Being Grey (Beings Trilogy) (25 page)

“I think your mum said five o’clock. She wants us all there a little early so that she can feed us. Even though there’s going to be food at the party it’s more nibbles, or should I say canapés, so dinner will be at 6.”

“I won’t be able to eat, I’ll be so excited. Is Jason bumming a ride or driving?”

“I think he mentioned Adam was driving so the boys will go together.” Truth be told, I’m excited at the prospect of seeing Ian. Still not sure how I’m going to kill him, or even if I’ll be able to. Hope we don’t get stuck somewhere where it’s just the two of us. OK, hope we do.

“Earth to
Alice
. You’re daydreaming. Just because I’ve been nice to you the last few days, don’t think I’ve forgotten you’re little indiscretion. I will not be letting you out of my sight young lady.”

I smile, so busted. “Promise?”

“Absolutely. Am still very undecided on whether to do the up-do with curls or all very sleek and tidy.” No serious chat today.

“Darrrling, you’ll look fantastic either way.” I say, and it’s true.

“I know. Now what’s on telly? I think we should just have a relaxing evening. We need our beauty rest.”

“Only problem with that, is that we..” I’m interrupted by the doorbell. Perfect timing.

“What have you done?” Poppy says with a smile getting up to open the door.

“Happy Birthday!”

The gangs all here, again. Stefan, Robbie, Luke, Annabel and Glen, acting very much the couple, Adrian and mum and dad. The gang had been hiding at mums until they’d gotten the text from me to say come over.

“Oh guys, you know we’re celebrating tomorrow. You shouldn’t have. Who’s got the cake?”

Chapter Forty Six

I wake up to the sound of a scream from the bathroom. I run out of my room to see Poppy standing in the doorway with her hands over her mouth.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm two pounds heavier than yesterday. I ate too much cake."

“No, you have your huge fluffy robe and those big clumpy slippers on.” I say.

Poppy slips off the robe and slippers, but then picks them up and gets back on the scales with them cradled in her arms. She look at me so sadly that it takes me five minutes to explain she needs to put the robe and slippers down as I’m laughing so hard.

When she finally understands what she’s done we’re both in giggle fits.

It’s finally party day and it’s far too early. My watch says its five past seven. I pop back into my bedroom and turn off the alarm. It was due to go off at half past.

At the kitchen table, over a cup of tea, Poppy asks what the plan is for the day. I've gone over this a thousand times already. She either has a sieve for a brain or the excitement is addling her.

"Hairdressers at 9. Everyone coming here for 2. Parker picking us up at 5. Dinner at 6 and party from 8."

"I am so excited! I can't wait to see what mummy's done!"

"You'll freak out!"

Somehow I think that’s going to be an understatement.

We feed Copper, give her 20 minutes in the garden while we shower and dress. I shave my legs which are fantastically smooth after their salt scrub.

Poppy loads Copper into her bag, and we jump in my Golf for the hairdressers. I'm opting for the 60's bouffant and curly look. Pinned back, but loose and messy. It'll look fabulous with the dress I have. Poppy is still undecided, so I get my hair washed while Poppy searches through a million hair magazines.

She joins me at the sink 10 minutes later. "Have you decided?" I ask, relaxing with the massage.

"Slick French pleat." She says.

I don't hear anymore as water and bubbles go in my ears.

After two hours of brushing combing pulling and pinning we exit the salon looking flustered, but downright fabulous. Whoever says that beauty shouldn't hurt obviously doesn’t use this salon.

We get some funny looks from people passing us. Glamorous hair do's with denim shorts and tees and flip flops is not exactly a catwalk look after all.

By eleven thirty, we're back in the house and let Copper out in the garden. He really is a dream puppy. Apart from the excited little mistake in the lounge yesterday, she hasn't even whined let alone barked.

I get changed into a little summer dress, and Poppy puts on a bright short skirt with a white blouse. That makes us dressed for the afternoon and dinner. We'll take our party frocks with us and change at the Manor later.

The others arrive in drips and drabs. Robbie and Luke come with
Adrian
. Stefan arrives soon after. The last to arrive is Annabel. I've been dying to ask her about Glen but haven't had the chance to get her alone. It'll have to wait.

We make tea and coffee, and get a Pepsi for Luke. He is completely taken with Copper, so we let him take her into the garden to play.

Adrian
coughs lightly to get our attention once the back door closes. "This is the only opportunity we'll have to talk before tonight, so let's not waste the time."

We're listening.

"Tonight is a massive cause for celebration,"
Adrian
begins as Poppy’s face lights up, "but we can't afford to forget that it could also be a very dangerous time for us. I'll not be there all night, as I'll need to take Luke home by ten o'clock."

Luke was so excited about coming, but bed time was bed time, and we didn't want him to see anything bad.

"From what I understand, Jason's
Being
is improving. But we know that Adam has a damned
Being
and that Ian is a ‘Taker’. So we must be on full alert at all times."

We all know this.

To me, he says, "I know that Jason said that Ian would come tonight, but he won't. He knows that if he does, he will die. And self preservation is ingrained in all of us."

I knew this, but actually hearing the words is depressing.

