“Ross might as well have hired a skywriter. Word gets around fast here.”
“Fantastic.” I sigh, settling in deeper to the cushions. “Yeah, on the surface. But really she’s mad at me for not being there for her, for not supporting her through this. I crapped out. I blamed it on Ethan, but I’m the one who made that decision. I think I’m jealous of her, having all this, and ashamed of myself for not. And instead of talking to her, I shut her out.”
“Sounds to me like you’ve got some apologising to do.”
Any anger I’m still holding towards Sophie drains away. I’ve been a shitty sister, and a worse maid of honour. The only person I’m really pissed at is myself.
“You’re right. I do.”
I’ll find Sophie in the morning. She might not want to see me, but it’s the least I can do. I owe her that.
“And your mum? Is she upset for the same reasons?”
“For breaking up with my boyfriend, actually.”
“Didn’t he cheat on you?” Lila asks.
“More embarrassing if youhadn’tbroken up with him, if you ask me,” Ewan chimes in, sliding his whole body right as his character turns a corner, tongue sticking out between his teeth.
I think about trying to explain, but I can’t find the energy. Yes, Ethan cheated on me. Yes, I’m right to break up with him. Yes, he should have said how he was feeling instead of losing himself in someone else.
But don’t I know a little bit about that?
The door opens and we all look up guiltily, as if we’ve been caught eating sweets before dinner.
A handsome older man with silver threaded through his hair, wearing a painfully fashionable rose-pink suit, regards us sternly.
“So this is where you’ve all got to.” He glances behind him. “Babe, they’re in here.”
Another beautifully maintained head of hair peers around the door, attached to a man closer to my age, who has sharp, grey eyes and wire-frame glasses, which he blinks through like an owl.
“I see how it is. Leave us to do the hard labour while you spend the night playing games, eh?”
“We’ve only been here an hour,” Ross protests. “Besides, we’re entertaining, same as you.”
“The difference is that this lot aren’t paying you, are they?”
“Yeah, but they’re more fun than those out there.” Ross shoots me a look. “Sorry. No offence.”
“None taken.” It isn’t my wedding anyway, and besides, it isn’t like I’m willing to brave the shark tank outside.
“Alright, budge up.” The bespectacled man shoos Ross down the sofa, while the older man settles on the floor, long legs stretched in front of him. He doesn’t suit the room at all:elegantly polished amid the shabby surroundings, and yet he looks perfectly at home. “What are we playing?”
“What happened to doing all the hard labour?”
“Ah, they’re pretty pissed now. There’s not much to do until clean up except make sure they’re supplied with booze. Angus doesn’t need our finer talents for that.”
“Is it only Angus out there?” I ask, feeling bad for him having to fend against the whole wedding party.
The bespectacled man notices me for the first time. “Angus and Milly and Ruth. He’s not without help, don’t worry.” His gaze sweeps me up and down, taking in my figure-hugging dress, my bare feet, the strands of hair that are already starting to escape Mum’s careful updo. “You must be Rowan.”
I make a noise of affirmation. “I’m guessing you’re Stuart? And… Jonathan?” I pray I’ve got their names right, and from the surprise on Stuart’s face, it seems I have. “Angus talked about you on the walk,” I say in response to his unanswered question.
“Did he now?”
He’s suspicious of me, although I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve it, beyond fall for his best friend.
Wait. Where has that come from?
