Page 48 of Just for December
‘Looking out for you is indeed all I’m trying to do,’ inserts Magda. ‘I’m just checking everyone’s intentions are clear and good, here. You seem to maybe … possibly … like him? And you haven’t liked anybody properly since …’
‘If you say Bobby’s name, I’m going to guide you to the nearest body of water and push you in.’
‘Why canyousay his name?’
‘Same reason I can bring up my dad being a bastard and you can’t – it’s my business.’
‘Fair,’ says Magda. ‘Very fair. And yet …’
‘As a best friend you’re still going to push that boundary?’ supplies Evie.
‘You got it!’ Magda retorts. ‘It’s part of the job description. Not always, but when the situation necessitates.’
‘And you think this situation necessitates it?’
‘We’re mere mortals, on an all-expenses-paid trip to Hollywoodland. None of this is normal. I don’t know how seriously to take everyone, you know? That director being off his rocker back there, people photographing you secretly, pretend romances and secret hugs, not to mention how those are two very good-looking people. You are a solid ten in the real world, you really are – but have you seen Daphne’s hair? It’s like there’s a light box behind her at all times. Even in the restaurant she glowed. And her boobs? That’s some rack.’
Evie narrows her eyes at her friend. ‘Sounds likeyoulike her, let alone Duke.’
‘Out of my league,’ Magda says with a laugh. ‘Which is entirely my point.’
‘Whoa!’ Evie giggles. ‘Thanks, babe.’
‘What aboutthatsweater?’ Magda asks, nodding in the direction of another storefront. ‘It’s very Cameron Diaz inThe Holiday, no?’
‘Yes,’ notes Evie. ‘You’d look good in it.’
The pair push through the door of the boutique, still laughing loudly enough that the sales assistant looks up.
‘Guten Morgen,’ she says, a serious-looking thirty-something with pale pink hair and a diamond nose stud.
‘Guten Morgen,’ the friends echo back, stifling their giggles. They move around the store, picking things out, making appreciative noises, the beady eyes of the assistant following them from behind the counter.
‘Evie?’ asks Magda from the other side of the rack. ‘What aboutthisshade of red? It’s more flattering, right? I could do this?’
‘For sure.’ Evie nods. ‘Yeah. You know I saw a woman at the restaurant last night who had a silk scarf around her neck even though she was wearing a high neck like that, and I thought it looked so chic. Maybe I’ll look for that shape, too.’
‘You need help?’ the sales assistant asks.
‘Erm,’ Evie ponders. She’s kind of scared of the woman. Aren’t customer service representatives supposed to be more congenial? ‘Sure,’ she settles on. ‘Do you have any sweaters with the high necks, like the one my friend is holding? Maybe in cream, or grey?’
The woman nods and bustles around the store. As she hands Evie exactly what she has asked for, in both shades, she says, ‘Evie Bird, yes?’
Evie is so stunned to be recognised in this tiny shop that she simply nods. It’s Magda who appears by her side and speaks for her. ‘The famous novelist? Yes, this is her!’ she supplies.
‘Oh my goodness! My friends won’t believe this!’ the woman suddenly cries, her excited face in direct contrast to the sternness from seconds ago. ‘We love you! We have all your books.The Sun in My Skyis my favourite book ever, Ithink. I can’t believe you are here, in my store. Can I get a selfie?’
‘Oh …’ Evie stammers, unsure how to respond. She doesn’t want to be childish, but she hates that kind of stuff.
‘Get your phone,’ Magda says, knowing full well that Evie doesn’t like it but that it means too much to the woman to turn her down. Who is going to see it anyway? It doesn’t matter that much.
They take the picture and Evie buys the sweaters, plus two pairs of trousers, a camisole and three pairs of earrings, and when they leave, she feels strange.
‘You did good in there, friend, letting yourself be appreciated. I know it’s not your thing.’
‘I just find it so awkward,’ Evie admits. ‘Like … they’re just books.’
‘Books that mean things to people. Didn’t you say Duke read you before he met you? That he just likes the way you see the world?’
