Sensing an undercurrent of discord between Martha and Rick, Naomi decided she’d had quite enough of his constant fussing. It was grating on her nerves, and what it must be doing to Willow was anybody’s guess. ‘Of course, we understand that, Rick, but Tom and Martha are in the same boat as you and Willow, so I don’t think you need to worry unduly while here.’ He looked far from happy at her admonishment, which she only meant as a mild rebuke, but really the last thing either Willow or Martha needed was a pessimist scaring them with predictions of doom and gloom. Pregnancy was scary enough without piling on any extra fear.
‘So, Lucas,’ said Tom, changing the subject, perhaps wanting to try and lift the mood, ‘how long are you over here for?’
‘I fly home tomorrow.’
‘That’s a shame,’ said Willow. ‘For Ellis, that is,’ she added, turning to look at him. ‘I expect you’d have liked him to stay for longer, wouldn’t you?’
‘You’re right, Willow,’ Ellis said, ‘I would. Maybe you could talk him into visiting again and soon.’
She smiled. ‘I’ll do my best. But you’ll be here for the wedding, won’t you, Lucas?’
‘Just as soon as I know the date, I’ll be booking my flights. Oh, and just so as you know, Dad, I’ve decided I’m going to be your best man.’
‘Is that so?’ said Ellis.
‘You’re not going to turn me down, are you?’
‘Are you kidding? I’m delighted!’
‘Well, Mum, in that case, who’s going to give you away?’ asked Willow.
‘I’m afraid I haven’t given it any thought,’ answered Naomi. ‘But surely at my age it’s completely unnecessary. I can walk up the aisle alone, can’t I?’
‘No, no, there are traditions to be upheld,’ said Ellis. Sitting next to her, he placed his hand over hers. Naomi’s instinctive reaction was to withdraw her hand from his, worried his gesture might embarrass her daughters, but she fought the urge to do so for fear of upsetting him. It was all such a minefield, this falling in love at their age; it was as if they couldn’t help but offend somebody.
‘I think Tom should give you away,’ said Martha.
‘Yes, that’s perfect!’ agreed Willow. ‘Tom, you’ll do it, won’t you? Say you will!’
‘Steady on, you girls,’ he said, ‘it’s for your mother to decide something as important as that.’ Then looking at Naomi, he said,‘It would be an honour to do it, if you’d like me to. There again, you might like to have Martha and Willow walk you up the aisle. Unless they are to be your bridesmaids.’
Martha let out a cry of protest. ‘What a ghastly idea, a pair of pregnant bridesmaids waddling behind their mother!’
Naomi laughed. ‘I’ll take that as a no, then? Now please, can we stop all this wedding talk, you’re making feel quite jittery about the whole thing. Any more of it and I’ll suggest to Ellis that we simply elope.’
He gave her hand a small squeeze. ‘I’m up for that if you fancy it. Vegas here we come! Or do you prefer Gretna Green?’
‘So long as you still have a pre-nup organised first.’
Naomi levelled her gaze on her eldest daughter. ‘Don’t worry, Martha,’ she said, ‘we’ve taken steps in that direction already.’
Which was true. Next week she and Ellis had an appointment with a firm of solicitors in Chichester. She had decided against using the firm Colin had always used in London in the City; she wanted to do things her way and with somebody who didn’t know her. Or more importantly, with someone who didn’t know Colin. This was to be a new start for her.
But how she wished she didn’t feel as though it had become such an uphill struggle. She missed those days when it had been just her and Ellis, when they had been seeing each other in secret and it had been a gloriously uncomplicated affair between the two of them. She had felt so blissfully liberated then; now that carefree happiness felt tarnished by the worry of trying to please everybody.
There was no avoiding the change in Rick’s mood now they were on their way back to London.
For a start he was driving much faster than he usually did, and had barely opened his mouth to speak to Willow. His face was set like stone and he swore under his breath every time the driver in front of them hit the brakes, and for no apparent reason according to Rick. Other than, Willow suspected, to try and stop Rick from tailgating him so closely. Any nearer and they’d be in the boot of the poor driver’s car.
Dad used to be the same. It would make Mum so anxious if he was angry when he was behind the wheel of the car. He’d mutter and grumble and swear like a trooper, and become angrier still whenever Mum told him to calm down.
‘What’s wrong, Rick?’ Willow asked him. ‘Has something upset you?’
‘Do you really need to ask me that? Can’t you work it out for yourself? Or do I have to do everything for you?’
Stung by his question and his acerbic tone, she said, ‘HaveIdone something to upset you?’ For the life of her she couldn’t think what. Not a drop of wine had passed her lips during lunch, so at some point she must have said or done something that annoyed him. But what?
He grunted and flashed his lights at the car in front. Then with a burst of acceleration, he swerved the BMW out into the righthand lane to overtake. Admittedly he’d waited until the way was clear with no oncoming traffic, but even so, for a split second Willow was in fear of her life. Inside her, the baby reacted by suddenly moving in what felt like a very agitated manner. It caused Willow to put a hand to her stomach to calm the baby.It’s okay, little one, she said silently,there’s nothing to worry about, go back to sleep.
