A little summery excerpt from Welcome to Wonderland. My debut novel that is coming soon…
It was the end of August. The girls lay on the grass sleepy from canapés and rosé, cheeks cerise from the heat. White dandelions blew in the wind and the girls wished for another four weeks of summer.
Livy writing in her journal. Serena making daisy chains. Florence being kissed by a butterfly. Valentina nibbling on canapés. And Charlotte lay on the grass. As the clouds blended and parted into each other Charlotte began to see forest creatures in the sky. “Can you see a deer?” She asked.
“No, I see a mermaid’s tail,” said Florence.
“How do you know it’s not a fish’s tail?” Asked Serena.
“It’s shapely, look – thats the mermaid’s long hair…
Serena smiled to herself as she noticed the shapes really did resemble the long locks of a sea maiden. A swirl of clouds fell under the mermaid and she looked like she was floating on waves.
“I’m so glad we’ve had this picnic. Thank you for all this Serena,” Livy said in a haze.
“You’re welcome. I’m always happy to help… Well… You know pay for things.”
The picnic was a banquet of fanciful canapés, tapas, mini lobster rolls, quiche, salads and dainty slices of Black Forest gateaux and cakes. The girl’s had eaten a day’s worth of food… And there were still tiny cheesecakes and eclairs waiting! Serena popped them in her old Fortnums hamper. Having ordered she knew Valentina would gladly take them home for herself.
The last of the August sun was the final weekend the girls would be together. Serena and Charlotte were headed back to Uni, Florence would go back to college and Livy and Valentina would be busy working.
For those of you that haven’t met the girls… Olivia is known as Livy. Serena is just Serena. Charlotte is sometimes called Charlie or by her surname Chambray. Valentina is sometimes Val. And Florence, the baby of the group, is Flo.
“What are you writing today? Asked Florence
“Poetry,” replied Olivia.
“About who? Enquired Serena with a knowing glance.
“Nobody. I’m capturing this moment. The sky, the scent of summer. It’s like the air is sweeter. I want to capsule the moment. Relive it in my journal when winter comes.”
“That’s a first I mean you’re always writing about boys,” said Serena.
“Not always. Well a lot of the time. I can’t help it. I’ve been single for 3 years. What else am I going to write about? And really, I should be with someone. It feels like a wasted summer being single yet again. Having a guy in my life would mark a new era in my life.”
“And what would that be?” Asked Serena.
“That my life has finally begun.”
Serena smiled into Livy’s defiance. “You said you didn’t need a man.”
“That is true,” she pouted. “But I still want one. I can’t be like Flo all innocent and virginal forever.”
“She’s 18. Honestly Flo, don’t worry about that kind of thing, guys don’t know what they want, even when they’re 30 they still can’t make their minds ups,” said Valentina.
Livy and Serena looked at each other knowingly.’
“What do you mean?” Replied Florence.
“Just because she’d had some rosé doesn’t mean she’ll divulge what she’s been up to all summer,” joked Charlie.
“Whatever do you mean? You know I never drink.” A lady bird perched on her apple juice as she took childlike sips.
It was always awkward for Serena to hear about Florence’s potential suitors as it’s been long suspected that Flo in love with Simon, Serena’s brother whom Serena is hoping she doesn’t end up having her first kiss with.
“I should lay on the grass before bed it makes me feel so sleepy,” yawned Charlie.
Nearby a teenager with longish pretty boy hair sat on his skateboard reading Catcher in the rye and carefully eating a little scone.
“Are you getting flowers on your way home today? Asked Florence.
“I think I will, want to come with me? Asked Livy.
“Yes, I’d like to come.”
“I might head back too,” said Valentina.
“Let me know how it goes with Felipe,” said Olivia.
“I will, and thanks for letting me take home the nibbles.”
As they headed back into the city centre Florence was lost in a world of her own. Noticing flowers in vases through hidden windows. She noticed the townhouse with an easel at the window. That morning the canvas was bare and now it had a field painted onto it – reminiscent of Monet’s poppy field.
Such moments were precious to Florence. They were secret tales she observed, and she always imagined living in those pretty townhouses. She always wanted to knock one of the doors and naively believed she’d be invited in for tea and could gaze at their bookshelf and find all her favourite books from childhood. In Flo’s mind all of life was magical if only we’d appreciate the details. Even in moments of melancholia she loved to look at the sky and be in awe of the magnificent clouds; overpowered by its majestic beauty. She makes friends all the time with ladybirds, roses and even a small grey mouse in her parents’ house. In the evenings she plays flute or violin. She likes The Corrs though doesn’t know much about modern music as it’s so vulgar so just sticks to Classic FM. Even her mother thinks she was meant to be born in another generation.
Finally they arrived at the flower market. Only ranunculus were left and some cream roses. Florence saw some lilac freesias and knew they’d go beautifully with the cream roses. She looked around some more and noticed some pink lisianthus. Livy was quietly charmed at the pretty bouquet Flo put together.
Valentina arrived back at her apartment. She lay the canapés down and Priscilla her pet Pomerian came scampering in ready to feast on the treats. Although it was time for walkies Valentina couldn’t stop looking at her phone and reclined on her chaise longue hoping Felipe would call… Priscilla perched up ready for a cuddle.
Felipe (our Spanish Lothario) has been with Valentina since she was 19 and dragging his feet about commitment. He is everything your grandmother warned you about…. But he plays guitar, he’s gorgeous and so charming. He’s can be incredibly attentive and does treat Valentina like a Queen he just won’t give her that one jewel she longs to have.
Feeling lonely she texted Livy to come over and lit a cassis and pear candle. The room had a rose gold glow and Val sunk back into her velvet sofa and nibbled on more food to comfort her loneliness.
