I must look vaguely horrified.
‘I know it’s short notice, but I seriously need help,’ he confesses. ‘I haven’t a clue what to do for a teenage girl and I don’t want to let her down. I’d like it to be something cool. Gina and I are still at the stage of competitive parenting. Plus, as Gina’s away for her birthday, I genuinely want to make it feel special.’
Chewing at my lip, I say, ‘I’m not sure that party planning is my forte.’
Joe holds up his hands. ‘No pressure. It was just an idea. I thought it might be a chance for you to get to know her better.’
It could be. He’s right. If I put on the party of the century for Daisy, then she might learn to like me. The only downside is that I’m totally rubbish at this kind of stuff. This could be my big opportunity, though. Shouldn’t I give it one last chance? Needless to say, I have some sort of mental aberration and, before I can fully examine the pitfalls, say, ‘Of course. Great idea. I’d love to do it.’
His face brightens instantly. ‘Thanks, Ruby. You don’t know how much that means to me.’
‘What sort of thing does she like?’
‘Oh, I don’t know,’ Joe admits, raking his hair. ‘Pink, girly stuff. Princesses. Usual thing.’
‘Anything more?’
He shrugs. ‘Can’t think of anything. The normal stuff.’
Very helpful. Sounds like I have my brief, though. I might be useless, but Charlie is good at this kind of thing. I’ll get her roped in too.
‘OK,’ I say. ‘I’ll give it a go.’ Already my mind is whirling with ideas. ‘How many guests?’
‘Ten, max. I don’t think I could cope with any more girls than that. Girls en masse are hell. Trust me, I’ve done this before.’
Unlike me.
‘I’ll give you carte blanche,’ he adds. ‘Buy whatever you need. I’ll pay the bill.’
‘No, no. This will be my treat to her.’ Yes, of course I’m trying to buy her friendship. What of it?
‘You’re a wonderful woman. This time, it will be better,’ he assures me.
Then he kisses me and any misgivings fly right out of my head. I should be with this man. I know it. Every ounce of my being tells me that. I’ve just got to win round his kids.
Chapter Sixty-Three
Charlie and I. Our bench. Before work.
‘I’m thinking unicorns, fairies, princesses. All of that shit,’ I tell Charlie.
‘You don’t think a Take That themed party would be spectacularly good?’
‘Charlie, I hate to disappoint you, but girls of that age don’t even know who Take That are.’
She shakes her head and says mournfully, ‘That’s because they are young and foolish and have yet to learn about the finer things in life.’
With the best will in the world, Take That are also middle-aged men, old enough to be their dads. And dads, as we know, are never cool.
‘Joe says she’s a really girly kid. Pink and all that.’
‘Aren’t they all?’
My knowledge of what goes on inside the heads of teenage girls is negligible. I wrack my brain, but can come up with nothing better. ‘Unicorns and fairies it is, then?’
‘Fab.’ Charlie nods in agreement. ‘Sounds like a plan.’
How did I manage to agree to this? I’m pooping myself already at the thought of it. ‘Do you think we can pull it off in a week?’
‘Tough call,’ she says, ‘but, with some well-aimed shopping, we’ll ace it. I’ll hit the internet. We need a Pinterest mood board too.’
Mood board? Blimey. Sounds terrifying. ‘We’re not frightened of a few hormonal teenage girls, are we?’
‘Certainly not,’ Charlie declares.
‘Actually, I think I am.’
‘Faint heart never won round a divorcee’s kids,’ my friend says.
‘You’re right.’ I still chew my nails. ‘And you’re absolutely sure that this is a good idea?’
‘None better.’
We high-five each other. It’s less than an hour later before blind panic really sets in.
Chapter Sixty-Four
At the weekend, it’s Daisy’s thirteenth birthday and we’re all set to go. With Charlie’s help, I’ve produced a full-on magical theme, embracing Joe’s somewhat vague brief – unicorns, fairies, princesses. What’s not to love? I’d like this party myself, thank you very much.
Charlie and I spent a whole morning on our day off scouting out the perfect location for a picnic party spot. Then I prayed all week that the good weather would hold. It did.
We found this clearing in a small wood on the outskirts of Costa del Keynes. It’s by a car park that’s better known for evening dogging activities and a good kebab van, but on a Saturday afternoon it’s all fine and dandy. I just hope we’re not overrun with dog walkers. Or the doggers don’t turn up early.
I had to beg Jay to let me have the time off work and, in the end, I’ve taken it as unpaid leave. I’m not in his best books at the moment. I wanted Charlie to help me with it, but he wouldn’t hear of us both being off together, so here I am by myself setting up Daisy’s surprise birthday bash. Joe is bringing her along at the appointed time, so he couldn’t be here either. Which is fine as I think it would have made me stress even more. I just hope that I’ve got enough time to do it singlehanded.
Loaded down with essential party goodies, I make my way along the narrow paths through the trees until I come to the well-chosen and secluded clearing. Shimmering sunlight filters through the leaves, illuminating the trees and ferns below, making it look truly magical. There’s a circle of cut tree trunks where the party guests will be able to sit.
It’s perfect. The ideal place to have a magical birthday party. I give a spin round to try it out for size. She’ll love it. I’m sure she will. What more could a teenage fairy princess want?
Time is marching on and I’m expecting ten twelve/thirteen-year-old girls in just over an hour, so I’d better get a move on. I gave eBay and my credit card a serious battering and have bought up ALL the magical party goodies that I could get my hands on. I make a couple more trips to the car and hope that there aren’t fairy-minded thieves about to pinch all the stuff I’m piling up in the clearing as I have no one to guard it.