Cally’s heart ached. Logan didn’t understand, but it was sweet that he tried to get it. Part of her wanted to be excited for him and to share in his world without feeling like an imposter, the other part of her couldn’t really give a flying fart about parading around in a fancy dress with a dodgy thing bouncing around on top of her head. She took a deep breath and squeezed his hand back. ‘I’m just a bit nervous about stuff like that, Iguess. I’ll be fine, though. In at the deep end, as they say. It’s good to try new things…’
‘You’ll be amazing, Cal. Trust me.’
Well played, Henry-Hicks, but you don’t know the half of it.
Cally nodded, but her mind overflowed with doubt.Amazing? How can I be amazing when I don’t even know where to start?Her thoughts spiralled as Logan chatted away and filled her in with what happened at the races, in particular, the event sponsored by Lovely Manor. The more he talked about the races themselves, the traditions, the dressing up, the more her inner voice questioned everything.
She pushed the horrible thoughts away as she realised she had little choice but to get on with it. The manor and what went on in it, including its social calendar, was part of Logan’s life. If she wanted to be with him, even if it meant stepping far outside her comfort zone, she had to suck it up and crack on. She might even enjoy shopping for a dress—who knew? But there was no way she was going with Logan's mum. That would be a step too far. Shopping was bad enough without throwing Logan’s mother into the mix.
Cally tried to let Logan’s enthusiasm wash over her. She forced herself to focus on the positives. Maybe it would be an adventure. She had never done anything like it before, and while daunting, perhaps she should stop fretting and change her narrative. She’d try to look at it as an opportunity to experience something new, widen her mind, and broaden her horizons.
Logan handed her the invitation. ‘Keep it in your bag so we don’t lose it.’
Cally took the envelope, noting the weight of the expensive paper, and slipped it into her bag. She resolved to show it to Eloise and Birdie and get their take on it. They’d know what to do. Eloise would bestow her wisdom on her and yabber on about how she needed to stop being ridiculous.
‘You’re going to be great, Blackcurrant. I promise. Now, how about we finish this wine and then relax for the evening? Movie and the sofa? I feel they’re calling.’
‘That sounds perfect.’
With a box of Lovely chocolates on the coffee table, Cally settled back and tried to stop herself from making a mountain out of a molehill about the races. Here she was in a beautiful cottage with a man who adored her. She needed to remember that. Logan put his arm around her, she tucked her feet up under her, popped a chocolate in, and chose not to worry. Snuggled up beside Logan, she decided she would figure it out. She had to. She’d done a lot harder things in life. Tending to her grandma and raising herself sprang to mind. If she could work three jobs at the same time as studying for a degree whilst being in charge of wheelchairs, bed hoists, and the intricacies of her grandma’s liquid diet, she could jolly well prance around in a dress and a silly hat, shaking hands and smiling at people. She would face the races, the fancy outfits, and the high-society event, and she would do it with her head held high and be confident. Or would she?
5
Cally walked out of her flat, down the steep stairs, and scooted across the first floor on her way to meet Nina. They were meeting to discuss another job at a property near the harbour and an extension to the decluttering job at Lovely Manor. As she made her way through the back of the deli and into the shop, she smiled at Alice and took in her surroundings. She loved living over the deli; the flat was close enough to be near to the bustle of Lovely, and she benefited from fabulous aromas of freshly baked bread and brewed coffee, but she was far enough above to be tucked up away from it all. She stood and looked around for a second at how nice everything was: the shelves lined with an assortment of bits and bobs, jars of homemade preserves, and beautiful teas, and everything else in between.
It wasn’t only the aesthetics of the place, though. Cally slotted right in with the Lovelies and adored the warm atmosphere, the friendly buzz of conversation from the regulars, and the just general all-around comfiness of the place.
‘Morning, our Alice,’ Cally greeted. ‘How are we? Keeping out of trouble?’
Alice looked up and returned the smile. ‘Morning. How's your day going so far?’
‘Just getting started with myactualday. I’ve been holed up on my laptop since the early hours, although it was very quiet. I think lots of people must be on holiday at the moment.’
‘Yeah, they are. Every other person on Facebook is in Majorca or somewhere just as hot.’
‘I reckon.’
‘And I’m stuck here.’ Alice rolled her eyes.
‘There are worse places to be stuck in the world.’ Cally noted with a chuckle.
‘Yep, I guess so. What are you up to?’
‘I'm meeting Nina to discuss a new job,’ Cally replied, her tone cheerful.
Alice nodded. ‘Busy as ever, our Nina. I don’t know how she does it. She’s always so organised and on top of everything and she does it all with Faye in tow half the time.’
Cally agreed. ‘She’s very good at what she does. Walks the talk, as it were. She puts me to shame.’
‘So I’m told. I need her to organise my whole life. Coffee?’
‘Yep. One for me and one for Neens. Lattes, please. Maybe a couple of scones, too, thanks. I’ll get a table. Thanks,’ Cally said, heading towards the front of the deli near the window.
As she settled at a table, she spotted Nina pushing her daughter Faye’s pram past the window. With her shoulder up, wedging her phone against her ear, Nina, as usual, was multitasking. Nina looked in and waved as she went past. Cally went to the front door, opened it, and helped squeeze the pram around the little bistro-style tables. Nina finished her call, popped her phone on the table, navigated the pram into the corner behind Cally’s chair, and sat down.
‘Phew.’ Nina gestured to Faye’s pram. ‘She was grizzling for England earlier. Overtired, I think. She really did get ratty. Ididn't think she would ever drop off and then suddenly she was far away in the land of nod. So we can speak in peace, thank goodness. How are you?’
‘I’m great.’ Cally turned around and pointed to the pram where Faye’s head was to the side, her eyes closed, one leg was resting up over the side of the pram and her pink dress was squidged up at the front. ‘What a little sweetie. Aww, that dress.’
