Three Days Ago
I found myself at the Mayors mansion visiting my friend Melanie after yet another icy exchange between mother and I during breakfast that day. I was happy to let Mel's cheery presence infect me and lift my spirits.
Mrs, Moore, the Redford's housekeeper, lead me up to Melanie's bedroom, where I found her and another maid trying on every dress in Melanie's very large closet. "What's going on here?" I ask stepping into room as Melanie bent over to pick up a pink slipper. "Oh, Scarlet." Mel said, snapping up right like wheat free of the wind. "I'm so glad you're here, help me find the other one?" I smiled at her flushed pink face. "Is there a reason your breaking out you best dresses to go to church?" Shaking my head, kick aside a light blue dress and pull the pink shoe free.
"Sir Ian has returned home from the city." Spoke Melanie's helper Nora, Mrs Moore's daughter answered while Melanie blushed a bright rosy pink. "I see, I see." I said covering my mouth trying not to laugh.
"Scarlet." Mel chastised me attempting to frown through her happiness. Melanie Redford had fallen hard for her brother's oldest friend Ian Summers, his father owned an trading company that had recently expanded to dealings with another business in the city.
Which resulted in his constant absence as he was always away learning everything he could from his father. It was all rather dramatic, him leaving and Mel pining over him, it made really good material for the town gossips.
Melanie thought Ian hung the moon, that he was perfect and with his golden skin and ash blonde hair and charming smile, I could see why.
I thought Ian was nice, but I've watched their interactions and Ian seems to treat Melanie like a brother would a sister. And I haven't the heart to tell that he just might not like her, like that. But who I am to say anything, his feelings could change and marriage isn't always about feelings, about love. This line of thought brought memories of my parents many fights, shaking my head I focus once again on Melanie, the sweet girl who wore her heart on her sleeve.
"Okay, I won't laugh." Grabbing her hand I lead her over to the bed forcing her to sit as I glance over the multi coloured dresses scattered across the room.
"How about you try something new. Hmm, what about, that pale blue silk dress your father got you when he was last in the city," I say pointing to the only dress still hanging in the closet, she'd would look beautiful in it. Simple and elegant the pale colour would make her long dark hair stand out even more.
"I don't think that Ian as seen you in that dress yet." Mel's eyes light up like the sun at my suggestion. "Why have I not thought of this?" She questioned leaping over a dress on the floor to snatch up the one hanging in the closet.
"I'll just try this on, then we can head out for a walk, okay?" Mel said twirling around with the dress in her arms. "Its just such a lovely day, isn't it?" She asked her face glowing with happiness. She was radiant, I don't think I've ever seen her this happy before.
"I'll just be a moment." I giggled watching as she headed for the bright green dressing screen, moving down the path that Nora had cleared for her between the dresses.
"No need to wait, I'll take Scarlet out for a walk." A strong deep voice interrupted our fun, Mel froze a step away from her destination, shoulders tense and I could have sworn I saw Melanie flinch at the sound of her brothers voice.