The Birthday Girls Page 9

  “Could I have the car for an hour, Lexi? I need to do some shopping,” Mel asked.

  “No problem. The caterers are coming shortly so I’ll be tied up for a while and won’t need it. I’ll ask Pablo to bring it round for you.”

  “Great! Perhaps you’d like to come too, girls?” Mel said to Brenda and Angel.

  “If Lexi doesn’t need us to help,” Brenda replied, looking to Lexi.

  “No, no, go ahead. This place will be crazy with the caterers running around. Go and enjoy some shopping. Just don’t forget you have to be at Sharmaine’s for one o’clock.”

  “Don’t worry, we’ll be back in plenty of time,” Mel assured her.

  “You two go on without me,” Angel said. “I need to read my emails and stuff.”

  Mel threw her eyes to heaven. Typical Angel, backing out when she’d said she’d come! “Okay, Brenda, let’s go,” she said, throwing Angel a dirty look.

  * * *

  “I can’t believe how cheap these are,” Brenda exclaimed as they checked out the laptops in Walmart. “How do they do it?”

  “Because they don’t have the Irish government loading excruciating tax on them,” Mel replied caustically.

  “At that price I might buy one before I go home,” Brenda confided. “I’ll wait and see how much money I have left at the end.”

  Mel smiled at her. “Good idea!”

  They chose a laptop for Lexi and while the staff were gift-wrapping it Mel suggested that Brenda take a stroll around the store and she’d meet her back at the car in thirty minutes. Brenda was pleased with the opportunity and Mel then ordered a second laptop for her and secreted them both in the car, happy with the way it had gone.

  They arrived back before noon to find the house buzzing with florists and caterers. Maria had prepared sandwiches for them which they ate by the pool so as to keep out of the way. Angel, as she did every lunch-time, polished off the best part of a bottle of wine on her own. It had become obvious to the other three girls that she was drinking far too much. Mel was convinced that she was also drinking secretly in her room but didn’t want to worry Lexi by mentioning it. She knew she would have to tackle Angel about her drinking before the week was out.

  “I’m not coming with you to the Spa,” Lexi informed them as they prepared to leave. “I’m tired. I’m going for a lie-down as I want to be fresh for the party.”

  “Ah, Lexi, that’s a pity. Are you sure?” Brenda asked, looking at her closely.

  “Dead sure. Honestly, I would prefer go and rest but you guys go and enjoy it.”

  * * *

  “I’m worried about Lexi,” Brenda confided to the others as they drove to the salon. “She seems to tire very easily. I don’t ever remember her being like that before.”

  “No, she’s always had lots of energy,” Mel agreed.

  “I expect it’s having us all here together,” Angel said. “That’s a lot of work for her.”

  “Indeed. She’s used to having a quiet life with her painting and now we three have descended on her, creating havoc and turning her life upside down,” Mel remarked.

  “Yeah, I suppose it’s natural that she’d be tired,” Brenda agreed.

  She put it to the back of her mind as she succumbed to the pampering of the next three hours. She enjoyed it so much that she resolved to treat herself from time to time in the future. American women certainly knew how to pamper themselves. She left the salon feeling like a million dollars.

  * * *

  When they got home Lexi was waiting for them with a bottle of champagne on ice and some tasty appetisers. They had decided to exchange birthday gifts before the other guests arrived for the party.

  “How did you enjoy the Spa treatments?” Lexi asked Brenda as Mel and Angel headed upstairs.

  “Fantastic! It was a wonderful present. This whole week is glorious. I can never thank you enough, Lexi,” Brenda replied, her voice full of emotion. She gave Lexi a quick hug before going upstairs to get the gifts she’d brought from Ireland for the others.

  Back downstairs, they set the presents out on the table. Maria poured the champagne and handed each of them a glass.

  “Happy birthday, girls!” Lexi toasted them.

  “Happy birthday, everyone!” they chorused raising their glasses to each other.

  Lexi was overjoyed when she unwrapped her laptop but not as surprised as Brenda was with hers.

