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)
“Yes, he admitted it. He also confessed that he doesn’t want to lose me to another man.” Jude’s frown is stretching by the second.
“God love that old goat. So you had lunch?”
“Yes, and now we’re taking them clubbing.” Mum and Dad round the corner towards Evelyn’s.
“Come again?”
“They’ve had a few cocktails each. We’re taking them to Evelyn’s.”
“I’m on my way.”
“What?”
“I need to see this. I’m diverting up the M40. See you soon.” Clark hangs up, and I make my way to Jude, who is still frowning, his head tilting as he moves his phone around, checking the screen at different angles. “What’s up?”
He clears the screen quite speedily. “Nothing.”
“Then why do you look like something is up?”
“Nothing’s up.” He waves a hand flippantly. “Just some irritating supplier issues that I shouldn’t be dealing with on a Saturday.” His hand finds mine. “Sorry, I was distracted.”
“It’s fine. I thought something was wrong.”
“Ready?”
“You get the pleasure of my brother and sister-in-law too.”
“What?”
“Clark’s just arrived back at Heathrow from his honeymoon. He doesn’t want to miss the opportunity of seeing our drunk parents clubbing.”
“Yay. A family reunion.”
I elbow him in the side, making his torso fold, and let him lead us into Evelyn’s.
It was a joke. My clubbing references. Except Mum and Dad are God knows how many cocktails deep now, and both are on the dance floor in Evelyn’s getting their groove on to Joris Voorn and Nathan Nicholson. I’m fucking staggered.
“What the fuck?” Clark breathes, finding us at the bar, his eyes on our parents on the floor.
“Yeah, what the fuck?” Rachel mimics, seeming mesmerised by the sight.
“They’re having fun.” Jude offers a hand to Rachel. “Jude Harrison.”
Rachel cocks me a sideways smile. “I’ve heard lots about you. I’m Rachel.”
“Congratulations.”
Rachel’s hand instantly goes to her stomach as she shoots me a shocked look. “I can’t believe you told him.”
“I didn’t.” My lips straighten. “He was talking about your recent vows.”
“Oh.”
“You’re pregnant?” Jude says.
“Shhhh,” we all hiss, checking the whereabouts of our parents. We’re safe; they’re in a full-blown dance trance.
“Well, congratulations on that too,” Jude says, before putting his mouth to my ear. “Sounds disgusting.”
I laugh and nudge him. “Stop it.”
“Thanks.” Clark shakes Jude’s hand. “Nice to see you again. When I’m vertical and not bent backwards over a bar with my throat in your clench.”
Jude visibly cringes. “Again, my apologies. What can I get you to drink?”
“Water. I’m driving, and she’s expecting.” Clark turns back towards the floor. “I can’t believe what I’m seeing.”
“Me either.” I join him, observing our parents. “In fact, today has been a constant string of what-the-fuck moments.” And like a sick omen, right on cue, Katherine walks into the club. “What the fuck?” I breathe, watching as she scans the space.
“I’ll deal with this.” Jude passes us fast, urgent, and goes to Katherine, guiding her back out of the club.
“Who’s that?” Rachel asks.
“No one.” I knock my drink back, my eyes burning from staring at the entrance as I half-heartedly listen to Clark and Rachel tell me about their honeymoon.
“And then I had a full-body massage which involved a very happy ending, and, bonus, Rach could watch.”
I blink and look at my brother. “What the fuck?”
“Yeah, you’re right, the what the fucks just keep coming today, don’t they?” Clark points to the entrance. “Who is she?”
“Jude’s ex,” I say quietly. “And you think Nick’s finding it hard to let go.”
“Oh, shit.”
“She spews venom like a premenstrual spitting cobra.”
“Go. I can tell you want to.”
“I want to but don’t.” I can feel my feet lifting, readying to take me there, but my head, the sensible part, is warning against it. “Fuck it.” I pass Clark my half-empty glass. “Back in a minute.”
I pace across the club and push my way out the doors to the outside area, where a few people are smoking. Jude’s on the far side, Katherine opposite him, arms folded, looking as indignant as a woman could look. “I swear,” Jude hisses, “if I find out you had anything to do with it, I’ll ruin you, do you hear me?”
Katherine laughs. It’s condescending as fuck. “You seem to be forgetting one small detail, Jude,” she counters, leaning in. But then she spots me and backs off again. “Ah, here she is, the girlfriend.” Her eyes drop down my sports top and leggings. “You’re hardly dressed for the occasion.”
“And what’s the occasion?” I ask.
“He’s getting to know the parents.” Katherine smiles. “This really is serious.” She turns her steely eyes onto Jude again. “But how well are they getting to know you, Jude?”
“What does that mean?” I ask, approaching.
“Jude’s never been serious with women.”
“That’s because none of them were Amelia,” he snaps. “Including you.” He puts his arm around me and leads me away. “Fuck off home to your husband, Katherine, and leave me the hell alone.”