Lizzie Marshall's Wedding (10 page)

Becky’s hands were starting to tingle. She thought she was about to hear that it was indeed Max who was getting married and the thought of that, bothered her far more than it should have.

‘I’ll need your contact details,’ Margaret said. ‘Is it okay for me to give Lizzie your phone number so that the two of you can discuss what she wants? I’ll give you hers too. She lives in Scotland so it’ll be a bit difficult for her to get down here very often but she is a bit of a perfectionist and I know, from experience, that she knows exactly what she wants as far as weddings are concerned. Max and I both love her dearly, so it’s very important to us that she’s completely happy with everything. No expense should be spared – although we’d both rather you didn’t tell her that. She would hate to think we were spending a fortune on her big day. She’s such a sweet girl. I’m sure you two will get on like a house on fire.’

‘I’m sure we will,’ Becky said, already feeling envious of this paragon of virtue Max and his mother both loved so dearly.

So it was true; Max was getting married. She remembered the kiss and how he’d seemed almost as surprised by it as she was. Then she remembered what he’d said to her in the car a short while ago. Was he flirting with her to have some fun? Or was he worried she might tell someone about it? Somehow, she couldn’t see Max Bedford being worried about anything much at all.

Becky went into professional mode. ‘Her name’s Lizzie?’

‘Yes, Lizzie Marshall. Once you’ve spoken to her and got an idea of what she wants, you can work out what it’ll cost, a ball park figure obviously at this stage and a rough estimate of your fees, if that’s possible and we’ll get the funds organised. And Becky, I meant it when I said, no expense spared. That goes for your fees too. Don’t try to under price yourself to get the job. That’s really not necessary, you’ve got it. Let me know when you’ve spoken to her and we’ll have a proper meeting to discuss things in more detail. So, that’s it then. Our first wedding at Beckleston Hall.’

Becky wrote the date down in her notebook, together with the telephone number Margaret gave her. She handed Margaret her card. ‘That’s got all my details on, including my mobile and email.’

‘I think that deserves a toast,’ Victoria said. She held up her glass and Margaret and Becky did likewise. ‘To Lizzie Marshall’s wedding.’

‘To Lizzie Marshall’s wedding,’ Becky said, ‘and to Max of course.’ She saw the odd look the women gave her.

‘Why to Max, dear?’ Victoria asked. ‘For footing the bill you mean?’

‘Well yes ... and ... because it’s his wedding too.’

The roar of laughter took her completely by surprise.

‘Isn’t it?’ she asked.

‘Good heavens no! Whatever gave you that idea?’ Margaret said.

‘Max and Lizzie? That ship sailed long ago,’ Victoria added. ‘And it will take a very special woman to get Max down the aisle again, won’t it Margaret?’

Margaret nodded. ‘A very special woman indeed!’

Becky was utterly confused – and strangely, relieved. ‘Sorry, I ... well I thought, when you said you were paying and that you both loved her dearly, well ...’ She was lost for words.

‘Oh, of course, dear. No wonder you misunderstood, you don’t know about Lizzie and Max. We’re paying for the wedding as our wedding present to her and the reason we both love her dearly is because, she is Max’s ex-wife. They divorced two years ago but they’re the best of friends. It’s a long story and one that Max may tell you himself, one day, but suffice to say, this is Lizzie Marshall’s wedding and the only part Max is playing in it, is signing the cheques.’

CHAPTER TEN

‘So,’ Max said, getting into the Range Rover to take Becky home, ‘I hear you thought you were going to be organising my wedding. That must have felt a tad awkward.’

‘No. Why should it have?’ She avoided his eyes as she sat on the passenger seat and pulled the door closed.

‘Okay. You’re determined to pretend that nothing happened between us, I see. By the way, thanks for not slamming the door this time.’

She sneered at him. ‘I’m not pretending. Nothing did happen between us. We kissed; big deal. People do it every day.’

‘True.’ He started the engine and headed down the drive. ‘But people who kiss like that are usually dating, at the very least.’

Becky sucked in a breath. He clearly wasn’t going to let this drop. ‘Look Max,’ she said staring straight ahead, ‘I have no idea why you kissed me and even less idea why I let you, but the thing is, I’m going to be working with your mother now.’

‘And that affects us how?’

She swivelled in her seat to look at him. ‘Because I don’t mix business with pleasure.’

‘I’m hoping I’m the pleasure bit in that. And ... I think that’s possibly the nicest thing you’ve said to me since we met.’

