Sixteen
Ithadallbeengoing so well. But if experience had taught me anything it should have been that things never go to plan. And wedding planning was no exception to that rule.
Not that this was my fault. This was entirely down to the bride. And possibly the groom.
The night away at the Spa hadn’t had quite the calming and restorative effect that Marcus had been hoping for, it seemed.
If anything, Adele now had more doubts about their relationship than she’d had before they left.
Even Marcus was thinking that setting a date might have been a mistake.
‘I thought I was helping,’ he said when he popped round to see me that evening. ‘I thought that, by showing Adele how much I wanted her to be my wife, she would see that everything that evil woman had said was complete and utter nonsense. Now I don’t know what to think, or do, or say. Adele is … behaving in a way I’ve never seen before. It’s as if … well, as if she’s becoming a different person. Her emotions are all over the place. One minute she’s on top of the world, the next she’s drowning in sorrow. As I’ve already mentioned, she’s always had an inferiority complex, but this is something else.’
‘What are you saying, Marcus? That you want to call the whole thing off?’
‘What? No! I love her. I was certain she loved me. I had no doubts at all. But now…’ He shrugged. ‘I just want to do whatever is best for Adele. And for myself too, of course. Having one wife leave me was bad enough. I certainly don’t want to make that two. So if this wedding isn’t what’s best for Adele then, maybe, we should … postpone it.’
‘Are you serious?’
‘Yes. No. I don’t know. Will you talk to her? She might tell you what’s going on as you don’t live down here and you don’t have a vested interest in what either of us do. Lucy and Noelle are friends of Adele’s and of mine, so they might not be as impartial as you could be. Plus, you’re a police officer. You can tell when people are lying, can’t you? Or when they’re hiding something. I’d really appreciate your help, Erin.’ He laughed, but it was a hollow sound. ‘You might tell me I’m imagining it and being silly. Or perhaps that you think I’m the one with cold feet. As I said, my first marriage didn’t end well, so I’ll admit I’m more nervous about this than I thought I’d be.’
‘I’ll do whatever I can. And willingly.’ I decided to take a stab at lightening the mood because Marcus looked a little tearful and although I believe men have as much right to cry as women, I know some men still feel embarrassed when they do, and I didn’t want Marcus to feel any worse than he clearly already did, so I added, ‘Erm. As for me not having a vested interest, I think I should tell you that I’ve drunk several bottles of your … deposit, so I can’t give you that back.’
Thankfully my words had the desired effect, and he grinned at me, and chuckled.
‘Deposits are usually nonrefundable, so that’s fine. And, if you can get this wedding back on track. Or at least, give me some advice. There’s another case where that one came from, and it’s yours.’
‘I’ll do my very best. Leave it with me.’
‘Thank you, Erin. I’m so glad you’re here.’
‘You might not say that when you see your best man,’ I said.
‘Best man? You mean, Jasper? Why?’
‘Oh. Hasn’t he told you?’
‘Told me what? Is there a problem?’
‘No. Nothing you need to worry about.’
‘Are you sure?’ He looked concerned. ‘I did text him last night to ask if he’d be able to come and close a window for me while we were away, and he texted back that he would, but I haven’t heard from him since. There mustn’t been a power cut last night because we had to reset everything when we got home, but the window was closed, so Jasper had obviously popped round, although...’ His brows shot up and he smirked. ‘Ooooh. Did you two have words? Did you see him looking for the key in the plant pots, and question him or something?’
‘Something like that, yes. But we’re fine. We’re friends now. I think.’
He puffed out a small sigh. ‘That’s good. For a moment there you had me worried. And worrying about Adele and this wedding is more than enough for me right now. So that’s a relief.’
‘Yes. Sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned it. You go and be with Adele, and leave everything else to me.’
‘Thanks. I’ll see you soon then?’
‘Yep. See you soon. Good night.’
I closed the door behind him, leaning back against it. And then I phoned Lucy, but it went to voicemail so I left her a message asking her to call me.
I paced the kitchen waiting, but she must’ve been out, or busy, or had her phone turned off, or something, because I called her again and it still went to voicemail. I left another message, but I needed to discuss this now.
So I hit the dial icon and called someone else.
