She laughed. ‘Well, it would be just mybloodyluck!’
‘I was thinking more along the lines of an engagement,’ said Rebecca. ‘This Oliver chap could have popped thequestion?’
‘No,’ said Annabel. ‘Surely not? We haven’t even had the pleasure of meeting him yet. And I wouldn’t have thought they’d been seeing each other long enough, would you?’ She thought for a moment. By Katy’s standards, this relationship did seem different to all the others and, in light of that, Rebecca’s suggestion definitely provided food forthought.
‘It would certainly explain all this palaver,’ added her sister. ‘And she does seem morecommitted.’
‘I know what you mean,’ said Annabel. ‘Before she was alllove ‘em andleave‘em.’
‘Whereasnow…’
Annabel couldn’t help the grin spreading across her face. ‘You know, I think you might be right.’ Her ears pricked at the sound of the front door opening and closing; she made sure to lower her voice. ‘Talk of the Devil,’ she said. ‘At least now we’ll find outforsure.’
‘It’s only me,’ Katy called out. She exuded excitement as she burst into the room. ‘Thank goodness you’re both here,’ she said. ‘Have I got newsforyou?’
Annabel looked to Rebecca full of anticipation. She noted that her friend was carrying two bottles of champagne, it was clear that whatever the news Katy had, it was big. She discretely checked out Katy’s ring finger, but disappointingly couldn’t see any jewellery. Not that this necessarily meant anything, Annabel told herself. After all, to walk in with a diamond on show would only spoil thesurprise.
‘So, what’s all this about?’ she asked. Annabel tried to sound casual, she didn’t want to ruin her friend’smoment.
‘First thing’s first,’ said Katy, with a giggle. ‘Glasses,please.’
As Rebecca began to protest that she, and the baby, would be fine without the alcohol, Annabel wasted no time in doing as instructed. In her mind, the quicker they got this bit over with, the quicker her friend could make herannouncement.
‘One little mouthful isn’t going to hurt,’ said Katy to Rebecca, expertly popping the first of her champagnecorks.
Annabel produced three champagne flutes and couldn’t fail to be impressed as her friend proceeded to fill them. Left to her, the stuff would have been everywhere and she wasn’t about to reveal herengagement.
‘Right, now we’re all ready,’ said Katy. She handed everyone aglass.
Here we go,thoughtAnnabel.
Annabel was already imagining herself as Maid of Honour, she never dreamed she’d see the day. Totally against the whole boy meets girl and lives happily ever after scenario, Oliver must be one special guy for Katy to do such anaboutturn.
‘So,’ said Katy. ‘You know how Oliver and I have been getting pretty closeoflate.’
‘Yes,’ saidAnnabel.
‘Yes,’ saidRebecca.
‘And that our relationship has gotten quiteserious?’
‘Yes,’ saidAnnabel.
‘Yes,’ saidRebecca.
‘Well last night, we decided to take things to the nextlevel.’
Annabel could hardly contain herself. She willed Katy to get on with it, this build-up waskillingher.
‘So much so, that last night he got down on one knee and gavemethis.’
‘Oh my goodness,’ Annabel whispered to Rebecca. ‘We wereright.’
She watched as her friend reached into her bag. Holding her breath, her eyeswidened.
‘Ta daaa!’ said Katy,revealingall.
Looking from Katy’s hand to her face, Annabel froze,speechless.
