Sicilian Dreams Read Free

thought Cassie. What in God’s name is she wearing? Black tights tucked into Doc Martins with a short, dark purple ballerina skirt and over that, a fitted black leather jacket with sharp metal studs decorating the sleeves and shoulders with a purple beret slung jauntily over the side of her head, covering one ear, her long black curly hair hanging like an unruly poodle over her shoulders.
    Cassie was relieved that the walk to Liz’s hostel was indeed short. She dumped her bike outside the front door, not bothering to put a lock on it. It’s not going anywhere she thought and followed Kat up two flights of stairs to Liz’s room. Kat knocked and the door opened to reveal that Liz, the glamorous siren from her class. She looked stunning in a figure hugging, red maxi velvet dress with long fitted sleeves and a low, scooped neck.
    ‘What happened to you?’ she demanded, standing aside so the girls could pass through the narrow doorway and into the small room.
    ‘Cassie and I literally banged into each other?’ said Kat, airily, flicking her curls with one hand and gazing out the window. ‘Here’s your notes by the way, thanks for the loan of them,’ she added.
    ‘She stepped off the curb onto the road right in front of my bike,’ said Cassie.
    ‘Oh dear, look at your hands. Let me get you a glass of wine, you look like you need one.’ She opened the door of small fridge and pulled out a bottle. She passed them each a full glass and then raised hers in a toast. ‘Here’s to getting roasted tonight.’ she said and took a healthy gulp of her wine. ‘Cassie, you have to come with us, we’re crashing some parties and it will be a blast.’ Cassie had planned on a quiet night in, at her hostel. She had been working hard this first semester and hadn’t really joined in the party scene. She must have looked doubtful because Liz added. ‘Come on, you have to, it’s Capping week and everyone parties.’
    ‘Yes.’ agreed Kat. ‘You have to come with us, but not dressed like that.’ She pointed to Cassie’s Swan dry with distaste. It’s fine for a cold day in class, but no good for a party. Liz, have you got something Cassie can borrow for this evening.’
    ‘I can go back to my hostel and change,’ protested Cassie, but Liz and Kat weren’t listening. Liz was already rummaging through her jam packed wardrobe and emerged with a stunning black velvet coat which was cut away in front like a tuxedo.
    ‘You would look so hot in this with your coloring.’ said Liz, holding it up against Cassie. Cassie looked longingly at the beautiful coat, running her hands down the luxuriously soft fabric. ‘Go on, try it on.’ urged Liz. Shrugging out of her Swan dry, Cassie slid her arms into the coat and did a turn in front of the wardrobe mirror.
    ‘Gorgeous, it looks perfect, you must wear it,’ declared Kat, clapping her hands together.
    ‘Absolutely. It looks fantastic over your jeans.’ agreed Liz. Now she turned to Kat.
    ‘Katrina Hudson how many times have I told you not to wear the ballet skirt over your leggings. You look like a little girl playing dress ups and it hides your gorgeous, long legs. Take it off immediately.’ she said imperatively. Kat looked chagrined, but slid the net skirt off and tossed it on to Liz’s bed.
    ‘Right, let’s finish our wine and get going,’ said Liz. Several parties later, they ended up at a student bar in town, carousing merrily with the other inebriated patrons.
    ‘What’s with your second name?’ said Cassie, slurring her words slightly. She wasn’t much of a drinker and the wine had affected her quite quickly.
    ‘How do you know what my second name is?’ hissed Liz, not slurring her words at all.
    ‘Um, I saw it on the notes that Kat dropped.’ said Cassie, surprised by the vehemence in Liz’s tone.
    ‘I hate that name with a passion,’ said Liz. ‘My mother was a bit of a hippy in her day and it was her idea to call me that. Thank God my father said no