Vanessa looked at the office clock. ‘It is quite early. But I’ve always liked acting. I wanted to go to drama school but of course Daddy disapproved.’
They shared a moment of regret for the intransigence of Vanessa’s father, Lizzie thinking again about how likely it was that he had tried to talk Hugo out of the wedding. She thought about the baby nestling safely under her blouse. She already felt fiercely protective of it. In Sir Jasper’s position, with his attitudes and ingrained opinions, Lizzie might have done the same thing. You would do anything you could to stop your child making what you considered to be the biggest mistake of his life.
She cleared her throat and then said, ‘Shall we go?’
Chapter Thirty-one
It was lovely seeing Alexandra and Meg, who were sitting at the table under the apple tree having breakfast and for a few minutes Lizzie stopped feeling that the day was going to be a disaster and that her heart was bound to be broken.
After some initial excitement and celebration Lizzie explained her problem. Alexandra and Meg listened in silence. Meg obviously thought she was absolutely mad but Alexandra was more thoughtful.
‘Why would Hugo’s father do that?’ asked Meg. ‘He should be delighted. He wouldn’t want his son to abandon the mother of his child, surely?’
‘You don’t know my father,’ said Vanessa. ‘He’s used to getting his own way.’
‘But Hugo!’ said Meg. ‘He loves you!’
Vanessa had said the same thing, but yet again Lizzie was brought up short, wondering what Hugoreallyfelt for her, and if it was strong enough to withstand his father’s possible intervention. Yetagain she remembered Hugo sayingend up having to marry her.
She felt sick once more.
‘But there’s always the thought that he’s been forced into this because I’m pregnant. He might not really want to do it.’ Lizzie managed to put on a smile and the thought occurred to her that she was probably going to have to do that a lot today. Her mother had the photographer of her dreams. There would be a lot of pictures. If, of course, the wedding happened at all.
‘Actually,’ said Alexandra, ‘although I’d stake my life on Hugo loving you to bits, Lizzie, I did know a girl who had an au pair. Her big brother, who was quite a lot older, fell in love with the au pair. I remember my friend telling me that her mother spent all night persuading him to call off the wedding. And he did.’
Lizzie broke out in a light sweat and everyone else looked shocked.
‘OK,’ said Meg. ‘It is remotely possible that Hugo’s papa will have done that – or tried to do that – but—’
‘I don’t want to take the risk, Meggie,’ said Lizzie quietly.
They’d had more tea and eaten some pastries that Meg had brought with her and Lizzie was starting to worry about time. She’d got up so early, wherewas the time going? Surely David should be here by now?
Eventually they saw the big car come down the lane and pull up outside the house. Lizzie rushed to meet him.
‘Sorry, I’m a bit later than I intended to be. I met your parents at the hotel, Lizzie, and I had a bit of a job convincing them it was entirely appropriate to invite your plumber-cum-family retainer and goodness knows what else to a wedding, even if it wasn’t for the family you were retaining, so to speak.’
Alexandra found this hilarious. ‘Oh God! Do you remember? Your parents drove you home and you didn’t know how to explain David and he turned into the plumber and then a butler.’ She looked at Vanessa who was looking confused. ‘You had to be there, really.’
David smiled. ‘A bit of quick improv and the problem was solved.’
‘I said you were the chauffeur at the last encounter,’ said Alexandra.
‘I’m a man of many parts! Appropriate for an actor. I emphasised my role as church decorator. Anyway, Lizzie, don’t you want to go somewhere?’
‘We do, definitely. Are we all coming?’ she asked.
‘As I’m driving, I’d better come,’ said Alexandra.
‘I’m coming. It’s my brother we’re dealing with,’ said Vanessa.
‘I’ll come if you want me,’ said Meg. ‘Otherwise I’ll stay here, wash up, and keep everyone calm in case you’re not back by twelve.’
Lizzie’s eyes widened with horror at the prospect. ‘We definitely want you, Meg, and I have to be back by twelve. My mother would die if I wasn’t! Quick, into the car. We must leave immediately.’
‘Hang on a giddy minute,’ said David. ‘Do you know where you’re going?’
‘We’ve got the address,’ said Vanessa, heading towards the car.
