Paul and Soline exchanged hugs and a few quick words while Rory gathered her purse and shopping bags. Soline smiled at her when they finally met up at the door. “You’re gorgeous, ma petite.”
“I don’t know how to thank you for today.”
“You don’t need to thank me. It’s what we fairy godmothers do.”
“Just the same, I’m treating you to lunch. Even fairy godmothers need to eat. There’s a place down the block called Seasons. We’ll order something decadent, and then I’ll take you home.”
It was nearly four by the time they reached Seasons, and the lunch crowd was long gone. The hostess showed them to a patio table, commenting when she saw Rory’s shopping bags that someone had spent the day cleaning out the stores.
They ordered lemonades and browsed the specials, opting for the shrimp flatbread and a salad to share. When the waitress returned with bread and their drinks, Rory lifted her glass to propose a toast.
“To the best fairy godmother any girl could ask for.”
Soline smiled as she raised her glass, but the gesture seemed like an effort. Rory lowered her glass, suddenly aware that in her excitement she had been inconsiderate. “I’m sorry. You’re tired. We’ll tell her we’re going to get it to go, and I’ll take you home.”
“Don’t be silly. We’re here. I’ll just go to the ladies’ room and tidy myself up.”
Rory felt a pang of guilt as she watched Soline disappear into the restaurant. They’d been having such a wonderful day she hadn’t wanted it to end. But she’d forgotten that Soline had forty years on her, and they’d been going hard for nearly six hours.
“Aurora?”
Rory’s hand flew reflexively to her freshly cropped hair when she saw Camilla making a beeline in her direction.
“My god. What have you done to your hair?”
“I cut it.”
“Please tell me Lorna didn’t do that to you.”
“No. Paul.”
“Who on earth is Paul?”
“He owns Bella Mia, and I love it, so please don’t criticize.”
Camilla snapped her mouth closed, confirming that she’d been about to do just that. Instead, she narrowed her eyes on the striped linen suit Rory had opted to wear out of the store. “And the clothes?”
Rory smiled, determined not to take the bait. “You wanted me to spruce myself up, and I have.” She paused, pointing to the collection of bags at her feet. “I’ve been shopping all day.”
“So I see. Since when do you go shopping?”
“Since you called me shabby. You were right, though. It was time for a makeover.”
“And you picked these things out for yourself?”
Rory resisted the urge to squirm in her chair. “What are you doing here, Mother?”
“I’ve just been to Cartier to pick up my watch. I knocked the stem out a few weeks ago, and they called to say it was ready.” Her gaze slid to the table, resting briefly on the second place setting. “And you’re having lunch. Who with?”
Rory was about to reply when she spotted Soline making her way back to the table.
Camilla saw her too. “Who is that?”
“That’s Soline.”
“That’s who’s been helping you shop?”
“Yes.”
“And the hair? That was her idea too?”
“I wanted something new. Something . . . different.”
“Well, you certainly found it.”
Camilla fell silent as Soline approached. The silence spooled out as the two women stood staring at each other. Finally, Rory cleared her throat. “Soline, this is my mother, Camilla Grant. Mother, this is Soline Roussel.”
“Ah, yes,” Camilla drawled with a sugary smile. “The landlady I’ve been hearing so much about. We meet at last.”
“Yes,” Soline replied with a polite nod. “At last.”
“Isn’t it funny? I was running some errands and just happened to be walking past. I remember they used to do the most delicious lobster salad here. In fact, Rory and I were just talking about it the other day, weren’t we? And now here you both are having lunch.”
Soline indicated the empty chair beside her. “You’re welcome to join us.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I hate to push in.” But even as the words were leaving her mouth, she was pulling out the empty chair. “Still, I can’t pass up a chance to lunch with the infamous Soline Roussel.”