The Cinderella Moment Read Online Free PDF Page B

to agree.”
    “But what if he doesn’t?” Angel knew she was pushing Lily but maybe it was time she realized she couldn’t have everything she wanted. A real best friend would help Lily face the facts. In most things Philip let her have her way but a career in the entertainment industry was probably not going to be one of them. Lily had tried everything to persuade him but he remained obstinately resolute. School plays and amateur productions were all he would allow.
    “If he won’t—” Lily looked mulish. “Well, there’s always a way if you want something badly enough.”
     
    ***
     
    Angel knew she was running late when she arrived in the foyer and found Lily already there. She’d got caught up with her ball gown after breakfast and lost track of time.
    “Hurry up, Angel, the bus is coming.” Lily had the front door open and Angel could see the bus trundling down the street. She grabbed her coat and was almost out the door when Clarissa’s voice stopped her in her tracks.
    “Oh, good, it’s the kitchen girl. I’ve left my watch in my room. Run up and get it for me.”
    Lily swung round, eyes blazing. “Get it yourself, Clarissa. Angel has to go.”
    “Angel—such a sweet name. But Angel or not, she can get my watch.”
    Angel put a restraining hand on Lily’s arm. “It’s okay, I’ll go.”
    Clarissa smiled triumphantly, but Lily wasn’t done.
    “Angel’s not here to take orders from you—”
    She stopped as a voice, ice-cold and perfectly modulated, said, “Quarrelling again, Lily? How tiresome.”
    The three girls turned.
    Margot Kane wasn’t tall but she was stunning. Looking at her, Angel could see where Clarissa got her looks. Margot’s ash-blonde hair was cut into a gleaming cap that perfectly accentuated the superb line of her jaw. Her mouth was wide and full, her nose sculpted to a faint tilt and her violet eyes looked out through the longest, most luxuriant lashes Angel had ever seen. Her eyebrows were a work of art and not the tiniest line dared show itself anywhere on her face. She was the result of tireless dedication to the pursuit of beauty.
    Margot surveyed the three girls for a moment before asking coolly, “Are you ready, Clarissa? Lily? The car is here.”
    “I only need my watch, Mother,” replied Clarissa.
    “Then we will wait in the car while it is retrieved.” Margot stared at Angel, who instantly stepped forward, only to feel Lily’s hand on her arm.
    “I’ll get it, Margot,” said Lily. Behind her back Angel felt Lily link pinky fingers with her.
    “That won’t be necessary. Simone can get it if Angelique has to leave.”
    “No. I’ll go.” Angel ran upstairs.
    She found the watch and arrived downstairs just as the chauffeur saw Clarissa into the Rolls-Royce.
    Lily didn’t use the Rolls much. Most days, she and Angel caught the bus together; Angel getting off at the high school and Lily going on to her private girls’ school. Clarissa had started there just after Christmas and Lily had been furious when a classmate had told her about the strings Margot had pulled to get her in.
    Clarissa was a year above Lily so at least they weren’t in the same class but it had proved meager consolation after Clarissa’s instant success with the group Lily called “the queen divas.” Within a week she was a cheerleader, a member of the yearbook committee and sitting at a center table in the cafeteria. Lily had gritted her teeth and gone out of her way to avoid her.
    But she couldn’t avoid this morning's ride in the Rolls.
    Angel handed the watch through the car window. Clarissa took it without a word.
    “Can’t we give Angel a lift, Margot?” asked Lily. “We go right past her school.”
    Margot made a moue of distaste and waved at the chauffeur, “Drive on, Roberts.”
    As the Rolls pulled away, the first drops of rain began to fall. By the time Angel had put on her jacket it was pouring. She picked up her bag, opened her umbrella and headed for the bus