"However, we think we know what his game plan is, to take us out one at a time. So under no circumstances are any of you to go anywhere alone. If he is hiding anywhere, and you don't have back up, he will try and attack."

We're all very silent. The only noise is the occasional laughter from Luke outside.

"We have to stick together. If he does show up, it'll probably take more than one of us to kill him."

I think we'd all like some one on one time with him though. However I'm not sure if I want it to kill him or kiss him.

"And one more very important thing. We know Adam has a damned
Being
, but we need him. So whatever you do, don't kill him. He's the strongest link to Ian, and we need him alive."

Adrian
looks to each of us for a nod that we understand. Adam alive. Check.

Chapter Forty Seven

Parker showed up at five in a black stretch limo. As we couldn't do a three point turn in our street (couldn't have done a thirty point move either), we ended up having to drive around the block. This also ensured that the entire neighbourhood saw and heard us screaming and laughing like the kids we are!

In the back was a chilled bottle of champagne, which Stefan made light work of opening and a chilled sparkling apple juice for Luke.

Glen was the only one all dressed up and ready to go. The boot held the garment bags that held our outfits. Annabel apologised again for not telling him, but he didn't seem to mind too much. In the small space, our pure
Beings
were positively blinding to me. More blinding than the cheesy grins!

We toasted to Poppy. Luke wanted to play eye spy, which we all agreed was a marvellous idea. It helped to make the journey whiz by.

The manor looked its normal stately self, but for the two immaculately dressed bouncers on the gate. We explained to Poppy that when it got dark, multi coloured spot lights would direct guests to where the party was. We followed that route around to the pool house at the south of the property.

Poppy couldn't help herself. She was straining in the seat to see what had been prepared, and she wasn't disappointed. Ribbons and lights cordoned off the small area to park, and a red carpet led guests toward the party building.

"When did mummy build that?" Poppy said with wonder.

"Last weekend." I replied casually. "But we're dining in the pool house, so you'll have to control yours excitement for a while longer!"

And bless her, she tried. But it looked like she was bursting from the seams.

"Darrrrrling!" Lady Howard came out of the pool house with her arms open. "Your hair and makeup is ravishing!"

"My god, mummy, you built a whole new building?"

"They're taking it down tomorrow dear, I think. But then it would make an excellent guest house." She replied casually. "Now, come and eat!"

Stefan took Poppy's arm and almost dragged her away, but she was still straining to see more. "Patience Poppet," I heard him say to her quietly, "good things come to those that wait."

Lord Howard smiled and greeted us all individually. He’s such a stickler for courtesy that I always feel like I’m being graded on my behaviour. He is however, a wonderfully warm man and as usual was the life and soul of our gathering.

Dinner was on a beautifully laid out table by the pool. We had the large doors open as the weather was so perfect. Poppy was busy introducing Copper to her mum, so the rest of took our places.

“She’s adorable dear!” Lady Howard was saying, “But you know I have rules about animals at the dinner table.” She turned to Stefan, “Stefan, sweetie, would you mind running Copper into the house? Cook can look after her in the outhouse behind the kitchen. I’m sure she’ll have lots of fun there, and she’ll be out of the way for the party. We don’t want her getting trodden on now do we?”

Decision made, Stefan gently carried Copper into the main house.

As Stefan returned, Lord Howard asked us all would we mind stepping outside briefly before dinner.

“Oh mummy, daddy, it arrived!” Poppy screams as she runs through the doors.

The remainder of us can’t move. Outside is the most beautiful car I’ve ever seen. I’d be petrified to drive that. One scratch and I’d cry forever.

“A Jag XK? Very nice choice George.” Stefan says to Lord Howard. I could never call him George.

“Yes son. I insisted on the 20” alloy wheels as advised,” Lord Howard winks at Stefan, “and the upper and lower mesh grille.” Wink to Robbie. I didn’t know anyone else knew what car she was getting! Guess it was a ‘man’ thing.

“Oh Poppy it’s so fantastic. I’ve never seen a car so sexy!” I say walking over. I don’t know too much about cars but Poppy starts running through the options and accessories she had added. I don’t know very much at all apparently, but I’m glad I didn’t buy a fluffy steering wheel cover to go over Poppy’s burr walnut heated steering wheel.

We return to the pool room with the men talking engines and wheels and the girls talking beautiful leather interiors and what outfit would look best with the car.

“I’m so excited; I doubt I’ll eat anything.” Poppy laughs as she sits down. “What are we having anyway?”

“Your favourite. Honey roasted pork with salad.”

It sounds simple but trust me the Howards don’t do anything by half. The joint was large enough for forty people; there were 3 different kinds of salad, side dishes of humus and garlic dips, potatoes, beetroot, fruit and freshly baked bread. I’m sure there was probably more available, but there’s only so much you can put on a plate.

For not being hungry, once Poppy started, she didn’t stop. The only time my best friend overeats is when she’s nervous and excited, and this definitely qualifies for one of those nights.

And she wasn’t the only one. Each of us had a bit of the jitters. Even though we knew that it had all been planned down to the final napkin, there was so much that could go wrong. Lady Howard had gone to such extreme detail, and Poppy was so excited about it. It had to go perfectly.