In Waves -Book 3

Chapter 42 -Waltz with me

This was supposed to be a cool October evening, not a slightly hot bank holiday weekend in August. Still, after an arson attack, it was happening today and all my nerves were rolling around in my stomach as I slowly got ready.

Charlie and Aera were in the garden, watching Nemo once more on the makeshift projector screen, both on pink bean bags, both with little pink bowls of popcorn and the twinkly patio string lights blinking on the beams behind them.

I honestly don't know who was enjoying it more, both were giggling, both jumping at different parts despite seeing the movie more times than the editor did when making the movie.

But she was happy, around her bestest buddy, which put my heart at ease tonight.

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'Right I know it looks complicated, but I swear it is this one hair chopstick and a few hair pins, but Kat......it looks so gorgeous' Ella said lightly patting my shoulders and then getting the mirror for me to hold.

'Wow ....you managed to make this rat's nest look good......I swear you are my fairy godmother and not Aera's sometimes?' I sighed and admired her work, it did look beautiful, all soft curls and a few twisted parts, and sleek and natural.

'Yeah, and I don't think my makeup skills failed either' Ella said standing to my side and packing away various beauty implements.

'I don't look permanently exhausted so yes you are my miracle worker as always' I smiled back.

'Well Kitkat I was going to save this as a surprise, but I thought these would look good with your outfit' Ella said as she handed me a small black velvet box that looked slightly worn.

'You didn't have to buy anything cuz, the taming of the hair was really enough' I said as I took the little box in my palm.

'I didn't spend anything, they were Nonna's, our grandmother...and I think she would like you to wear them tonight' Ella said, her eyes slightly sad remembering the wonderful woman that was our grandmother.

'Ella...oh my god I thought these were lost forever..I never knew you had these' I said shocked once I opened the box.

'My father had left them in a safe at a solicitors and when he died they were left to me...and well they can't just stay in the box, can they?' Ella said.

'I'm sorry I wasn't here then' I sighed and felt bad as I had left the Uk with not so much as a backwards glance once I hit 18 and there was so much Ella had to go through alone.

'It's ok Kat, they are ours now and in time they can be Aera's ...but for tonight, they are the sparkle for the belle of the ball' Ella said lightly touching my hand letting me know it was ok.

I took the diamond earrings from the box, they were worn in their fixtures but they were beautiful, the ones she bought herself when she married our grandfather and she always wore them every anniversary without fail.

'Grazie Nonna' I said softly and Ella nodded.

'Well Kitkat, I will leave you to get the dress on and I think the movie has almost finished so I will get those two giggle heads indoors before they decide to press replay again!' Ella replied rolling her eyes, knowing full well she would be subjected to that movie all night and always feel tempted to accidentally kick the extension cord out of the wall and just blame in a rouge squirrel passing by intent on causing some violence.

'Ok,' I said my voice only softly shaking with nerves.

But knowing a small piece of my past was with me made me feel happy, a small piece of good in all that had been bad.