Gucci Mamas by Cate Kendall Read Free Book Online

go on and on about their Noosa trip. Such a poser. I’m sure she had an affair with her masseuse. She kept going on and on about this woman’s “magic fingers” – I mean really! Ever since she saw Madonna and Britney pash she’s been dying to try out the lesbian thing. And she lost two kilos with gastro in the first week. Lucky bitch, I never get sick. But never mind, I’ve heard there’s a flu going around. I purposely didn’t get the injection.’
    ‘Did she mention Sophie’s party tonight?’ Mim asked.
    ‘No, thank goodness. God forbid her brat’s going. If I have to listen to her sing “Happy Birthday” in Japanese one more time I’ll scream . . ’ She paused for a breath. ‘Have you sorted costumes for the children? At least the Carnivale theme leaves plenty of room for imaginative costumes. Paris has decided she wants to go as a horseback dancer. I’ve had the most divine little costume made for her – it’s v. Kylie – from her Showgirl phase. I’d love to take Dumpling with us, though I suppose that would be a bit OTT! I think it’s so important to accessorise a fancy dress outfit, don’t you?’
    Ellie stopped to sip her chicory soy latte, and Mim took a deep breath to prepare for the next onslaught.
    ‘Annnnyyhooo,’ Ellie continued, stylishly wiping latte foam from her newly Restylaned lips. ‘Rupert wants to be the ringmaster – well of course – he is such a natural leader, isn’t he? Like his father! So Mr Nguyen ran him up a stunning three-piece suit and custom-made top hat, and I had my hair stylist make him an authentic hair moustache from the trimmings at his last cut – what a hoot! Mr Nguyen is such a treasure, what those Chinese can’t do with a needle!Such a clever people, don’t you think? So, darling, what will your spawn be wearing?’
    ‘I thought maybe I could put together some pirate costumes for the boys with bits and pieces from the dress-up cupboard, and Chloe can just wear her old fairy dress.’
    ‘Oh,’ Ellie looked aghast. ‘Isn’t that a bit, you know, Martha Stewart of you darling? I mean, who just “puts things together”? No, look I’ll give you the number of this divine costumery on Malvern Road, you still have time to pop in there before the party tonight.’
    ‘Bit exxy?’
    ‘Oh darling, don’t even consider the price; it’s all about having the right look,’ Ellie advised.
    Mim chewed the inside of her lip and tapped at her latte glass; this was shaping up to be an expensive outing. She’d already bought one elaborate gift online from F. A. O. Schwarz in the States, but had received an email yesterday to say it wouldn’t arrive until next week.
    ‘I can’t believe I wasted all that time and money on a gift for Sophie that won’t even be here today.’
    ‘What was it again?’
    ‘I designed a one-of-a-kind, custom-made Barbie dressed in Sophie’s favourite Gap cowgirl dress. You can do it on the web.’
    ‘Couldn’t you save it for another party?’
    ‘No, they stamp the child’s name on Barbie’s instep. She’s the world’s 1225th Sophie Barbie, so she’s unique.’
    ‘Darling, you’re over-thinking it all. Just dump the bloody Barbie at goodwill somewhere, grab another pressie and be done with it.’
    Mim sighed. The invitation to Sophie’s party had come as a beautifully wrapped gift-box delivered by courier to Mim’s front door. Although it was addressed to Miss Chloe Woolcott, Mim knew its main purpose was to impress theinvitees’ parents. She’d torn open the satin ribbons and the box exploded in a cloud of confetti and streamers. A helium balloon burst from the centre of the decorations, trumpeting an invite to Miss Sophie Mason-Jackson’s sixth birthday party, a Carnivale to be held in the extensive grounds of her parents’ Malvern mansion.
    ‘Damn it,’ Mim had said in dismay as she’d surveyed the festive fallout on her hall carpet.
    There was no getting all that back in the box – she’d have to