your piece for the school newspaper.”
“Ms. Steele said if you two don’t use it for the
Scoop
, she’ll use it in the
Star.
“
Trixie and Skye looked at each other. They shrugged. Frannie had trumped them.
“No one is going anywhere except, maybe to bed.” May shook her head. “An opera singer. What in heaven’s name were the owners thinking? They should’ve gotten a gal from the Grand Ole Opry.”
May herded everyone through the large parlor to the back corner. The room was decorated in cream and gold, with a white marble fireplace. Satin draperies the color of expensive whiskey pooled on the white marble floor. Tobacco-colored leather couches and chairs provided intimate seating for groups of four, six, and eight. Wrought iron and glass tables showcased crystal vases full of chrysanthemums and asters, while brass lamps glowed invitingly.
Skye’s gang claimed a couple of sofas and two armchairs that had been arranged in a square. Almost as soon as they were settled, waitresses from the dining room wheeled in the dessert cart and Skye turned her attention to not drooling.
Finally, the cart arrived, and one of the servers asked, “Apple tart or brownie?”
Everyone made their selections, all except Loretta and Frannie choosing the brownie. Before anyone could take a bite, the tea arrived. The choices were all herbal, and to Skye, tasted like dishwater, especially when she compared it to her favorite, Earl Grey.
At last, they were all served, and Skye picked up her fork.She broke off a tiny corner and placed the piece in her mouth, determined to savor the dessert rather than devour it. Yuck! It took all her self-control not to spit it right back out. The brownie was a fake. It didn’t taste of rich chocolate or sweet sugar or moist cake. Instead it tasted like … like a mouthful of cardboard.
Skye scanned the others. May, Trixie, and Bunny had identical horrified looks on their faces. Loretta and Frannie’s expressions were more puzzled as they poked the bits of apple and pastry.
Skye finally managed to swallow the bite she had taken, and choke out, “How’s the tart?”
Loretta wrinkled her nose. “It tastes like mulch.”
Frannie added, “Even the apples don’t have a flavor.”
Bunny, Trixie, and May joined in with their complaints, and Skye finally said, “Guess we’ll have to raid the kitchen, if this is all they’re going to serve.”
“Why don’t you just put on your tinfoil suit and save us by producing a big juicy ham?” May’s tone was querulous. “Trixie told us how you rescued her from the terrible Brazilian Waxing Monster.”
The others joined in and Skye shot Trixie a how-could-you look. Her friend’s gaze slipped from Skye’s, and she slumped down staring at her feet.
Skye tuned out the rest of the teasing while wondering if this evening would ever end. Right now she’d even welcome an appearance of the spa vandal.
CHAPTER 5
Wash That Vandal Right out of My Hair
T he trespasser didn’t appear, but Margot did. Walking to the grand piano on the opposite side of the room, she announced, “I hope everyone has finished their deliciously healthy desserts. Both the tart and brownie were made without sugar or trans fats. Carob was substituted for chocolate in the brownie and the apples were organically grown. After all, you are what you eat.”
Trixie nudged Skye with her elbow. “If that’s true, I’m cheap, fast, and easy.”
Skye rolled her eyes.
The room was buzzing with everyone’s reaction to the spa owner’s statement, so Margot cleared her throat, then said at the top of her voice, “If I could have everyone’s attention, please. Madam Piven is ready to start her concert. She asks that no one speak during her performance. Now, for your enjoyment, selections from
Der Ring des Nibelungen.
“
Skye flinched. Opera reminded her of Simon. This particular four-opera cycle reminded her of a never-ending evening she had sat through with him several months
“Ms. Steele said if you two don’t use it for the
Scoop
, she’ll use it in the
Star.
“
Trixie and Skye looked at each other. They shrugged. Frannie had trumped them.
“No one is going anywhere except, maybe to bed.” May shook her head. “An opera singer. What in heaven’s name were the owners thinking? They should’ve gotten a gal from the Grand Ole Opry.”
May herded everyone through the large parlor to the back corner. The room was decorated in cream and gold, with a white marble fireplace. Satin draperies the color of expensive whiskey pooled on the white marble floor. Tobacco-colored leather couches and chairs provided intimate seating for groups of four, six, and eight. Wrought iron and glass tables showcased crystal vases full of chrysanthemums and asters, while brass lamps glowed invitingly.
Skye’s gang claimed a couple of sofas and two armchairs that had been arranged in a square. Almost as soon as they were settled, waitresses from the dining room wheeled in the dessert cart and Skye turned her attention to not drooling.
Finally, the cart arrived, and one of the servers asked, “Apple tart or brownie?”
Everyone made their selections, all except Loretta and Frannie choosing the brownie. Before anyone could take a bite, the tea arrived. The choices were all herbal, and to Skye, tasted like dishwater, especially when she compared it to her favorite, Earl Grey.
At last, they were all served, and Skye picked up her fork.She broke off a tiny corner and placed the piece in her mouth, determined to savor the dessert rather than devour it. Yuck! It took all her self-control not to spit it right back out. The brownie was a fake. It didn’t taste of rich chocolate or sweet sugar or moist cake. Instead it tasted like … like a mouthful of cardboard.
Skye scanned the others. May, Trixie, and Bunny had identical horrified looks on their faces. Loretta and Frannie’s expressions were more puzzled as they poked the bits of apple and pastry.
Skye finally managed to swallow the bite she had taken, and choke out, “How’s the tart?”
Loretta wrinkled her nose. “It tastes like mulch.”
Frannie added, “Even the apples don’t have a flavor.”
Bunny, Trixie, and May joined in with their complaints, and Skye finally said, “Guess we’ll have to raid the kitchen, if this is all they’re going to serve.”
“Why don’t you just put on your tinfoil suit and save us by producing a big juicy ham?” May’s tone was querulous. “Trixie told us how you rescued her from the terrible Brazilian Waxing Monster.”
The others joined in and Skye shot Trixie a how-could-you look. Her friend’s gaze slipped from Skye’s, and she slumped down staring at her feet.
Skye tuned out the rest of the teasing while wondering if this evening would ever end. Right now she’d even welcome an appearance of the spa vandal.
CHAPTER 5
Wash That Vandal Right out of My Hair
T he trespasser didn’t appear, but Margot did. Walking to the grand piano on the opposite side of the room, she announced, “I hope everyone has finished their deliciously healthy desserts. Both the tart and brownie were made without sugar or trans fats. Carob was substituted for chocolate in the brownie and the apples were organically grown. After all, you are what you eat.”
Trixie nudged Skye with her elbow. “If that’s true, I’m cheap, fast, and easy.”
Skye rolled her eyes.
The room was buzzing with everyone’s reaction to the spa owner’s statement, so Margot cleared her throat, then said at the top of her voice, “If I could have everyone’s attention, please. Madam Piven is ready to start her concert. She asks that no one speak during her performance. Now, for your enjoyment, selections from
Der Ring des Nibelungen.
“
Skye flinched. Opera reminded her of Simon. This particular four-opera cycle reminded her of a never-ending evening she had sat through with him several months
Similar Books
