Chapter Four: A Wonderful Evening

As if by unspoken agreement, the girls made no further reference to the mysterious stranger during their journey home. When they arrived back at the apartment, Jim and Brian were already there. The girls made polite inquiries about the lecture and showed off the cute toy they had bought for Bobby.
    “I think I’ll take a shower,” Honey announced. “Unless you want to go first, Trix?”
    Trixie shook her head and Jim nodded. “Take your time, Sis. We’ll make some hot chocolate, okay?”
    “Sounds good.” Honey grabbed their small parcels and ducked through into the bedroom.
    Brian looked uncomfortable. “I’ll just shoot that email off and get the hot chocolate ready,” he offered, grabbing his laptop and heading into the kitchen.
    Jim took Trixie’s hand and led her over to the sofa. “Everything all right?” he asked quietly.
    “Sure, just fine,” Trixie replied, remembering Honey’s words about spoiling their trip.
    “Rachel filled us on in on Ally’s little performance. I’m sorry, Trix.”
    “Honey’s the one who should be getting the apology,” Trixie retorted. She looked immediately ashamed. “I didn’t mean to snap at you, Jim.”
        Jim gave her an understanding smile. “I know how close you two are. I also know that Jenna put her two cents worth in too.”
    Trixie shrugged. “I guess I’ve learned over the last couple of years not to automatically jump to conclusions.”
    Jim half hid his grin behind his hand, recalling an earlier episode of Trixie’s unfounded jealousy. He was fairly sure that Trixie was also remembering her reaction to blonde and beautiful Dot, the girl they had met while staying on the Beldens Uncle’s farm in Iowa.
     “This Ally, whoever she is, just seemed to deliberately make fun of us.” Trixie frowned as she spoke for she was not by nature malicious. “I guess maybe we’re just overreacting. She probably doesn’t even know that Honey kind of likes Brian and that I well, you know.”
    It was Jim’s turn to frown. “Look, Trix, it’s not like we made a big deal of it or anything, but Brian and I have made it pretty clear that we kind of have girls at home. And we haven’t exactly kept your names a secret.”
    Trixie looked disturbed. “So, it was deliberate then.”
    “She was probably just fooling around. I get the impression that guys have always fallen at her feet, more or less. She’s certainly got a thing for Brian, always sitting next to him in lectures, trying to partner him in projects, and coming around here when she’s visiting her brother. But you know Brian; he sort of gives her the brush off in the nicest possible way.” He chuckled. “Actually, most of the time, I don’t think he even notices.”
    Trixie rolled her eyes. “My brother, the lady killer.”
    Jim’s green eyes twinkled. “Anyway,” he added seriously, “when Rachel filled us in after the lecture, Brian was embarrassed and upset about Honey being upset, if you get my drift, but he was surprised as well.”
    Trixie sighed. “Well, Honey didn’t want to make a fuss—you know what she’s like—but I’m glad I can tell her that Brian hasn’t lost his mind or his good taste.”
    Jim laughed outright. “You’d have to go a long way to find girls as special as the ones you find in Sleepyside,” he said, reaching over to tug that curl.
    Trixie didn’t say anything. She just smiled contentedly.

    Brian entered carrying two mugs of hot chocolate. Trixie accepted hers gratefully with an extra warm smile for her brother. “Should I take Honey’s to her?” he asked, dark eyes reflecting his concern.
    Jim shook his head. “She’ll be out a minute.”
    As if on cue, the door opened and Honey emerged, wrapped in a peach and white dressing gown.
    The other three burst out laughing. Honey looked uncertain and Trixie hastily added, “Perfect timing, partner.”
    Honey still looked slightly puzzled and Brian hurried over to her. “Come and get your hot chocolate, Miss Wheeler. Doctor’s orders.” He put an arm across her shoulders and was relieved when she smiled up at him and nodded.
    Trixie watched them go, satisfied. “And now I’d better go take a shower and wash my hair or you’ll be escorting Ms. Witch to dinner.”
    “I’d take her right now,” Jim said promptly. “Even with her messy hair, shiny nose and crumpled jeans.”
    Trixie flushed and poked him playfully. “I’ll have to see what improvements I can make, won’t I?”