  “Oh my God! A laptop!” she gasped. “Thank you so much, girls. I’m speechless!” Brenda hugged them both. She shyly gave Mel and Angel a silk scarf with Celtic designs which they both said they loved and then presented Lexi with a book on Irish Art. Mel had bought Angel an evening bag and Angel in turn gave her a leather briefcase. There was much oohing and aahing as they admired their gifts and thanked each other.

  “And thank you, Lexi, for this wonderful week and also for the spa treatments,” Mel said, raising her glass. “To Lexi!”

  “To Lexi!” the others joined in.

  As they sipped their champagne and nibbled on the titbits, Pablo came into the room carrying some paintings.

  “I have a special present for you all, seeing as it’s our last birthday together,” Lexi announced.

  She took the paintings from Pablo and they crowded around her, amazed to see that they were paintings of the four of them as children, each painting slightly different. Mel could see that they were based on photographs that Lexi’s father had taken at her eighth birthday. Mel had one of those photos in an album she’d brought with her from Ireland. They’d all been dancing and were holding hands and laughing gaily as they faced the camera. She’d loved that photo as she’d been happy and smiling too, just like the others. Angel stared at one painting, recognising it from the photo her father had kept in a frame on his desk till the day he died. Brenda also remembered the photos and was touched by the gesture. The paintings were stunningly beautiful and the girls stared at them in admiration. They were so lifelike that it brought tears to their eyes, each of them remembering that innocent time.

  “Oh Lexi, this is too much,” Brenda said, hugging her tightly.

  Mel and Angel followed suit amid tears and thanks. It was the best present any of them could have had, unique and sentimental and something to treasure. Only Lexi could have thought of it.

  They were all on a high as they finished the champagne and went to get dressed for the party. It had the makings of a fabulous evening.

  * * *

  Brenda was tempted to call Bob, if nothing else than to tell him how angry she was with him. He knew their party was tonight but she still had no word from him. Well, to hell with him, she thought, as she showered. He was being childish. She would not give in and call him. Let him sulk!

  Chapter 13

  Brenda and Mel came down the stairs together.

  “You look terrific, Brenda,” Mel said linking arms with her. “I’ve never seen you look so good. No one would believe you have children in their twenties.”

  Brenda blushed with pleasure at the compliment. She was wearing the emerald-green silk dress which exactly matched the colour of her eyes and accentuated her honey-gold skin.

  “I can return the compliment. You look very chic indeed.”

  Mel was every inch the sophisticate. Her black bob was shining and she wore a simply tailored, black Stella McCartney dress with a white panel down the centre. It suited her to perfection and gave her curves where she didn’t have them. It was mid-thigh and showcased Mel’s wonderfully long shapely legs. She looked downright sexy, perhaps because she had an inner glow and softness about her that had not been there before. That hard edge was gone.

  “Thank you. I’m really excited about tonight.” Mel’s eyes were shining brightly.

  “Looking forward to seeing Jack again?” Brenda asked.

  “Oh yes. I can’t wait,” Mel admitted, blushing prettily. It was true. Every minute of the day had seemed like an hour as she anticipated meeting him again. She hoped they’d get to make l
ove later. She shivered with pleasure at the thought. She looked at her watch. Only two hours to go till she saw him again.

  “Ooh la la!” Lexi cried as they came down into the foyer where the guests would arrive and be received by the girls. “You both look fabulous.” She noticed that Mel was glowing and wondered if Jack was the cause of it. Was it possible they’d made love? Lexi was not one to moralise or judge others and if Mel was happy then so was she.

  “You’re looking pretty fabulous yourself,” Mel replied. Lexi was looking very striking in a bright yellow linen pantsuit.

  “You look wonderful,” Brenda agreed. “That colour really suits you. Is there anything we can do to help?”

  “Not at all, the caterers have everything under control. Just relax and enjoy your party.”

  The young guy who was the barman for the evening appeared with a tray of cocktails and the girls all chose margaritas. They had just toasted each other when the first guests started to arrive.

