Free Being Grey (Beings Trilogy) by Gina Keliher Page A

everyone whom I don’t have addresses for? Settled, Saturday, June 5 th , 8 O’clock. Now, girls, choose the invitations, they’re on the table over there, boys, come with me. I have to show you this fantastic new piece I picked up the other day.” Lady Howard winks at me and I have to stop myself from visibly squirming at the thought of seeing that ‘sculpture’ again.
    Poppy looks like she needs to use the bathroom. She’s so excited she’s doing some weird wiggly dance over to the invitations.
    As I follow her, walking normally, my mobile rings. It’s Jason. I do the waving arms dance to get the girls attention, mouthing the words ‘it’s Jason’, as if I think he can hear me before I connect the call.
    “Play hard to get with the weasel!” Annabel says quickly. Poppy shrugs. Oh God, she agrees with Annabel.
    I leave it ring a few times so I don’t look desperate and then answer it trying to sound unbothered by his call.
    “Hello.”
    “Hi Alice, Jason. Sorry I didn’t call sooner, been a crazy week. Are we still on for tonight?”
    “Well actually, I’m at the manor and don’t know what time I’ll be back.” This is my attempt to play hard to get. Hoping I’ll hear desperation and begging.
    “No problem, chill out there.”
    Well that fell flat on its face didn’t it?
    “Well if I left now……”
    “Don’t rush, I remember Poppy’s mum. She probably has a whole array of new artwork and pieces to show you.” He laughs and I smile “How about tomorrow?”
    Not begging but at least eager for next day. I could make it tonight, but to call me the same day as our supposed date annoys me. Why don’t boys realize we need time to prepare?
    “If tomorrow is ok with you I’d prefer that.” I say but am now thinking about the brief kiss and wondering if I want to wait a whole day for a second one, hopefully a longer one.
    “Only if I can have you all day.” Jason slurs.
    That sounded really sexy and all my ‘playing hard to get’ attempts fall apart. “Absolutely, love to, sounds great, what time?”
    “I’ll pick you up at 10am.”
    “Ok. Bye.” I try to sound sexy too but it sounds like I’m growling so I quickly hang up. “Date’s off until tomorrow girls.” I tell Annabel and Poppy.
    Annabel nods, “Was that your attempt at playing hard to get?”
    Poppy sniggers. She actually sniggered! “Well… I….”
    Annabel smiles as she playfully thumps my arm, “Nice try tiger. Next time attempt the word, ‘no’.”
    “But…” why isn’t my mouth working?
    “Don’t tease her, Annabel,” Poppy says, sticking up for me, “we all know how smitten she is.”
    “Smitten?” said far too angrily.
    The girls start giggling uncontrollably and I am fast loosing what little patience I have.
    “We just all think he should have called you earlier in the week.” Poppy explains. All of them? Have they been discussing this behind my back?
    “If he was only half a man, he should have rung you after the Beer Garden night.” Annabel adds.
    “I know.” I accept it. It hurts, but there you are. “But it could be Adam’s influence on him?” It’s not a statement, it’s a pleading question.
    “We don’t know enough yet, Alice .” Annabel says gently, “But just in case, try not to get your hopes up. I know that’s easier said than done, but a little bit of self preservation is the key with relationships.”
    Wow – love advice from Annabel. There really is a side to her that I don’t know yet!
    “Well, I’m glad you’re not going tonight,” Poppy says “because now I’m in party planning mood and you leaving would have spoiled it. What do you think of these?” She’s waving around invitations in both hands, grinning like the Cheshire cat.
    The next thing I know its gone 9, and the night turns into a sleep over with pizza, wings and garlic balls, as Poppy reminds me I owe her. Lady Howard promises that Parker will have me home by 9am, so with no other issues, I start to