    An hour later Trixie stood before the mirror, surveying her handiwork with mixed feelings. Her sandy curls had been washed, conditioned and dried, framing her freckled face softly. She had dusted her skin with a faint touch of powder and applied a touch of mascara to her lashes. Her pale, powder blue cardigan suited her perfectly, but she was not at all sure of the fawn trousers she had teamed it with. A small pile of discarded clothes on the bed behind her indicated it was not her first choice.
    “Here, try this.” Honey handed her friend a dark blue patterned skirt.
    Trixie quickly stepped out the trousers and pulled on the skirt, its soft flowing fabric falling in soft folds. “Honey, it’s absolutely perfect!” she exclaimed joyfully.
    Honey clapped her hands in delight. “I knew it would be. I got it a couple of weeks ago. When I picked mine out, I saw that one and thought it would be just right for you.”
    Trixie spun around to hug her friend. “You ironed it,” she gasped, noticing the faint warmth still in the fabric.
    Honey rolled her eyes. “It was creased from being in my case. Of course I ironed it, silly.”
    Trixie shook her head. “I don’t deserve a friend like you, Honey. Really I don’t.”
    Honey chortled. “Because I ironed your skirt.”
    “Bought it for me and ironed it,” Trixie corrected solemnly.
    “That’s just …” It was Honey’s turn to shake her head. “You know, Trix, just how miserable my life was until you and Jim and your brothers came into it. I could iron your clothes for the next twenty years and never repay you.”
Trixie hugged her friend again. “You’re repayment enough, Honey.” The two smiled at one another and Honey’s eyes shone.
    “However,” Trixie added with mock seriousness, “if you do want to do my ironing for the next twenty years, well…who am I to argue?” She blinked her eyes angelically, and they clutched one another giggling helplessly.
    “Are you two okay in there?” Jim’s voice sounded anxiously outside the door.
    “We’re fine,” Trixie gasped.
    “Perfectly fine,” Honey added.

    The two stood together before the mirror and regarded their reflections with satisfaction.
The touch of pink lipstick was just right with Trixie’s blue outfit. Honey was wearing a dark brown and cream skirt very similar to the one she had given Trixie. She’d teamed this with a light mushroom-coloured, fine knit sweater. Lightly applied make-up provided just a hint of glamour. All in all they presented an attractive picture.
    “Are you two nearly ready?” Brian called.
    “Yes,” they shouted in unison. They grabbed their jackets and purses and hurried out of the room.
    The appreciative looks on Jim and Brian’s faces would have been reward enough, but it didn’t stop there. Jim gave a low whistle and Brian added, “You two look great!”
    “You both look wonderful too,” Honey offered shyly.

     The young men had certainly taken some care with their appearance. Both wore neatly pressed dark trousers. Jim had donned a blue long sleeve chambray shirt over his white t-shirt and Brian sported a coffee-coloured knit sweater.
    Jim held out his hand to Trixie and Brian crooked his arm at Honey. Together they left the apartment, laughing and joking.
    As they were getting into the car, a voice called to them from across the courtyard “Hey, where are you off to? You look pretty fancy.” Mick and Kyle had just parked a large station wagon, not unlike the Bob-Whites own back in Sleepyside.
    “We’re just off to dinner at La Giardino,” Jim replied.
    “And you’re all nice and coordinated too,” Mick observed with a chuckle.
    With a wave of their hands, the two young men headed for an apartment on the opposite side of the building to Jim and Brian’s.
    The four Bob-Whites remained poised for a moment their expressions puzzled. Then Honey laughed suddenly and pointed to each one of them in turn. “We do look like we planned this. Jim and Trixie are like a matched set in their blue, and Brian and I….”
    “Go together perfectly,” Brian finished for her. “Well, I’m glad somebody finally noticed.”

    It was only a short drive to the restaurant Jim and Brian had chosen. The bright neon sign read La Giardino, and the two young men ushered the girls inside where an assortment of appetising aromas awaited them.
    “Reservation for Frayne,” Jim spoke to the man at the host stand.
    “Certainly, Mr. Frayne. Good evening, Mr. Belden; ladies; this way please.”
    Trixie shot a look at her brother, and another at Jim. This didn’t look to her to be the sort of place the two would frequent for dinner.
    They were shown through into a softly lit room, the evening chill dispelled by a cozy open fireplace. Following the waiter to a corner table, where a small candle cast a soft glow over the white linen cloth, the four were soon comfortably ensconced.
    The waiter returned with a jug of water and smiled deferentially at Jim. “Your menus, Mr. Frayne, and would you care to order any beverages?”
    Brian looked up. “ I think we’ll share a jug of your special punch.”
    “Of course, Mr. Belden, straight away.” He hurried off and Honey and Trixie exchanged looks that were both impressed and inquiring.
    The following few minutes were spent in silence as they perused their menus.
    “Everything sounds so delicious that it’s hard to decide,” Honey complained good-naturedly.
    “I think I’ll start with the pumpkin soup and follow that with poached salmon and steamed vegetables.” Trixie’s mouth watered at the thought.
    “I’ll start with the pumpkin soup, too,” said Jim. “But for my main course, I’ll have the eye fillet with peppercorn sauce and salad.”
    Brian smiled at Honey, who sat next to him. “Decided yet?”
    Honey looked more confused than ever. “I know I’m indecisive but it all sounds so wonderful.”
“Why not something of everything then?” Jim quipped.
    They all giggled at the mental picture of slender Honey presiding over more than a dozen plates of food.
Honey wrinkled her nose at them. “Let’s see, I’ll have the melon and prosciutto to start, then, chicken Wellington and vegetables.”
    “Good choices.” Brian consulted the menu again. “Shrimp cocktail, first, I think, followed by vegetarian lasagne and salad.”
    Their orders were soon placed, and they were happily sipping their punch and munching on warm buttered rolls.

