Ten
Idon’tknowhowMarcus did it, but he must have convinced Adele about this wedding, because later that morning, Lucy called to tell me that Sam had heard from Marcus and it was all systems go.
I had also made a couple of phone calls, and by telling a few porky pies, like saying I was having flashbacks about the stabbing injury, and that I might need to take more of my annual leave that was owed to me, than the two weeks I had booked, I managed to wangle another three weeks paid leave.
In fact, it wasn’t a total lie. I did think about the stabbing more than I thought I would. And I had experienced a few nightmares because of it. Perhaps it had affected me more than I realised. I’d need to deal with that.
But right now, there were other things to think about. I had to ask Marcus if Adele had booked the cottage out for those extra three weeks. I didn’t want to bother Adele.
‘I believe she has for one of them,’ he said, when I called him, thanks to Lucy giving me his phone number. ‘But we can work something out. Leave it with me. I’ll get back to you. In the meantime, take it as read that the cottage is yours for the duration.’
Yep. That man had definitely once been a solicitor. There was no doubt about that.
What had made him give that all up and become a property developer? I’d have to ask him.
Although, perhaps not right now. He also had other things to think about. Like how to prove to his fiancée that he truly loved her and wanted her to be his wife.
Should True Love really be this hard?
Lucy screamed with delight when I met her and Sam for lunch and told her I’d be staying for at least a month, or just over. Even Sam seemed pleased about it.
‘You don’t know how happy I am to hear that,’ Lucy said.
‘I have a pretty good idea. And, I believe, so does everyone else in this restaurant.’ I raised my brows at her.
She giggled but then she lowered her voice. ‘Sorry. It’s just such a relief. I wasn’t really thinking, when I offered to design Adele’s wedding dress, this morning. I’ve got so much on my plate already, what with the online business, all the legal stuff with Fairlight Brides, the refurbishment, and trying to keep that business going in the background. And you’re here on holiday and I want to spend some free time with you. Now that I know you’ll be staying, it means I can do all that.’
‘I can give you a hand with stuff,’ I said. ‘Not the design side, obviously, but I can do other things to help take the pressure off.’
‘Me too,’ said Sam.
‘I know. And that’s wonderful,’ said Lucy. ‘But remember, Erin, you’re here on holiday. And also, to decide what you want to do with your future. Don’t let this wedding take over. Or worry about helping me. Don’t push your own needs to one side.’
‘I won’t. I promise. I think it might be fun. I’ve never helped arrange a wedding before, but how hard can it be?’
‘I think,’ said Sam, ‘you’ll soon find out.’
‘I think we all will,’ said Lucy.
‘I think I need a glass of wine,’ I said. ‘Don’t look at me like that, Lucy. It’s lunchtime. And as you just pointed out. I am here on holiday.’
‘Fine. I’ll have one too,’ Lucy said.
Sam grinned. ‘I think, for once, I might join you. All this talk of weddings is giving me palpitations.’ He threw me a look. ‘I don’t know if Lucy has told you, Erin – although I assume she has – but weddings are something my family does rather too often.’
I returned the grin. ‘She did mention it. So we know where to come if we need some advice.’
‘No way. I said I’d help, and I will. But all I’ve ever done as far as weddings are concerned is turn up on the day and smile for the photographs.’
‘Photographs!’ Lucy said. ‘Do you think Marcus has thought of things like that? We need to sit down with everyone, including Adele, and sort out precisely who is doing what, when, and how. Perhaps Adele will want to do this all herself with just a little input from all of us. Or perhaps she’ll want us to do it all. Who knows?’
‘I agree,’ I said. ‘Unless we have a real plan of action this might turn into a total disaster, and then Adele’s dream really will be shattered.’
‘I’ll speak to Noelle,’ Lucy said. ‘She’s closer to Adele and Marcus than most of us. She’ll sort something out. Ooh. I wonder who Adele will have as her bridesmaids. And who Marcus will have as his best man.’
‘I can answer the one about the best man,’ Sam said. ‘Marcus told me this morning when he called to say it was on, that he’s asked his cousin, Jasper to do the honours. He said he was going to pick one of his friends, like me, or Alec, or one of the others to do it. But the last time he picked his best friend to be the best man, the bastard ran off wife Marcus’ wife. He said he’s not taking any chances this time.’
I snorted a laugh. I already had a feeling that arranging this wedding was going to throw up some surprises.
