“I can imagine.”
“I had to ask her if she was truly prepared to leave her life in America behind. She hadn’t really thought of it...you know how things are when you’re falling in love.”
“Yes. Of course.”
“But she thought it through, and she’s prepared to make the move. She’s already become a huge fan of Jane Austen, and she loves British culture.”
“How nice.”
“Maybe you could give her a few pointers,” he said with a chuckle. “You know, teach her a few British terms, British ways.”
I almost choked on my apple. No. Susie was going to have to figure all that out on her own.
“And it’s going to come fast, this wedding. I heard they’re preparing to tie the knot as soon as we wrap up here.”
I stopped walking, frozen in place and unable to hide my shock.
“You okay?”
I coughed up a piece of apple then shook my head. “Yeah. I’m just... Gee, that’s awfully fast, don’t you think. I mean, with the exhaustion of working on this movie at such a pace and to plan for a wedding.”
“Susie is a cyclone of energy. I hear she’s already picked out a dress, and she’s talked to the gardeners here about what she would like.”
The girl thinks of everything.
“I really am happy for her,” he went on. “She deserves her true Prince Charming.”
Prince Charming. Matthew. My Matthew.
Crunching on my apple, I turned to look up at Barry Park. Would she be mistress here? How would she get on with Britney? Would the two become good friends?
Movement in one of the windows caught my eye and I nearly gasped as I spotted Susie parting the drapes. She smiled happily and seemed to be singing.
I stared at her until she turned and walked away, that blissful smile still on her face. And all I wanted to do was crumble right there.
“I have to go,” I blurted out.
I ran away before Ricky could say anything.
