Fake Tales

Chapter 19- It's Time

Chapter 19- It's Time

I studied my reflection in the mirror and fussed over my hair nervously. I practised looking calm and collected: I didn't want Linda or Mel to get suspicious as to where I was taking them. I had booked a taxi so they wouldn't know our destination and I had told them both to look nice to go out for dinner with my parents and me for Linda's birthday. Of course that wasn't exactly a lie- my parents would be there, but we most definitely weren't going out for dinner.

The dress Greg had chosen was more beautiful than I remembered- the deep burgundy material contrasting nicely with my olive skin. It still surprised me how well he had chosen, but that was just part of knowing Greg: he constantly surprised you. Greg had given me the address, but hadn't given me any other details. Apparently, the less I knew the better in case they got suspicious. I had agreed, but suspected he just secretly enjoyed withdrawing information from me.

"Are you ready?" I asked as I came downstairs, both Mel and Linda looked up at me as I entered the room.They both smiled and I was struck suddenly by their similarity: the clear skin, startlingly blue eyes, the rich auburn hair and of course that dazzling smile. They both looked gorgeous: Linda had gone for the classic black dress, which hugged her slim figure and emphasized her petiteness to a tee. Whilst Mel had gone for a deep turquoise dress. It was made of some floaty material that ran over the curves of her body like a second skin.

"You look beautiful Maddy, any lucky boy I should know about?" Linda asked wiggling her eyebrows suggestively, for a moment she reminded me so much of her son that I had stop myself from smiling involuntarily.

"No Linda, just wanted to look nice on your birthday" I replied immediately,smiling. Funny how the lies had become almost second nature to me now.

"If you say so, tell him if he hurts you he'll have me to answer to" She grinned, dismissing my response. I just shook my head, smirking slightly, if only she knew the only boy I was interested in already had to answer to her.

"Anyway, the taxi's outside." I reminded them. They nodded, grabbed their handbags and followed me out of the door. The subtle warmth left over from another summers day cooled some of my nerves as I clambered into the car. I had made sure to tell the taxi driver before they had got into the car, just to make extra sure they wouldn't know our destination. Greg would kill me if they guessed.

"Are your parents meeting us inside Maddy?" Linda asked me and I only nodded in reply.

We arrived at the venue, I payed for the taxi despite Linda's protests- ensuring her it was no trouble at all, anything for the birthday girl. I tried to keep the worry off of my face, and I was sure I was sweating my make up off from the stress. I text Greg to warn him of our arrival, hoping it had gone through in time.

We entered and it was seemingly empty, and though I could feel Mel and Linda's curious glances towards me, I refused to look at them.

"Maddy, where are they?" Mel asked, sounding perturbed. I was saved from answering when the collective shout of:

"Surprise!" I jumped though I knew it was coming. Linda laughed and before I knew it we were being swarmed by guests. There was an excited hum of chatter as everyone was allowed to talk again. I waved to Dom, Dean and the girls in mild surprise and mouthed 'one minute' to show I had to talk to my parents first. My mum was first to congratulate the birthday girl:

"Happy Birthday Linda!" She pulled her into a hug and my Dad kissed her on the cheek. I smiled at them, my Dad murmured to me quietly: "You got them here in one piece then?" I chuckled and nodded.

"I don't think Greg would have forgiven you. He was like a turkey on Christmas eve, waiting for them to get here" Dad rolled his eyes.

"Did you organise all this?" Linda asked Mum, gratitude filling her tone. I turned my attention towards the conversation with a frown, where was Greg anyway?