Football Stars Don't Date Cinderella: Part 6
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5
I barely breathed at all during the drive through town. What had I been thinking, agreeing to this? What if Craig saw through the spell and recognised me? What if the spell wore off unexpectedly?
What if I ended up having three wonderful nights?
That was what I needed to think about – not to worry about anything that could go wrong.
Soon, the Jaguar left Topaz Coast and began to drive through the dark hills. After ten minutes, there was a faint amber glow in the distance that grew warmer and brighter as the car drove on.
The entrance to Greenfield Farm was entwined with orange and yellow fairy lights. There wasn’t much space left in the field reserved for parking, but somehow the Jaguar found a place between two large and expensive-looking vehicles.
I took a deep breath. This was it.
I got out of the car. The Jaguar almost seemed to glow in the dark, which meant finding it would be easy.
The air was cool, but not enough to need a jacket – which was great, because I hadn’t brought one. It looked as if the party was taking place in the fields around the farm; white marquees were set up, and people milled around happily talking amongst themselves. I shot a few sneaky glances at what clothes they wore, and knew I’d made the right choice.
My outfit was a wrap top made from mahogany-coloured velvet with green embroidery around the sleeves, neckline and hem, and a smart pair of black jeans. I wasn’t sure where Patrick had got the jeans from, but thankfully they fit perfectly.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt pretty.
Around me were tables brimming with refreshments, including everything Flora and I had talked about during our brainstorming sessions: battered mac and cheese balls, tear-and-share breads, plates of little sausages, pizza, nachos and dips, garlic bread, cupcakes with orange icing, pumpkin pie and caramel apples, not to mention twelve massive silver drink urns.
The tables themselves were decorated with autumn leaves around the corners and edges, and bottles with fairy lights inside. Someone had also set lights into the marquee ceilings; they twinkled and shone like miniature stars. Music played softly in the background, and someone had thoughtfully set heaters in the corners of the marquee.
Flora stood by one of the tables, a plate in her hands. I gathered my courage and went over to her.
“Oh, hi!” she said brightly. “Sorry, I don’t know your name.”
“Flora, it’s me. Mina Asher.”
Her eyes widened. She looked me up and down in amazement. “Mina? But how…I didn’t…I didn’t even know you! How is that…”
“Claudia didn’t let me go, but I got a little help.” I touched the necklace with one hand. “You look beautiful.”
Flora wore black trousers, and a pink blouse with lace around the neckline and hem. It looked like it could be vintage.
“So do you. I’m so glad you came! What do you think?” Flora gestured around us. “Do you think…”
I couldn’t see a single discontented or bored face. Everyone was either eagerly eating the food, standing around talking to each other or seated on warm, thick blankets.
“You’ve done it.” I put an arm around her and squeezed playfully. “This is amazing.”
“Hi, Flora.”
It was Ethan, wearing a burgundy sweater that looked both casual and smart at the same time. That colour was perfect for him, and the little lights on the marquee ceiling almost seemed to shine on his hair.
I couldn’t breathe.
Then he saw me. “Hello. I’m Ethan.”
And he held out a hand.
I shook it, my mind whirling frantically, trying to think of a good name. After a couple of seconds, I said: “I’m Lucinda, but you can call me Cindy.” It was my middle name, but it was the only one I could think of giving to him.