She saw his sideways glance and the hint of a smile on his lips and she swivelled back, peering out of the passenger window. ‘Very funny,’ she said.

‘Mum wouldn’t mind – you mixing business and pleasure, I mean.’

Becky tutted. ‘This isn’t just about your mother. This is also about me – and what I want.’

‘Fair enough. Who are you going to the Valentine’s thing with?’

‘What?’ Her head whipped round.

‘It’s a simple question Becky? Who are you going to the Valentine’s Dance with?’

‘I’m not telling you.’

‘That’s mature. I take it that means you don’t have a date.’

‘No it doesn’t! It means it’s none of your business.’

‘I’m making it my business. Do you have a date?’

She fiddled with her seat belt ‘I ... I’m the organiser so I have to be on hand in case something goes wrong.’

‘It’s organised. What can possibly go wrong at this late stage?’

‘You’d be surprised.’

He pulled up outside her cottage, switched off the engine and turned to face her. ‘You’re right, I would. And even if something did, why would that stop you from having a date?’

‘Because ... well, I might have to dash off and leave him.’

She released her seatbelt and was about to open the door but he leant his arm across her and stopped her.

‘Do you want me to carry you up the path?’

She held her breath, wondering if he might kiss her again then quickly shoved the door open. ‘No. I’ll manage thank you.’

Ignoring her, he turned and got out. ‘At least hang on to my arm, just in case.’ He offered her his crooked elbow.

Reluctantly, she slipped her arm through his. She was glad she did. The path was becoming increasingly icy. They walked to her door in silence and he waited whilst she let herself in.

‘Well. Goodbye – and thank you,’ she said, giving him a half-hearted smile.

He beamed at her. ‘My pleasure. I’ll pick you up tomorrow at seven. I’ll book a table at the Inn for seven fifteen and – I’ll risk you having to dash off.’ He turned and strode down the path.

‘You’ll never get a table at this short notice,’ she called after him, rather taken aback by his remark. ‘And I haven’t agreed to go with you anyway!’

‘Yeah, yeah. See you tomorrow at seven,’ he said, without looking back.

‘Of all the arrogant, pig-headed ...’ 

Becky slammed her front door as Max jumped into his car and drove off.

‘You’ll never believe this Jess,’ Becky said, holding the phone to her ear whilst she poured herself a large glass of wine. ‘I’m organising a wedding at Beckleston Hall and guess who is getting married?’

‘Don’t tell me it’s Max. I thought he was too good to be true.’

‘It’s not Max, although I thought it was at first, especially as he’s paying for the wedding, jointly with his mother.’

‘His mum?’

‘No. She’s in her seventies.’

‘So, you can still get married in your seventies. There’s no age limit, you know, which is just as well, for the three of us.’

‘I’ve been married once. I’m not sure I want to do that again. Anyway, I’ll tell you because you’ll never guess, especially after what Connie Jessop told you. It’s his ex-wife! Jess? Jess, are you still there?’

‘I’m here. You mean ... Max’s ex-wife?’

‘The one and only. At least, I assume there’s only one ex-wife. Actually, now I think of it, they didn’t say. Perhaps he’s been married more than once.’ Becky took a gulp of wine; she felt she needed it after everything that had happened today.

‘No,’ Jess said. ‘Connie said he was only married once.’

‘But Connie said his wife ran off with someone and that he was heartbroken and was still trying to get over her. You don’t pay for the wedding of someone you’re trying to get over, do you?’

‘No. I suppose you don’t. How strange. So, hold on a minute. His ex-wife is getting married in his mum’s house and he and his mum are paying for it?’

‘Yep.’ Becky flopped onto the sofa.

‘Wow! Have you told Susie?’

 ‘Not yet. I’m going to call her now.’

‘Can we come round?’

‘Of course you can, but it’s getting very icy out there so you need to be very careful. Oh and I ... No. I’ll save that bit of news until you get here. Give me half an hour will you? I want to call Lily before she has her bath and goes to bed.’

‘Okay. You call Lily and I’ll call Susie. See you soon.’

Jess and Susie arrived with two bottles of wine and a “Beckleston Bridal Belles”, bag.

‘Ooh! What’s in the bag? Let me guess, you’ve found a dress for me to borrow. Actually, I really hope you have. The other bit of news, and one I’m not sure is good or bad, is ...  Max has asked me to be his date for the Valentine’s do and
,
he’s taking me to dinner at the Inn. Well, to be honest, he didn’t really ask me, he told me and I know we always go to the dance together so I can still tell him to get lost, if you’d rather.’

