LISA
I'm starting to feel nauseous as I turn the corner and take in the birthday vibe. The poolside looks stunning, just as I imagined it would in the dark, and a guitarist is playing sweet background music. The guests are dressed beautifully, the women in cocktail dresses and swanky pantsuits and the men in smart casual attire. They have no idea I'm here, watching them in the dark, working up the courage to join them. Clutching the bottle of champagne, I hope Ella was right. I hope Jennie won't mind me being here.
My stomach drops when I spot a woman in a gaudy purple dress. Fuck… it's Mrs. Ashworth. Out of all the ex-clients who could possibly be here, it could literally not get any worse. She's standing very close to what I assume is her husband, as her hand is covering his while they're talking at one of the standing tables. I don't think her husband knows I've been visiting his wife once a month over the course of a year but I'm glad to see they're still together. So, they're friends of Jennie's… I should have anticipated that I might know someone here. It's a small world after all but I can't possibly join the party now. Just as I'm about to turn to go, Ella spots me and rushes toward me. I've only seen her in hoodies, T-shirts and jeans, and it's remarkable how much she looks like her mother in a dress, with her hair down and a little makeup on.
"There you are!" She takes my hand and pulls me along. "I was worried you wouldn't show up. Let me get you a drink."
"Actually, I'm not sure if I can—"
"Nonsense, it will be fine," Ella says, shooting me a huge smile, then continues animatedly, waving her hands as she speaks. "Oh my God, it looks so amazing here, it literally exceeded all my expectations. Mom nearly fainted when she walked into the backyard. I'm pretty sure it's the best day of her life. She's loving the party and she asked me when you were coming."
"I'm so glad she likes it." I stall, terrified now, but Ella pulls me along again, and I have no choice but to follow her.
She takes the bottle of champagne from me and hands me a glass of chilled white wine "Sorry, do you prefer champagne? Or a cocktail? The bar staff can make you anything you like."
"No, this is great, thank you." I keep my head down, hoping Mrs. Ashworth won't see me and my hand trembles as I bring the glass to my lips. Without looking, I know she's spotted me, even though I'm half hiding behind another guest. It's the same feeling I had before I knew she'd followed us to the café; like her poisonous eyes are burning holes into me. "You know what? I'm really sorry but I can't stay. Will you please tell your mom I'm sorry and that I'll call her tomorrow?"
Ella frowns and shakes her head. "No, absolutely not. She wants you here, and you should at least go and say hi."
"I'm sorry," I say again. "I have to go." Unable to explain my weird behavior to Ella, I simply hand her back the glass and turn to leave. I don't want her to think I'm rude but it's better than Mrs. Ashworth causing a scene in front of Jennie and all her friends and family. Not tonight, not ever. Just as I'm about to leave, someone approaches me from behind and grabs my wrist.
"L."
Turning abruptly, I pull my hand back. "Please don't do this," I beg when I'm face to face with Mrs. Ashworth. "Please just let me leave quietly. And please don't touch me," I add, when she reaches for my hand again.
Ella is looking from Mrs. Ashworth to me and back, highly confused as to what's been going on. "You two know each other?" she asks when she sees me wrangle myself out of Mrs. Ashworth's grip.
"We do." Mrs. Ashworth seems to have forgotten all about her husband, who is staring in our direction now. "Did you follow me here? You could have just told me you wanted to be my date."
"I didn't follow you. If I'd have known you were going to be here I wouldn't have come." I immediately regret saying that as her face turns to thunder in a heartbeat, her expression both hurt and furious. Bloodshot eyes pierce through me, telling me she's more than a little tipsy and therefore highly unpredictable. "Don't cause a scene," I beg. "You'll ruin Jennie's birthday. I just want to leave." A thousand doom scenarios run through my head, each one worse than the other, as I slowly take a step back, retreating from my predator. Her husband is still staring at us, and I hope to God he won't come over.
"Can someone please tell me what the fuck is going on?" Ella asks irritably. She puts the glasses down and crosses her arms in front of her chest.
"Is she really a friend of your mom's?" Mrs. Ashworth glances in the direction of Jennie.
"Yes. Why?"
"A good friend?"
"Yes, they're very close," Ella says, careful not to give her too much information.
"Right." Mrs. Ashworth points a finger at me. "Does your mom know she's an escort?"
