Being Grey (Beings Trilogy) (10 page)

I leave it ring a few times so I don’t look desperate and then answer it trying to sound unbothered by his call.

“Hello.”

“Hi Alice, Jason. Sorry I didn’t call sooner, been a crazy week. Are we still on for tonight?”

“Well actually, I’m at the manor and don’t know what time I’ll be back.” This is my attempt to play hard to get. Hoping I’ll hear desperation and begging.

“No problem, chill out there.”

Well that fell flat on its face didn’t it?

“Well if I left now……”

“Don’t rush, I remember Poppy’s mum. She probably has a whole array of new artwork and pieces to show you.” He laughs and I smile “How about tomorrow?”

Not begging but at least eager for next day. I could make it tonight, but to call me the same day as our supposed date annoys me. Why don’t boys realize we need time to prepare?

“If tomorrow is ok with you I’d prefer that.” I say but am now thinking about the brief kiss and wondering if I want to wait a whole day for a second one, hopefully a longer one.

“Only if I can have you all day.” Jason slurs.

That sounded really sexy and all my ‘playing hard to get’ attempts fall apart. “Absolutely, love to, sounds great, what time?”

“I’ll pick you up at 10am.”

“Ok. Bye.” I try to sound sexy too but it sounds like I’m growling so I quickly hang up. “Date’s off until tomorrow girls.” I tell Annabel and Poppy.

Annabel nods, “Was that your attempt at playing hard to get?”

Poppy sniggers. She actually sniggered! “Well… I….”

Annabel smiles as she playfully thumps my arm, “Nice try tiger. Next time attempt the word, ‘no’.”

“But…” why isn’t my mouth working?

“Don’t tease her, Annabel,” Poppy says, sticking up for me, “we all know how smitten she is.”

“Smitten?” said far too angrily.

The girls start giggling uncontrollably and I am fast loosing what little patience I have.

“We just all think he should have called you earlier in the week.” Poppy explains. All of them? Have they been discussing this behind my back?

“If he was only half a man, he should have rung you after the
Beer
Garden
night.” Annabel adds.

“I know.” I accept it. It hurts, but there you are. “But it could be Adam’s influence on him?” It’s not a statement, it’s a pleading question.

“We don’t know enough yet,
Alice
.” Annabel says gently, “But just in case, try not to get your hopes up. I know that’s easier said than done, but a little bit of self preservation is the key with relationships.”

Wow – love advice from Annabel. There really is a side to her that I don’t know yet!

“Well, I’m glad you’re not going tonight,” Poppy says “because now I’m in party planning mood and you leaving would have spoiled it. What do you think of these?” She’s waving around invitations in both hands, grinning like the Cheshire cat.

The next thing I know its gone 9, and the night turns into a sleep over with pizza, wings and garlic balls, as Poppy reminds me I owe her. Lady Howard promises that Parker will have me home by 9am, so with no other issues, I start to relax.
 
We end up planning the party and discussing boys in to the early hours.

Chapter Seventeen

”You look like a fairy!”

“That’s not good is it? What should I wear? What do you have that will fit me?”

Poppy came home with me this morning so she could help me choose my outfit for my date. I still have an hour before Jason comes over but I’m unprepared and time is running out quickly. Half of my wardrobe is on my bed where I’ve tried and rejected it.

Poppy is sat amongst the discarded clothes, wearing half of them. She looks like a bag lady. She has pink and white knee length socks on that I know I don’t own so she's obviously brought her own accessories.

 
“It’s a good fairy. Kind of a hippy fairy. The skirts great but that white blouse does make the whole outfit look too goody goody. Try this blue one on. It will bring out the blue in the skirt and won’t make you look quite so,
Casper
.” Poppy waves a shirt in the air.

“
Casper
the hippy fairy. That was not the look I was going for Poppy. Throw it over.” I yank the white blouse off and the blue one on and do a twirl.

“Where are those three quarter length Calvin’s?” Poppy frowns.

Twenty minutes later we find them in Poppy’s wardrobe and, with a fabulous navy top of mine, also found in Poppy’s room, I finally feel comfortable and I think I look pretty good.

“Espadrilles, sandals or your flat Mary Jane’s?” Poppy asks to complete the ensemble.

“MJ’s.” We both say in unison.

“Be careful.” Poppy stresses.

It takes me a little by surprise. Yes we’re young but I don’t think of myself as a child anymore. “If I can take care of damned
Beings
, I can certainly take care of Jason Long Legs.” I say flippantly.

