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Alfie ran over and between them they began offering the bags out until only one was left. ‘Don’t worry about that one right now. Go say goodbye to your friends.’
She saw Paige and Emily chatting in the corner and smiled at Paige as she disappeared, presumably to get changed.
Then finally it was quiet, except for the ringing in her ears and the excited pounding of her pulse. She still wasn’t really believing the list on her phone. The very best list she had ever seen.
‘Did you have a great party, dude?’ Emily asked, as Melanie wiped chocolate off Alfie’s chin.
Alfie nodded. ‘Can I have more cake?’
‘Of course,’ Emily said. ‘Auntie Mel has to go and make sure Paige gets her party bag, then we can have more cake and open up your presents!’
Emily whispered in Melanie’s ear, ‘She’s in the spare room. Go for it.’
Melanie grabbed the little party bag and slowly made her way upstairs. Her hands were shaking as she pushed her glasses up her face and wiped her hands on her dress. She knocked on the door.
‘Come in,’ Paige said.
Melanie walked in just as Paige finished getting dressed. She spotted her phone on the bed and knew she hadn’t looked at it yet. Melanie’s mouth dried, and as Paige turned around, she saw the nerves all over her face. Paige had no idea that Melanie had seen the email notification, no idea that she’d seen the list, no idea that she’d added to it. And Melanie had no idea at all what to say. So she bought herself some time.
‘Alfie made you a party bag. It’s pretty cool.’
Paige grinned as she grabbed it and looked inside. ‘Play Doh, cool!’
Melanie had seconds probably until Paige would grab her phone and see the notifications on the lock screen. She could leave it for Paige to see. Let the words there do the talking for her. But Paige had been brave and now it was her turn.
‘It was Laura, she erm, she made me feel useless. I would have had a bar years ago if not for her. She kept me at her beck and call, to fulfil her dreams and ambitions. She deliberately made me feel small and incapable because it suited her. It took a long time for me to build myself back up. I’m proud of who I am now. I know I’m far from perfect. I’ve become too self-reliant. I put too much pressure on myself. I’m always busier than I ought to be. I hog the bed, and I’m a morning person. I’ve never actually sat down and watched all the Star Wars films. I’m almost always on my phone or an iPad, to the point where I can often be really rude. But I would hope that those that I love know I would drop anything for them. I’d drop everything for you, Paige. Whatever you needed I would be there. I love you. I love you so much it’s terrifying.’ Melanie quickly gulped down a breath to continue. ‘I’m terrified that I’m not good enough for you. Or that I won’t be able to see you as much as a new relationship needs. I was hurt, but only because I cared so damn much. So much for such a short period of time. Is that not crazy?’
Melanie finally ran out of breath, her chest was tight, her throat sore and she felt like she would cry or run, or freeze or combust she wasn’t sure which.
Paige stepped forward. ‘It is crazy, which is why it took me so long to realise what was going on. It’s absolutely terrifying but I know that I love you and you make me happy, and really everything else we can figure out in time. I already know you’re a bed hog. I know that I don’t always share as much about myself as I should. My love language is definitely acts of service. Connie raised me, and my relationship with my mum is complicated but I will tell you all about that if you want? I’m used to helping people and fixing things, but I promise I can do more than that. I can listen to what’s going on, but I also know you’ll be there for me when I need it too and I will need it. I want to share everything with you. I love you, Melanie.’ And they reached for each other in a move that looked well rehearsed. Melanie’s hands on Paige’s hips, Paige’s hands gently cradling her face as their lips met and they kissed, and they whispered endearments and declarations of love over each other’s cheeks, necks and lips.
‘I love you, Melanie,’ Paige said holding on to her face and looking into her eyes.
‘You can definitely cross that off your to-do list now. Both entries. I love you too, Paige.’
Chapter Forty-Three
Two weeks later
Melanie
It was finally happening. Melanie was stationed in front of the flower wall. Dan was in the kitchen preparing the food for the day as well as extra samples for later. There was a bright ring light and a rather expensive looking camera pointed at her.
‘Just close your eyes for me a second,’ Sophie said.
And honestly for the fiftieth time in the last two minutes alone, Melanie could still not believe this was happening.
‘So where did you get the idea for Lulu?’ Sophie asked, as Melanie felt the gentle sweep of the make-up brush over her eyelids. ‘Oh and before you answer that, Melanie wears glasses so I’m making her eye make-up extra fierce so it can be seen. Sorry, Melanie, go on.’
‘Well, Lulu was the girl I always thought I wanted to be. She was creative, strong, beautiful. She was independent; she didn’t need anybody. Louisa, my best friend, she totally understood and helped further design that vision until we were able to create Lulu. It’s a bar for people to feel creative, to have happy times, to of course eat delicious food and drink lots of prosecco, but it’s also a space for people to find out who they really are. Find out what they really need.’ Melanie smiled, and when Sophie moved away, she opened her eyes to look behind the camera where Paige was sat. She could see the cling film around the top of her arm where her fresh tattoo was healing, and she couldn’t help but smile as she remembered Paige asking her to pose for it. Paige telling her that the space had always been saved for her, she just hadn’t known it.
‘I have to say, Melanie, I love it in here. I’d work from here every day if you’d let me. I’ll add all the details in the notes so do make sure you check it out and make sure you book, because this place gets busy!’ Melanie watched as Sophie smiled at the camera.
‘And it’s a special day today as well, isn’t it?’ Sophie asked.
‘Yes, today Lulu and Barbarella along with our fellow bar, shop and trade owners in our little community are unveiling a huge piece of wall art. The artists are all volunteers that have either worked with or benefited from Selena Dante Art Therapy. We’re talking members of the community that needed support when fleeing domestic abuse, or people who were homeless, to those that have been helped out by the LGBT centre. We’ve all come together to create a piece of amazing art that captures our community spirit and today it gets its first official unveiling.’
Sophie paused what she was doing and looked directly into the camera. ‘Melanie, it’s safe to say that you and Paige — come on, Paige, get in on this for a second.’ Melanie grinned as Paige grimaced but did as she was told. ‘It’s safe to say that you both did a lot of work for this project, isn’t it?’
