Annie could not explain to herself why she had accepted the invitation to the dinner. Perhaps it was so that Sabine would not suffer being alone with that overbearing redhead. Or perhaps, deep inside, she really wanted to wear that red dress again.
Mother was kind enough to drop her off at the hotel where the dinner was held. A ticket was required to attend the dinner. Connie had no trouble getting extra tickets for her friends and had sent one to Annie by mail, along with a formal invitation. With the ticket and invitation, Annie easily gained entry into the dinner hall. It appeared to be a political fund-raiser of some kind. It was written on the notice at the front and on the invitation.
The hall was modest in size, with doorways on one side opening out to the balcony that faced the setting sun. It would be a beautiful view, if it were not blocked by several blocks of city buildings. On the other side of the hall were long buffet tables where food would be served. Chairs and tables covered most of the room, with a space near the stage cleared for dancing. A small band played a quiet tune on the stage, which was framed with campaign banners. Matching banners hung from each pillar within the hall.
Annie had decided not to wear the exact same setup as the one Connie had seen. She wore the expected red dress. Her black hair was tied in a bun and decorated with a pink ribbon so it would match the pink knitted shrug she recently bought. She also wore a necklace, a heart-shaped pendant attached to a chain. The black leather handbag clashed with the shrug, so she brought her favorite pink handbag instead even though it looked a trifle worn from use.
It had been convenient since she had been lazy to repack her personal effects into another handbag.
"You look pretty," Sabine complimented Annie when they met at the entrance of the hall.
"Thanks, so do you," Annie returned the compliment.
Well, she was being polite. The brown-haired girl had on a modest yellow evening dress and did not have her spectacles. She seemed to have trouble walking in a pair of shoes too large for her, probably those of her mother's. And she had a handbag that was fashionably too big.
"Hey, Annie!" Connie floated towards them with a filled glass in each hand. She passed one to the little girl. "Have a drink."
"Thanks." Annie accepted the glass and took a sip. It was cold, sweet and smooth with a hint of sourness. Probably a mixture of juices.
The redhead took a careful spin in her impressive green dress, alluding to a rose with its leaves. "How do I look?"
Annie smiled. "You look good." She did not mention that the brown leather bag that Connie carried behind her was too large. Like a dried leaf behind the rose. The girl took a good swig of her mixed juice.
Connie returned the smile. "I'm so glad you're here." She led them to the buffet table for appetizers.
Annie finished her drink and selected a few sticks of skewered cheese and meat to place on her small plate. Oh, and one of those cute little sausages. The food should be enough to appease her stomach until dinner was served.
Connie then brought her friends to a man she introduced as Dad, or Mr Baker to Annie. He was a tall man, smart and handsome in his tuxedo. The woman next to him, radiant in a yellow dress, was introduced as Mum, or Mrs Baker. The latter introduction was unnecessary since Connie physically resembled her so much. They had the same hair, the same nose, in fact, Connie was a younger image of Mrs Baker.
Annie did note that Mr Baker's smile to her was brighter than the one he gave Sabine.
"Thank you for inviting me," Annie said to him formally. He did pay for her dinner after all.
"The pleasure's mine," Mr Baker replied, "I'm glad that Connie will have friends to keep her company tonight."
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