“Ixworth Place,” he replies, clearly curious.
“Perfect, thank you.”
I get a bottle of water from the vending machine, then head out of the building, wandering round the corner and downIxworth Place and stopping at the side door there. I lean against the wall and get my phone out, answering some emails that have come through this morning.
The new portaloo company I found passed my inspection test with flying colors and has confirmed for the Delgado wedding this weekend. I happily forward the confirmation on to the bride.
After about twenty minutes, the fire door swings open and Cordelia comes out, having showered and changed. She’s in a blue and white striped shirt tucked into skinny black jeans, and heeled black boots, wearing big sunglasses that take up most of her face, her designer gym bag slung over one shoulder.
I wait for her to shut the door behind her before I step forward into sight.
“Great timing!” I exclaim, making her jump and nearly causing her sunglasses to fly off. “I was just finishing up my emails.”
Her jaw clenches and she pushes her sunglasses up her nose. “You almost gave me a heart attack!”
“Really? I did tell you I’d wait outside for when you were done. So,” I say brightly, “do you have any recommendations for places to go around here?”
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” she grumbles, getting her car keys out. “If you keep following me, I’ll call the police.”
“Lady Meade said you’re having trouble finding inspiration for your dress. I have a mood board at the ready, filled with ideas for a bespoke couture wedding dress. It includes all your favorite designers, and some others you may not have thought to consider. Give me five minutes of your time. I’ll buy you a kiwi and lime smoothie.”
She sighs. “Right. You just happen to know my favorite drink. Tell me, did my mother also let you have a good read of my diary while she filled you in on all my preferences, daily schedule, and gory details of my life?”
“Kiwi and lime smoothies are your favorite, too?” I feign surprise. “That’s so weird!”
“A match made in heaven.”
“It’s only five minutes. Then I’ll leave you alone.”
“Forever?”
“For today.”
She winces, then lets out a sigh. “Fine. Five minutes.”
I mentally punch the air and walk alongside her to the smoothie bar down the road. I keep an eye on her while I order the drinks, terrified she’s going to run away when my back is turned, but, thankfully, she doesn’t. She chooses a small round table by the window, plonking her bag on the floor. While the blender whirs loudly and I pay, she speaks to someone on the phone—Jonathan, I think, as she looks a little less miserable for the duration of the call—then hangs up, taking off her sunglasses and placing them carefully on the table.
“Here you go.” I put the green smoothie in front of her and take a sip of mine as I sit down opposite. “This is really good.”
I get out my phone and log into a private board on Pinterest, spinning my phone so that it’s facing her on the table. She doesn’t look at the screen. Her eyes are fixed on me.
“These are some ideas I thought you’d like based on what I’ve gathered from your style, which may be helpful or may not. Have you had any thoughts or seen anything you like?”
She doesn’t answer, continuing to frown at me in confusion, so I decide to keep going until she stops me.
“If there’s anyone you’d like to speak to or showrooms you’d like to visit, you can let me know and I can help you book in those appointments. And I can come with you to—”
“This is seriously what you do for a job?” she interrupts, her eyebrows raised. “You follow brides round, like a sheep, doing whatever they say?”
“Well, I don’t really see it that way. It’s a little more… involvedthan that,” I reason. “I wouldn’t call myself asheep.More like a sidekick, here to help. Robin to your Batman, if you like.”
She scoffs. “Why would anyone want to be Robin?”
“Because… uh… Well, we’re going off subject. This isn’t about me, it’s aboutyouand whatyouwould like for your wedding. Is there anything at all I can help you with?”
“You’ll help me withanything? Anything I want.”
I nod. “Yes. As I said, see me as your helpful sidekick. I won’t get in your way. I’m just here for whatever you need.”
