“I don’t even know anyone here, it’s all Pamela’s friends.”
“When are your London mates coming down for the wedding?”
“I only invited a handful, and they’re getting the train down on Saturday morning. We’re planning to have a celebration party in London in the spring, which will be more my style than Pamela and David’s.”
“Good idea. And when’s your mum arriving?”
“On Friday,” Nova said, feeling a swell of warmth at the thought. “She’s got two internal flights, then she’s flying from Bogotá to Barcelona overnight on Thursday, then from Barcelona to Bristol on Friday morning.”
“You must be so excited to see her.”
“I really am.”
Lauren paused for a moment, chewing her lip. “Look, I didn’t want to have to bring this up tonight at your hen do—”
“Unofficial hen do,” Nova interrupted with a smile.
“Sandy told me about what happened today with Michael Watkins’s wife.”
“Ah, yes,” Nova said, the smile disappearing from her face. “I’m sorry, Lauren. I realize it was stupid of me to go to her house, but I honestly had no idea it was a data protection breach.”
“You don’t have to apologize tome. I just can’t believe Sandy suspended you.”
“I really messed up.” Nova shook her head and then winced at the thumping pain.
“Sandy had another meeting with Tina at the council this afternoon,” Lauren said. “She came back with a face like thunder.”
“Did she tell you what Tina said?”
“No, but when I said I was coming here tonight, she asked me to tell you that you need to go in for a meeting at nine a.m. tomorrow.”
“Shit,” Nova said, running a hand through her hair and knocking the stupid veil off. “This is it, Lauren. She’s going to fire me.”
“Christ, I’m so sorry.”
Nova gave a small, dry laugh. “Sacked two days before my wedding. That must be some sort of record.”
“What did Craig say?”
“I’ve not had a chance to tell him yet, we’ve not been alone all day.”
“Nova, you have to tell him soon. You know how fast gossip travels round St. Tredock, and he’ll be upset if he hears about it from someone else.”
Outside the door, Nova could hear the landlord on the microphone, telling people to get their drinks in before the quiz started.
“You’re right, I’ll talk to him now.”
“Okay, good luck. I’ll get us both another drink.”
Nova headed back out to the pub. It was packed now, people taking their seats for the quiz. One of Pamela’s friends signaled for Nova to join them, but she pretended not to notice and headed toward Craig, who was standing at the bar with Sam, Lauren’s boyfriend.
“Can I have a quick word, Craig?”
“Now? I’m just getting a round in, we’re starting in a minute.”
“Please, it’s important.”
“Okay, let’s go outside where it’s quieter.”
