me back. I’ll see you there’. Rose laughed.

She figured Abby was as restless as her and lack of physical contact today was turning her into a phone stalker. Rose pulled out her mobile, realising it was switched off with a dead battery and threw it on her bed.

Ok, so she had to get herself together.

She had plenty of time to relax and do her hair and makeup, pull out her new dress which had arrived a few days ago. Locals had told her that the dance was very formal, evening gowns and black bow tie. It was all rather exciting.

She had chosen a long, pale dress, in ivory with layers of puffy chiffon in an over the knee length skirt, giving it an almost fairytale princess feel. It puffed out just enough to look beautiful, but not so much she looked like a cloud. The bodice was fitted and studded with pearls, crystals and embroidery, rather subtly along the sweetheart neckline in matching ivory. Its straps were wide forming little cap sleeves but leaving her shoulders bare. When she had tried it on for the very first time, Abby had gasped in awe. She had worried it was a little too bride to be, but Abby assured her that her tanned skin and dark hair tumbling down from a romantic up style would make it look perfect. She had pale shoes in a darker shade with high heels and peep toes, made from a similar satin to the bodice on her feet that made her long legs look amazing. Matching clutch bag and her newly polished pearl coloured toenails and manicure finished the look.

Abby had helped her practice a few simple up dos on her hair and her makeup was pure nineteen fifties glam tonight. Black-winged eyeliner, subtle blush and rose coloured almost nude lips, pouting at full capacity. Her hair, although mostly loose curls, was pinned up at the nape of her neck with a small vintage crystal clasp and had let small tendrils fall and hang prettily around her face and ears. She looked every bit the princess from a romantic fairy-tale. She suited romantic vintage clothes, somehow, they made her look even more beautiful.

Pulling on a cream cashmere coat her mother had given her for her last birthday in London, she looked every bit Audrey Hepburn.

She took a few deep breaths, checking the time and putting both her purse and invitation into her bag. She had decided to drive to the dance, but Abby had promised her a taxi to return; leaving her free tonight to get merry and dance the night into drunken oblivion. Her stomach was doing a crazy Rhumba and churning with nerves by the time she pulled into the long manor road. Other cars were coming and going, lots of hustle and bustle both on the road and the huge wide car park at the doors. Ushers were signaling for cars to park and deposit guests and others were driving cars off the wide space onto a sectioned off lawn as a makeshift car park.

Fairy lights were hung in all the surrounding trees and the fountain in the center had floating candles and magical lights draped all over. A small orchestra was set up at the entrance, welcoming people with soothing music. It was so opulent and classy that it was breath-taking, and she had not even ventured inside. Rose parked off to the side of the house in the area, Abby had described to her, that way her car would be out of the way for an overnight stay and close enough to the house to leave her coat for later.

As soon as she exited her car, Abby was by her side screaming with delight and twirling her around, swarming her with compliments on how beautiful she looked. When she slid her coat off and dropped it into her car seat Abby began wolf whistling and again the spinning and turning while she admired her dress. She was caught up in her enthusiasm and started giggling with excitement.

‘You my beauty, are going to knock men’s eyes out tonight.’ Abby giggled and once again twirled Rose under her arm.

Abby was dressed in a long satin gown in a gorgeous emerald green. It was slinky and clingy in all the right places and swept the floor as she walked, opening a slit from floor to thigh on her left leg. It had a draped neckline revealing her modest cleavage and thin straps on her dainty shoulders. It made the girls pale skin and raven hair even more stunning. And she complimented her friend with the same enthusiasm she had received. It made her look so much older than her nineteen years and it tugged at Rose’s heart a little to see the woman before her. Rob had been accurate with his ‘revealing or outrageous’ prediction; this was certainly revealing, but still classy and Abby looked stunning.

‘Talk about me...Look at you Ab’s. You are the belle of the ball.’ Rose beamed, looping arms and excitedly toddling on heels towards the bustling entranceway.

‘Aww shucks, you make me blush’ Abby jested and squeezed Rose’s arm a little tighter. ‘All ready for a night of schmoozing and boozing Miss Turner?’ Abby’s eyes twinkled merrily.

‘Definitely, I need a good night more than anything.’ Rose was swept up in the excitement now and her nerves were tingling.

As they entered the grand stone stairs past the orchestra Rose could see even the green of Abby’s eyes seemed to have darkened to the colour of the dress, and her peachy, almost natural lipstick, made her seem so much more seductive. She could not tell her enough how beautiful she looked and how every young man’s head turned as they walked through the hall into the main ballroom. Unaware the glances were not just for Abby.

The air was buzzing with excitement and chatter. Groups of over excited happy people at every turn, a huge turnout already. Grand chandeliers hung low, illuminating the room with a magical glow, tables set up with crisp linens at one end and extravagant lily and rose centerpieces. A vast dance floor with glittery lights and floral arrangements dotted all over on stands and a wide sweeping buffet table full of delicious looking hors d’oeuvres. It was the most elegant room she had ever seen, and she mentally tried to work out how much money could they surely raise for the charity when spending so much on the decor, music and food.

There was another orchestra set up in one corner on a stand, playing vaguely familiar songs with a classical twist. The entire atmosphere brought goose bumps of excitement to Rose as she explored the food table with Abby, admiring all the delicious morsels on offer. There was everything from seafood, delicious meats and cold pasta, to bowls of salads with dressing and chicken wings. There were rolled pastries and things on sticks she could not even identify and of course a huge mountain of champagne glasses beside an array of miniature desserts.

Abby nudged her as handsome men in black bow ties and crisp suits walked by, winking at the girls; giggling girls in puffy dresses and tightly pinned hair dos followed with friendly grins. There were more people here than Rose knew even lived in this area and half of them were completely new to her. Rose’s eyes wandered around the room, taking in the people, the beautiful clothes, sparkly accessories and the elegant setting. She was aware of the way her eyes were searching every dark-haired male face as they jumped from one to the other. No matter how much she told herself to stop it, it was like she had little control and the urge to seek him out carried on regardless.