Carole laughed. By now, they’d made their way to the street and towards the taxi that was pulling up. Once they’d climbed inside, they set off.
“So, you had a busy week at work?” Carole asked.
“Hectic but productive. Hopefully the new clients I visited up in Cambridge will sign contracts with us early next week and then I can breathe a sigh of relief. How was your week?”
“The same, hectic but productive. The days flew by. I’m looking forward to some time spent relaxing this weekend.”
“Me too. But don’t relax too much. Remember, you’re coming along as my human shield in case Lucy’s mad work colleague tries to latch onto me.”
Tom laughed as he said it, obviously joking at the crude characterisation, but it was a reminder that that was in fact the entire basis of their arrangement. Tom had been her human shield against her encounter with Steven Weaver at the last wedding, and she was Tom’s human shield against the woman who might want to slobber all over him at this one.
This was a mutually beneficial arrangement, nothing more. It was a helpful way of defusing the stupid crush she’d developed, for sure.
“You were an excellent wingman last time, and I’ll return the favour this time,” Carole said, with a smile she hoped looked amused.
The journey from Foxglove Street to the hotel just north of Hamblehurst took only a few minutes. The hotel was a large and contemporary building, sleekly modern and with four floors plus two wings on either side, and as they passed by Carole could see that these incorporated the restaurant and function spaces.
The taxi pulled up outside the main doors, where a large sign festooned with flowers welcomed guests to the wedding celebrations. They’d only just climbed out of the vehicle when a torrent of excited shouts and shrieks hit them from the front of the building.
Carole turned to see a whirlwind descend the stone steps and streak towards Tom.
“Tom! You’re here!” Evie yelled as she hurled herself into his arms.
With a grunt of surprised laughter, Tom caught the little girl and scooped her up and spun her around. “Evie! Look at you in your pretty dress. You look wonderful.”
After hugging him and planting a kiss on his cheek, Evie wriggled to the ground where she began twirling to show off the gorgeous bridesmaid dress she wore. It was every little girl’s dream, a confection of lavender satin and frilly underskirt and with a swirl of sweet flowers embroidered across the bodice.
“It’s my very own princess dress!” Evie exclaimed, still spinning so fast Carole wondered how she could stay upright. “Iloveit!”
Evie’s delight was infectious, and Carole couldn’t help laughing alongside Tom.
“Well, if anyone has the right to wear a princess dress, it’s you, sweetheart,” Tom said. “But I think you should stop spinning or you’ll wreck your lovely hairstyle and then your mother will be upset.”
Evie came to an abrupt halt, staggering a little against the momentum she’d worked up. Her hands flew to her hair and a shocked look filled her face.
“Are my curls and clasps still okay?” she asked, patting at her head.
“They’re fine,” Tom reassured her. “But they won’t be if you keep that up, and you want to look your very best for when it’s time for your mum to walk down the aisle, don’t you?”
Evie nodded, then seemed to notice Carole for the first time. A bright smile lit up her face. “Hello, I’m Evie. Are you Carole? Tom told me he was bringing you. I love your dress!”
With a bashful smile, Evie reached out and ran her hands over the soft folds of Carole’s dress.
“I love your dress too, Evie,” Carole said, charmed by the little girl. “Are you excited about being a bridesmaid?”
“I’msoooexcited! Do you want to see the bouquet of flowers I get to carry? Come on and I’ll show you.”
Evie grabbed Carole’s hand and began dragging her inside the hotel. With a laugh over her shoulder, she turned to see Tom trailing in their wake.
“She’s a handful,” he whispered in Carole’s ear once he’d caught up with them. His proximity sent a delicious shiver down her skin and it took her a moment to form a coherent response.
“An adorable handful,” Carole whispered back. “And freakishly strong, too. I think my arm’s in danger of being popped out at the shoulder!”
“Evie let’s slow down a little,” Tom said, laughing. “No running inside, remember?”
Evie slowed to a fast walk, still tugging Carole’s hand. They were crossing the hotel lobby now. The space was large and glassy, with reception desks on one side and a stylish bar spreading out on the other. There were plenty of wedding guests mingling and wandering around, and Carole saw Tom raise his hand in greeting to a few people as they passed, but Evie’s determination to show off her bridesmaid’s flower bouquet meant they were whisked through the lobby crowds towards a corridor that led off to the right.
Evie opened a door and hauled Carole into the room behind her. Carole’s eyes widened when she realised the room was a special suite filled with bridesmaids and several guests and various bits of wedding paraphernalia.
