Rose's Rush Hour.

Chapter Twenty-five.

ROSE

Callum and I had been courting for three days now. We spent every second of our spare time during day with each other, and stayed together longer when dusk fell. Sometimes I dropped by when he was working, but he didn't dare come near the salon when I was on the clock because he was intimidated by Madam Monica. I didn't blame him. If she could successfully chase Ed away, Callum was small fry.

We spent long hours talking about our childhood, his dislikes, my homeland, the seasons and Harkfeld, where he wished to travel.

We kissed a lot. And I mean, a lot. We considerably got better at it, although I didn't want to try the tongue stuff Ed talked about yet because it sounded unappealing and gross.

Speaking of Ed, 8th July had finally arrived. I had lunch with Callum, but reluctantly had to leave him so I could go to Ed's house in case she needed me. Besides, Ed and I had planned to dress up together before I started courting Callum.

The furniture in the dining and sitting room at Ed's house had been moved to make space for the interaction and dancing. Her mother was supervising the decoration which consisted of flower arrangements held together by black bow ties. She was a tall elegant woman who wore the most fashionable dresses and hats, and often hosted women's tea parties. In other words, she was the complete opposite of Ed. One wouldn't believe the two were mother and daughter.

Needless to say they had a lot of spats in the past about their contrasting identities, and there was a time Mrs. Chester blamed Ed for her falling out of favour with the women's society she so adored.

That was all in the past now and things had gotten better. It seemed Mrs. Chester realised she loved her daughter more than popularity or favour. Otherwise, she wouldn't be yelling at the help to make sure everything was and I quote, "to my daughter's design!"

She pranced off to the back yard before I could greet her so I shrugged and trotted up the stairs to Ed's bedroom.

The moment we'd bought my gown last week, Ed had brought it home with her to make sure I came to dress up from there.

It was a grey and silver gown, with a sweetheart neckline plus a round neck made of silver sheer that extended into long fitting sleeves. The floor-length skirt was light grey with a silver flowerlace layer coating it.

"Happy birthday!" I shrieked the moment my friend opened the door in her bathrobe and I threw myself at her in a tight hug.

"Thank you!" she laughed. "Did you bring my present?"

I rolled my eyes and pulled back. "I didn't know our friendship was based on materialism."

Ed only put forward her palm and gave me a blank look. "Give it."

I stuck my tongue out at her, but placed a small blue box I'd been hiding from sight in her hand.

"Present!" she chanted, grinning like a manic scientist as she opened the box. Her grin vanished when she saw what it was.

She frowned at me, her face fallen in disappointment. "Earpins? Really, Nkwanzi?"

Beaming, I leaned my face close to her and whispered, "For your second piercing."

Her eyes lit up like the street lamps, and her mouth fell open as she let out a gasp. "Seriously?"

I nodded fervently. "I'm in full support and I'll pay for it too."

Ed had once brought up the idea of getting a second ear piercing, and I'd shot it down because it was a bad idea. We'd argued a lot about the pros and cons until she gave in and said she'd only do it if I gave her a go-ahead.