  Marvin and Troy were the first. Brenda thought Troy looked even more handsome than she remembered. They were followed by a couple from Lexi’s bridge club and also a sculptor and a potter from the Artist’s Co-Operative that she helped run. Her good friend Sandy, who ran a craft shop in Dunedin was next to arrive with her partner, who was a writer. They were closely followed by Lexi’s gay friend Randy and his partner who both worked in the Dalí museum in St Petersburg. It was an eclectic and diverse group which augured well for an interesting night. Brenda tried to remember everyone’s name but it was difficult.

  Introductions over, the guests stood chatting as the barman passed around drinks. The evening looked set to be a great success and Brenda found everyone charming and friendly. The Irish considered themselves to be the friendliest nation on earth but she discovered that these Americans could give them a run for their money. Of course, almost everyone she met claimed to be of Irish descent!

  They had almost finished their drinks but there was still no sign of Angel. Lexi came over to the two girls a worried look on her face. “Have either of you seen Angel?” she asked. “I wonder why she’s not down yet?”

  “Waiting to make a grand entrance no doubt,” Mel replied caustically.

  No sooner had she uttered the words than Angel did exactly that. She shimmied down the stairs, her blonde hair a mass of curls and her body poured into a figure-hugging, low-cut, off-the-shoulder red dress which showed rather too much of her amazing breasts. It also showed quite a lot of slim thigh and her feet were encased in the most divine red shoes that Brenda had ever seen. They were platforms with what must have been five-inch heels and they had a jewelled cuff around the ankles. She looked sensational and as glamorous as any star on the red carpet. Conversation stopped and all eyes were drawn to her as she sashayed into the crowd, a bright smile on her face.

  “Angel, honey, I was getting worried about you,” Lexi said going forward to take her hand. “Come let me introduce you.”

  “What did I tell you,” Mel hissed out of the side of her mouth.

  Brenda couldn’t help smiling. “She certainly knows how to make an entrance,” she whispered back.

  They could see all the men clamouring to be introduced to this goddess and Brenda was dismayed to find that Troy was one of them. She saw him take Angel’s hand to his lips as he flashed a smile at her. She, in turn, batted her eyelashes and smiled at him seductively. Brenda felt a quiver of jealousy run through her as she watched Angel flirt outrageously with him. Naturally he would fancy Angel. What man wouldn’t?

  “Bah!” Mel retorted. “Sometimes she gets on my goat.” She was more than a little concerned that Jack would be seduced by Angel just as the other men present appeared to be.

  People had started to move out on to the pool terrace where the bar had been set up. Brenda and Mel joined them but then Mel went down into the garden for a smoke.

  “You look ravishing tonight. Do you know that dress is the exact emerald of your eyes?” said a voice behind Brenda.

  She turned to see Troy smiling at her and she blushed at the compliment.

  “Well, I thought I looked okay till Angel put in an appearance. She puts us all in the shade, I’m afraid.”

  He raised his eyebrows and smiled sardonically at her. “Ah yes, Angel. She’s something else.”

  “Yes. She’s very beautiful,” Brenda observed as she looked inside to see that the lady in question was now talking to Marvin.

  “I didn’t say that,” he replied. “I think you look very beautiful tonight.”

  Her self-confidence had taken a down-turn when she’d seen Angel but, with his words, her confidence returned. She wouldn’t go quite as far as to say she felt beautiful but she did feel young and attractive and her spirits lifted. Troy was good for her ego which was feeling pretty bruised, thanks to her husband’s behaviour.

  “Your glass is empty. Let me go get you another drink,” he said, moving away towards the bar.

  Brenda was perturbed to see Angel come out on to the terrace, her hand possessively on Marvin’s arm. She was flirting outrageously with him too and he appeared to be enjoying it. Mel came over to speak with her.

  “Oh God, do you see what she’s at?” she hissed in a low voice. “We have to get her away from Marvin.”

  “How can we?”

  “I don’t know but I don’t want to see Lexi hurt.” She left to go and tackle Angel.

