Three Amazing Things About You(73)

Bea called in at lunchtime to see how Hallie was. ‘How are you doing? Feeling better?’

‘Feeling better. Don’t know about looking it,’ said Hallie. Exhausted yesterday, she’d had an early night and slept for twelve hours, which had helped a bit.

‘Shut up, you’ll be fine. I’ll come over after work and we can get ready together. What time d’you want to get there?’

Marilyn’s party would carry on until the small hours. Hallie needed to pace herself. ‘I was thinking nine, but you can go earlier than me if you like.’

‘No way, we’re going together. But I think we should head over at eight. Don’t want to miss out on anything.’

‘Are you talking about the party now? Or the buffet?’ It was a standing joke that Bea had once been distraught to discover she’d missed the last of the home-made Scotch eggs.

‘How can you even ask that?’ Filled with indignation, Bea said, ‘Both!’

‘Come on then, let’s go, we don’t want to be late.’

This was especially rich coming from the girl who’d never been on time for anything in her life.

‘Two more minutes,’ said Hallie. It was still only ten to eight.

‘One more minute.’ Bea emphasised her point with an index finger raised. ‘People could be over there finishing the Scotch eggs as we speak.’

Hallie turned back to the mirror above the fireplace, unable to resist admiring her reflection for a few seconds more. God knows, it didn’t happen often these days, but this evening was getting off to a good start; by some happy accident, she was actually looking . . . well, not too bad at all. The fitted primrose-yellow dress suited her figure and gave her some shape. The sun had shone for the last week and she’d got a bit of a tan, which definitely helped. Best of all, her short hair had gone right when she’d dried it this evening, and with Bea’s assistance her make-up was extra-flattering. BB cream, blusher and mineral powder had made her skin look flawless. Her eyes were huge and luminous, the violet shadows beneath them expertly disguised with concealer, which made a big difference. Together with the smoky eye make-up Bea had proved so adept at applying, the end result was . . . good.

For once, she actually gave the impression of glowing with health.

‘Ready?’ said Bea.

‘I look nice.’ It wasn’t the kind of thing you could say in front of just anyone, but Bea was her best friend.

Bea’s expression softened; she understood. ‘Better than nice. You look stunningly beautiful.’

Also, normal. Well, if you took away the oxygen tubing. And the wheelchair.

‘OK, let’s go.’ Tapping her watch and reverting to bossy-boots mode, Bea grabbed the handles of the wheelchair. ‘Get in.’

As if she were a harassed mum ordering her naughty toddler into a buggy.

Hallie sprayed herself with scent and did as she was told, disconnecting the tubing from the in-house supply and plugging it into the portable oxygen tank that would be accompanying them to the party. As they left the house, she twisted round in the chair and looked up at Bea. ‘Is this really about not missing out on the Scotch eggs, or is something else going on?’

‘Ha, can’t get anything past you, can we, Sherlock? Anyway, don’t bother asking any more questions, because I’m not giving anything away.’ Pushing her out on to the pavement and closing the front door behind them, Bea added gleefully, ‘It’s a surprise!’

The celebrations were already in full swing when they arrived. Marilyn was up on stage with the band, looking like Tina Turner in a fringed silver dress and six-inch heels. Practically everyone in Carranford was there, filling the pub and spilling out into both the connected marquee and the long garden beyond. The noise level was high, the atmosphere buzzing and there were strings of fairy lights everywhere.

Surreally, too, the party was full of Marilyns – dozens of people were wearing masks featuring her face as they chatted, milled about and strutted their stuff on the dance floor.

Hallie spotted Luke at the other side of the bar and felt her heart do its foolish little flip of excitement, the one it always did when she saw him, the one nobody else knew about. Oh, but he was looking extra nice tonight, with his hair slicked back like that. He was wearing a dark blue linen jacket, a cream shirt and jeans. Best of all, he wasn’t wearing a Marilyn mask, so she was able to see when he noticed her and broke into a warm smile. Raising a hand in greeting, he made his way over.

‘Evening! How are you doing? You look great.’

‘So do I,’ said Bea before Hallie could open her mouth. ‘I’m looking amazing too!’