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She wiped her cheek with the back of her hand, brushing away something warm and wet.
Happiness for Lucie should have come easily, but it felt as if a door had slammed shut. What would she do now? Go back to juggling everything alone? Pack away the thoughts she’d allowed herself to entertain? With Lucie leaving no longer just a possibility but a reality, whatever had sparked between them felt suddenly and firmly out of reach.
Her last relationship, which had become long-distance when she’d returned home following her dad’s death, wasn’t something she wanted to repeat. Promises to make time for each other were soon broken. Blame was thrown around as to who was responsible. In the end, distance had simply pulled them apart.
Needing her mind to go anywhere else, Frances dried her eyes with a tissue and headed to her mum’s room.
After dinner, they washed and dressed for the theatre. By the time Frances and her mum came downstairs, Lucie was already waiting at the bottom, and unless Frances was very much mistaken, her jaw dropped. She gripped the handrail as she descended the last steps, a wave of heat suddenly rippling through her.
“You look stunning,” Lucie said.
Frances met her gaze, steadying herself under the weight of Lucie’s attention before replying. “Thank you.”
She brushed down her knee-length, claret-coloured sheath dress and then checked her earrings. It was the outfit that gave her the most confidence, and she was pleased it was appreciated.
Her mum followed closely behind in a long, dark dress, drawing Lucie’s gaze away.
“You look lovely, too, Rose.”
“Thank you,” she replied, fingertips brushing a gold locket which hung around her neck.
“Sorry I’m not nearly as glamorous as you both,” Lucie said, glancing down at her beige chinos and navy jumper as her fingers fidgeted at the cuff. “My wardrobe is a bit limited at the moment. I only managed to grab these when I went shopping with Mandy before Christmas.”
Frances stepped closer, hoping to reassure her, but as she picked up her scent, her words came out more directly than intended. “You look... divine.”
“Thanks,” she replied with a small shrug.
Frances noticed Lucie’s gaze land on her bare neck, then drift lower. Heat rose in her cheeks and then washed through the rest of her.
A horn honked outside.
“That will be our taxi,” Lucie said, moving away.
They hurriedly put on their coats, Frances helping her mum into hers as Lucie ran outside to hold the driver. They gazed out of the taxi windows in silence as they wound around the elegant terraces of Kensington, streetlights glinting off of expensive cars.
“We could find you a nice gentleman tonight, Lucie,” Rose said suddenly. “There were always lovely men in the theatre in my day.”
Lucie gave an amused snort. “I’m sure there were, but I’m not interested in men.”
“Oh. Frances prefers women too.”
Frances sighed. “I don’t prefer them, Mum. It’s just who I fall in love with.”
“Mmm.” Her mum looked out the window, adding casually, “You two would make a lovely couple.”
“Mum!” Frances hissed as she watched Lucie press a hand to her lips to stifle a laugh.
As the taxi pulled up outside the brightly lit theatre, Frances fumbled in her bag for her purse, only to find Lucie’s hand on hers.
“Let me,” Lucie said. “You’ve been generous enough already.”
“All right. Thank you.”
Her mum was beaming as Frances helped her from the car.
They made their way inside and up to the box that was reserved for them. A quick call on New Year’s Day to an old colleague whose wife ran the theatre had left Frances hopeful, and another call yesterday had confirmed it: They had secured some of the best seats in the house thanks to a last-minute cancellation. She was grateful to still have connections she could rely on in London.
She guided her mum to the chair furthest from the stage, giving her the widest view, and insisted Lucie take the one beside her. Frances positioned herself slightly behind them, primarily so she could keep an eye on her mum but also so she could get a view of Lucie.
