No one knows her plan, not even Poppy and Angelica. That’s because Lucy’s superstitious about it – as though it may evaporate if she tells anyone.
The sewing is part of the plan, and only her mum and Daphne know about that so far. And Christina. Christina Clarke! Lucy still can’t believe it.
She didn’t tell her friends about meeting Christina the first time, otherwise they’d probably have run to the shop to see if there was really a movie star working there. But now that Christina seems to be volunteering there on a regular basis, it’s going to be harder to keep it secret.
The other day Lucy went to the charity shop to chat to Daphne, and Christina was there again. She was trying on a jacket that was a funny yellow colour.
‘What do you think, Lucy?’ she said, turning this way and that. ‘It’smustard. Is it too weird?’
Lucy was so in awe of the fact that Christina remembered her name that it took her a minute to realise ‘mustard’ was a reference to the colour of the jacket.
‘No,’ she said, swallowing her nerves, wondering if she’d ever get used to seeing that famous face in the charity shop.
Daphne had seemed a little sad. Lucy had asked about her friend who was helping her out in the shop, and Daphne saidshe hadn’t been in for a while. She didn’t give a reason, at least not one she wanted to share with Lucy. There was probably a reason, Lucy thinks. Adults always have reasons.
She’s going to be an adult soon and she’ll have her own reasons. Just as she has her own plans: to make clothes, to live freely, to have her own home. To never see Russell again.
Since she had to move her sewing back to the shop she’s been able to avoid him more than usual – not coming downstairs if she can hear his voice, not talking to him if they happen to be in the same room.
It’s hard when her dad’s there, though, because he’s always telling her that she has to get on with Russell, that he just needs friends, that he’s had it hard.
Russell hasn’t had it hard – not that Lucy can see.
Like today, Christmas Day, his present was a car. A secondhand Toyota. ‘Nothing flash,’ their father said, but any car seems flash to Lucy.
When Russell was examining the car, Lucy’s mother squeezed her arm and looked at her apologetically. ‘Your dad wants to encourage him to get out more,’ she said.
Lucy couldn’t argue with that, although she wanted to. To her it looks like Russell’s being rewarded for behaving badly.
Now she’s sitting across from him at the dining table and he’s laughing under his breath.
‘What’s the matter?’ Lucy’s mother snaps after a few minutes of it.
‘What?’ Russell says.
Connie glares at him. ‘What are you laughing at? Is the food not good enough for you or something?’
‘Cara,’ Rafael says warningly. Normally it’s his term of endearment, but not today.
‘No, Rafa, he’s sitting here sniggering. I’m sick of it.’
‘The food’s fine,’ Russell says matter-of-factly. ‘It’s that stupid dress I’m laughing about.’
‘What?’ Connie’s eyes are afire.
Russell points to Lucy, whose cheeks heat.
‘That dress,’ he says, still laughing. ‘It’s gothollyon it. How stupid. We don’t even live in England, you idiot.Holly.’
Lucy starts to breathe quickly, her eyes flicking from parent to parent. She knew Russell would do something like this to her.Knew it.She shouldn’t have worn the dress. Shouldn’t have given him the chance to make fun of her again. Now the whole day is ruined and it will be her fault.
Rafael looks furious but he doesn’t say or do anything.
It is Lucy’s mother whose nostrils flare. ‘Russell, I won’t have you making fun of Lucy. She’s made a lovely dress just for today. It’s perfect for Christmas.’
‘Not my Christmas,’ Russell says.
‘Then you can go.’