Page 45 of Dark Angel

“Do you remember when we bought our first ballgowns?” Daisy breaks the silence without looking at her friend.

Kora laughs, nodding at her. “I believe you chose a pink one with black bows on it. And mine was a dark green covered in shiny orange beads. What were we thinking?”

Daisy shakes her head as a smile creeps onto her face. “I can’t believe the modiste allowed us to walk out with those.”

“I think she just wanted the money.”

“We looked ridiculous in them.”

Kora chuckles, lowering her face to the ground as they walk. “Clarence’s shocked face is burnt into my memory.”

“Mine too. When he saw us together and burst out laughing, I knew then that we had made a mistake.”

“Matthew teasing us also didn’t help.”

“I’m glad we never went back to that store,” Daisy admits.

“How could we after she let us wear those hideous things?” Kora’s voice rising with disbelief.

Her friend laughs beside her when a male voice calls out to them from the other side of the street. Peering up, Matthew, Lewis and Jordan are approaching them, weaving in and out of moving coaches.

A horse almost tramples on Matthew. The driver yells down at him, but Matthew just gives him an apologetic wave before carrying on.

“Where have you girls been?” Asking once they catch up to them.

Daisy holds up her box. “We got our gowns for the ball.”

“Oh,” he exhales, “exciting.” His emerald eyes flaring with sarcasm.

“It is exciting, Matthew.” Daisy bites back. “You just don’t understand because men can wear the same outfit at every event. Women, however, get scorned at for appearing in the same gown twice.”

“It’s expensive being a woman then.” Jordan says and Matthew snorts in agreement.

Daisy blanches, “You have no idea...”

“What colour did you choose? And please tell me there aren’t any bows on it this time.”

Daisy rolls her eyes so hard Kora thinks she feels the vibration through her bones. “No. There are no bows. That was six years ago. We know how to dress ourselves now.”

“Well, thank the Angels for that.” Matthew breathes out and Daisy shoves him away playfully.

“They weren’t that bad,” Kora protests, even though she disagrees with herself. Theywerethat bad.

“Yes, they were. But I’m glad you’ve moved past black bows and orange embellishments. I’m so proud of you two,” Matthew says, pretending to wipe a tear from his lashes.

Kora shakes her head at him, hiding her smile, “Did you chase after us just to harass us about our gowns?”

“No, we came to ask if you’d come to the Chiswick’s this evening for a night of games.”

“Oh, we’d love that.” Daisy says with a twinkle in her eye.

Jordan grins at Kora before looking at his sister, who is making eyes with Lewis beside her. “Did you choose something nice as well?”

Valarie glares at her older brother. “Of course I did. I have great taste. I even helped Alice choose something to wear.”

Matthew frowns at his Alice, who is half hiding behind Valarie’s body like a shadow. “You bought one as well?”

“Yes.” Her voice is so quiet she’s like a mouse.

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