Читать книгу The Night Flyer's Handbook 2-Book Bundle - Philippa Dowding - Страница 28

I need Jez. But I forgot: she’s at a family barbecue.

Rats. What am I going to do? I’m on my own.

I stand in front of my open closet. Lots of brown corduroys and black leggings. My shirts are all purple and dark brown. There are some horrifying cutesy dresses that I stopped wearing a few years ago but haven’t gotten around to moving into Christine’s closet.

My wardrobe looks like a giant bruise. When was the last time I went shopping for clothes? I do a mental memory check, and it doesn’t really compute. It must have been over a year ago. Apart from a few essentials, lately I’ve been mostly borrowing Mom’s stuff.

I’m just about to go down to the kitchen to see if Mom can help when she knocks on the door. She’s been doing that a lot more lately, knocking instead of just walking in.

“Come in,” I say.

She walks in with a box with a ribbon on it. Ribbons don’t figure particularly large in our lives, not even at Christmas, so I’m suddenly a little edgy and worried.

She laughs. “Don’t panic, Gwennie. It’s not a pink satin dress or anything. I bought this for your birthday next month, but you might want to try it out tonight.”

My mom takes the lid off the box, and there inside is the most beautiful long swishy shirt I’ve ever seen. It’s dark green with white pearl buttons up the front, and I think it’s made of silk or something really soft.

I instantly love it and pick it up and rub it against my face.

Night Flyer or not, my mom does know me a little, I guess.

“Thanks, Mom,” is all I can say. She nods and gives my shoulder a squeeze.

“You can borrow my leather sandals, too, if you like,” are her parting words as she turns and vanishes through the door.

Her leather sandals cost $150 at the store in the big town down the highway. They were a special gift to herself last summer. They are great sandals. I sometimes sneak them on, but I’ve never worn them outside the house.

“Okay,” I say, silently really thankful that I had that recent growth spurt and my mom and I now have the same size feet.

First time I’ve been happy that I grew so much. I sit on the bed for a long time, looking at my reflection, just hugging my new shirt.

Who is that girl in the mirror, anyhow?