Seeking Crystal (34 page)

‘Hey, Mama. How are you?’ I asked, giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek. Her short dark hair was tucked behind one ear; a pair of diamond studs given to her by our dad on their last anniversary glittering in her lobes.

‘Oh, I’m having a wonderful time, thank you. All your friends here are so kind—and Trace’s family are simply delightful!’ She bounced baby Robin, cutting off some infant grizzles before they took root.

Tears pricked my eyes. ‘Dad would have been so proud to see you now.’

‘Oh, darling, what a lovely thing to say!’ My mama beamed up at me. She knew what I was trying to convey.

‘Having Xav means I understand. Sorry I was so … so angry before.’

She cuddled Robin against her shoulder, patting his back rhythmically. ‘My bad years did not come at a good time for you—I realize that. I wish it had been different—that Charles could be here to see all of you wonderful children doing so well. I would feel more guilty than I do, but as Karla said to me this morning, you’ve come through with flying colours so maybe I should settle for just saying “I love you”.’

‘Yes, that’ll do fine. I’m pleased not to be the family screw-up any more.’

She laughed. ‘Oh, darling, give yourself time. You’ll make more mistakes. No matter how old we get, we go on doing that. I should know.’

‘Love you, Mama.’ I hugged her, baby and all.

She cuddled me back. ‘Love you, my little girl.’

The day of the wedding arrived and all men had been banished from our flat while the bride prepared. Lily was helping her dress, my mother and Karla in attendance, which was why I found I had a quiet moment in the kitchen with Sky and Phoenix. I leafed through the morning post, putting aside the congratulations cards for Diamond and Trace. We’d already had one wedding present: hearing that the contessa had dropped her charges against the Benedicts.

I opened one addressed to me—thick creamy stationery with a New York postmark. My jaw dropped.

‘What’s the matter?’ asked Phoenix.

I passed her the letter. Sky joined her to read over her shoulder.

‘Oh my gosh: Elite Models wants you!’ Sky giggled nervously. ‘Wow. Three weeks in the Caribbean for a summer fashion shoot.’

‘They took the gossip about me and Steve seriously. They don’t seem to realize I have no experience.’

Phoenix passed the letter back. ‘What are you going to do?’

I brushed my fingers over the paper. It represented a dream I had so briefly indulged in but the answer was obvious.

‘I get spots. Hate diets. I can’t walk in high heels.’ I chucked the letter on the side for a polite refusal to be penned later.

‘So?’ Phoenix grinned, pleased with my decision.

‘The world can do without another model, but not a soulseeker. And I was thinking that I’d set myself up near to where Xav does medical school, maybe take a few design courses while I’m at it. I like making clothes more than wearing them.’

‘I hope he chooses Colorado then!’ said Sky.

‘Hey, no, California.’ Phoenix waved away the idea of studying in the Rockies. ‘San Francisco is much the best place to live.’

I tidied away the post. ‘To be honest, I don’t care if he chooses Nowheresville, Idaho.’

‘Aw, that’s so sweet.’

I thought again. ‘Actually, maybe I do care—about the Nowheresville.’

Sky laughed. ‘Crystal, looking at Xav’s wardrobe choices, do you really think he’ll be choosing that?’

‘No. I’m thinking more Manhattan or London.’ Phoenix was also amused. ‘Funny thing is that Yves told me Xav has put his plans on hold to hear what you want to do.’

Sky hugged herself. ‘You guys are so cute! I’m so pleased it’s you. It’s no big secret in the Benedict family, but everyone has a soft spot for Xav because he’s, well, he’s Xav.’

I grinned. Yes, Xav was Xav, unique and just what the doctor ordered.

The bride was radiant in white lace over a satin slip; the groom dashing in morning dress; the Best Man (Victor) in grey was dangerously impressive; the bridesmaids and page boys looked deceptively angelic in yellow and white.

Xav, who had been listening to my internal commentary as we watched the newly married couple walk down the aisle, leant over.

‘You forgot to add that the Best Woman isn’t looking too bad either, not in that cream dress. Your own design?’

I nodded. ‘And you don’t look a complete disgrace in your suit.’

‘Tell it how it is, cupcake. Shall we go?’

I took his arm and fell in behind the parents. I couldn’t resist satisfying my curiosity so I reached out briefly to Uriel—not a proper examination, just enough to catch a hint.

‘Interesting: South Africa,’ I muttered.

Xav smiled at his brother’s startled expression as Uriel felt my gift brush by. ‘Is that right?’

I turned my attention to Will. ‘I’m getting … tulip fields. Windmills with mice in.’

‘
That’s hardly surprising
,’ Xav whispered back.

‘Aw, you know that children’s song too? Let’s get him a ticket to Amsterdam.’

‘What about Vick?’

‘Hmm.’ The third brother had many defences around his mind but I sneaked in for a little peek. ‘Now that is unexpected.’

Victor’s steel-tipped gaze swung round to us.

‘What?’ urged Xav.

I bit my lip. ‘Shouldn’t I tell him first?’

‘Hey, soul sister, we’re in this together.’

‘OK. Prison. Afghanistan.’

Xav tripped over his own feet. ‘I volunteer you tell him.’

‘What happened to the “we’re in this together”?’

‘But it’s Vick!’

‘Coward.’

‘OK, I’ll tell him—eventually.’

‘But don’t forget to mention that she’s innocent and needs his help.’

‘You can tell that much?’ Xav pulled me out of the line of people being arranged by the photographer. Those things always took hours. Steve’s fans were out in force beyond the barricades put up by the movie people. Steve and Lily didn’t notice—this was their normal after all—and were chatting happily away with Yves and Phoenix as they waited for their photo call. Xav and I found a little spot on our own in the church porch, a flight of angels cavorting on the wall beside us, scrambling haphazardly up a ladder to heaven.

I shrugged. ‘Just an instinct about Vick’s partner. Her energy is really … kind—and brave.’

‘I like your instincts.’

‘Well, here’s another of them. Phee told me you’d said you’d put your medical training on hold for me?’

He nodded. ‘I’ll do what’s needed.’

‘I need you to follow your original plan. Where you go, I go.’

‘You’re sure?’

‘One hundred per cent.’

He recognized the echo. ‘Is this all part of the Crystal and Xav show?’

‘Xav and Crystal show, you mean.’

‘That too.’

He squeezed my shoulders gently. ‘So what do you think about New York?’

I laughed silently. Phoenix had called that one correctly. ‘I’d think it perfect—as long as you are there.’

‘Thank you.’ He kissed me so tenderly I felt as if my soul was unfolding, like petals on a rose.

‘Hey, guys, stop fooling about!’ called Zed. ‘The photographer is waiting!’

Reluctantly we parted to find our families smiling indulgently at us. Confetti fluttered in the air, whisking over our heads and away to the lonely islands of the lagoon.

‘We’ll be right with you!’ Xav called. He lowered his voice. ‘After just one more kiss.’

About the author

Joss Stirling lives in Oxford and has always been fascinated by the idea that life is more than what we see on the surface. She loves travelling and thinks Venice has to be an all-time favourite city in which to fall in love.

You can visit her website on
www.jossstirling.com

www.jossstirling.com

More eBooks from Oxford

‘
You have half our gifts, I have the other …’

When English girl, Sky, catches a glimpse of bad boy Zed in her new American high school, she can’t get him out of her head. He talks to her with his thoughts. He reads her mind. He is the boy she will love for ever. Shadows still stalk her past but a new evil threatens her future. Sky must face the dark even if it means losing her heart.