Page 143 of An Unholy Affair
‘Why! What happened?’
‘I was totally in love with this boy in my year, but it seemed he only invited me as his date because his first choice said no.’
‘Bastard!’
Eveline smiled, loving how fiercely loyal her friend was. ‘When I arrived on his arm, the other girl looked like she’d sucked a lemon. She changed her tune about rejecting him and made a beeline.’
‘Fucking bitch!’
‘He ditched me immediately and within ten minutes, the two of them were snogging in the middle of the dance floor.’
‘Twats!’
‘Needless to say, I looked like a total fool and was the object of everyone’s gleeful pity. It was mortifying.’
‘I hope they gave each other venereal diseases.’
‘Estelle!’
She shrugged. ‘I was going to say something worse, but then remembered how bloody lovely you are. He didn’t deserve you.’
‘And it all worked out in the end. I’m here now… And I have Jack.’
Her friend smiled. ‘That you do. Now come on, let’s go find him so you can blow his…’
‘Estelle…’
‘Mind! Blow his mind!’ Estelle gave her the side eye. ‘What did youthinkI was going to say?’
Eveline rolled her eyes. ‘Come on.’
The entrance hallwas full of people and the change in temperature from outside was unbearable. Eveline pressed her hands to her burning forehead and cheeks as Estelle hung their coats on a long rail, then summoned a smile when her friend returned.
‘Let’s go to the larger of the drawing rooms. I want a drink and we can see if Jack’s there,’ Estelle said, interlocking her fingers with Eveline’s and pushing people out of their way with polite efficiency.
Gauzy white silk fabric was suspended along the ceilings, twinkling fairy lights behind. The effect was stunning.
Eveline sighed. ‘It’s so beautiful.’
Estelle paused, a soft smile on her face. ‘Yes, it’s magical. And you should see the dining rooms. You know that projection of snow across the front of the Manor?’
She nodded.
‘Well, Jack’s put the same thing in the other main rooms. It’s like being in the middle of a snowy day in Narnia, but without the cold and being turned to stone if you look at Mom the wrong way.’
‘Your mom’s not that scary.’
‘She’s rich, famous, titled, and let’s not forget, American. She’s super sweet to you because you’ve got a direct line to God.’ Estelle led her to the back of one of the drawing rooms, where a temporary bar was set up at one end. ‘The usual?’
‘Thank you, that would be lovely.’
As Estelle ordered the drinks, Eveline glanced around the room, hoping to see Jack. She was feeling increasingly light-headed and thought back to what she’d eaten that day. Had it been enough?
‘Here we go,’ Estelle said, passing her a tall glass. ‘Bottoms up.’
Eveline clinked her glass against Estelle’s, then gulped down the cool liquid.
‘Woah girl. You’re reminding me of Duke at his water trough.’
