Chapter 4

4

Pearl’s mood is high as the three friends part company that night. Never mind that the world she has built for her and Brandon since his dad passed away has recently been turned on its head. Because Brandon’s girlfriend Abi has burst in on their world, arriving with a gigantic pink suitcase with no prior consultation and proceeding to bellow everything at maximum volume:

‘Pearl, could you stick my pyjamas in with your next wash?’

‘Pearl, that tinted moisturiser you left out in the bathroom. I used the last little bit. Hope that’s okay!’

Tonight she senses a flicker of relief as she lets herself into her first-floor flat. Brandon and Abi are out. She knows they’re not working tonight – they’re both doing bar work – so it must be a night out. She hopes it’s a late one, but is primed for them to burst in at any moment. In the meantime, she rounds up the socks and cotton buds and lacy knickers left scattered by Abi all over the bathroom floor. And that thing Brandon said, when she’d just moved in, pops into her mind.

‘Just a temporary thing, Mum, to tide her over. She’s had a really tough time.’ It’s been three months now and Abi is showing no signs of moving on. But then, she has nowhere else to go, and they are in love. At twenty-one, this is Brandon’s first serious relationship and they think nothing of full-on snogging while waiting for their toast to pop up. Once, Pearl accidentally glimpsed Abi jabbing her tongue into Brandon’s ear. Brandon who, just last week (it feels like) had an army of Bionicle robots all set up on the living room floor. Yesterday Pearl discovered a small gold vibrator placed casually on top of the potatoes in the vegetable rack. It wasn’t hers.

Naturally, Abi will be here for Christmas. She’s fallen out with her mother and it doesn’t look as if there will be a reconciliation anytime soon. Occasionally, Pearl is tempted to call Abi’s mother and offer a mediation service. Surely the rift can be healed?

Having gathered up the girl’s detritus from the bathroom floor, Pearl stops and frowns at the glass shelf. She always applies her make-up in here, as the light is the best in the flat. And Pearl adores make-up. Even in her darkest days, she has never been ‘not up to’ applying a full face. Quite the opposite, in fact. However wretched she’s felt, as she’s worked through the steps – base, eyes, blush and lips – Pearl has always sensed herself settling, her heart rate calming and things being just that little bit better.

Now she notices that her favourite lipstick isn’t in her make-up bag, where she’s sure she left it. Instead, it’s sitting out on the shelf. No longer a beauty editor, when she was festooned with free make-up samples from PRs, Pearl now works as a freelance make-up artist. These days she buys most of her make-up, although she has enough friends in the industry to be sent the occasional jiffy bag packed with samples. It’s a delightful perk of her job.

However, this particular lipstick wasn’t a freebie, and Pearl didn’t buy it. This Tom Ford lipstick was a present from Lena, who knew she’d adore it and would never spend ￡48 on a lipstick for herself. The colour is Ruby Rush: the perfect warm red for Pearl’s auburn hair and fair skin.

She pulls off its lid and frowns at the mangled state of it. Well, it certainly wasn’t Brandon. Abi must have used it and jammed the lid back on, without properly twisting it back down. Should she say something?

No, she can’t bear to be so petty. However, it rankles her, the way her flat feels invaded – and it’s not restricted to her make-up or even the bathroom. The entire flat is strewn with Abi’s puffa jackets and huge quilted bags with their flashy gold logos and jangling chains. The Sm?stad storage unit Pearl ordered, still boxed and propped up in the hall, is heaped with further jackets and scarves. Yet Pearl can’t help feeling sorry for the girl. After the fall-out with her mother, she seemed a bit lost, despite the brazen attitude. And Pearl knows all about feeling lost.

Now, though, things are getting better. She’s had a lovely night with her best friends, and things are good with Elias. So far, he’s been unfailingly sweet and thoughtful, and gradually she’s allowed him into her life. And who knows where things will lead?

She’s not going to let a mangled lipstick ruin her mood.

Now, as Pearl pulls on her pyjamas, her phone dings with a text. It’s Elias.

Elias

Hey gorgeous hope you’re having a fun night out. Know it’s cheeky and late but can I be cheeky and late? *winky face* Can I come over when you’re back? It’s about the surprise!

A rush of anticipation surges through Pearl’s body, instantly dispelling any irritation over the crushed lipstick.

She replies, smiling as she types:

Pearl

Of course. I’m just home so come over. See you soon! Xx