“Shopping for what?”
“Anything,” I say. “Stuff for Anika. The usual supplies. Maybe some new décor for her room if you see anything decent.”
Holly laughs softly. “I guess it beats working the bar all day.”
“Perfect. And she can’t know I’ve asked you to do this especially. She thinks it was already planned.”
“Right. Erm, fine.”
“When you’ve had enough shopping, take her somewhere nice to eat. One of my places. She’s got a gold card, so use that.”
“And?”
I frown. “And what?”
“And you clearly haven’t finished.”
I sigh. “If she wants drinks after, stick with her, have some fun.”
Holly lets out a laugh. “Cocktails?”
“Within reason.”
“Ray Carmichael, are you trying to impress her?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I mutter. “Just keep her busy.”
“Sure,” she says, still sounding far too amused. “I’ll take care of her.”
I end the call before she can say anything else.
WYNTER
“So, let me get this straight,” I say, glancing across at Holly as I hold up a lipstick. “Ray sends you out to buy Anika’s clothes, makeup, and bath stuff?”
“Yep.” Holly laughs. “Catherine wasn’t exactly into the younger, trendier things. Every few months, he changes bits of her room too. New prints, mirrors, cushions . . . whatever might freshen it up.”
“Why?”
“So, she doesn’t get bored staring at the same four walls all day.”
My heart aches. Partly because it’s such a sweet thing to do for her, but also because it’s sad he has to.
“Why doesn’t she ever go out in that fancy wheelchair?” I ask.
Holly’s smile softens. “She hates people looking at her. That’s what Catherine told me. She’s a beautiful young woman, and to her, that chair feels like a giant sign telling everyone to stare. People can be cruel. Or worse, overly sympathetic.” She gives a small shrug. “Either way, she hates it.”
I trail my fingers over a little neon sign that says ‘LOVE’, then lift it from the shelf.
“And what’s the budget?” I ask.
Holly snorts. “There isn’t one. Honestly, there isn’t. One time he sent me into this tiny boutique in central London and told me to spend three grand on makeup.”
I stare at her. “Three thousand pounds?”
She grins. “Yep. He always gets her the best, top of the range stuff.”
“It’s sad though, isn’t it?” I say quietly. “Buying all that and barely having anywhere to wear it.”