    “This is a lovely place,” Honey began, “but isn’t it kind of…” She lowered her voice before finishing, “Expensive?”
Although their father was a multi-millionaire, Honey and Jim generally only used money they had earned for outings and treats, and they were proud of doing so.
    “I’ll let you in on a bit of a secret.” Jim motioned for them to move in close and four heads—one red, one dark, one golden and one sandy—met across the table. Jim looked from one to the other. “We have what you might call an inside edge here.”
    Trixie and Honey regarded their brothers, obviously still puzzled.
    “We work here,” Brian informed them with a grin.
    “Work!” Trixie yelped. “We didn’t know you were working. At least, Moms only said you were doing some part-time tutoring.”
    “We are,” Jim said easily. “But one of the guys at college—you met him, Jeff Corelli—his parents own and run this place, and he introduced us to them. We’d had some experience, so...”
    “So naturally, we impressed them with our innate charm, our immutable competence and voila.” Brian waved his hand airily.
    “Are you sure you didn’t catch anything from Mart before you left home?” Trixie demanded.
    Brian laughed. “I hope not. Seriously, we were really lucky. Mr. and Mrs. Corelli seem to like us. We only work two nights a week, but it sure helps out with expenses.”
    Jim nodded. “And keeps the food bills down too. We always get a meal the nights we work, and half the time Jeff’s dad, who does most of the cooking, sends us home with leftovers.”
    Trixie raised an eyebrow. “Finally, the perfect job for Mart. I must write and tell him.” Jim nodded. “The thought had occurred to us. Anyway, when the Corellis heard you two were coming to visit, they gave us this week off and insisted we bring you here for a very special dinner, at a very special price.”
    “Oh, that makes it seem even more wonderful,” Honey enthused
    “And no wonder we got the VIP treatment when we arrived,” Trixie remarked, blue eyes sparkling. “I knew something was up when the waiter knew Brian’s name as well as yours!”
    Jim laughed. “I should have known nothing would get by my schoolgirl shamus.”

