Page 61 of Love, Academically
“It’s hanging up in the craft room.” Craft room was a tad excessive for describing the tiny box room that was overflowing with junk.
“Bring it down then.” Jasmeet tried another film.
“Best if you come up to see it,” Lila said. She’d one hundred percent trip over it as carried it down the stairs and then it would rip and that would be the absolute end, and she would never be able to face Rhys ever again, especially after he’d spent so much money on it. Not that she knew how much money he’d spent. There had been no price tag, which meant it was alot. And shoes. And a bag.
Jasmeet frowned, but set her wine on the little side table next to a half-finished crochet octopus.
Lila chewed the inside of her cheek as she led the way upstairs. She was a bit nervous about showing Jasmeet The Dress – that’s right, The Dress needed capital letters, because it felt expensive enough to have them.
“Why are you being so weird? And why is it in your spare room, not your wardrobe?” Jasmeet folded her arms across her chest as Lila hesitated in opening the door.
“Okay, look, just don’t make assumptions, okay?”
“Assumptions about what?”
“About this.”
Lila flung the door open and ushered Jasmeet in to see The Dress hanging on a hook she’d put up for a picture that had never made it to the wall.
“Oh my God,” Jasmeet whispered, taking a step forward. She ran her fingers over the delicate lace flowers. “This is beautiful, Lila. Absolutely beautiful.”
“Yeah,” she said.
“Have you shown Maddy and Ruby?”
Lila shook her head.
“Are thoseshoes?” Jasmeet exclaimed. She grabbed the shoe box on the floor and Lila winced when she wrenched it open.
“Jas, please be careful.”
“And a bag! Lila, you’ve really outdone yourself,” Jasmeet said, turning one of the shoes to look at it from all angles. “This is perfect and soyou. You’ll look spectacular. Rhys won’t be able to keep his hands to himself.”
“No Jas, it’s not like that,” she said, wringing her hands in front of her. “What are you doing?”
“What do you think I’m doing? I’m calling Maddy and Ruby,” Jasmeet mumbled, tapping away on her phone. Maddy answered the video call after a few rings.
“Mads, check out this dress that Lila’s got for her weird date with Rhys,” Jasmeet said, flipping the camera.
Weird date?So they’d been talking behind her back, no doubt about how desperate Rhys must be to take someone as plain as her as his fake girlfriend.
No. Stop it.
These were her friends, they loved her. If they were talking about her then it was out of concern. Not putting her down or belittling her or laughing at her.
“Lila,” Maddy was saying. “How did you afford that? And the shoes and bag?”
“It looks expensive, Mads,” Jasmeet said.
“It is expensive. I’ve spent enough time walking around shops I can’t afford trying to get Ellie to sleep to know.” Maddy’s voice was quiet, but urgent.
“How is Ellie?” Lila asked, hoping to distract them.
“She’s sleeping on Ruby now, dosed up with Calpol,” Maddy said. “You’re not getting out of this. Have you over-extended yourself? Is your credit card completely maxed out?”
Jasmeet looked at her expectantly.
“Did you know Susie Dent has been awarded an OBE?” Lila asked, perkily.
