“Know what?”
“About this deal between Daddy and Rupert. About the library.”
“What are you talking about?” Gayle’s confused expression made it clear that she had no idea either.
“We should talk about this later,” said Rupert, taking Gayle’s arm and trying to steer her away. “Right now, I’d like a dance with my new wife.”
“They’ve been plotting to get the library closed so Rupert’s company can open a coffee shop there. All of this”—Marjorie indicatedaround them—“has been paid for by dirty money your father got from Cuppa Coffee.”
“What? Dad, is this true?” Gayle said.
“Look, let’s all talk about this tomorrow, shall we?” Brian said. “I think your mother is getting a little worked up; it’s been a very exciting day for her.”
Gayle nodded, but she was still frowning.
“Honestly, Marjorie, stop making such a fuss,” Brian said, shaking his head as he started to walk away. “It’s only a little library. You don’t need to—”
“A little library!” Marjorie roared, with such force that everyone stopped. “I’ve worked for that library for thirty years, dedicated my life to it. And you dismiss it like that means nothing. You lying, cheating...”
June wanted to turn and walk away, but it was like watching a car crash in slow motion. Marjorie started to cast around her wildly. It wasn’t clear to June what she was looking for, until she saw Marjorie’s eyes fall on the giant cheese board on the table behind her. Marjorie reached out, and for a moment June thought she was going to grab one of the cheese knives. But instead she lifted up a large wheel of Brie, the biggest June had ever seen, and spinning back round she slung the cheese with all her might at Brian’s head.
“Stop!” June shouted, but it was too late, as the white disk flew through the air, spinning two or three times before it hit Brian in the face. He staggered backward and fell against Gayle, who in turn started to topple over. Rupert reached out to grab her and the three of them collapsed onto the marquee floor. There was a moment of agonizing silence.
“We should go,” Alex whispered into June’s ear. She stared for amoment longer at the scene in front of her: at Gayle in a heap of ivory silk and lace, Brian’s Brie-smeared face, and Marjorie, her whole body shaking with rage.
June opened her mouth to say something, but she felt Alex take her hand, pulling her backward into the crowd, and she turned and followed him. As June walked away she heard Gayle shout, “How could you do this to me? On my wedding day!”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
They drove away from the wedding as fast as they could, Alex’s car bumping along the country lanes, the headlights startling rabbits in the dark. June’s head was spinning from all the alcohol and she felt sick. She’d never meant to create a scene like that. Poor Marjorie—she’d been planning today for years, and June had brought the whole thing tumbling down.
“Was that woman your boss?” Alex asked as they reached the outskirts of Chalcot.
June nodded.
“God, I hadn’t realized that was her.”
“What do you mean?” She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the window to try to stop the dizziness. She really shouldn’t have drunk so much.
“You remember during the library occupation when I brought you guys a takeaway and no one knew who’d paid for it? Well, it was her.”
“What?” June opened her eyes and looked at Alex. “Marjorie ordered the food?”
“She came into the takeaway in the afternoon and paid by cash. I didn’t recognize her, so I assumed she was a protester.”
“Oh no!” June put her hands up to her face. “All along I thought she was plotting to destroy the library, and actually she’s been secretly supporting us.”
They pulled up outside June’s house, and Alex turned the engine off.
“Are you okay? You look really pale,” he said.
“I ruined the whole wedding.”
“It wasn’t your fault—Brian is the one to blame.”
“Also, I feel a bit sick.”
A panicked look crossed Alex’s face. “Let me help you out of the car.”