    Their meals arrived and for some time there was very little conversation as the group savoured the delicious food. They traded bites of their main courses, and they all agreed that everything was just perfect.
    “Even Mart would approve of that scrumptious vegetarian lasagne,” Trixie sighed contentedly.
    The others laughed, for if Mart’s appetite was famous, so was his preference for meat.
    “Remember when Linda and Wanda took us to that vegetarian restaurant at Mead’s Mountain?” Honey said.
    Brian nodded. “My dear brother was so worried he wouldn’t get a satisfying meal. Much to his surprise he discovered he was wrong, and hopefully he’s learned to appreciate vegetarian food since then.”
    “Mm, my chicken was superb.” Honey licked her lips. “Do you think you could get the recipe for me? Then we could have it at home.”
    Jim chuckled. “Do you think Cook would appreciate you turning up in her kitchen, waving recipes?”
    “I meant I could make it myself,” Honey protested defensively.
    “Of course you did,” Brian interposed swiftly, shaking a long finger at Jim. “You forget that this particular Wheeler lady is very self-sufficient.”
    “That did slip my mind momentarily,” Jim conceded with a grin. “Still, I’m not sure that Cook would be willing to surrender her kitchen.”
    “I hereby offer the Crabapple farm kitchen for such purpose,” declared Trixie, who had also thought Honey’s chicken delicious. “I myself will make pancakes with blueberries as conclusion to said meal.”
    Honey’s hazel eyes shone. “Do you really think your mom would let me take over her kitchen for a special Bob-White dinner? Like we did for your going away party?”
    “I can guarantee it,” Brian answered. “As far as Moms is concerned, you’re an honorary Belden anyway.”
    At that moment a waiter arrived to collect their empty plates. He smiled down at the group. “Everything okay?”
    “Everything was just perfectly perfect,” Honey replied with one of her sweetest smiles.
    “Dessert?” Jim inquired. Before anyone could respond, the waiter shook his head. “Actually, Mrs. Corelli has something special whipped up for you guys.”
    “Oh, everyone is just so kind,” Honey cried gratefully.
    The young man smiled. “As a matter of a fact, these two have become pretty valuable members of staff.” Grinning at Jim and Brian’s obvious embarrassment, he hurried away.
    Trixie leaned back in her chair. “This is one terrific vacation.”
    “And not a mystery in sight,” Brian noted with satisfaction.
    Trixie and Honey darted guilty glances and one another, making every attempt to appear casual.
    Jim tapped the table with his fingers impatiently. “Okay, you two. Spill it. We’re not still on the mysterious guy from the bus are we?”
    “We saw him again this afternoon,” Trixie stated bluntly.
    “I saw him too this time,” Honey added quickly.
    Brian and Jim exchanged looks. “I know you’ve got some kind of bee in your bonnet about this guy,” Brian began.
    Trixie opened her mouth to protest, but her brother held up his hand to forestall her. “As far as I can see, this man you say keeps turning up—” Trixie’s eyes blazed. “Okay,” Brian continued, “this man you do keep seeing.” He shook his dark head. “Why is that so weird anyway? If he’s noticed you, he might just as easily think that you are following him.”
    “That’s ridiculous,” Trixie spluttered crossly.
    “I’m glad you think so,” her brother returned dryly.
    Seeing that Trixie’s temper was on the rise, Jim placed a gentle hand on her arm. “Brian’s just trying to point out that it is a little melodramatic to think that just because you’ve seen this man a few times that he’s somehow sinister or following you. He might just be visiting friends or family in town.” Jim’s explanation was perfectly reasonable.
    “I guess that’s possible,” Honey conceded.
    Trixie’s expression remained mutinous.
    “Why would he be hanging around your apartment block then?” she demanded.
    Jim shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe he’d come to visit someone who lived there. Maybe, like you, he’s even staying with someone there.”
    “I guess you could be right,” Trixie gave in with as good a grace as she could manage.

    Their waiter returned at that moment and the Bob-Whites gasped in delight. A large platter had been placed on the table before them and the girls examined the huge cream and fruit-filled meringue with interest.
    “What is it?” Honey breathed.
    “It’s a pavlova,” David explained. “Basically, it consists of egg whites, corn flour and vanilla topped with cream and fruit. Mrs. Corelli is Australian, and it’s one of their favourite desserts.”
    “It looks wonderful,” Trixie said, holding out her plate; the others followed suit.

    Some time later, four extremely replete teenagers pushed their empty plates away and gave a series of satisfied sighs.
    “That was scrumptious.” Trixie rubbed her stomach. “I think I may have eaten a bit too much.”
    Honey nodded her agreement. “It’s even better than blueberry pancakes. Maybe we can get that recipe too!”
    “We’ll see what we can do.” Jim stood. “Brian and I are just going to thank Mrs. Corelli. We won’t be long.”
    “What a terrific evening,” Honey said.
    “I guess it turned out to be a pretty good day, after all.” Trixie smiled.

    The journey home was short, and before long Jim flicked on a lamp as they let themselves into the apartment. “Anyone for a drink?”
    “Tea would be nice,” Honey replied, and the others signalled their consent.
    Jim and Trixie were headed for the kitchen when Honey exclaimed. “Oh, what a dope!”
    “What is it?” Trixie called.
    “I left my purse in the car. I’ll just run down and get it.”
    “I’ll go with you,” Brian offered.
    “No, it will only take a minute.” Honey dashed out.
    “Hey, Jim,” Brian was looking around the living room a slightly puzzled expression on his face. “Did you move that lamp again?”
    “What?” Jim poked his head around from the kitchen.
    Brian opened his mouth to repeat his question. “Did you…”
    He got no further. Without warning, the still of the night was shattered by a piercing scream.
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Author's notes: More hugs and thanks to Dana, not just for her awesome editing skills, but also for making great suggestions for clarity and flow. All remaining errors are 100% mine as are any inconsistencies with UK vs US spelling. There is some debate over the origins of the pavlova. I say it belongs equally to OZ and NZ and have therefore referred to it as a favourite, rather than a national dessert.
Word count: 3200 Disclaimer: Trixie et al belong to Random House and not to me. No profit is being made from these scribblings.