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I owned a grand total of two dresses and a very minimal collection of make-up I wore so seldom most of the tubes were probably out of date. Remembering how much Vivi loved make-up and fashion, I did something I rarely did and called up my baby sister to ask for help. Normally, it was the other way around.
She sounded excited when I explained the situation.
“I’ll hop on the bus now,” she said. We hung up, and I wondered if I was making a huge mistake asking for fashion tips from a fourteen-year-old. No more than an hour later, the buzzer to my flat went. I answered the door, and Vivi stepped inside, eagerly looking around. She’d never been over before. It was always me coming to see her, so I braced for her reaction. It wasn’t at all what I expected.
“Oh, Maggie! I love your place. It’s so cosy and cute.”
I smiled. I guessed my flat would seem cool to her because she’d had to share a room with Shelly almost her entire life. She went to sit on the sofa and put down the backpack she carried with her. Unzipping it, she began pulling out all sorts of accessories, as well as a small make-up bag.
I watched as her eyebrows drew together and worried something was up with her. Then she asked, “Did Delia call you about visiting Mam? She arranged for us to go on Christmas Eve.”
“Yes,” I replied, my gut twisting at the reminder. “She left a voicemail.”
Vivi didn’t meet my gaze as she continued, “It’s okay if you want to change your mind. I know you don’t really want to go.”
My heart clenched because she was far too astute for her age. “I haven’t visited Mam since she was sentenced, but I’ll go for you and the others. Just because I won’t benefit from seeing her doesn’t mean the same goes for you.” Vivi frowned before I went on, “Besides, it turns out I actually have a few questions I need to ask her.”
“What sort of questions?”
I exhaled and sat down on the couch. “Questions about my birth father. I found out this week I have another half-brother.”
Vivi’s hands went to her cheeks. “Oh, my goodness, Maggie! You have another brother? How?”
“We share the same dad. His name is Jonathan. He was born about ten years before me.”
“That’s crazy. What’s he like?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t had the chance to get know him yet.”
“Well, if he’s anything like you, I’m sure he’s amazing,” she smiled, then turned to sort through the items she’d unpacked.
“So, who’s this friend you’re going to the party with?” she asked, and I found I was relieved for the subject change.
“His name is Shay,” I replied evenly before going to sit down beside her.
Vivi held up a bottle of foundation. “It’s lucky we’re basically the same shade.” A pause as she pressed her lips together, then said, “You can tell me if he’s your boyfriend, you know. I’m not a kid. We can talk about stuff.”
“Yes, you are a kid,” I countered. “And I guess it’s too new to call him my boyfriend.” Even though you’re half in love with him, a small voice in my head piped up.
“Hmm, well, can I look in your closet? Do you have anything dressy?”
“I have a black shift dress that could work,” I replied and went over to retrieve it from my wardrobe.
Vivi tapped a finger to her lips and started to smile. “Yes, we can definitely do something with that.”
Later, I paced from my sofa to my kitchenette, waiting for Shay to arrive. He’d said he’d pick me up at eight, but he seemed to be running a few minutes late. I peered at myself in the mirror one last time.
Vivi had done a spectacular job. I barely recognised myself. She’d blow dried and curled my hair, so it looked way silkier and shinier than normal. She also did my makeup in a way that highlighted the blue of my eyes. Vivi gave me a shiny red belt to cinch in my waist, which elevated my plain black shift dress into something a bit more festive. I also wore my only pair of black high heels.
I was so impressed with her styling job that I insisted on giving Vivi some money before she left. Her face lit up. I knew she hoped to become a make-up artist when she was older and paying her boosted her confidence.
Peering out the window, I spotted some headlights approach before I recognised Rhys’ SUV pull up outside my flat. Shay hadn’t mentioned he was coming with his cousin. The last time I saw Rhys was the night of Mrs Reynolds’ party. Self-consciousness pecked at me because I’d been a wreck that night. But no, I refused to be embarrassed.
