Page 116 of Tears of Ink

“Oh gosh, you’re going to love them.”

“If you say so.” I chuckle and let her lead me to the champagne and oyster bar.

An hour and a half later I’m stood in front of the long mirror. “Are you sure?” I’ve only tried on two dresses. And Saskia is almost swooning over this one. It’s clinging to everything I own, which isn’t very much. My angled hip bones are poking through the sheer white satin.

“Yes, completely. It makes your ink stand out so beautifully.”

I give a rueful laugh. I don’t think the secrets inked on my skin are beautiful, but it amuses me the six-foot supermodel in front of me thinks so.

The dress is Gucci. With a Gucci price tag.

“What colour do you think Elijah will wear?” There is no way I can even ask this question without being obvious, so I just put it out there.

“Mm, he always wears black to formal events.”

“Black.” Okay, I’m disappointed. I love him in navy best of all.

“Believe me, it’s a sight to behold.” Saskia winks, and I flush a little.

“Will you be coming to the ball?” I ask.

She nods eagerly. “One of the perks of being Jennifer’s personal assistant.”

“Personal assistant? How come I haven’t seen you around the house that much?”

Saskia arches a perfect eyebrow. “I work from an office here in London. Bowsley is, well it’s…”

“Nuts?” I add for her when she’s run out of words.

“Yeah, sometimes.” She gives me a sad small smile. “It makes me kind of sad, because they are all so miserable.”

“I can’t believe Jennifer would quash her children’s dreams and desires like she does. I mean, my own dad is a prize arsehole, but he would never have not let me do anything.”

Saskia looks in shock. “Darling, it’s not Jennifer, it’s Connie. Even Jennifer doesn’t get to live her life. Come on, can’t you see it? Jennifer is only in her early sixties, and she’s an attractive woman. So ask yourself why hasn’t she made another great catch?”

I shrug. “I figured it was because she was a mega bitch.”

With a shake of her head, Saskia plays with holding my hair up, exposing the ink on my collarbones and the back of my neck. “No, it’s because she’s not allowed. It wouldn’t be good for the family name.”

“Aren’t they related to the royal family? I mean come on even Prince Charles married his mistress eventually.”

Saskia chuckles. “That’s because the queen isn’t Connie. She’s a fluffy duckling in comparison.”

“So everything is Connie. Elijah is a barrister instead of an artist because of his grandmother?”

“Listen, I don’t know all of this for a fact, it’s just stuff I’ve picked up over the last few years.”

“So when Connie dies they will all get to live?”

“When? That woman is going to live forever. She won’t allow herself to die because that way she won’t be in control anymore.”

We both lapse into silence while I stare at myself in the mirror. Never have I felt more heartache for anyone than I do the Faircloughs right now. People who have everything, but at the same time who have nothing.

My phone vibrates and I jump on it.

Eli Jones: Why is my car parked outside my house but there is no you in sight?

I grin. It sneaks up on my face until my cheeks are close to splitting.