Page 17 of Save You

After a long moment, she shoves me back and gives me a warm smile.“Shall we get started?”She points to the spice rack.

I nod, glad not to have to speak any more about my feelings.We put on the face masks and search for suitable music.Emberpicks the Michael Bublé Christmas album and together we start on varnishing.

“Oh, and I’ve hit six hundred,” she says after a while.

I cheer and pretend to bow down to her.“You’re a queen.”

“I’m considering applying to some of the London fashion houses in the summer holidays.”Ember won’t look at me as she says that, just focuses her entire attention on the top corner of the spice rack, even though that’s been finished for ages now.The mask is covering most of her face, but I’m pretty sure she’s blushing.

“Do you want any help with the applications?”

Ember pauses and now she plucks up the courage to glance in my direction.“So, do you think it’s a good idea?”

I nod encouragingly.“You’ve known for years that you want to go into fashion.So I’d say the sooner you get started, the better.”

She keeps on working in silence.

I study her thoughtfully.“What’s wrong?”I ask.

Ember only hesitates a moment.“I really wish I could do an internship at a firm that makes ethical, eco-friendly, and stylish plus-size clothes,” she explains in the end.“The trouble is, it’s really hard to find anything that ticks all those boxes.So I guess I’ll just have to apply to anyone that’s offering anything.But it doesn’t seem like there’s much point working for people who don’t even make clothes in my size.D’you see what I mean?”

I nod.“Yes, but work experience is important.And you’d be able to see what they do and figure out how you’re going to do things differently one day.”

“But I feel really uncomfortable about it.”She sighs.“I keep asking myself, should I trust my gut instinct, if it’s telling me not to go there?”

“It might just be nerves.Remember how many good people have your back.Your blog has so many readers.They all believe in you and your vision.”

“That’s sweet of you.”

“I’m not just saying it to be sweet.I mean it.I’m one hundred percent certain you’re going to start your own fashion empire one day, and get off to a flying start.”

Ember grins from ear to ear—mask or no mask, I can tell by her sparkling eyes.

“During the holidays, we can make a list of possible companies, maybe?”I suggest, running my brush over the inside of the rack.

“That’s a great idea.I’ve made a start because I’ve been wanting to put together a guide to ethical plus-size fashion.”

I’m about to tell her it’s a plan when there’s a knock on the garage’s side door.

“Ruby?”

Ember and I freeze.We can’t let Mum see what we’re doing here.She is absolutely incapable of keeping a secret, especially when it comes to presents for Dad.We’ve experienced that more than once over the years.

“Don’t come in!”Ember yells in alarm, taking a hasty step in front of the spice rack so that Mum wouldn’t be able to see it if she stuck her head around the door.

“I wasn’t going to,” she says, her voice muffled.“Ruby, you’ve got a visitor.”

Ember and I look at each other in confusion.

“Lin?”she asks.

I shake my head.“No, she’s spending the holidays in China with her mum, visiting family out there.”

Ember’s eyes widen.“Do you think it’s…?”She doesn’t say his name, but my heart still skips a beat.

“Who is it, Mum?”I call.

“Any chance you could come out?I have no desire to have a conversation through the door.”