Poppy isn’t laughing. “Just try not to get too emotionally involved. I know you like him Alice and I’m sure it will all turn out fine, but….”

“But don’t fall madly in love and don’t go over to the dark side.” I’m trying to do a Darth Vader voice but I sound more like Yoda.

“And don’t try and do impersonations unless you really want to scare him away.” She isn’t laughing but the exasperated Poppy is better than the serious Poppy.

I’m dressed appropriately I think. Jason has shorts and a t-shirt on. And he’s wearing a grin.

“So where are we going?” I ask.

“Can’t tell you, but it’s going to be a little over an hour’s drive. Is that ok with you?”

“Perfect. I have something I wanted to ask you anyway. What will you be doing on the fifth?”

“Of June?”

“No November, yes June. It’s Poppy’s birthday. Her eighteenth.”

“Ah. The infamous manor house party I’m guessing.”

He doesn’t sound very enthusiastic. I can’t just jump in with bring your mates as I don’t really know them. I don’t really know Jason that well….

“Is that a yes or a no? Because I think I just asked you out and you didn’t answer.” That came out a little snippy.

“I’ve enjoyed meeting up with you again
Alice
, but I’m not sure I’m ready for a Preppy Poppy Party. It’s a different crowd than I’m used to. All that upper class snobbery.”

“Poppy is so not a snob. And Lady Howard is one of the most down to earth people I’ve ever met.” I sound as if I’m a whiny little brat now.

“Listen to you Alice, ‘Lady Howard.’ I didn’t mind it when I was younger but it’s just not my scene now. I am flattered that you asked though.”

This is not how I expected this conversation to go at all. Now what do I do?

“I just thought you’d want to be my date. No problem if you don’t.” My arms are folded, I know I’m pouting and I’m wondering whether to just ask him to turn around and drop me home.

“
Alice
, you just said it’s Poppy’s eighteenth. You’ll be hanging out with her and having fun. Why do you even need a date?” Have you ever heard a parent say no to an eight year old? Where every reason why not is enunciated with gritted teeth? That’s how Jason sounds now.

“That’s true,” I feel an opportunity open up, “but you could always bring your friends.”

“Yea, what friends of mine would want to go to……” but he ran out of steam as I saw the light bulb go on in his brain. “Well let’s just enjoy today and we’ll talk more about this later. We have a couple of week’s right?”

“Yup.” I don’t trust myself to say anymore as this hasn’t started out as my dream date. We drive the rest of the way in silence.

“Close your eyes now and I’ll let you know when you can open them. We’re just pulling in so it won’t be long.”

I feel the car slow down as we pull in somewhere. Jason puts his window down, says ‘Cheers’ to someone and then the car picks up speed again.

“Can I open now?” I ask

“Patience, two minutes max.”

Ha ha, me, patience. I’m trying to casually roll my head back and open my eyes the teeniest bit so I can see but it’s making me dizzy to be honest.

“No peeking. I’m parking now but wait until I come around and open the door.”

I hear his car door open then slam, gravel crunching and then I hear the boot open and slam before he gets to my door. He takes my hand in his.

“Open up!”

I have no idea where we are but what I do see is Jason looking excited with a picnic basket in his hand. Please don’t giggle.

“Oh, Where are we?” no enthusiasm at all. Oops.

“We’re on a picnic. Come on, the
Deer Park
is right this way.”

Ok, so it’s kind of sweet but I’d rather be shovelling popcorn in the movies. We’re sat on a blanket and there are deer roaming around freely. Scotch eggs, sausage rolls and diet Pepsi is not terribly romantic but I do appreciate the thought.

“Do you realize that Adam has wanted to go to one of Poppy’s parties for years? When we bumped into you the other day the first thing Adam asked me later was ‘Is her preppy friend still having those ‘do’s’? And now you’re inviting us.” He’s shaking his head amused.

“I don’t remember him wanting to go.” I lie. “So before you turn me down completely why don’t you ask him? Like you said, I’ll be with Poppy a lot so while I do want you there as my date, it would be more fun for you if you brought the boys.” I’ll be a good liar one day but it sounded fake to me. Jason looks at me with an unreadable expression.

“Listen
Alice
, things have changed in the last several years. We’ve grown up. Me and the boys got into a little trouble a while back. You still look at everyone as if there’s nothing but goodness in the world, but bad things happen. Adam has had some bad luck.”

You’re kidding right. There are bad people out there, really? I want him to go on so I don’t say anything.