“You did what you had to.” She spoke in a low voice as if someone might overhear her words, although there was no one who could. “And I think I’ve done okay. Phyll’s happy. I haven’t heard anyone complain. Let’s just leave it alone. I’ll be home in three or four days. And apart from the wedding, I’ll try to stay away from Tarryn in a kissing sense. After all, won’t I be back in Australia’s gayest city soon? If I want to see where this new self-knowledge takes me, well, Sydney’s the place to find out.”
“Okay.”
Allie could picture her twin in her bed, her leg on pillows, biting her lip and twisting the sheet between her fingers. “It’s a plan, then.”
It was the only thing to do at this point. But why did it make her feel so uneasy?
* * *
Allie watched the first models parade down the wedding attire catwalk. A woman wearing a traditional lace and satin white gown with a full-length veil was followed by a man wearing a pale-blue suit, the pants rolled up to mid-calf to reveal bare feet. Then two older women dressed in floaty boho tie-dye sauntered out hand in hand, waving to the crowd, followed by two teenagers in identical skinny-leg hot-pink suits. Allie recognised Casey and Kai, the high school kids.
Her walkie-talkie beeped, and she took a few paces away before answering.
“Have you got a moment to bring over a cart of food from the kitchen?” Ziggy’s harried voice asked. “We’ve sold out of many items.”
“No worries. I’ll go now.” Allie hurried over to the Council’s commercial kitchen which was being used by several of the slow food vendors. The second day was going well so far. Food was selling fast, the wedding fair was jammed with people, and yet more folks were browsing the more general market stalls lining the main street.
Allie’s nerves twanged like a badly tuned guitar. The parade would be starting in two hours, and soon she’d have to go over to the community hall to get ready for her role. And then she’d have to wave and smile and pretend to be in love with Tarryn. Whoever thought this was a good idea should be made to star in next year’s festival. She delivered the food to Ziggy and then headed for the hall to check on preparations for the fake wedding.
Tarryn jogged up to her. “Hey, Sophie, do we have any more of the colour bombs? They’ve sold out.”
“I think there’s a couple more boxes in the hall, but that’s all.” She snuck a sideways glance at Tarryn. She appeared cool and calm, speaking into her handset. “I’m going there now, if you want to come along, I can show you where they are.”
Together, they walked to the hall and collected the colour bombs.
“How are you feeling?” Tarryn asked as they walked over to deliver them. “Nervous?”
“I’m supposed to be asking you that. I’m fine. It’s just a job to me.” And that was a big, whopping lie if ever there was one. If her nerves got any worse, she’d have to go to The Hollowman for a shot of tequila. Or three.
“That’s good.” Tarryn shot her a grin. “Another few hours and all this will be over. We can relax and enjoy the afterparty.”
“You’re okay with this? You’re not going to spring a terrible surprise on us by making a speech about the unnecessary nature of marriage?”
“No. I wouldn’t do that to the town. We’ve invested a lot of money in this festival. We’ve invested a lot of money inyouand your expertise. I wouldn’t sabotage Quandong. I still live here and would have to face my friends in the morning.”
How to pour on the guilt. Quandong had paid a lot for Sophie’s services, and what had they got: Allie blundering her way through. The guilt knifed her in the stomach once more. “That’s good to know. I’d hate for you to be a no-show at the altar.”
Tarryn reached to squeeze Allie’s hand. “I wouldn’t do that to you.” Her walkie-talkie chirped again, and she lifted it to her mouth. “I’m on my way.” She cocked her head and stared at Allie. “Want the truth?”
The intensity of Tarryn’s gaze nailed her feet to the pavement. “Of course.”
“I’m scared shitless about this.” She fiddled with the leather thong at her throat. “This whole acting a part thing. Pretending to be in love and getting married… You know it’s everything I’ve never wanted.” She gave a weak smile. “The only thing keeping me going is the thought of the kiss at the end of the ceremony. I know we can do that, and I’m focussing on it. I know you don’t want to make it real, Sophie, but know I’ll be pretending you’re someone I’ve met in a bar and you’re attracted to me. I’m sorry. That’s probably not what you want to hear, but it’s going to get me through this. I hope.”
A drumbeat thundered in Allie’s mind. The kiss. Yes, the kiss would be the highlight of the day. Hell, of the week, the month, even. And if pretence got them through it, and in a way that looked realistic, well, that’s what both of them would do. “I’ll be doing the same.” She lifted a shoulder. “If it works, that’s a good thing.”
Tarryn’s tight expression eased fractionally. “Most of the time, though, I can’t help wishing I’d stuffed the ballot boxes with votes for Garrett and Will.”
Allie reached for Tarryn’s hand, linking their fingers together. “We’ll get through this, okay?”
“Yeah. But hell’s holy arseholes, I hope you’re not expecting me to stay sober and on duty afterwards. I’ll need all the help I can get.”
Allie laughed. “I was seriously considering slipping over to The Hollowman for a couple of shots. And I don’t do shots.”
Tarryn’s radio crackled again. “How long are you going to be, Tarryn? I have a line for the colour bombs.”
“Sorry.” Her eyes didn’t leave Allie’s face. “I’m thirty seconds away.” She increased her pace to the stall, leaving Allie to follow.
Allie blew out a breath. Soon, this day would be over. She couldn’t wait.