  “What’s the matter?” Troy asked as he came back with her drink. He could see that Brenda was uneasy.

  “Oh, Mel is worried that Angel is going to seduce your brother.”

  Troy threw back his head and laughed. “Well, Marvin is a big boy but I see what she means. He is rather naïve and innocent when it comes to women.”

  “We just don’t want to see Lexi hurt.”

  “Neither do I. Come on, let’s go rescue him!”

  They ambled across the terrace to join the group and as they did Mel took the opportunity to grasp Angel by the arm and pull her aside.

  “What the hell do you think you’re playing at?”

  Angel stared at her, her big blue eyes open wide. “What do you mean?” she asked, all innocence.

  “I mean that Marvin is Lexi’s boyfriend and you should leave him alone.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous! We’re only having a bit of fun.” Mel heard the slight slurring of her voice and guessed that she’d been drinking in secret before the party had started. Angel pulled away from her grasp. “Anyway, I don’t think Lexi’s all that serious about him,” she said, pouting.

  “That makes no difference. Just leave him and go find someone else to seduce.”

  “Like the lovely Jack, if he ever arrives,” Angel sneered.

  Mel felt like slapping her but restrained herself, clenching her hands by her sides. She prayed that Jack wouldn’t fall for Angel’s wiles.

  Angel stalked off and joined the others.

  Lexi, having seen the altercation, came over to Mel.

  “What was that all about?” she wanted to know.

  “Oh nothing. I was just telling her to stop trying to seduce every man in the room.”

  Lexi laughed. “Don’t you know Angel has to have every man in love with her?”

  “Why? Even when he’s with another woman? It’s disgusting.”

  “Don’t be too hard on her, Mel. She’s very insecure. She doesn’t mean any harm.”

  “You think not? Don’t be too sure,” Mel retorted in a bitter voice.

  Lexi had no time to reply as her neighbour, Kenny, had just arrived and came to greet her. She introduced him to Mel. He barely glanced at her as he shook her hand before turning back to Lexi.

  “Who is that ravishing creature in the red dress?” he wanted to know. “I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before.”

  Mel threw her eyes to heaven as Lexi tried not to laugh.

  “That’s Angel Flannery, the actress. Come – I’ll introduce you.” She led him over to where Angel stood with Marvin, Brenda an
d Troy.

  “Angel, I’d like you to meet my friend, Kenny.”

  “What a perfect name for such a beautiful vision,” Kenny declared, taking her hand to his lips. Angel looked him over and dismissed him straight away as too old for her. Kenny couldn’t take his eyes off this ravishing woman and was thoroughly mesmerised by her.

  Lexi then introduced him to Brenda – he already knew Marvin and Troy – but after a cursory hello he quickly turned his attention back to Angel. Kenny was certainly in his sixties but he was a handsome virile man and although Angel had no interest in him she enjoyed his obvious admiration and couldn’t resist flirting with him.

  Brenda watched her in action. It was no wonder that she could ensnare men so easily. Not only did Angel resemble Marilyn Monroe in looks, she oozed the same sex-appeal and vulnerability that had men flocking to her like bees to a honey-pot. Brenda guessed she’d been born with it and couldn’t have changed even if she’d wanted to, which she clearly didn’t.

  * * *

  Troy was hovering over Brenda solicitously making sure her glass was never empty.

  “Please, no,” she eventually said. “These cocktails are lethal. If I have another one I’ll never make it to dinner. I would love a glass of water though.”

  “Sensible girl,” Troy grinned. “Unfortunately your friend Angel isn’t too concerned about that.”

  Brenda looked across the room to where Angel was talking and laughing rather too loudly.

  “Oh God, I’d better go and see if she’s okay.”

  She moved over to Angel who when she saw her, cried out, “Brenda, honey, come and tell these lovely people all about the first day we met!” She was slurring her words and Brenda realised that she was half-pissed. “Brenda can remember everything even though it’s thirty-five years ago. Isn’t she amazing?”