𝙱𝙻𝙰𝙲𝙺 𝙼𝙸𝚁𝚁𝙾𝚁 || Original Story

12 - birthday

Liesel insisted that I wouldn't have to wear my evening suit again (much to my relief) and said that her birthday celebration would be a joyous and informal affair.

I had to ask Helena what she thought I should get Liesel for her birthday, so she took me around to all the different shops in Pryhollow the day before the party.

"Sweetheart, I don't think you could get anything that would surprise Liesel," she had said. "That girl has everything she could ask for."

"But surely there's something that would make her smile," I replied, determined not to give up.  "Even if it was something simple."

I then remembered, as we sat in the café early that afternoon, that Thomas had told me that Liesel liked roses. They weren't the kind of thing I'd have liked to have bought her, but in my moments of not being able to think of anything better, I settled on buying her the largest bunch I could get hold of. So, after tea, Helena and I visited the florists. It was owned by Jemima Stapleton (or Jem, as she was endearingly known as), who, I might be embarrassed to say, was a strikingly beautiful young lady. Her auburn hair was pulled back into a neat braid that fell over her shoulder and she was dressed in the most luminously yellow dress that was almost as bright as the sun.

"Good afternoon, Mrs Musgrave," she greeted as we entered the shop. "And good afternoon to you, Doctor Hillenbrand; it's a pleasure to meet you at last."

"Likewise," I replied politely. "What a lovely little shop you have."

"Why, thank you. What can I help you with?"

"It's Liesel Catesby's birthday party tomorrow," I began. "And I want to get her some roses, but I never asked Thomas if there was a particular colour she liked."

"She likes red roses," Jem replied. "Then again, who doesn't?"

"Well," I smiled. "I'll take the biggest and most beautiful bunch you have."

Jem took great care in arranging the flowers, making sure she perfected tying a matching red silk ribbon to keep them together. I caught her eye as I thanked her for them and she seemed to be stifling a flustered smile.

Upon later returning home, I left the roses in a vase on the kitchen table and Helena seemed to be wanting to keep them there. They had put a big beam on her face and so I made a mental note to buy some for her, too.

The night of the party itself came after a quiet day at work. I was thankful for I was feeling far more relaxed than I was prior to Lord Iverach's gathering.

Albert was donned in one of his nicer suits with a pair of brand new shoes that he was adamant to keep pristine and Helena wore a sapphire-coloured dress with matching earrings. They looked magnificent.

I offered to drive up to Whitemarsh Hall so that Albert could have a drink later on and once there Lizzy answered the door, greeting us all with a broad smile. She guided us to the drawing room where there were already several guests chatting amongst themselves.

As we entered, I instantly spotted Liesel amongst the small crowd of guests. She looked ravishing in an emerald-green tea dress with a flowing flared skirt and her hair half up and half down, but curled so dextrously. She had matching emerald earrings and a necklace to go with it. Her extravagance made me feel underdressed, even when she said one of my smarter suits would be fine.

She saw us enter the room and headed over with a spring in her step, but Albert and Helena had seen an old friend of theirs and instantly headed over, leaving me in Liesel's presence. No doubt they'd chat later on.

"Happy birthday, Liesel," I greeted with a bright smile, then handing her the roses. "These are for you."

"Oh, Brandie," she breathed, her eyes lighting up. "They're gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. Thank you so much."