Well done, Sophie. MUCH better than the macaroon chat.
“I’ll be there for Cordelia every step of the way,” I continue, feeling like I’m on a roll. “I’ll attend any appointments she wants me there for, do any odd jobs she doesn’t have time for, help her with any decisions, and be at her side on the big day. And I can play the part of whoever you and Cordelia wish. An old friend, a new friend, a distant cousin. I learn everything about Cordelia there is to know, ready for any questions that come my way. So you can rest assured that no one will ever discover who I really am.”
She frowns. “You learn everything about Cordelia?”
“Only what I need to know to pass as a friend,” I say brightly.
She nods, and the room falls into silence as she considers my pitch.
“Well, this sounds like just the arrangement I was after,” Lady Meade says eventually. “Thank you, Leslie.”
“Hiring Sophie was Bella’s idea and, I must say, one of herbetter ones,” Leslie says, then adds wearily, “Let’s not forget the time she thought it would be a good idea to get a tattoo in Thailand.”
“If you’re happy with all of this, Sophie, I’d like you to meet Cordelia.”
“Sounds great! I’d love to.”
Lady Meade holds up a hand. “I must warn you, my daughter isn’t easy. Getting her onside will be a challenge.”
“Don’t worry,” I say confidently. “I understand that hiring a bridesmaid is a strange concept. I’ve come up against some… reluctant brides before and they always come round in the end.”
“You haven’t met Cordelia,” her mother says, her eyes locking with mine. “Trust me when I say this is not going to be a smooth operation. Cordelia has a habit of pushing everyone away from her, including her own family. That’s why I’m in desperate need of someone to… manage her in the lead-up to the wedding. Without her realizing she’s being managed, of course. Anyway, now you know the basics, we can cover the details with Cordelia. Would you be available to meet her this week?”
“Let me know a time and date that would work for you both, and I’ll be there.” I fish one of my cards out of my bag and hand it to her. “All my details are on there.”
“Wonderful. I’ll be in touch.” She stands up, and I realize she’s waiting for me to leave, I assume so she can talk through our meeting with Leslie once I’ve gone. I pick up my bag and she reaches out to shake my hand. “Goodbye, Sophie.”
“Goodbye, Lady Meade.”
“I’ll show you to the door,” Leslie says, guiding me out into the hallway.
I’m still in a bit of a daze as she passes me my jacket.
“Well done,” Leslie says quietly, opening the front door. “I think that went very well.”
“Thank you so much. I don’t know how I’m ever going to thank you for such an opportunity.”
“Oh, Sophie, as I said, I really wouldn’t thank me quite yet,” she says, glancing behind her, then lowering her voice to a whisper: “You haven’t met Cordelia.”
CAFÉ, LONDON BRIDGE, TUESDAY, 1:00P.M.
CAROLYN: Thanks so much for meeting me here. I have such a busy week that seeing you in a lunch break felt like the only option.
ME: It’s no problem! It’s great to see you. You mentioned you had something to run past me?
CAROLYN: So, as you know, Darren and I have been thinking about the theme of our wedding.
ME: Yes, how exciting!
CAROLYN: I know! And we’ve finally come to a decision.
ME: Amazing. Tell me all.
CAROLYN: OK, are you ready?
ME: I’m ready.
CAROLYN: The theme is…Star Wars! What do you think?
