Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 113584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 568(@200wpm)___ 454(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 568(@200wpm)___ 454(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
“That colour looks lovely on you,” Abbie muses.
My smile is tight. “Thank you.”
“Teal,” Clark mumbles, distracted by his nerves.
“It’s slightly paler than teal,” Abbie declares. “Like—”
“Seafoam,” Clark adds.
“Yes, seafoam!”
Jesus Christ. “I better get back to Rachel.” I hand my brother over to Abbie. “Can you make sure he gets to the ballroom?”
“Just give me a minute,” Abbie says to Clark. Then she claims me and pulls me to one side. Clark eyes us suspiciously. I shrug. “Jude showed up at my flat as I was leaving.”
I breathe out my exasperation. “Was that before or after he showed up at Clark’s?”
“Oh?”
I want to ask what was said, but I won’t. I can guarantee it involved the cold shoulder from Abbie.
“I know everything,” Clark says as he moves in, playfully shoulder-barging Abbie.
I laugh under my breath. How wrong he is. “Look, guys, I’m sorry he’s bothering y—”
“There you all are!” Charley hurries in, her wild strawberry-blond curls looking like a bouncing cape fanned out behind her. I dread to think how long it took her to do her hair. It’s incredible, though, and her sickeningly tight body—post two children—encased in a silver satin wrap dress is seriously banging. “The minister is asking for you, Clark. And Rachel is stressing about where you are.” Charley nods at me. “That colour on you!”
Someone get this fucking dress off me. “I’m going,” I say, leaving them to get Clark where he needs to be.
“Wait.” Charley chases at my heels, stopping me at the door. “Lloyd said Jude stopped by.”
“Oh my God,” I yell, stressed, frustrated, angry, and every emotion in between. I give each of them a moment of my eyes. “It’s Rachel and Clark’s wedding day, so can we get on with it?”
All looking wary, they retreat, and I nod, happy, hitching up my skirt and leaving them, wishing I could take my own advice and get on with it.
Get on with my life.
Chapter 2
It was such a beautiful service. A stunning meal. Wonderful speeches. Alcohol on tap, although I’ve been very cautious with what passes my lips. Alcohol makes me weak, and as I’ve found another five missed calls and two more texts since I last checked my phone, I can’t be weak.
If medals for avoiding eye contact were a thing, I’d get the gold. I’ve managed to evade Nick’s gaze all day, and that’s an achievement since he sat directly opposite me throughout dinner. As soon as coffee and petits fours were served after dessert, I was up and out of there, heading onto the balcony to get some air, along with a dozen or so smokers.
Abbie and Charley join me, both with reluctant smiles. “That was beautiful,” Abbie says, dropping down on the rattan couch next to me. “I’m full to the brim!”
“Me too,” Charley moans, rubbing her tummy. “Lloyd’s taken the kids to your parents’ room for a nap. I might join them.”
I chuckle and reach for the same glass of wine I’ve been sipping throughout dinner. “Did you see the cake?”
“Yeah.” Abbie frowns. “Why does it look like the Leaning Tower of Pisa?”
“The chef’s mislaid the cake stand. I don’t think anyone’s noticed.”
“How long before Rachel starts popping out babies?” Charley asks, making my glass falter on its way to my lips.
“I don’t think it’ll be long.”
Mum and Dad wander out onto the balcony, throwing smiles everywhere as they head our way. Mum’s eyes are still puffy. She’s spent most of the day weeping, along with Grandma. “You two okay?” I ask.
“Yes, darling, Grandma and Grandpa have gone to lie down for a while. It’s the noise, you see, and the band are about to start.”
“Oh, the band.” Charley hops up, suddenly full of beans. “I haven’t had a good dance since we got shamelessly drunk in Amazonico and forgot to pay our bill.” She chuckles, I wince, and Abbie hisses her disapproval. “Fuck,” Charley blurts. “I’m sorry, that was insensitive.”
“It’s fine,” I assure her.
“What was insensitive?” Dad asks, reminding all three of us that we’re not alone.
“Nothing,” I sing, jumping up and kissing his cheek. “You look very dapper today, Dad.”
“Doesn’t he?” Mum gushes. “Come, come, it’s the first dance.” She shoves Dad back into the ballroom, and we all follow to watch the happy couple take to the floor.
I spot Grandma with Grandpa and hurry over. “You two oldies are supposed to be having nanna naps.”
Grandma expresses nothing but sheer disgust. “I’ll smack that arse of yours, Grand Girl,” she warns. “You think I’d miss the first dance?” She grabs my arm, pulling me close. “You’ve lost your sparkle,” she says, making my smile fall. “Where’s it gone, Grand Girl?”
I soften in her hold. “I’ve just misplaced it for a while, Grandma.”
“What happened?”
“It just didn’t work out.” The lump in my throat I’ve managed to keep under control starts rising.