Page 128 of Tears of Ink

The roses, dressed in an eye catching and dramatic gilt frame, are at pride of place under the curved double staircase.

My own centrepiece is in the middle. A heart made of yin and yang glass pieces, sandblasted until the ruby red is iridescent and then held together with smelted gold.

I’ve never created anything like it. Never would have tried without Elijah. At three feet tall, the freestanding glass heart is the biggest and most unique thing I’ve ever created.

Gerard nods at it. “You should have saved it for your third-year finals.”

“Gerard, I’m not finishing remember?”

He shakes his head. “I think you will.”

I wave my hand at him and turn away. I’m not getting into it now. I’ve got a ball to get ready for.

Back in my room I check my phone, but before I get a chance to log into my messages there’s a tap on my door.

He’s here. I leap for the latch only to be disappointed when it’s Saskia standing at the other side. “Hey.”

“Expecting someone else?” She smirks a little and I stick my tongue out.

“Nope.”

She breezes into my pink room and looks about. “Come on, let’s get you ready.”

“Why are you here helping me? Haven’t you got to get ready yourself?”

“I want to see you in that dress and make sure you knock them all off their feet.” She looks at my hand. “Nice diamond by the way.”

I grab the ring and swirl it around my finger. “It’s onyx.”

She laughs and looks closer. “I’m no jeweller, but I know my diamonds, and that, my friend is a massive one.”

The ring winks at me and I stare at in horror. “A diamond? Are you sure?”

“Yep.”

“Shit, it’s massive.”

It really is ridiculously massive.

“About four grand’s worth I’d say, so don’t lose it when you’re drunk later.”

I grab my phone and send another message.

Faith Hitchin: A diamond? I can’t keep it.

I’m relieved when he answers. He’s been quiet all day and really, I was expecting him back by now.

Eli Jones: Well, it’s yours to keep.

I don’t have time to answer anything else because Saskia takes charge and pushes me into the shower room. Apparently, I stink.

The white satin pools at my feet. Saskia bought me a gift of some white satin Manolo Blahnik’s which I’m sure cost as much as my dress.

I wish I wasn’t going into the ball by myself.

But fuck it. I’m a big girl.

The doors open, and I glide through. All eyes are on me, on my skin, but I don’t care. I see Dylan and Maisie over by the bar and give them a wave. Maisie gives me a thumbs up, which I think is a compliment. I can’t see Tabitha though, or Lewis for that matter, but then there are lots of people, the room is busy and it’s hard to focus—maybe they are here somewhere. Then I sense the blues, bright and intense. He gives me a small smile as he talks to a group of men in tuxedos, although none of them rock the tux with the intensity Eli does. That man could look good in a paper bag, and right now the black tux fitted and cut to perfection along his tall broad form is far from a bag you’d put groceries in.