Minutes later, Horatio’s Cadillac whooshed through the Lazars’ gates and between the pillars topped with creepy stone gargoyles.
Somebody’s been watching a few too many car chases, Olivia thought, rubbing her belly and concentrating on not getting car sick.
The Cadillac zipped up the long, winding driveway of the Gothic mansion where Ivy and Olivia’s grandparents lived. It was still hard to believe that she, Olivia Abbott, was descended from vampire aristocracy. How posh! How chic! How completely weird.
‘It’s lovely,’ said Lillian, peering out of the window at the ivy-covered walls and pointed turrets. ‘Even better than I’d imagined!’ Lillian looked down at her outfit, smoothing her tunic. ‘Oh dear, I’m all wrinkled. Do you think Horatio has something to help?’
‘Don’t worry,’ Olivia leaned in and whispered. ‘You look great.’
Horatio honked the horn, which played a sombre bar of a song that sounded vaguely familiar to Olivia. She giggled. ‘What kind of honk was that ? It was Mozart, right?’
Charles swished his fingers through the air as if conducting an invisible orchestra. ‘Excellent! That was a snippet from the “Lacrimosa” passage of Mozart’s Requiem.’
Olivia shook her head. ‘I can’t believe I actually got that right. Clearly, I’ve been hanging around vampires for too long!’
The wheels skidded to a stop and the great doors to the Lazar family home swung wide. The twins’ grandparents bustled out to the drive, looking majestic even though it was only 7 o’clock in the morning, Transylvania time! The Countess wore a silk skirt of jade green paired with a satin off-the-shoulder top, while the Count greeted them in a fancy, ruffled chemise that blossomed out from the front of his charcoal coat.
‘Welcome! Welcome!’ cried the Count, striding down the steps.
Seeing them – even so soon after their visit to Franklin Grove – chased the jet lag straight out of Olivia. At least for now. The girls rushed over to their grandparents, Olivia’s camera dangling around her neck. She managed to push it aside right before the Countess wrapped her in a tight hug.
Lillian curtseyed politely. ‘Nice to see you again, sir.’
Olivia’s grandfather tilted his head, looking at her standing there so formally, before pulling her into a warm embrace. ‘Welcome to our home, Lillian!’
Lillian’s eyes bugged over the Count’s shoulder before her lips parted in a wide smile. ‘Thank you,’ she stammered and Olivia’s heart warmed. The moment was so sweet she wished she could save it and put it on a greeting card.
Meanwhile, Horatio didn’t waste a single second. Now that he was back on the job, he rushed around the family, collecting everyone’s luggage. ‘I will have these inside and up to your rooms in just a moment. And don’t worry, Count and Countess Lazar, as soon as I have finished attending to the bags, I will be at your service. I imagine there is a great deal of work awaiting me. I have been away for far too long.’
‘Absolutely not,’ said the Countess, raising one eyebrow at her butler. ‘You may not go back to work after having just returned home on an overnight flight, Horatio.’
‘But, Madam, I must –’
The Countess lifted her chin. ‘Not another word. I insist you take the day off. You need your rest. We have a big weekend ahead, after all.’
Horatio’s shoulders slumped. Olivia had never known anyone to be so against having a holiday.
‘Here, Horatio.’ Charles scooped up two of the bags, one in each hand. ‘Let me help you with these. I’m sure all your work will still be waiting for you tomorrow morning.’ With that, the adults made their way up to the house.
Olivia heard a familiar voice from inside the house: ‘Is that the Vegas I hear?’ Excitement bubbled up inside her. Prince Alex emerged in the doorway. ‘It is !’ He looked utterly royal in his tailored trousers and midnight-blue button-down shirt, but that was nothing compared to the girl beside him.
Ivy drew a sharp breath and Olivia knew exactly why. Their new friend Tessa waved from the mansion, as graceful as a movie star. There was no sign that she had ever been a serving girl. Olivia remembered when Tessa had been so shy that she’d nearly blended into the tapestries. But now, her eyes were bright and open and her mouth was curved into a soft smile. Her porcelain skin seemed to be lit from the inside. She was dazzling.
‘Wow, she’s beautiful,’ breathed Olivia. And so happy with Alex, she added in her head. Olivia was suddenly very glad that the saying ‘green with envy’ was only that – a saying – or else she was sure her face would have an olive tinge.
Tessa practically floated down the stairs. She reached out and grasped both girls’ hands. ‘I’m so glad to see you both. I was worried that since the wedding was so far away, you might not be able to make it, but here you are!’ She squeezed. ‘And Olivia, I saw your performance in The Groves. You were magnificent.’
‘Oh!’ exclaimed Olivia, startled by the mention of the movie. ‘Thank you, but,’ she said, quickly trying to shift subjects, ‘I’m much more excited about the wedding!’
Tessa pressed her hands to her heart. ‘Me too! And I’m so thrilled it’s going to be here !’ She glanced back, admiring the Lazar mansion.
‘Here?’ Olivia and Ivy asked in unison.
‘Er . . . not that we’re not pleased, too,’ said Ivy, ‘but why aren’t you having the wedding at the royal palace?’