‘Don’t be an idiot,’ Jess said. ‘Of course you won’t tell him to get lost.’

‘No way! Do you think either of us would dump him to be with you?’

Becky smiled. ‘Yes. Actually I do.’

‘Okay, but you wouldn’t let us so that’s that. Here.’ Susie handed her the bag. ‘And it’s not for you to borrow; it’s for you to keep. I threw a few pieces of material together this afternoon. I think it’ll fit but I’ve brought my pins in case it needs a bit of tweaking. Go and try it on.’

Becky opened the bag and peered inside. She pulled out a dress of the richest chocolate brown and creamiest ivory, she’d ever seen. It was made from several layers of chocolate brown, silk chiffon that billowed out from an empire-line, band of ivory taffeta just under the bust. From the centre of the bust area there was a clasp made up of tiny pearl-like beads which swept the low neckline down into a bra top effect. The chiffon straps were overlaid with more pearl beads at the shoulders. Its sheer beauty brought tears to Becky’s eyes.

‘Don’t start bawling. You’ve got to look your best for tomorrow,’ Susie said.

Becky hugged both her friends then dashed upstairs to try it on. When she looked in the mirror, she hardly recognised herself. She ran back downstairs and twirled around the sitting room with the fabric clinging to her hips then floating away.

‘Oh Susie, this is magnificent. You’re an absolute genius. You really should have been a designer. I’ve never worn a dress like this – in my entire life. It feels ... well, sort of like I’m wearing nothing, it’s so light and yet, it feels as if I’m wearing fairy wings.’

‘Okay, no more wine for you,’ Jess said grabbing the half empty bottle and hugging it to her chest.

‘I’m serious. It’s as soft as gossamer. Is it really mine?’

‘Yes Cinderella, and you shall go to the ball. Fairy wings; gossamer; what are you going on about?’ Jess shook her head but smiled, nonetheless.

‘I’m just so excited. This has been one of the best days of my life for ... well, since Lily was born. First Margaret offering me a job and now getting this exquisite dress, not to mention having two of the best friends in the entire world.’

‘Um. Aren’t you forgetting another couple of pretty spectacular events?’ Susie said. ‘Like, Max kissing you and then asking you to be his Valentine date. I’d say they both rank pretty highly.’

Becky smiled like a child locked in a sweet shop. ‘I’m still not sure if that’s good or bad, to be honest. He makes me so mad and yet ... that kiss was pretty sensational.’

‘And wait till he sees you in that dress. I think tomorrow night may be the best night you’ve had in a great many years.’ Jess winked at her.

‘You’ll need shoes too,’ Susie said, reaching into her handbag. ‘I brought these because they’re what I’d suggest to wear with it but you’re welcome to pop in to the shop tomorrow and see if there are any others you prefer.’

Susie handed her a pair of chocolate brown satin high heeled shoes that matched the dress to perfection. They were open toed court shoes with two little pearl beads in the centre of the scooped down front.

Becky slipped them on and her smile grew even wider. ‘They’re perfect Susie. Thank you. Thank you both so much. I-’

‘Don’t say it; we don’t want you to repay us. They’re a gift. Now go and take them off before we all turn into pumpkins,’ Jess said.

She refilled their glasses as Becky ran up the stairs, two at a time.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Jess and Susie arrived at Becky’s at five p.m. with two bottles of sparkling wine, to help her to get ready for her big date. They gave her a manicure, pedicure, did her make-up and her hair, and even they were stunned by her appearance when she was dressed and ready to go.

‘You look fabulous!’ Jess said as Becky checked her make-up for the umpteenth time.

‘I can’t believe how nervous I am,’ she said, knocking back another glass of wine. ‘The only thing I’ve been able to eat all day is a slice of toast.’

‘Then you’d better slow down on the wine!’ Susie said, taking the glass out of Becky’s shaking hand.

‘It’s been so long since I’ve had a date, that just the thought of it is making me light-headed. I needed the wine to steady my nerves.’

‘Well, I think if you have any more, it’ll have the opposite effect. Just breathe and try to keep calm.’

‘That’s easier said than done. The butterflies in my tummy are having a rave ... on crack ... and have clearly downed several gallons of alcohol! I really hope I can eat something at dinner otherwise Max will think I’m one of those women who obsesses about their weight, saying they’re full after eating half a lettuce leaf. Oh God! Let me have just one more small glass of plonk. I really need it!’