Page 27 of One Perfect Day in Lovely Bay
16
The next day, Cally had spent a few dreamy hours tucked up on the sofa with a book she’d found on a shelf next to the dresser in the kitchen. Logan had popped down to the local pub with Alastair for some much-needed catch-up time. Cally had been more than happy not to go and had not required much persuasion to snuggle up in the sitting room and do her own thing. With her companion being a hot chocolate with marshmallows on top and rather too many shortbread biscuits she had cocooned herself in not doing anything apart from switching her body into recharge mode. After a long time working three jobs, it had been a long time coming. The rest and relaxation by way of the gorgeous estate air and understated luxury of the cottage suited her well. She could get used to the life.
After lazing on the sofa and getting lost in the book, she proceeded to wallow in the bath with Scottish bath salts handmade in the local town, no less. Now, she was standing in front of a long mirror in the bedroom in her underwear, trying to decide between the two outfits she’d brought for the family dinner. From what she’d gathered, the dinner was not quite a spaghetti bolognese on a tray in front of the telly kind of affair.Oh no. It was an occasion where one dressed up in a nice frock and shiny shoes. To give her a choice on the night, she’d brought a simple little black dress in a soft crepe with a slash neck and half sleeves and a pair of heavy satin trousers with a plain velvet jacket with a nipped-in waist and beautiful cut. She put the dress on, looked out at the mist rolling in from the hills, felt as if she was going to be too chilly, took the dress off, and pulled on the trousers. Topping them with a pretty high-neck blouse with a ruffle, she shoved the jacket over the top and critically analysed the result. Standing back from the mirror, she tilted her head as she assessed her reflection. She would probably only ever admit it to herself, but she wasn’t half bad. The trousers were classy and a nice change from her usual tights and skirt scenario, and the velvet jacket added a touch of luxury that felt appropriate for a family dinner at a Scottish estate. She’d done well.
Not bad, de Pfeffer, she said in her head, as she smoothed down the front of the jacket.Cinderella will go to the ball.
Dabbing a few blobs of foundation on her skin, she patted it in with a foundation brush, swiped a chunky black eyeshadow across her top lid, and added a load of mascara, some highlighter, and a nice pale pink lipstick. As she blended, she could hear the sound of Logan, returning from the pub, downstairs. Just as she was finishing up with another layer of mascara, Logan came through the bedroom door. His eyes widened as he took in Cally's appearance.
'Wow, you look incredible, Blackcurrant. I like it very much.' Logan laughed and joked.
Cally blushed. Inside, she was delighted by his reaction. 'Thanks. It's not too much?'
Logan shook his head. 'Not at all. Just right. It's perfect. However, I might have to keep a close eye on you. You can’t trust this lot.'
Cally laughed at the same time remembering when Logan’s ex-wife had relished in informing her how the Henry-Hicks men were known to wander. 'Behave, you. Now go on, get ready. We don't want to be late. How was your catch-up with Alastair?'
‘Yeah, good. He’s up to something, I can tell.’
‘Like what? What do you think he’s up to?’
‘I’ve no idea.’
‘How can you tell?’
Logan held his hand out in front of him. ‘Because I’ve grown up with him. We’ve been together since we were very young, and I know what he’s like. I can read him like a book.’
‘Ooh, I wonder what it is?’
‘I assume we’ll soon find out.’ Logan rolled his eyes. ‘He likes drama and an announcement. No doubt he’s got something up his sleeve for tonight.’
As Logan disappeared into the en-suite for a shower, Cally took the jacket off and pottered around tidying up the bedroom. She mused what Alastair might be up to. She’d never really told Logan that she wasn’t too keen on Alastair. Not that he had ever done anything nasty. In actual fact, in his own peculiar way, he’d always been nice to her pretty much since the moment she’d arrived on the scene. He was just up himself and totally unaware of the entitled existence he led, and that rubbed Cally totally up the wrong way.
Logan emerged from the bathroom, a towel slung low on his hips. Cally swallowed. The view wasn’t too bad as he made his way to the wardrobe.
'Yes?' he teased, catching her eye in the mirror.
Cally rolled her eyes. 'Just get dressed, you muppet. We're going to be late.'
Logan chuckled and pulled out a white shirt and dark trousers. Unlike her, with a quick spray of aftershave and a jacket, he was ready in a jiffy. Cally slipped on her heels, andLogan whistled. ‘You look gorgeous. I'm really glad you're here, Cal. I know all this can be a bit overwhelming if you’re not used to it.'
'It is a bit. But I'm glad I'm here too. It really is beautiful up here.’
‘Iknewyou’d love it. You just have to get through meeting everyone else this evening. Though if Aunt Agatha starts on about her stamp collection, you're on your own.'
Cally laughed. 'Noted.’
‘Right, come on, let's go face the Henry-Hicks clan.'
Logan closed the door behind them and Cally inhaled a sharp breath at the chilly evening, more than glad that she’d decided on the velvet jacket outfit. Although they’d had lovely weather, once the sun was on its way down, it was cool. All through the grounds, uplights lit up the ancient trees, and tiny little lights in the flower beds beside the path lit the way to the house. Lights glowed from every window, and there was a faint sound of music and laughter drifting in the breeze.
Logan squeezed Cally’s hand. 'Ready? Warm enough? The temperature has certainly dropped.'
‘I am, yep, I’m fine.’
A few minutes later, they’d hustled past the sunken garden, along a tree-lined path, and bypassed the main front entrance with its vast porch and steps. Taking a side path, they entered a large sitting room with a huge fireplace via a conservatory door. Cally tried not to let her chin drop to the floor as she was met with towering ceilings, panelled walls, beautiful old rugs, warmth, candlelight, wealth and breeding just about every way she looked. A buzz of conversation greeted them. Cally plasteredon her best smile, flicked her “I’m okay” switch at the back of her throat, and reminded herself that she'd faced tougher challenges than meeting a few posh people for a weekend bite to eat. How bad could a Henry-Hicks family dinner really be?
She looked around at people chatting and quickly assessed how her outfit held up. Spot on by Cally de Pfeffer. She had most definitely got it right. Maybe she was getting used to how the upper class did things, after all. She chuckled to herself and mused as a tall, distinguished-looking man approached them with a smile. She’d learnt that faking it until she made it was half the battle. She was beginning to be a pro.
