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Melanie looked at her app again. All appeared to be in order. She quickly glanced at the work app, and no longer had the same sense of dread.
The squeals of excitement quickly brought her back to the here and now as Emily appeared and quickly hid the pass the parcel in one of the kitchen cupboards near where Melanie was stood.
‘Just got it done in time.’ Emily smiled.
‘I think we’re all ready. The entertainer is due in the next thirty minutes and the first guests should start rocking up’ — there was a knock at the door and excited giggles could be heard — ‘right about now,’ Melanie said.
‘Come on, Alfie, let’s welcome your party guests.’ Emily grabbed his little hand. Melanie eagerly looked down the hallway and didn’t want to admit to herself that she was disappointed when she saw that it wasn’t Paige.
Ten minutes later and she was starting to get neck ache from the amount of times she’d checked every time the door went.
Melanie had spent time over the last few days and reckoned she could forgive Paige, and they could perhaps find a way to move on from here. Key was sitting down and talking it out. She loved Paige, and it had hurt beyond belief to think that she was nothing but a first aid kit. But she knew that wasn’t quite right. They needed to talk and maybe they could . . . Her phone started vibrating. She answered but it was so loud she couldn’t hear what was being said so she ran out to the front of the house.
‘I’m so sorry I can’t get there. I’ll of course give you a full refund . . .’
‘Wait, what?’
‘I’m in A&E. I’m so sorry.’
‘Oh God, are you OK?’ Melanie asked.
‘Yeah, I tripped over the hair and landed funny on my wrist. It’s not quite the right size or colour. I’ll send over the refund now. I’m sorry again. Ow!’
‘No, of course, erm . . . take care of yourself. Bye.’ Melanie ended the call. ‘Shit, shit, shit!’
‘Not really the language I was expecting at a kids’ party,’ a voice said behind her.
Melanie spun around. ‘Oh hey, hi.’ She wanted to give Paige her attention but she needed to find an entertainer and fast.
‘What’s wrong?’ Paige asked, the concern evident.
‘Oh nothing. The Rapunzel due in the next ten minutes tripped over her hair and has probably broken her wrist. We have a Disney-themed party with no Disney character.’ She was still scrolling her phone as she spoke. ‘Oh, who am I kidding? I’m not going to get an entertainer this quickly. What am I going to do?’
Melanie looked down at her flowery dress and knee-high boots. Nope she wouldn’t pass for a Disney princess. Then she looked up at Paige. No, she couldn’t ask. Besides Disney had yet to create a Disney character with ripped jeans, Doc Martens, side cut, and piercings although perhaps they really ought to.
‘We need a costume,’ Melanie said. ‘Can you ring round some fancy-dress shops? I’m going to look online and see what I can order and get like right now.’ The pair of them perched on the wall as they scrolled and rang. Melanie couldn’t get anything right away. By the end of the day yeah. And the supermarkets only had kids’ sizes in.
‘Is that the only one you have? What size? OK, hang on.’ Paige pulled the phone from her ear. ‘I can get a Rey costume.’
‘Yes! He loves Rey.’
‘Who doesn’t? But it’s in large,’ Paige said.
‘Get it, I’ll make it work somehow.’
‘Mel! I need you. They’re getting wild in here. Oh, hey Paige, how are you?’ Emily waved.
‘We have a slight problem,’ Melanie said.
‘Which I will sort now,’ Paige said.
‘I can’t ask you to do that,’ Melanie said.
‘You can. I’ll even wait until you ask this time,’ Paige said softly. ‘And not to make too big a point of it but this really isn’t for you. It’s for Alf.’
‘Well if you grab it, I’ll throw it on when you get back.’ Melanie paused. ‘I’d really appreciate your help, Paige, if you don’t mind?’
‘I’m happy to help. Back in a bit. Oh, and here, this is for you. Don’t get them the wrong way round. Back as soon as I can.’
