with some misgivings . How many people would come , and would Royce be among them?
Not that it matters , she scolded herself, he’s only another complex dweller, that’s all .
She did get a bit excited though, at the prospect of making some tasty morsels to tempt her guests . After scanning her favourite recipe books for ideas, she finally settled on a range o f Nigella Lawson’s delicacies , choosing some that were simple, but succulent. S he also decided to buy a new outf it for the occasion, so she could feel at the top of her game . It was another good excuse for retail therapy , with her enthusiastic co-shopper and fashion critique partner, Claire, in tow . A fte r much trying- on of num erous outfits, Verity chose a Black Label shell dress, of luxurious black lace over elegant navy satin. As soon as she stepped out of the change room with it on, she was awarded with an eager, if hard-won, thumbs-up from Claire.
It now graced her trim figure . She glanced at her watch; there was still time before everyone arrived to have one more careful preen in front of the cheval mirror . She was pleased at how well the dress suited her . Its figure-hugging, sleeveless bodice tapered smoothly into a black silk waistband, and its wide neckli ne showed off the smooth, creamy skin on her throat and neck . A scalloped lace hem rested above her shapely knees , encouraging the eye to travel down slender legs u n der barely-there black stockings , to a stylish pair of black high heels with dainty ankle straps . Her hair was piled high on her head, tied with a black satin ribbon and held in place by combs sparingly dotted with diamantes , which glinted in the light. S he’d taken particular care with her ma keup which looked flawless, even to her own judgemental eyes .
Well, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be , she sighed to herself . It’s been ages since I hosted a ‘do’ like t his. T he last time was that surprise birthday party for David , which was a bit of a disaster . Although ev eryone else had a great time, the guest of honour wasn’t impressed when he realised that instead of the AFL season tickets he was expecting , I was throwing him a cocktail party so all his family and friends could help him celebrate his special day. H ow was I to know he ’d want the same present again, for about the third year running ? He hadn’t dropped the usual hints , or maybe I hadn’t picked up on them because I wanted t o do something different. B ut I guess I should’ ve known , h e was never one for trying new things, and he made no secret o f his obsession with Aussie Rules football . She sighed again . Well , I hope this evening is more successful than that one was .
‘W ow!’ Claire stood in the door way, gaz ing at her. ‘That dress looks even better on you here than it did in the boutique. And look at your tiny waist! Oh, I’m so jealous. ... ’ She came further into the room. ‘ Was t hat you in the kitchen earlier, in torn , garlic-splattered jeans, up to your elbows in flour , and sweat ing all over the baked ricotta ? ’ sh e teased, ‘’c os this image in front of me sure do es n’t look , or,’ and she sniffed, ‘smell like her!’
They both giggled .
‘Hey, y ou look great too,’ Verity said. ‘T hose new linen trousers are very slimming, and go so well wi th that blouse. I love its sheer collar and puffed sleeves. ’ She glanced at Claire’s feet. ‘ And you decided to brave the high-heeled black sandals ? They look terrific, but they’re so new, I hope they don’t give you blisters! Oh, and I love what you’ve done with your hair. Having it up really suits you.’
Claire beam ed and tweak ed the strands of hair she’d carefully curl ed to frame her heart-shaped face. ‘ C’mon,’ sh e announced , ‘t here’s a couple of chilled champagne flutes downstairs , having a dry argument that can only be settled by adding bubbles . I don’t know about you, but this gal’s ready to
Not that it matters , she scolded herself, he’s only another complex dweller, that’s all .
She did get a bit excited though, at the prospect of making some tasty morsels to tempt her guests . After scanning her favourite recipe books for ideas, she finally settled on a range o f Nigella Lawson’s delicacies , choosing some that were simple, but succulent. S he also decided to buy a new outf it for the occasion, so she could feel at the top of her game . It was another good excuse for retail therapy , with her enthusiastic co-shopper and fashion critique partner, Claire, in tow . A fte r much trying- on of num erous outfits, Verity chose a Black Label shell dress, of luxurious black lace over elegant navy satin. As soon as she stepped out of the change room with it on, she was awarded with an eager, if hard-won, thumbs-up from Claire.
It now graced her trim figure . She glanced at her watch; there was still time before everyone arrived to have one more careful preen in front of the cheval mirror . She was pleased at how well the dress suited her . Its figure-hugging, sleeveless bodice tapered smoothly into a black silk waistband, and its wide neckli ne showed off the smooth, creamy skin on her throat and neck . A scalloped lace hem rested above her shapely knees , encouraging the eye to travel down slender legs u n der barely-there black stockings , to a stylish pair of black high heels with dainty ankle straps . Her hair was piled high on her head, tied with a black satin ribbon and held in place by combs sparingly dotted with diamantes , which glinted in the light. S he’d taken particular care with her ma keup which looked flawless, even to her own judgemental eyes .
Well, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be , she sighed to herself . It’s been ages since I hosted a ‘do’ like t his. T he last time was that surprise birthday party for David , which was a bit of a disaster . Although ev eryone else had a great time, the guest of honour wasn’t impressed when he realised that instead of the AFL season tickets he was expecting , I was throwing him a cocktail party so all his family and friends could help him celebrate his special day. H ow was I to know he ’d want the same present again, for about the third year running ? He hadn’t dropped the usual hints , or maybe I hadn’t picked up on them because I wanted t o do something different. B ut I guess I should’ ve known , h e was never one for trying new things, and he made no secret o f his obsession with Aussie Rules football . She sighed again . Well , I hope this evening is more successful than that one was .
‘W ow!’ Claire stood in the door way, gaz ing at her. ‘That dress looks even better on you here than it did in the boutique. And look at your tiny waist! Oh, I’m so jealous. ... ’ She came further into the room. ‘ Was t hat you in the kitchen earlier, in torn , garlic-splattered jeans, up to your elbows in flour , and sweat ing all over the baked ricotta ? ’ sh e teased, ‘’c os this image in front of me sure do es n’t look , or,’ and she sniffed, ‘smell like her!’
They both giggled .
‘Hey, y ou look great too,’ Verity said. ‘T hose new linen trousers are very slimming, and go so well wi th that blouse. I love its sheer collar and puffed sleeves. ’ She glanced at Claire’s feet. ‘ And you decided to brave the high-heeled black sandals ? They look terrific, but they’re so new, I hope they don’t give you blisters! Oh, and I love what you’ve done with your hair. Having it up really suits you.’
Claire beam ed and tweak ed the strands of hair she’d carefully curl ed to frame her heart-shaped face. ‘ C’mon,’ sh e announced , ‘t here’s a couple of chilled champagne flutes downstairs , having a dry argument that can only be settled by adding bubbles . I don’t know about you, but this gal’s ready to
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