“A million times. She keeps telling me it’s just a formality so I can inherit all the shit tone of money I don’t want. I don’t want to even think about it…her not being—for heaven’s sake, I just hate her sometimes!”
“You could open a cat shelter here at Glenmere,” says Henry. “Reason enough?”
I consider him for a moment.
“Okay,” I say, and thereby end the conversation rather awkwardly.
“Anything else?” he asks.
“Yes,” I say and look at Pebbles and Porridge, who both now lie like dead on the floor. “Make these cats stand! It was your bloody idea!”
Henry looks at them, and we both burst into tearful laughter.
“I will,” he says and takes them both with him, one under each arm.
“Mia,” he says and turns when he stands in the door. “There’s a small package on the table. Do not open it until tonight.”
“What is it?” I ask.
“Wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you, would it? It will be…useful, hopefully.”
I roll my eyes.
My level of surprise on this day has already been reached. I hate this entire day.
“Does it have something to do with what I told you to do?” I ask.
“I believe so, but I added a…surprise,” he says cryptically and nods towards the stylist. “Get ready, we’re rolling in five. Bella is freaking out.”
“Tell her to get it together. I am the one marrying, not her.”
Henry laughs. I don’t know what exactly they do, but there is more between them. Bella was out with Henry and his boyfriend twice, and they have just bonded. I know, because I have been seeing a lot of Bella here at Glenmere lately.
“Everything alright?” asks the stylist to me, who has kept silent in a corner during my small freakout.
I glance into the mirror. My hair shimmers red, a new colour Victoria thought I should try out, and I love all about it. The stylist has put my hair up, fit to the tailored female suit I am wearing.
I am so used to Victoria’s world, our world, by now that I see myself in the mirror as me. Not a dressed-up version, but me.
“Yes,” I say, “Stressful day.”
“Always is,” the stylist says. “It’ll all be over before you can blink.”
“Please,” I say sardonically and make my way to the door. We’ll get married at a castle near the manor, in Inverness, because Victoria had to invite half of the world.
There will be people, many, many people. Known people. Even the media. Because I am getting married to bloody Victoria Grace Fitzroy.
I am an idiot.
Henry waits for me in the entrance hall, both cats on his arm,clinging to him for their dear life. I am sure Victoria left Henry with me because she knows I am close to snapping.
Bella is next to him. She’s my bridesmaid and looks absolutely stunning.
Behind them, our sweet old neighbour lady, whom I invited instead of my mother. She has had the wonderful idea to be my stand-in mother.
I look at the three of them, and love spreads through my chest. I didn’t want this whole day. I am doing this for Victoria, but they’re here, and it’s actually quite nice.
“Look at you,” says Bella from downstairs, mouth half open.
