“And you,” I say, noticing the gigantic diamond sitting on her ring finger.
“Oh, yes, that’s right.” Georgia giggles, her eyes drifting up from my muddy boots to my tangled wet bird’s-nest hair. “How fascinating. Are you really an escort?”
“Only at weekends,” I quip.
Tom snorts with laughter. The girls remain unimpressed.
“You’re here for the weekend, too, then? Or are you on your way home?” Annabel asks, noting the wheelie case and folding her arms.
“I’ve just arrived, actually,” I say, taking great pleasure in their barely concealed disappointment. “I came up on the train from London.”
“How nice,” Annabel says, with a thin smile. “Since we’re all out here in the sticks for the weekend, we must do dinner this evening! Don’t you think so, Tom?”
“I—”
“We must!” Georgia squeals, nodding vigorously. “Sucha fun idea, Annabel.”
“Unless you have other plans tonight?” Annabel asks Tom, giggling. “Although I don’t suppose you do. Come on, Tom, we never hang out anymore.”
“Never,” Georgia repeats.
“When will we get this chance again? It’ll be so fun,” Annabelinsists. “And don’t worry, our parents are here too, so we can bring them along to entertain yours, Tom. We can all talk weddings!”
“I’m so excited already,” Georgia says, clapping her hands. “What do you think, Tom?”
“Shall we say seven o’clock?” Annabel smiles.
“Um… uh…” He looks to me for help but I just stare back. “… that sounds great.”
“Perfect,” Annabel says, placing a hand gently on his arm. “You’re so sweet to have us.”
“We haven’t had a good catch-up in ages, Tom,” Georgia claims, somewhat accusingly. “It’s such a shame we couldn’t go to the engagement party, and since then you’ve been so busy.”
“Yeah, it’s been crazy,” he agrees. “We shouldn’t loiter here on the doorstep. Shall we go in?”
“Actually, we won’t keep you,” Annabel cuts in, as Georgia opens her mouth to speak. “We were only dropping by to say hello. We must get back home in time for my meeting with Nicole Percy, our florist. She’s come all this way specially, so I don’t want to keep her waiting. We’ll catch up at dinner tonight.”
“Wait,” I say, before I can stop myself. “Your wedding florist is Nicole Percy?”
“You know her?” Annabel asks, tilting her head in surprise.
“No, not really,” I say quietly, wishing I hadn’t said anything at all. “I hear she’s great.”
“She’s the best. Such a spiritual, talented woman,” she states, flipping her hair behind her shoulders. “There’s no one better. The wedding’s in May, so we don’t have long, but I feel safe in her hands. Anyway, bye, darlings.”
“So nice to meet you.”
I know what your wedding dress looks like.
I broke into a studio to look at the designs.
I’m so sorry.
PS You’ll look so good in an A-line.
After they’ve given Tom and me kisses on each cheek, they saunter back to their car and beep the horn loudly, speeding back down the drive. Waving goodbye, Tom ushers me into the house, shuts the door behind us, and leans back against it in despair.
“Sorry about that. They’re old friends.” He winces. “Cordelia’s going to kill me when she finds out they’re coming for dinner.”
