‘No way! I’m so happy for you. I do think you make a lovely couple. And I hope you let me return the favour you did me.’
‘What favour?’ asked Pippa, looking puzzled.
‘I’m going to give you a makeover and make you look like a porcelain doll, and back-comb your hair so much it makes your eyes water.’
‘Not a chance, I’m not that stupid.’ Pippa grinned. ‘However, you can share a glass of wine with me whilst I get ready. It’s the day after Eleni’s hen party.’
‘Deal,’ replied Elle.
ChapterTwenty-Four
‘How do I look?’ asked Pippa, swishing her hair over her shoulder before placing one hand on her hip and twirling to the side.
‘I’d say you’re dressed to impress,’ Elle said with admiration.
‘You don’t think this lipstick is a little too much? It’s not my usual colour.’
‘It’s a little on the bright side but, as usual, you manage to carry it off.’
Pippa pouted at Elle, then blew her a kiss.
Tonight was Eleni’s hen party, and Elle looked forward to seeing everyone.
‘The taxi is picking us up in half an hour – don’t you need to get ready?’
‘Hey, cheeky!’ Elle threw a cushion at her. ‘Iamready.’ She was dressed in a ditsy floral dress that fell to her ankles, a cute cardigan and her ever-so-faithful white Converse.
Pippa looked her up and down. ‘You need to show a bit of flesh and pop some heels on.’
‘I am absolutely fine the way I am. Did you ever find out where the boys were off to on the stag?’
‘No,’ Pippa replied. ‘I couldn’t get Aiden to spill the beans.’
‘Talking of Aiden, it’s your date tomorrow, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, at his suggestion, we’re going to the cinema, but he was a little strange when he asked me…’ Pippa paused.
‘Strange in what way?’
‘He told me not to tell anyone.’ She raised her eyebrows.
‘Whyever not?’ Elle asked.
‘The only explanation he offered was that Louisa is struggling with life and he doesn’t want to upset her, which it may if it gets out. I know it’s commendable that he’s thinking about someone else’s feelings, but I want to shout it from the rooftops. Either he’s moved on or he hasn’t. I really don’t want to get caught up in a love triangle. All I want is a drama-free life.’
‘How things have changed,’ Elle remarked with a grin, wondering if this was her cue to share that she’d seen Louisa with a man in the park.
‘He kind of said that she keeps suggesting they give it another go and that she still has feelings for him.’
‘Really?’
‘Don’t sound too surprised – he is quite a catch, you know.’
‘It’s not that.’
Pippa had been fiddling with a loose thread on the hem of her skirt, but looking up she caught Elle’s gaze. ‘What is it then?’
‘I may be speaking out of turn but…’
